Part two - the Ugandan journey continues....
OK, OK, OK - so it's been a few days.....
As we don't have web access at our accommodation, it's tricky getting on to provide updates.
Anyway, here goes:
The staff block we were painting required a coat of white water based emulsion to acres (well, possibly not quite acres) of fairly coarse block walls. This used copious amounts of water, time, paint, patience and sweat (definately lots of sweat!). Satisfied with our day's work, we returned to the old homestead for good food and fellowship (we're studying Christian integrity in our devotions and these have been a profitable and lively part of the day).
However, imagine our dismay to find on day 2 (Wed) that we have to apply another coat of emulsion to the the aforementioned acres. However, exercising patience and consuming several other fruit, we completed this exercise in good spirit.
HOWEVER, imagine our dismay to find on day 3 (Thur) that we have to apply yet another coat of emulsion to the the aforementioned acres plus a top coat of gloss!!. Add to previously highlighted patience, joy as we find that we're alomost there....
Our joy is complete as Friday sees the addition of finishing touches (like green gloss to bottom block course, white gloss to windows etc). The finished product is a joy to behold and a true labour of love.
Actually, the highlight of the first week has to be the 330 children at Kiti. Although most of them have virtually nothing in the material line (including what we would consider to be most basic of clothing and food), they are a shining example of happiness, finding delight in the simplest of pleasures. The (limited) time spent interacting with the team has given rise to much laughter and some tears (always on the part of the team). What a challenge to us as we reflect on the time and effort devoted to the pursuit of our material obsessions. Also, the 13 staff give 100% to the children, as they seek to educate them without the benefit of text books, electricity, running water, kitchen etc etc.
On the last day, the team presented the school with football kits, pencil sets, hair bobbles etc which were gratefully (no, really really gratefully) received. In return, the children sang and presented the team with gifts of fruit which they had picked in the surrounding countryside. Also, they presented a wonderful papier machier chicken, decorated with real feathers which is now the team mascot!
On the lighter side, Steve has restrained himself from knocking several motorcyclists off as the pass within millimetres of his window in the minibus. Garvin has enjoyed some of the best naps in his life as we travelled to and from Kiti each day. Incidentally, this journey took approx 1 1/2 hours through incredible scenes of wealth and poverty as we criss-crossed Kampala each day. We were able to experience (I almost said enjoy!) the sights, sounds and smells of a developing city (approx 1.5 million population). Bryan and Leigh have already identified several sites worthy of procurement in the development of their new Ugandan Joint Venture property development business. Andrew has continued to minister to the various aches and ailments of the team (and after 1.5 hours in a Ugandan van, there are many aches!!). Neil has endeavoured to ensure that a minute by minute photgraphic record of the team's exploits will be available on their return. Jayne has demonstrated a touching blend of compassion for the children and Kiti and contempt for some of the banter on the bus. Finally, Chris would love to borrow a whistle and join the Ugandan traffic police force (even for an hour) - it looks like one of the most exciting of boring jobs in the world!
Until the next time (by which time the team should have enjoyed some well desrved R&R), this is blogger signing off...
God bless.
As we don't have web access at our accommodation, it's tricky getting on to provide updates.
Anyway, here goes:
The staff block we were painting required a coat of white water based emulsion to acres (well, possibly not quite acres) of fairly coarse block walls. This used copious amounts of water, time, paint, patience and sweat (definately lots of sweat!). Satisfied with our day's work, we returned to the old homestead for good food and fellowship (we're studying Christian integrity in our devotions and these have been a profitable and lively part of the day).
However, imagine our dismay to find on day 2 (Wed) that we have to apply another coat of emulsion to the the aforementioned acres. However, exercising patience and consuming several other fruit, we completed this exercise in good spirit.
HOWEVER, imagine our dismay to find on day 3 (Thur) that we have to apply yet another coat of emulsion to the the aforementioned acres plus a top coat of gloss!!. Add to previously highlighted patience, joy as we find that we're alomost there....
Our joy is complete as Friday sees the addition of finishing touches (like green gloss to bottom block course, white gloss to windows etc). The finished product is a joy to behold and a true labour of love.
Actually, the highlight of the first week has to be the 330 children at Kiti. Although most of them have virtually nothing in the material line (including what we would consider to be most basic of clothing and food), they are a shining example of happiness, finding delight in the simplest of pleasures. The (limited) time spent interacting with the team has given rise to much laughter and some tears (always on the part of the team). What a challenge to us as we reflect on the time and effort devoted to the pursuit of our material obsessions. Also, the 13 staff give 100% to the children, as they seek to educate them without the benefit of text books, electricity, running water, kitchen etc etc.
On the last day, the team presented the school with football kits, pencil sets, hair bobbles etc which were gratefully (no, really really gratefully) received. In return, the children sang and presented the team with gifts of fruit which they had picked in the surrounding countryside. Also, they presented a wonderful papier machier chicken, decorated with real feathers which is now the team mascot!
On the lighter side, Steve has restrained himself from knocking several motorcyclists off as the pass within millimetres of his window in the minibus. Garvin has enjoyed some of the best naps in his life as we travelled to and from Kiti each day. Incidentally, this journey took approx 1 1/2 hours through incredible scenes of wealth and poverty as we criss-crossed Kampala each day. We were able to experience (I almost said enjoy!) the sights, sounds and smells of a developing city (approx 1.5 million population). Bryan and Leigh have already identified several sites worthy of procurement in the development of their new Ugandan Joint Venture property development business. Andrew has continued to minister to the various aches and ailments of the team (and after 1.5 hours in a Ugandan van, there are many aches!!). Neil has endeavoured to ensure that a minute by minute photgraphic record of the team's exploits will be available on their return. Jayne has demonstrated a touching blend of compassion for the children and Kiti and contempt for some of the banter on the bus. Finally, Chris would love to borrow a whistle and join the Ugandan traffic police force (even for an hour) - it looks like one of the most exciting of boring jobs in the world!
Until the next time (by which time the team should have enjoyed some well desrved R&R), this is blogger signing off...
God bless.
posted by Team Muzungu at 3:01 pm
1 Comments:
Great to hear from you and what you are up to. Hope you find the next week rewarding. Praying that God will use and protect you over the next few days.
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