Last Day on the Farm

Tuesday was our last day at the farm, and we really had a blessed time. Nadine and I took a morning walk with Geoffrey to see little John, a boy with severe disabilities who is being supported by Far Reaching Ministries. He had a big smile on his face when we showed up, and it was amazing to see how joyful and Spirit-filled he is, even in the face of so many challenges. He reminds me of Tiny Tim from Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol. After we walked back to the farm and had lunch, we had another training session for the VHTs, this time on maternal/child health and nutrition. As we trained them, many community members started to arrive, so we repeated the lessons a few times to ensure everyone understood. Judith, the new nurse at Emmanuel Clinic, gave an engaging and informative lecture on the importance of visiting the clinic for antenatal checkups.

We climbed the ladder to the water tank-the view of the entire farm was breath-taking. To view the school, Emmanuel Clinic, the tukels (huts we sleep in,) the Nook where beyond delicious meals were served and where many conversations took place, the diel ott (goat house) and the fertile fields. The irrigation drip lines coil like black snakes in the soil-symbolizing the potential for dry season production and business opportunity for the villagers. It is bittersweet to leave the Utopia of Canaan Farm. I say good-bye to the Cockatieu that sang to me above my shower and to the lizards that scampered about in our living thicket roof. I say a lingering farewell to the Queen of the Night tree outside our tukel that blessed us with its amazing aroma where its blossoms open only in the evening to bless us. The hardest is to say good to our gracious hosts Richard & Susan Angoma and their 3-year-old daughter Abby. To be so openly welcomed in their home and hearts is humbling. Richard was our chaperone, translator & negotiator with others for us at H2O Life. We our forever indebted to them and I count them among my best of friends. Wishing God's Blessings on their special family and all the amazing workers/friends at Canaan Farm. Heather R.

All I Can Say is "Wow"

All I can say is wow! I was so encouraged and uplifted by all the work done today, both at the clinic and in the classroom. Nadine and I (Mariel) had a training session with the Village Health Team, including one new member, Godwin from Kampala Village. We used the new training manual I developed this summer during my internship with H2O Life, and they really responded well to the new format (Including the large, laminated pictures they can use to show the villagers). We talked about hygiene and sanitation, HIV/AIDS, malaria, and methods for community mobilization, among other things. Another big highlight was giving 4 VHTs their new bicycles, which they used to communicate to the villagers about our community health sessions today and tomorrow.

In the afternoon, we had nearly 100 village members gathered outside the clinic for a health education session led by the VHTs! They used their new manuals to teach all about hygiene and sanitation, dental care, diarrhea, and malaria. Nadine, Susan, and I acted out a skit comparing a smart mother who bought a mosquito net for her family and a stubborn mother who refused to buy a net, but got her whole family sick. The people loved the illustration (complete with Nadine and a few ladies dancing and singing under their net), and at the end we announced a special gift-we gave everyone who attended the training FREE insecticide-treated mosquito nets, soap, toothbrushes, and deworming pills!! They all promised to take very good care of their new nets, and one man gave an enthusiastic thank you speech. He said he has 8 children and could not afford a mosquito net for all of them, so he was so thankful for Hope 2 One Life's work in bringing nets to the community. I am so blessed to witness and participate in the incredible work God is doing through all of the members of H2O Life/Family Empowerment-Uganda!

-Mariel

All I Can Say is "Wow"

All I can say is wow! I was so encouraged and uplifted by all the work done today, both at the clinic and in the classroom. Nadine and I (Mariel) had a training session with the Village Health Team, including one new member, Godwin from Kampala Village. We used the new training manual I developed this summer during my internship with H2O Life, and they really responded well to the new format (Including the large, laminated pictures they can use to show the villagers). We talked about hygiene and sanitation, HIV/AIDS, malaria, and methods for community mobilization, among other things. Another big highlight was giving 4 VHTs their new bicycles, which they used to communicate to the villagers about our community health sessions today and tomorrow.

In the afternoon, we had nearly 100 village members gathered outside the clinic for a health education session led by the VHTs! They used their new manuals to teach all about hygiene and sanitation, dental care, diarrhea, and malaria. Nadine, Susan, and I acted out a skit comparing a smart mother who bought a mosquito net for her family and a stubborn mother who refused to buy a net, but got her whole family sick. The people loved the illustration (complete with Nadine and a few ladies dancing and singing under their net), and at the end we announced a special gift-we gave everyone who attended the training FREE insecticide-treated mosquito nets, soap, toothbrushes, and deworming pills!! They all promised to take very good care of their new nets, and one man gave an enthusiastic thank you speech. He said he has 8 children and could not afford a mosquito net for all of them, so he was so thankful for Hope 2 One Life's work in bringing nets to the community. I am so blessed to witness and participate in the incredible work God is doing through all of the members of H2O Life/Family Empowerment-Uganda!

-Mariel

Contrasts in Uganda Drastic

The contrasts in Uganda are drastic: the fertile, flourishing South vs the dry, challenging North. One woman dressed in the full chitenge dress w/ African fabric and head scarf vs a man in jeans and an Orange Crush t-shirt. The languages: Acholi, Luganda, Swahili, Lugishu, English, Alur, Lubwara, Kinyoro, and many more vying for prominence. The peaceful, hazy, safe environment vs the inconceivable atrocities that occured in the North.

We experienced more joy, dancing and singing- the theme/heartbeat of Kampala Village-yesterday. It was touching to see the children excited about their crayolas and coloring paper (a picture of hands washing to prevent sickness-educate, educate!)

Today my 20 students worked hard to get English into their brains. It touched me to see an 80-year-old woman spread her arthritic hands across the Primer and carefully sound out 'b-a-s-k-e-t.' One's age is never a limitation to the zealous possibility to learn and expand. We followed with a Bible study on love-how we can love only because God invented love and loved us first. Also we had great discussion on what loving our brothers and sisters looks like-literally being Jesus' hands and feet.

I am planning on packing up my toiletries, journal, clothes and the Ugandan friends I've met to bring home with me. I just can't adequately describe the depth or gregarious nature of my friends, so I must have you all meet them...if only this was possible, our home would be full, happy and never dull. #gratefulinUganda -Heather R.

