Mission Uganda Updates
A team from Lord of Life (Pastor Phil, Laura Dirks and Kent Dirks) served in Uganda in 2010. Pastor Phil's updates are below.
View more photos from the trip...
Day One –
It was a
Day Two – Wednesday,
We arrive on time in
The team is made up of a group of 12 from
Getting the bags was easy.
The Golfview Hotel was fine – but didn’t see a golf course. It was on nice gated grounds, but just outside them were cows and goats. We quickly unloaded our luggage with the help of the staff and tried to get to sleep – but it was
Day Three –
Trip from
The trip to Tororo was a long one too. We left the hotel an hour late, stopped for gas, had some bus issues and finally got on the road running 2 hours late. I was able to get a jump seat up front in the bus so I could see both sides of the road. It was sensory overload. The sounds, smells, colors, all the people…it was amazing. We headed through the middle of
After exiting
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An hour outside of
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We stopped after about an hour at Jinja, the source of the 6,000 mile Nile River (much like Isanti and the Mississippi). We took a quick boat ride out to the bubbling waters of the springs that feed the Nile. There were vendors up and down the hill leading to the river – lots of things to buy. Those of us who didn’t shop got to be entertained by 11 monkeys in the park by the bus. |
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We headed back on the road and had a brief encounter with the baboons who hung out at a particular spot in the road. We gave them the bananas and they were thoroughly excited and fortunately no baboons were hit by the trucks flying by.
After another hour we finally arrived at the Rock Classic Hotel (not sure what’s classic). We quickly got our room keys and then immediately headed out to the True Vine Ministries site and toured the buildings there. What an incredible experience to see the warm greeting we all received from the workers, children and families there. It is a very basic facility, especially compared to our normal American standards. We saw the medical clinic, the computer center, the new Guest House, the church and the dorms for the boarding students. Each building is built for 24 kids, and they house 36 right now. |
The children seemed happy to see us and they smiled all the time, reaching out for our hands to walk with us. It is an odd experience to see these beautiful African children with happiness on their faces even in extreme poverty. We met a young man who was actually a sponsored child from Hope 4 Kids years ago and he is now grown and living at the site as a teacher. He is grateful for all of the help he received, and such a great example of what very few U.S. dollars can accomplish for kids here in
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The final experience was watching the kids receive their evening meal, which was food from Feed My Starving Children. The children were very orderly, received their food and vegetables and headed for a shelter to eat the bowls of food with their hands. The sad part was community kids who were not going to be fed because there is just enough food for the students. We packed up and drove away with kids chasing the bus and telling us to return soon. We had dinner at 8 and headed for settling into our rooms – it was a long 12-hour day. |
Day Four –
Each day starts with breakfast at
Today our first event was the half-hour trip to
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As we entered the village after a half-hour drive from Tororo, much of it on dusty dirt roads, we could hear the squeal of children. They knew that Hope4Kids bus was coming. The bus was quickly surrounded by children shouting hello, grabbing and shaking our hands as we got off the bus. They were thrilled to see us, laughing and jumping around. The children were dressed in a wide variety of old, dusty clothing. Most of the children had shaved heads to make their life easier, preventing disease. Nutrition is an issue and most of the children are fairly thin. The good news is the Feed My Starving Children meals start on Monday. The village is a conglomeration of brick buildings, mud huts, stands, gardens, cattle, goats and the chicken coop. There is no electricity in the village but there is a well for fresh water. |
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We were introduced to other pastors in the village who were very happy to see us. And there were small children every where. The children age 3 and up to 9 were in school, preparing a program for us. I recognized Pastor Peter Obbo, with whom I have been communicating. He is the pastor of the church in this village and several others. He is a determined pastor, doing God’s work under very difficult circumstances. Pastor Peter always wears dress pants, dress shoes and dress shirt with a tie. He welcomed me with a big hug and I told him how happy Laura, Kent and I were to be in Juba. The Hope4Kids team settled into a yet unpainted school room (another task for this week) that had a dirt floor and several mats. We sat on children’s benches. The front of the room had a large blackboard. Pastor Obbo introduced us to the school headmaster, the teachers and the cook. |
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It was explained to us that the children had worked hard on a program and we sat eagerly awaiting the event. For the next hour plus we experienced a wide variety of entertainment. It included smiling children singing and dancing, a formal debate about “is it better to be a village person or a city person”, a very progressive (for Uganda) skit about girls not being sold for her dowry by her father with it ending with the momma chasing the suitors and the father out of the house with a stick, and a provocative educational song by the third graders about sexually transmitted disease and alcohol use. It was truly a remarkable time. People were hanging in the windows watching their children, very proud of their performance.