Joy among Challenges

Good morning Sunday! Today the sun is coming up brightly through some haze – people must be burning some fields nearby after their harvest. The breeze whistling through the trees is cool and refreshing. The bows are rippling as brids sing, children coo and the cooks are busy preparing. Their kitchen is blessed with clean water piped from the solar borehole, they use a bush as a drying rack. We gave them christmas pots holders and towels and they were so happy. They now have cupboards in their lean to kitchen and the solar lights the Grace Bible team installed is still working with the same panel years later! Richard has added solar lights to the huts we stay in and guest latrine as well! There is a new kitchen being built for the Emmanuel clinic staff and it will be shared with the nursery school. Cooks will be hired under the Emmanuel clinic budget for the clinic staff Tues – Sat for breakfast and lunches. They need pots and pans for their start up so this will be added to their start up budget. The full time nurse and accountant/administrator also need their own huts as they stay on the farm tues – saturday and have families in distant towns. This will allow privacy for their families to also visit them here. So far the nurse, Judith, has shown a great heart for the impoverised people of this region. I had two challenging meetings with the Suzan, clinic staff and doctor yesterday. This revolved around budgets, projected patient numbers and fees to match the budget for sustanability and the fee structure. It was soon apparent their understanding of fee for service (itemized bill) and the american term was interpeted quite differently! I was for the teir system of 5, 000 shillings, 10,000 shillings and 20,000 shillings depending on the cost of the medicines, the series of visits needed for the problem or if a procedure/IV etc was involved. Another cultural misunderstanding ensued, as we all are a little stressed about meeting the budget especially early on...as the patient numbers are quite low so far. It appears they cannot afford even the 5,000 shillings very well. They are used to coming in the droves when the clinic provided medications and services for free while our teams worked under trees or in the partially built building. Suzan had provided free services as well for so long prior to this opening. In order for the clinic to be sustainable long term for generations to come, a paradigm shift will be needed. It may take some time but all in all the staff are good people and here for service. We hope and pray for mobilization and some training for the local economy – this is where the soil testing and the fertilizer or legume project may come in well. Meanhwile, Tom, did a good job assessing the land for the goat sustanability project to sustain Emmanuel clinic long term after H20 subsidizes for 3 years. Tom left us a few days ago after a whirlwind 6 days trip in Uganda, but all of his expertise and time was so valuable and well recieced. WE thank you Tom! The water projects are coming along beautifully! The passion fruit orchard amazing, more drip irrigation plots are being plowed that will be piped from the solar water – including our first micro loan for drip lines project with the FEM Women's empowerment group and some few men – a dream come true as well and part of my vision – or should I say- God's vision through me, as I feel all of this has been given to me as the messenger. What do I know about mico loans - ha, ha- (can't hardly balance my check book!). It is really an honor and a privelege to see how grateful and happy the people here are for the opportunity and it empowers them to work and and gives such amazing hope!

Meanwhile, I have also met with the building contractor and we will be completing the second ward and verrhanda within the budget, with a passage door added. The microscope fuse and centrifuge blew some parts as they did not know how to use the converter. Now we will add a step down unit and I was able to get Joint medical stores to fix both! The lab tech loves her lab! They are using the frig for reagents and we are doing simple tests. The glucometer works! We need a hemoglobin machine and will see how that goes at the 6 month point as it is quite expensive, same with HIV tests. Praying for guidance and wisdom as this new limited resource concept unfolds! The Clinical Officer and Nurse were amazed with the vital signs machine and had no idea what the oximeter for oxygen saturation readings were...some very new things for them, which they like a lot. The challenge will be quality care, consistency among providers, safety and cost effective use of medications and supplies that are subsidized. I learned something about this at Riverstone and it has come in handy! I simply need to be here for a few months I can see.... Chart reviews were quite interesting to begin with! Thankfully Leigh will be here in January. I hope and pray I can get away from work again soon. The mentoring process for success may be quite crucial. I am also reminded that our American ways are much different than the African ways, so must be very careful to lead well without them feeling intimidated – giving freedom for open communication...not just every thing, "My Way". It is truly such a joy to be here and they are all trying very hard to serve well and faithfully. Keep praying for Emmanuel (God with Us) clinic!

This afternoon, we will go back to Kampala village and teach on the protection of the borehole, hygiene and sanitation and handwashing. Mariel and Heather are looking so forward to this outreach and so am I. Geoffrey surprised us and came to the farm last night and sang and played his beautiful music..we were so blessed! He is doing well in school, thanks to the Jacques sponsorship! Heather is teaching some of the kids in school break sponsored either by a few individuals or the farm...they love it are learning a lot with the individual teaching! Mariel has dove right in for all projects, pictures, videos as well! We cannot wait to start using her village healthcare manuel this afternoon, tomorrow and tuesday!

I have also been involved with the vocational tailoring projects and crafts – new to me! Usually we have very talented creative team members who head this project! I had to even figure out a pattern, cut it pin it – on folds etc and teach it to the tailoring teacher – this goes way way back for me! My mom and sister tried to teach me but I was not so teachable in the past! I blame it on being left handed and the scissors hard to use – and this was definitely the case here! I could not cut with their sewing scissors! All is well and we are overcoming challenges with this project as well. They are learning and the new crafts are beautiful! Cant wait to show you all!

Most importantly, I am reminded to remain humble, respectful, serve and do well, no matter what is happening around me. Enjoy, slow down, relax, listen, breathe and be patient. All will be revealed and the correct path and wisdom will be provided even and especially with "waiting" on God for the perfect triming, perfect way........... I am eternally grateful to all of you for your love and support and prayers!

- Nadine

New student, Dennis, joins Heather's school

It is overcast on the farm. People are commenting on the cold- it is 65 degrees (it's all relative.)

I awoke from my peaceful sleep to men's voices yelling. How strange on our peaceful, utopian Farm. I grabbed Masaba coffee from the nook and headed down the fruit orchard. Four mighty oxen with intimidating horns were plowing a field with one man working the plow and the other using a switch to guide the bovine team, who were the reluctant recipients of switch and sharp commands. In contrast the hulking tractor sat in the barn. A highlight was Mariel's picking of passion fruit for us, cutting them open and digging into their sweet contents-black seeds and all. A 16-year-old boy Dennis joined our school. He had only smiled when I addressed him previously, but I delightfully discover that he writes and speaks some English-so he is joining our fast-paced train of adverbs, tenses and reading comprehension. Heather R.

Mariel in Awe....

12/13- As I sit drinking passion fruit juice and freshly brewed lemongrass tea at the Canaan Farm kitchen, I am in awe of all I have experienced today. We awoke this morning to a rosy dawn after a long bus ride from Kampala last night (including a lovely two hour traffic jam). Heather spent the day teaching english lessons and playing games with her girls, and Nadine had several meetings at the clinic with the staff, finalizing disease protocol charts and sustainable pricing structures. I took lots of pictures and videos, helped with the english lessons, and took a "boda boda" (motorbike) into town with Susan to pick up some items for the vocational training school. It was a beautiful day

of fellowship and hard work, and I look forward to the next few days of seeing how God is working through Hope 2 One Life! -Mariel

Education continues...Micro finance project begins...redemption through tragedy gives Hope

Education continues in the classroom at Canaan Farm with my students progressing in their Workbooks-on to the next level-exciting! I helped lead a Bible study with 20 women/2 men. The topic was prayer and you could feel God's presence as His Word was read in Acholi & Swahili & English. Then outside there was more dancing, singing & drums after a village meeting at the Farm that announced H2O Life was helping them buy an acre to farm & drip irrigation for vegetable income generation project. H20 gifted them half of the irrigation drip lines and is starting a samll micro finance project with this as they have had business training and they will be paying back the second half of the drip line costs with a loan they will pay back with profits at 3 years or sooner. We are excited as this empowers them and gives responsibility and endless possibilities to bring their families out of poverty once succesful.

We awoke at 4:30 this morn & cruised (rather bounced on rough roads) to Kitgum to look at a potential well site. We were in the heart of land devastated by the LRA war & Kony. We toured Kitgum Infant Care Center & met with the Director of a 100-child Tender Trust orphanage. I am overwhelmed by the kindness, hospitality, & joy of the people I have encountered. Redemption grows delicately toward the surface through soil of tragedy to see hope blossom..So grateful for all of you. Heather R

The LRA Murdered Five of His (Opobo's) Sons before his Eyes

This is from Tom, written from the Boma hotel in Kitgum, in the far north of Uganda.

    I would echo the wonderful uplifiting emotions we felt at the celebration of the first water from the Kampala Village well. I was the one who received the ceremonial and honorary chicken, along with a bowl of eggs, which is a traditional offering of thanks from the community. The chicken was all dressed up in a little purple embrodery robe. Thankfully it was relatively well behaved and I could carry it around for the rest of the evening. We enjoyed the chicken at our dinner the following evening. This experience culminated over two years of planning to obtain the funding and implement the project. It served as a springboard to our travel up to Kitgum early this morning. 

We made a six hour trip from the FEM farm north to Palabeck, northwest of Kitgum. It is very close to the border with South Sudan. It is much dryer here than in the south, with afternoon temps of about 90 F. The landscape is gentle with occassional large hills. It is classic savannah grassland-bush. We visited the small isolated village of Opopo Witty an elder from the FEM farm originally from this village. As we walked the bush trail to his former home, he described the time that the LRA rebels invaded his area and attempted to force his sons to join them. They all refused. But as a consequence, the LRA murdered five of his sons in front of his eyes that night. It was deeply moving to stand there at the very site as he described this. We met a couple of his grandchildren who still live on this land. With their help we located a 2-acre area on his property that appeared to offer to offer the best possibility of a new well. This area is dry, and people currently have to obtain their drinking water from a couple small streams that go dry. Installing a borehole would let more people re-settle this area after having been displaced by war for over 20 years and greatly improve everyones health. We hope to write a grant and are praying about this future possibility for clean water to help in post war recovery for this region. Thank you all at home for your continued prayers...we shared with the villages your support and they are praying for us and all of you at home!

Tom O

Grateful to God

It's difficult to capture in words the emotions of this day. We were greeted by the Kampala Village people with great fanfare and the elder women shaking gourds and dancing and singing in traditional grass skirts (one woman in a wooden mask acted as a comical diversion.) In contrast, the series of speeches that followed were very formal and serious with prominent speakers from the Water Board, Councilmen, teachers, Village Pastors, Village Health Trainer. Several themes emerged: the grateful attitude of everyone to God and His provision, and also to H2O Life and their gracious giving.

Also, my students' bright smiles keep drawing me eagerly to the classroom. They are voracious readers who pour over all the learning materials I put in front of them. My students are a reminder that education is a key that opens doors of exciting opportunities and that it is also a privilege.

#blessed-to-be-on-Canaan Farm Heather R.

Dreams Come True - Prayers Answered

Dear all,

The last couple of days have been filled with great emotion for me as after years of planning, praying, struggling to find funding, sweat and tears, plans changing, budgets changing, etc etc...Emmanuel clinic is officially open in a limited resource model to help the most poor and vulnerable impoverished people in the Kiryandongo sub county region of Uganda, Rakayata Village.  Staff has been hired and I have met with them all!  Suzan is managing well.  We have had meetings with the Village Healthcare workers team...all are on board with the struggle to keep Emmanuel clinic alive and well under this model.  Fee structure is under a tiered system of payment that the villagers told me they could afford, so as not to select out and the poor still have no access to healthcare.  We had one mishap with the lab microscope and centrifuge.  The technician tried to plug them in before I arrived and may have blown the fuses so we will take them in and see how to fix them. Otherwise so far all is smooth.  In the first 2 days we saw 27 people and we know it will be growing.  Education days are planned.  We are introducing the VHT manuel Mariel designed...so grateful!  Tom and I and Richard have been in big discussions about implementing the goat sustainability project for Emmanuel clinic and are getting closer with the help also of our Ugandan lawyers advice (which he donated).
We are so grateful for all of the support and donations to build this clinic and see it come to fruition by the grace of God.

Years of planning and fundraising and grant writing for Kampala village well has also answered prayers by many of the elderly women and villagers.  It was such a joyous sight to see and feel clean water flowing freely!

The team is great!  Tom has been so busy with the water well testing etc and other well testing as well as soil testing and more!  It is so wonderful to see the fruits of his labor!  Thank you Tom for the years of service and love for these wonderful people of Africa!

Heather is so amazing with her teachings of the school children, playing with the kids, conversing with all people and generally helping out so much!  Thank you!

We dont have very good internet so will keep posting when possible.  Tomorrow we head north to Kitgum and Palabek where Tom assesses a possible future water project and we visit the orphanages and deaf school we support in medical care. Stay tuned!
Nadine

Amazed in Uganda

We have all hit the ground running here at Canaan Farm-or as I have labeled it "Canaan Utopia." I started my day dodging a cricket in the shower-to realize he was only seeking to serenade me, then I looked up to see a cockatieu in a papaya tree twittering his unique symphony to me. Later Kampala Village women shook gourds and captured great joy in their singing. And as I sauntered past passion fruit groves, I heard singing from the grounds chapel: certainly music is a theme running through Ugandan life. I gathered my students to begin a day of learning. They were bright, eager and attentive. They were very good at pronunciation. I took the Charades approach and "acted out" words. They thought the word "monkey" was quite hilarious. Their zeal to comprehend and do well touched me deeply. Smiling and laughter truly is the ultimate universal language. I am privileged that God would trust these girls to my care #amazed-in-Uganda

 Heather R.

Rich Fulfillment

The following day after our arrival, Tom and Nadine headed to Kayunga to celebrate Rogers Birthday and Heather went to Mukono to celebrate Mariel's semester abroad at Uganda Christian University and meet her host family. It was a wonderful celebration for all  30 people attended Rogers birthday and he was very happy! He is recovering well from recent surgery and hopes to be back in the US for much needed medical care soon!  Tom assessed a potential water site in the area..finally after meetings in Kampala we made it to the farm..home away from home...and partner Family Empowerment Uganda.

Dear Readers- today was a day of rich fulfillment for the people of Kampala Village and for me as well. The first water from the very first water well this village of 5,000 has ever seen came to the surface and we all rejoiced and splashed and danced and sang together. And we all praised our Lord for the blessings he delivered to us His people. This well was several years in the planning, grant writing, funding, scheduling, and finally drilling. When the first two borehole attempts failed, the ladies of the village cried, fearing they would have to return to using the mudhole in the creek bottom. But DRACO honored their committment and the third attempt was successful. I got a good cross-cultural laugh when I filled my bush hat with the well water and then dumped it over my head- twice. Then the ladies also splashed the water all over themselves, and then of course the children got in the act. In the end it was a communal baptism of new water and new life. -- Reveling in Uganda, Tom O.

Winter 2013 Mission - Trip Number Eleven. Good God in Heaven!