The young children wandered into the room during the performance, sitting on the Muzungus’ (Ugandan for white folks) laps or holding their hands. They are very affectionate children, showing no fear of these strangers who had come to their village. |
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After the performance we walked over to the chicken coop which was across the village. Children followed us, grabbing our hands. We passed goats, cows and chickens, mud huts and gardens. The chicken coop has been very successful, once the fence kept the turkeys away, who were scaring the chickens who thus wouldn’t lay eggs. There are 480 chickens who lay eggs everyday. The sale of eggs has been very successful and there is hope of doubling the number of chickens. There are two women who manage the chickens and a security guard who spends the night to keep the chickens safe. There are issues with the mud sides of the coop being damaged by the rain and the solution is spreading concrete on the sides. There are termites in the storage shed, which could be converted to the next coop, and a steel shed with doors is needed for feed storage, egg storage and sales. |
The needs of the village are substantial and yet life goes on. The impression is the people are very friendly and seem happy and content. Under the circumstances it is astounding. We wrapped up this visit at
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 After lunch at the hotel we headed on an hour and a half ride on dirt roads to another small, rural village, Paskatoula, to dedicate a water well. This became a powerful, moving experience. Many of these folks had never seen white people and so when our bus full of “Muzungus” pulled up we were greeted by hundreds of villagers singing and clapping and reaching into the windows to shake our hands in complete gratitude. |
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Once again we were surrounded by squealing children and singing adults and we were seated by a large tree in the center of the village. Pastor Obbo was the master of ceremonies for a brief program. The women sang a joyful song about the water saving their village from cholera. They were so sincere and joyful. Next the school choir sang several happy and fun songs, dancing to their music, celebrating the well.
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When we hiked through the bush to the well site, everyone was so excited and raising their hands in joy to us and to Jesus who they realize is the reason we are all here to serve them. When the water began to flow from that well, there were no Muzungus without tears running down our faces. The choir sang another song celebrating the well before we walked back to the village. The group from Fellowship Church had made about 100 “pillowcase dresses”. We spent the next 30 minutes fitting the girls with a clean, pretty dress. Again with exuberant goodbyes, we headed back for a 7:30 p.m. dinner. This was the second of the twelve hour busy days. |
Day one with no internet – This is
Day Five –
Climbing the “Rock” - The Rock is a nearby mini-mountain. This has become a tradition for Hope4Kids teams and we ventured up the 5,000 foot mountain together. It was really hard to do – but
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Sponsored Children – After breakfast and family time we headed back to TrueVine campus. Hope4Kids have 1,200 sponsored kids around the world. Laura and Kent sponsor three children and they were thrilled to re-connect with Pius, who is 19 and in technical school and Julius who is 9 and in the True Village Boarding School. It was very touching to watch Kent and Laura spend time with their children. They had brought very thoughtful gifts and spent time with their Field Directors to assure that both boys were doing well in school and had everything they needed. Kent and Laura took being Mom and Dad very seriously. There was great disappointment when they were informed their Ugandan daughter, Cordelia, whom they have sponsored for six years, could not get away from school exams. They are hoping to see her later in the week in Kampala. Kent and Laura are very committed to Mission Uganda. I got to observe many other “families” with their children. It was very compelling watching these shy children be with their sponsoring parents, with smiles and tears on both sides. We also got to go to Julius' building and see his bunk – he’s on the top of three. It was laundry day too so there were clothes and other items everywhere. Finally we went out to a field so Pius and Julius could try out their new Futbol (soccer) shoes, one of the gifts from Kent and Laura. We left with shouts and squeals from the children. |
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Juba – after lunch we returned to Juba to start construction work. Our first task – move a very large pile of bricks next to the foundation that had been poured yesterday, to complete the new school room. We used the two wheel barrows to start getting the bricks in the right spot. Pretty soon one of the small children carried a brick over to where we were stacking the bricks. One of the team members came up with the great idea of creating a line of children to move the bricks and very quickly the children were giggling and laughing, handing brick to one another until they reached the school foundation. The leader got the kids chanting their ABC’s and counting to ten and then making up silly songs. For 40 minutes we had a great time moving bricks. Not the most efficient construction project – but certainly the most fun. The team members who were not working played with the children, carrying them around, giving them lots of attention. We finished the brick moving and said the goodbyes again…with laughing, squealing children chasing the bus. |
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Day two with no internet – This is
Day Six –
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Church in Juba - some folks went to the True Vine Church and half of us went to Pastor Obbo’s church in Juba. It was described as a shack and that was pretty accurate. It has tin sides and a tin roof (which served as a good way to “cook" us) and dirt floors. Pastor David (no, not that Pastor David), led worship, playing the guitar and getting the congregation moving and I mean really moving. There were small benches to sit on and most of the natives sat on mats. But we didn’t sit much as the songs flowed. |
Pastor Peter (no, not that Pastor Peter) preached on a text from Exodus – pretty ironic since we just finished 10 weeks on the book. He was an animated preacher with an interpreter with whom he worked well. A little children’s choir sang several songs which also included movement and dancing. Pastor Peter kept worship to about an hour and a half for us visitors – we were grateful because of the heat. It was an outstanding worship experience, with meaningful prayers and preaching and great music. Many of us were moved to tears. We then went next door to a church member's house for a social time. Bananas, little fried breads, ginga nuts (like peanuts) and sodas and water were served. Two Obama posters hung in the living room of the four room house (living room, bedroom, bathroom, kitchen).