On Dec 3, 2013 Hope 2 One Life Team of 3,  Heather Rieland, Tom Osborne and Nadine Hart departed a very snowy Billings Montana for Uganda!  It was a close call getting on the plane, closest ever but we managed to get boarding passes and 9 tubs of medical supplies, water testing kits, literacy supplies and more!  Once again I was up all night packing and getting through unfinished business. Had some great help last minute from Ranae and Kenny...thank you both so much!  Wouldn't have made it without you!  We are grateful for all of the supporters - family, friends at home who have made this trip once again possible.  Some exciting  work ahead with Emmanuel Clinic opening and the Kampala Village water well drilled, plus some new projects.  Stay tuned and we will try to write often!  Internet is a bit sketchy at times so keep checking.  You can view the blog also from the Hope2onelife.org homepage and click on mission trip blog.  We are also posting on Facebook. Search Hope 2 One Life or Nadine Hart and like us!

Bless you all ...more to come!  We are in Amsterdam  now. This is Tom's 4th trip and Heathers first trip. It is always so fun to see it anew from fresh eh eyes.  Have a great day!

"Close to the Edge" in Kalongo

The town of Kalango, Uganda, in which I am crosslegged on my foam mattress and working up with little effort a fish-like sheen of standing sweat, is found crouched behind a small granite mountian which looms perpetually overhead like some indifferent observer. The air is without the humidity of Entebbe, and the sun burns with little mercy. This morning, well before dawn, some of us rose to pit our quads and cardios against our stony rival. We shuffled to the bus, most of us denied the simple pleasure of a cup of coffee, and bounced the short distance to the trailhead. With water bottles in hand and headlamps at the ready, we bid our driver spur his diesel steed and we struck off eastward. After a spell of confusion over why the trail had ended so abruptly and, in fact, not at the summit of the dark peak, we backtracked to the main road and struck off further westward. On the correct trail at last, with the setting moon on our left and the first soft oranges and yellows of dawn to our right, the trail lost its pleasent incline and progressed steadily in steepness. I resolved to stay at the brisk pace of our leader, Olara Geoffery, who, as I have found of most native Ugandans, has me beat in both athleticism and fortitude if not length of stride. I was soon huffing and presumably puffing my way up the stout trail. After the first third of the hike the trail leveled out considerably, and I was subject to the beautiful landscape and foliage the rising sun slowly brought to light. On we walked. I, behind a few of our group and ahead of three, was left to my thoughts (none of them really very profound or exciting). We reached the top in good time and were greeted by rifle-toting guards who wanted to know if we had brought them ciggarettes. Sadly, we had not. They let us pass with little dissapointment. The view from the peak of the mountain (yes I'm purpously avoiding the name of it. I was told twice. Its something like Urunga, I think) was incredible! The local farmers had been burning slash which had saturated the morning air with thick, low hanging, white smoke. Now above the smoke, we were stricken with the happy illusion that we had climbed much higher than we had and were above the clouds. From the summit we could hear the music of the town: at least twenty stereos cranked to full volume around the streets, each playing different songs. My dad got nervous when my brother and I got close to the "edge" which from his point of view looked like a sheer drop to the foot of the mountian but was in reality only a slope of maybe 7 feet to another broad ledge. After drinking some much appreciated water and giving tender American thighs a few minutes' rest, we said goodbye to our armed friends and headed back for showers and some breakfast. Dr. Hinshaw told us the hike would be easy. Don't listen to a word he says.

 

By Canon Parker

Reality in Flesh and Blood

Reality in Flesh and Blood

Ranae Parker

Growing up I saw the starving children with swollen stomachs on the evening news. It was a fact of life but far far away; it seemed irrelevant to my life. Obliviously I went about my years in school, having a job, an apartment and then a house. We had children, bought cars and took trips. We flipped light switches and flushed toilets. And any time we wanted we turned on the faucet for a drink of pure, clean, safe water.

Today we visited the poorest of the villages. Others have been poor, but this one, Awal, was the news broadcast in real life. Many children had those swollen stomachs which I learned is both from malnutrition as well as parasite infection. Some of the children had only one piece of clothing and much of it was threadbare and the colors had been replaced by the reddish tan of the surrounding dirt.

This was a sad village. Previously, smiling villagers had met us up the road and escorted us to their homes with singing and dancing. Awal had no music, no smiles, and, it seemed, very little hope. We gave them seeds, worm medicine, clothes, lots of teaching about health and sanitation, and they served us Cokes: something I am sure they don't get themselves. So, as we drive away I wonder: why am I here? What can I do? They need so much; what could I do to help?

Travels from the farm to Gulu and Kitgum

Travels from the farm to Gulu and Kitgum

Maggie Weber

We have moved on from the farm and we hit the ground running so to speak. We left and took a 'two hour' drive to the game park. We ate chipatis and had some spreads on top for lunch. Then we entered the park and headed to catch the boat. The 'forty-five minute' drive (aka two hours) took us through the dirt roads of the park, ridden with baboons and exceptionally colored birds. It wasn't long before the road t-d at the Nile river. We caught our boat to Murchison Falls. It was much warmer and more humid on the Nile. A group of us rode on the top deck of the boat and listened to tour guide David as he explained all of the animals and birds. There were trees with giant pods hanging from them, David told us these pods fermented inside and the elephants eat them to relax. If they eat enough they become drunk. Another tree along the river was a type of palm that had bright orange fruits. These were also treats for the elephants. They would eat these fruits and when the seeds passed in their stool they germinated and grew another tree. Needless to say, the park has many groves of these types of palms. On a side-note, we got one of these fruits to try: they are stringy inside with three giant seeds per each fruit. Most often they are cut open, pealed and placed in water to create a juice. They are also good for cleaning teeth because the string parts act as floss.

As we continued down the river we saw much of the wildlife the park had to offer: hippos, elephants, crocodiles, Goliath Herons, Red Throated bee-eaters, and all types of egrets.

David told us that the movie African Queen starring Audrie Hepburn and Humphrey Bogart was filmed on this part of the river and next to the falls.

Our group hopped off the boat near the falls and hiked to the top. The water rushed with roaring force, we all watched in awe. From there Richard picked us up and we headed back to our lodgings for the evening. We stayed just off of the Nile a little ways and had warthogs and baboons sharing the camp. In the morning we were told that there was a hippo hanging out in the middle grassy area of camp.

We awoke and headed to the Nile to catch the ferry across and head off to see the remainder of the animals of the park. We had a guide who showed us the Jackshom Altabeast, Water Buck, cobs, giraffes, elephants, jackals and Crested Cranes. Unfortunately we didn't see the lions, though we did see one of their kills.

When we left the park we took the 'two-hour' (three and a half) drive to Gulu. We made it to a restaraunt to eat 'lunch' around 2:30pm and ate at 4:30pm. After picking up supplies we headed on our way to Kitgum. It was a long day of driving on the dirt roads of Uganda. It amazes me how well Rogers can navigate the roads and know precisely when to hit the brakes so we don't bottom out or tip the bus. I would relate most of these roads to the road that leads from Bridger, MT to the top of the Pryors. I am thankful for my driving experiences out there because it has well prepared me for these trips here.

After about 14 hours of driving we made it to the hotel. We lived like kings, we had internet and running water.

Last Day of Literacy Class and Clinic Day

Last Day of Literacy Class and Clinic Day

By Maggie Weber

Our Saturday here was a busy day, but an extremely successful day indeed. We began the morning with a hardy breakfast of the infamous African pinapple and g-nut paste. G-nut paste is essentially homemade peanut butter but better because the nuts are fresh... and we aren't at home.

It was clinic day here on the farm. This meant it was all hands on deck at the clinic helping with checking vitals, pharmacy duties, and organizing the masses. Our group also had the final literacy class planned.

Ranae, Canon, and I headed to teach the literacy class. We must have been running late, even on African time. I know this because the regular teacher came up to me and said, "Yes morning!" I responded, "Good morning!" He then said, "The learners are here." I let him know we were on our way. The three of us walked to the classroom. We found it locked with no 'learners' waiting for us. It turns out the 'learners' were all in line waiting for the clinic. They soon came to class. It was amazing, no one I know would get out of line for a free clinic day and go to class. They were early to be in line for the clinic and each student got out of line and came to our class. I couldn't believe it. We had a great class. I was able to talk to some of the level 2 learners. They didn't think they were doing very well with English. When in fact, they were amazing. The greatest two things that happened in class were this: bubbles and dancing. Ranae handed out little bottles of bubbles to the class. The class is made up predominantly of ladies over 60, none of which had experienced the joy of bubbles. When Ranae blew the first bubbles the class went wild. Every lady was chatting quickly and excitedly in swahili explaining their surprise.

Following this, the entire class played a game. Each person had to choose something they were good at and then repeat everyone else's actions. Most of our ladies chose dancing. They shook their hips and moved their feet like nobody's business. If each of these ladies came to America and taught dance it would be a work out revolution! I will never forget those ladies dancing. They sure know how to grasp their youth at all times here.

Following class the three of us headed to the clinic to help. We spent the rest of the day seeing the village. We began keeping count of how many people we saw. I think that lasted about maybe an hour. I worked in the pharmacy and had a great time filling perscriptions and shaking pills to distract the babies. The doctors and nurses got tired but it was organized and the stress was maintained. Susan helped weed out those who had simple fixes. And we also had our villiage health care workers in among us helping wash and dress wounds as need.

I would say it was a very successful day here at Canaan farm. It was exhausting but I would do it again in a heart beat, even if it was just to hear the ladies' reaction to bubbles. It reminds me of the things we take for granted because we have become calloused.

Emmanuel Clinic Village Day - Shandra's amazing help!

Saturday we had the clinic open. I was in charge of taking vital signs and taking an initial triage note. I had numerous interperters work with me throughout the day. I was able to have a little station in the corner where we had the new vitals machine that was donated to the clinic. With the new machine I was able to get accurate readings in a quick amount of time. So they would come in from outside and have a seat next to the vitals machine and we would begin asking questions. We would start with their name, age and what was wrong with them. The children were especially scared of the thermometer and they would scream and cry. It took a little getting used to having to explain to the patients how to put the thermometer under their tongue. The adults seemed to be worried about the blood pressure cuff. The pulse oximiter didn't seem to register with the children as well as it did with the adults. When I did the OB Clinic all of the women had great blood pressures and they seemed to be low to me. When we did the Clinic for all patients there were quite a few people with very high blood pressure. One that I remembered was 210/135 and it really seemed to surprise me. Everyone seemed to have low pulse which didn't surprise me as much because they all work so hard during the day. We had a rough estimate of 200 patients that we saw and it definetly flowed well. The machine made it go so much faster than me having to sit and do everything by myself. While the machine was working I could start with the triage questions so it would only take a few minutes witch each patient where before it would have taken much longer. A few patients I had known from our health village class so it was good to see a few famillar faces. A few of them were also helping me interpret. Overall I think that it was a succesful day and we helped people who really were sick.

Shandra Fisher

Brenda's 4th Trip!

This is my fourth trip back to Uganda and I am still amazed at the Ugandan people. They are such generous and happy people. They also have unbelievable patience. Which is not one of my better virtues. So a definite lesson that I can laern from them. They seem to take life in stride. You rarely hear any complaints about anything. Waiting with your family for several hrs to be seen at the clinic after walking several miles with a baby on your back, or waiting under the tree for class to start, does not ever seem to be an issue. The Ugandan people are still so happy and grateful for every thing. Singing and dancing to celebrate their blessings is a common theme here.

We finished our Village Health Care Class. We graduated 6 new people. Five men and one woman. Our classes consisted of vital sign teaching, (pulse, respirations, and temp) wound care, hygeine and first aid training. Our students were very bright. They all came from different villages, and will take back what they have learned to teach in their own villages and to deliver basic first aid. They were all given a backpack with first aid supplies including a stethascope and thermometer.

Upon graduation they were all able to deliver basic first aid, treat diarrhea with oral rehydration (including knowing how to make oral hydration solution) understand basic vital signs including abnormals and all were very aware of good personal hygeine as well as being able teach hygeine and sanitation. The class was not only fun to teach but very rewarding. The students were so eager to learn anything we could teach them. All this was done through an interpreter. Leigh and I taught this class with the help of Shandra.

Every day I am thankful for the many blessings I have received, but also every day I am reminded to slow down and enjoy the day for the moment. And that "things" are not what create happiness. Happiness can be obtained by a smile, a dance, music, family and friends, hope and prayer. These are what Ugandans are all about and what they remind me of daily.

Brenda Gilmore

Uganda is a Mystery

Uganda seemed like a bitter place the night I arrived: all uniform and guns and serious faces. But in the morning it was paradise. White light came through windows, and everything was blooming and green. We took a sticky hot bus to Kempala which was a rucus like I never imagined. Traffic was lunacy: packed and frantic with little motorcycles called Bota Botas. The roadsides were lined with slummy little shack-shops selling gadgets, junk, furniature and fruit. People everywhere. Bare feet on red dirt. Burining piles of trash. My eyes were too small, I couldn't decide what to look at. A man peddled a bicycle with a severed cow head in the basket, it had three-foot horns. Another cyclist had a full size refrigorator.

Signs all over the place said "Drink Coca-Cola." So we did, and it was heaven. Nothing tastes better than a cold, glass-bottled Coke under the African sun, unless it's the pineapple. It gows here on the farm where we are staying. African pinneaples are large, and sour-sweet like golden candy. American pinneapple is ruined forever.

I saw rain on lake Victoria, took a small boat out into it actually. We landed on an island called Kachanga, which was fertile and robust with a squallid little fishing village clinging to the shore. The whole place smelled like the city dump on a summer day. All the children ran and tumbled together in a great big pack like puppies. They shouted and waved, and grabbed our hands, and hugged our legs, and riffled through our pockets, and made off with our sunglasses. I fell in love with them right away. I had left my hair down out of ignorance, and they petted and pulled on it ceaslessly. All of them had shaved heads. One little girl liked my necklace, she was the only one who spoke any English, so I gave it to her. In return she gave me a clothes pin and a pink balloon. I'm going to keep them forever.

Uganda is a mystery. How can an island village function without electricity, medicine, running water, or a public latrine? Why would people without shoes own cellphones? What startled me was the overal positity of the country. Most of the people I have met seemed genuinely happy. People living in utter poverty were not self pittying, but enterprising. There is so much trying going on in Uganda, so much industrious energy. The most inspiring aspect of this trip was that in the vast city of Kempala, a city full of dirt floors and tin roofs, trash heaps and contaminated water, I saw not one beggar. Everyone was buying, selling, building, repairing or delivering. This is the spirit that will save Africa, and perhaps even the world.

 

By Coram Parker

Rendered Literally Speechless by Africa

When we stepped off the KLM jet in Intebbe, about 10 pm local time, my nostrals were confronted with the rich Ugandan air. Breathing was intoxicating. It was tremendously humid, especially compaired to the dryness of my home town of Billings, Montana, which is notorious for causing spontanious nosebleeds. The smell was of sweet tea and chocolate and a thousand growing things. Im sure the rest of the group has long since gotten sick of my constant babbling about the air.

Pacing back and forth outside the airport was a man with an automatic rifle, not an uncommon sight

as I have learned, but a doozie for first impressions. We met our driver, Rogers (ellegedly one of 50 siblings), and sped off to milk tea (delicious) and sleep.

I pause here to explain and appologize for the jumps in time and subject that may occure in the course of this blog post. The computer has its quirks and dinner is almost ready. I'm sure you understand.

Driving to Kampala was like a dream. Not nececarally a bad dream, nor a good one, but the scenary struck me with a certian surreal quality. For the entire one-and-a-half hour drive the road was lined with shacks, each leaning to some degree to the side, hand painted in bright colors, sometimes with ads for "Butto" or, Coca-Cola. Most of the shacks were trying to sell something: used auto parts, furniture, cell phones, anything. I wanted to stop and check out the local hum, but time was short. We raced on to kampala.

The pinapple here is incredible. There are no words to explain the experience, so I wont try.

If you ever come to Uganda, drink Stoney soda. The ginger burns the back of your thoat.

To anyone who doesnt know me, I have shoulder length dreadlocks. I am suddenly and officially the "Rasta Mon" to the warm locals that we pass in the city. I dont mind.

The first morning on the farm I was drawn awake by the various songs of the birds and the bugs, a pure chaos of sound. At night, with a headlamp on, one can see thousands of shiny lights, like dew, in the grass. Uppon furthur inspection we discovered the lights belonged to the millions of African spiders, usually about the size of an ear, that are sprinkled around the continent.

Sockingly, or at least shocking to me, I havent gotten sick yet. Yet. Maybe I will do a blog post after I do.

Africa is a wonderfull and beautiful place, full of happiness and sadness and hot, hot sun. I have been rendered literally speachless by it on a near daily basis, and am enjoying my time here emmensly.

Someone check Reddit for me.

-Canon J. Parker

Things I Have Learned in Africa

THINGS I HAVE LEARNED IN AFRICA

A cold outdoor shower on a sunmy day is a luxury. I love it.

You can get absolutely filthy teaching under a tree for half a day.

A chicken can be very persistent when she wants to nest on your bed.

Dark is very dark. Indoors you can't see your fingers in front of your face.

The night sky is unfathomably beautiful and the stars are vast.

The acacia tree is the tree we know as the African icon.

Watching the sun rise behind an acacia tree is the best way to start a day.

The people are beautiful.

The adults are more fun to teach than the children.

It is possible for dirt to stain toenails.

Drinking water is a treasure

A starting time is a suggestion and classes usually start at least an hour after the set time.

There are more fruits than I ever knew.

Pineapple is sweeter and juicer in Africa.

There are so many types of bananas you could have a different type each day of the week

Deep fried sweet bananas are better than the best banana bread.

Skirts are actually very comfortable in the hot weather.

Spiders' eyes glow in the light of a flashlight, and there are A LOT of them out there

Mosquito nets are kind of cozy over your bed.

The men are true gentlemen.

The African fabric market is a field trip of colors and patterns.

I can drink coffee black

Oh yeah, people in Africa have colds too. Next time bring more Airborne

I could live in Uganda---well, at least at the Canaan farm.

 

By Ranae Parker

Cultural Differences

Cultural Differences

By Maggie Weber

As time passes and we get knee deep in projects and events it becomes more apparent that we have a lot to learn. When you come to help others even if it is just in the next state over, there are always cultural differences. Our group is realizing cultural things about ourselves and about the people we are working with here on a daily basis.

The first cultural thing is time. In my sociology classes we distinguished it as sacred and secular time. Cultures that run on sacred time get things done when they get done. They arrive when they arrive and they leave when the event is over. Rarely are there set times for events (and if there are set times they are just a suggestion). People here run their lives this way.

Cultures who run on secular time have set schedules. Events start at a certain time and end at a certain time. If there is any variation to the schedule people get their panties in a bunch. Most Americans run with this understanding of time.

While here we have made a couple of schedules and we have never abided by the schedule. In many ways this is a freeing experience, but it is also a learning experience. Most of us have had to learn patience and push anxiety about being late out of our heads. A common phrase in our group is, "It will all work out". This tends to keep people at ease. I am quite sure we will all have cultural shock when we get back to America and have to adjust back to tight/rigid schedules.

Another cultural difference was experienced today by our group. We carried out a project called "Love Covers". This is an event in which we have a vacation bible school for a group of kids and end the program by giving them all backpacks with school supplies and uniforms. We had the uniforms made prior to the event and spent many days packing the backpack with all of the things they needed. It sounds like a fantastic program, right? In theory this is an amazing thing. And it all did turn out today, yet we had a few hickups. We had packs for all of the registered children. Here is where the cultural difference comes in... In America if children register for an event they will come and those who don't register will not come or be allowed. In Africa if children register they will come. And those who don't register still come. This means when you have 100 kids registered in reality you should prepare for 250 children. We were happy to have all of the kids and we were able to treat them and teach them, but we did not have 250 uniforms or backpacks made. It was an interesting cultural difference to face. For the most part all of the kids went away happy, and we understand that it will all work out.

Shandra's Experience

Where do I begin to tell you about my experience in Africa so far? It has been an awesome and eye opening experience and I think that everyone should come experience at least once in their lifetime. There is a very big difference between the city life and life on the farm. In Kampala life is so hectic and lots of people. It's hard not to get lost or even to get ran over. It's amazing to see how many people there are and there is constant motion. Life on the farm is the total opposite. Everythings to seem more slow placed, not so many people but they seem to be more spread out throughout the villages. Everyone seems to be more of a community on the farm. On the medical side of things, the people seem to amaze me. They wait all day just to be seen and are so open to learning new things. They are just happy to see you and you really feel like you are making a difference in these peoples lives. It has been an awesome experience for me personally especially because I'm going to school to be a nurse. It has been great to be able to see exams and watch the doctors while they are doing their jobs. I'm learning so many things and I am loving every minute of it.

Shandra Fisher

Trip to Kampala with Sr. Vincentina - OB Clinic on the Farm

Trip to Kampala with Sister Vincentina

Our journey to the bustling city of Kampala began on the morning of Friday January 11 for the purpose of exchanging currency and purchasing a phone to use during our stay in Uganda. Nadine, Jimmy and I set out in the bus with the driver to accomplish this task. Richard followed us with his own vehicle. Richard is a very kind man who is from the farm and is the manager for the entire operation it seems.

First we made a stop at a facility which is for the care of children with plastic surgery

needs as well as orthopedic concerns. The hospital is clean and nice and has beautiful art on the walls of the lobby . We then headed on to pick up Sister Vincentina who helped us in Kampala with the task (and art) of picking up a Ugandan phone and assisted with money exchange. She again helped us the following day, along with more of the group, and continued to teach us the art and science of crossing dowtown traffic on foot. We will hopefully see her again but not likely until the end of our trip as she is resting for 4 weeks, in Kampala, at her brother's house and will not see us in Kalongo . We are looking forward to our trip tomorrow with another Sister from Kalango and anticipating our meeting/reunion with the staff of Father Ambrosoli Hospital there. To date the trip has been very enjoyable and inciteful (the clinic is wonderful and a day and half of seeing OB patients went very smoothly). The warmth of the people her at Masindi farm is palpable.

Jim & Debbie Hinshaw

El Paso, TX

The ob clinic

The ob clinic was about to start the ladies were waiting under a tree they were dressed in their best and they were wearing fabric wound around their heads in the fanciest fabrics i found a seguient on the ground walking woundering where it could possibly be from it was from the ladies

fabric. There were about 25 women to see. He found a woman with an enlarged spleen a woman

with malaria they are able to test for this and a woman dialated allready when seen most were in

great shape the people are strong here and in good shape.

Jim and Debbie Hinshaw

Another Amazing Connection! God is good..all the time

Hi everyone! All is going so well! The team is doing great!

We have been blessed to also have Bob Wright, a missionary who has lived in Karamajong for 13 years, and Jesse join us on the farm (after a year of trying) to help us with the solar power for the Emmanuel Clinic. Bob Wright's is with a presbyterian mission and is supported by Rocky Mountain Community Church in Billings! We have previously met the Eldeen's who served with him for 5 years (their son Bret works in the xray at St. V's and Lisa did too..so Doug, me and Leigh have all talked uganda with them at work! RMCC and many volunteers helped Kenny with rides to school terapy, sitting, outings, etc..etc through his rough surgeries and after while he was getting on his feet with living. Bob connected with us through a mutual grant source from NGREF. We bought some supplies through him and consulted with him last year, but he was not able to come to the farm. What a blessing he could come this time! Last year our team put up 10 panels and wired the first 5 rooms and ward, but as this is Africa, it appears the wiring needed to be 12 volt rather than 24 volt (I certainly don't understand this lingo..but the guys do!). He re wired it the panels on the roof, added 6 big batteries and calculated the need for the rest of the clinic, lab, 2nd ward, office, staff rooms and nurse duty room. The 10 panels and additional batteries are enough!! This is a big hallelujah! He also brought our solar frig and hooked it up to 4 new panels and a converter/controller and it works great! Doug and our Ugandan electrician are wiring the rooms with lights and sockets. The ugandan carpenter, Doug, Matt, Terry and boys are working on furniture, shelves etc. Brenda, Leigh, Shandra and myself have helped Dr. Hinshaw with OB clinic and organizing the clinic supplies to ready for village clinic! Ranae, Maggie, Debbie, Coram and Canon have helped with organizing the Love Packs. Coram and Canon are working on biosand filters and drip irrigation. Brenda, Leigh, Ranae and Maggie are working on the craft income generating project. I have worked the the village health care workers on leadership follow up and review of the outcome of the village survey I had them do. It was very informative and helpful and gave great insight to the village problems from lack of school fees, lack of food, lack of ability to pay for healthcare etc...all stems from poverty and need for income generation. Of course, I have some ideas! The wheels are spinning! We met with the Dr. who will work at the clinic once a week while the nurse and staff have other clinic days and educational programs. The survey helped identify the greatest needs. We have consulted a finance person and realize we need a bank account and also an accountant to help run the financial arm and this may take some months to get in place as I need some paperwork from the US as well so I am a co signer on behalf of Hope 2 One Life. We met with the ministry of agriculture about our fish pond project we hope to develop for a protein food source but also an income generation project for the clihnic and have a lead for sending in an expression of intent to USAID. Lots going on for sure. A little closer all the time! Lot's to learn in the development realm! We look forward to some great more days on the farm! Stay tuned for more posts from the others! Over all we are so greatful! It is a joy to see the team at work making a huge difference on all of the various projects. We have also had some wonderful Ugandan music and singing at night with our goat roast to thank our guests Bob and Jesse for the solar power work! Canon and Corum also have been playing with Geofrey and Matt and it is wonderful! I finally slept through the night last night! Hallelujah, praise the lord...I am home. Roger and Kenny's brother came up today...so it almost feels complete in the joy.

Thanks for the prayers! Other than a few colds, we are all well. Stay tuned for more posts from the team!

Heading to the Farm

HEADING TO THE FARM

By Maggie Weber

On Saturday, our crew took on the task of heading to 'The Farm'. We were told that the farm was going to be wonderful, it would provide solice and rejuvination. The group was very much looking forward to this after a long day working on Island Mission. But before we could do such a thing we had a few tasks to accomplish in Kampala. We had to pick up fabric for our vocational tailoring school to make orders.

Shopping for fabric in Uganda is far different from fabric shopping in any other place. Richard took us deep into the city where the buildings were tall and the markets were numerous. The group headed into the cloth markets and had a great time. There were tons of people and so much fabric. We then headed across the city, down through the plethora of taxi-vans (where each taxi driver was selling goods from the back of his van), and into yet another market of fabrics.

Eventually, after we picked up groceries, we headed on our long drive to the farm. We made a short stop at a fruit and vegetable market. It was a great stop and every vendor wanted us to purchase something from them. We tried to support many of them and continued on.

The road progressed from well paved two lanes, to well paved one and a half lanes and three inch drop offs to dirt paths, to two lane dirt roads with many pot holes, and finally our last road which was just barely a one lane dirt road. Rogers, our driver, manuevered each road better than any other driver I know.

When we got close to the farm we started to hear drumming. Then the bus lights reached a large gathering of people. They were dancing, singing, whooping, drumming. It was the most amazing welcome I have ever received. We got off the bus and were welcomed by each person and the dancing and singing continued.

Once the welcoming had finished we unloaded and had dinner. We ate dinner in the kitchen area, a concrete platfrom with bamboo half-walls and a tin roof. There was a building connected, brick walls with plaster and window holes without window panes. Food was cooked out behind this building on fires. It was unlike anything I have ever seen and simply fantastic.

Lake Victoria Island Medical Mission

By Doug Parker, M.D.

On our first day in Africa, Nadine informed us that we were going on something called 'Island Mission.' The next day our bus dropped us off in the rain at a church mission building on the shore of Lake Victoria in Entebbe. Nadine had other commitments, so she turned us over to Diana, a feisty Ugandan nurse. She herded all of us into a long, handmade wooden boat with a blue canvas canopy and small outboard motor. Though I had no raincoat I wasn't cold, just a little damp. Diana broke the ice with introductions between our group and her staff members. In all there were 17 of us hunkering beneath the tarp roof. Soon we were all friends, sharing Ugandan flatbread and tea followed by peanut butter sandwiches. The 90 minute boat ride went by quickly. We saw numerous sea birds, including graceful white cranes and huge gray storks like pterodactyls overhead.

The island came into sight, lush and green with a small, round golden church looking down on us from the first outcropping of land. We passed the church and encountered numerous small, weatherbeaten fishing boats moored in front of a line of wooden shacks and huts of random size and shape. The narrow beach was crowded with people of all ages, but our true welcoming committee was the flock of excited, beautiful children. They mobbed us as we came ashore, and soon we were all carrying one or holding hands with several at once.

The children followed us up the shore to a small alley between shacks, where we turned to reach the clinic site. This was a small open courtyard between buildings, with a sloping dirt floor and overhanging awnings along the sides. We set up makeshift clinic stations using our own chairs and card tables. Soon the villagers lined up, and we worked madly for the next four or five hours.
We had a station for HIV testing, another for immunizations, a pharmacy table, and a spot for clinical exams. I was doing the exams at a card table with chairs for me, the patient and the interpreter. My tools consisted of a stethoscope, a head lamp, and my four senses. There was no privacy and no place to have someone lie down for an exam. When older children had a "personal" symptom that required some disrobing, we just held up a blanket to shield them from the view of the others waiting just a few feet away.

Soon all of us were coated with a sheen of sweat under the African sun. We shared our clinic space with occasional chickens passing through to see what we were up to. A duck with a rope dragging off one leg kept us company for quite a while. A kitten provided entertainment as he chased the duck's rope and pounced on it repeatedly. Once a child started dragging the poor duck backward by the rope. It quacked and flapped as its claws tore grooves in the soft dirt. An adult yelled at the boy and he let the duck go.

Most of the patients were sick children with lung infections or diarrhea. There were a few newborns with HIV positive moms. One mother just wanted her baby checked because he was so much bigger than the other three-month-olds. I diagnosed one phimosis, a few cases of pneumonia, one possible malaria, and a whole bunch of "I'm not sure." We used up our supplies of cough syrup and most antibiotics, but still the patients kept coming. When Diana finally announced that we were closing up for the day, I sighed relief but felt a little guilty for turning several people away. 

At last it was time to load the boat and bid our new friends goodbye. The children waved and shouted until we passed out of sight, while we collapsed gratefully in our seats and let the boatman do all the work. Once revived with water and flatbread, we animatedly swapped tales of our experiences. What an amazing, wonderful day, and what beautiful people of Lake Victoria, Uganda.

UGANDA MISSION 2013 - MONTANA, TEXAS, CANADA TO AFRICA - "A NEW HALLELUJAH!!:

Hello everyone!

It is that time of year again where we embark on another African adventure or cultural exchange love and service.  Uganda Mission 2013 team has been busy getting ready for the trip, collecting supplies, fundraising, sharing with family and friends, for a few months now.  All of this includes the daunting packing task of the supplies.  This year we had 22 tubs packed and found out we were on a turbo prop plane that may not be able to take them all, so madly repacked, sent some supplies with the gracious Jacques of AIDspirit and prayed...a lot!  Brenda and Dr. Doug were given the task of going to the airport and sweet talking the manager of Alaska Air (I had to work my last shift before leaving tuesday out of town in Bridger).  Abundant favor was with us as the manager paved the way for the tubs to all go on the plane and we arrived at the airport at 4 am to see this happen!  Needless to say I did not sleep at all that night and barely the night before and still felt I forgot something!  It was a very calm airport seen and I am grateful.  The trip to Seattle, Amsterdam and Entebbe was good and all did well.  Dr. Doug Parker even treated 2 people sick on the plane!  As if God only new how his job has just begun! Terry Fettig of AIDSpirit USA travelled the same day on different flights and we all arrived to an exuberant Roger greeting us!  He was especially happy to see his "teenage friends", Coram, Canon and Shandra and of course Maggie and his teacher Ranae. I missed him so much and was worried as he had suffered leg wounds and a bladder infection recently. The adoption process is going forward with a delay snag however many people are moving heaven and earth to expedite things and we hope to bring him home in Feb!! Pray for that!  After a night sleep, all travelled to Kampala for the usual changing money, meetings, shopping etc.  We changed it up a bit this year as two other couples came in succession the next two nights in a row...so we stayed in Entebbe for the see them in and also visit our friends at Calvary Chapel Entebbe and their Lake Victoria Island Medical Ministry. (Quite the initial emersion shock to the sickness and poverty and more on that from team in next post!).  We met up with Sr. Vincentina from Kalongo as she was resting near entebbe from a bout of severe abdominal pain they have attributed to great stress.  She is an OB/Gyn physician and director of the Dr. Ambrosoli Memorial Hospital we partner with.  Rest will do her good. I am sure the hospital will greatly need and appreciate Dr. Hinshaw as he travels with his wife with us to the farm and then directly to Kalongo to serve. (We will catch up with them later in the trip).  I already spent time at CORSu the rehabilitation hospital and specialty orthopedic and plastics surgery hospital near Entebbe.  Alice, the women's leader on the farm has severe knee pain, they deemed it "wear and tear" from hard work but she can hardly walk.  They gave her a cortisone injection and we hope it will help.  Ssozi,  the young man with sickle cell and the severe leg ulcers hadhealed after his skin grafts in April but is now re infected.  The one area is deep and he was admitted to the hospital for wound vac, further treatment and probably another skin graft.  Bless his heart for the years of suffering!  I met Dr. George and the accountant and sad to me is they all know my name well after our problems and issues with the 3 persons I sent them for care from abroad...long story but all is good and they are happy to assist our patients and we have the payment system down now so the patients will not be held "hostage". I guess I made quite the impression and am humbly grateful to them and happy we all can meet face to face.  I think I must sound meaner on email than I really am...ha!  God grant us all grace!  Well I am happy to have all team members here safely in Uganda! We had one missing tub out of the 20 and it was a medicine tub - however, all they stole was Doug's shoes and jacket! We had a problem with the hotel accommodations and had no reservations for the second night so had to split up a little but it was fine although as team leader bothersome to me. Time to slow down and plan A-Z anything can happen..ha and know the good lord has us in the palm of his hands!  We have some major power shopping to do for tools and material in the market centers of kampala which will be another shock to the newcomers and then on to more peaceful work at the Family Empowerment Canaan farm where the team will work on finishing the Emmanuel Clinic construction, solar power, lab, and more! We will do a Love Pack and VBS at Kanjuki school, introduce new craft projects, teach and train a lot, gardening, water projects and more.. We especially look forward to music and more music with the ugandans and our team!  Stay tuned for the team!!  I hope we have better internet service this year on the farm so we can keep you posted often.  Most importantly, we want all our family and friends to know how much we appreciate their love, support and prayers, it carries us daily and moment to moment on this life changing journey!  Thank you and bless you!