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The
The impression I am getting of the trip to this point is that God has called us to serve those who are suffering. We cannot solve all the problems today. We can begin. I know some folks believe we should stick to ministry in the
Day three with no internet – This is
Day Seven –
Smile Africa - The internet is still working – two days in a row! Monday was a day we were looking forward to…but all have been great. Lord of Life purchased 10 sewing machines for Smile Africa for its Widow’s Store. We also purchased 10 large pots and utensils for them to make food to sell. The Widows of Uganda were created by multiple wars and HIV/AIDS epidemics. The Widow’s store also is part of a women’s training and support group – creating independent and successful women.
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Besides the Widow’s Store, Smile Africa sponsors a preschool with sixty fun kids in their purple uniforms. The two 10’ by 12’ classrooms are primitive and the teachers mainly teach by repetition since there are no school supplies or books. The kids sing, dance and enjoy the school immensely. The dirt school grounds are surrounded by barb wire. There is a teeter totter and two swings. |
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The Widow’s Store is packed with sewing machines and lots of clothing, jewelry, baskets and much more. They make shirts, dresses, bags and many other things with the machines. The items sold at the annual Lord of Life auction are purchased from this store – where all the proceeds support the widows of Uganda. The people are very gracious and patient as we try to find just the right items to take back to the U.S. Many people ordered custom made shirts and dresses. The widows were thrilled with all the purchases. We left the store with lots of great gifts to head to Smile Africa children’s site. |
Smile Africa – Serving the Karamojong Children – It is unlikely I can describe nor can you imagine the Smile Africa site. We pulled into the squeals on hundreds of children welcoming us. It was dramatic and overwhelming from that point on.
First some history – the Karamojong came from the north of Uganda driven south by a drought. They were known as outlaws, cattle rustlers, drunks and as being lazy. They were shunned in Tororo and the surrounding communities. The children of the Karamojong were put out on the street to find food, mainly from the garbage dumps. Pastor Ruth, the head of Smile Africa, was motivated to start this ministry when a nine-year-old Karamojong girl died after eating a piece of meat she took from a dead rat – the meat was poison. So slowly, Pastor Ruth built a ministry to feed the children of the Bison Slum. It now feeds 420 children a day, has a preschool, a school for grades 1-3 and supports other children to attend up to grade 7.
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The campus includes an administrative office, concrete showers, a food storage container, a kitchen, medical center, and a concrete slab with a tin room where the children eat porridge in the morning and a nourishing lunch at 1:30 of food from Feed My Starving Children. Lord of Life introduced Hope4Kids to FMSC and it has made a huge difference in the health of these children. This is the last meal of the day for these kids. The Karamojong children are homeless and abandoned. They are children with “no name” – most don’t know their birthday or their age. Laura and I spent the day working in the medical clinic with a local paramedical professional and nurse plus an ER doctor on the trip with us. Much of the work was wound care. Since the kids don’t have shoes, their feet and legs are a mess. Almost every child is also treated for worms and we saw cases of malaria and other illness. We tried to keep track of the cases and kids but they were coming so fast we lost track. More about this ministry tomorrow… |
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Most of the kids are dressed in dirty clothes that are better described as rags. Almost none of them have shoes. And they all have smiles that break your heart.
It is truly a humbling experience. I’ll be working there again tomorrow. Please pray for these children.
Day Eight –
Smile Africa - Kent, Laura and I spent the day at Smile Africa mostly in the medical clinic. When we arrived there was a 4-year-old girl in the one exam room laying on the exam table by herself. She was crying and the nurse said she was brought in with a broken leg. Dr. Amy, who is on our team, verified that it was a broken femur and she began treating her. We calmed her down, the doctor gave her some children's tylenol and together we splinted her leg with strips from a cardboard box and large gauze. She was in a lot of pain and it took four of us to get the leg splinted. We learned from another child that she had been chased by a woman in her village and had fallen. Her dad showed up and we got her to his motorcyle and off she went to the hospital. We saw her a couple of hours later in a cast and she received some medicine for the pain. It is difficult to imagine how her care will go...but one has to trust God in her recovery.
We saw a constant flow of people - we lost count fairly early in the day. Kent and Laura did a great job on wound care. The kids have so many open wounds because they have no shoes. They are covered with old scars from previous wounds. We also had many adults come to the clinic but we served the children first. About 1:30 we took five minutes to eat our peanut butter sandwiches we had brought from the hotel - it was like being in the eye of the hurricane. We could hear the 400+ kids outside, we knew there were 40 people in the waiting room. But for a moment we took time to gather ourselves to prepare for the afternoon. And to say a prayer.
Two other things happened. The OWLs had given us shirts to bring and Pastor Ruth gave them to her girls choir who put them on immediately. They sang a beautiful song with a dance - it is a great video! They loved the shirts and were very grateful. Secondly, we gave out the certificates that Inspired Images had made for the English class that Kent's mom had taught over her 3 months here. They were thrilled with the certificates and pictures. One of the women said that when she goes to meet Jesus her kids will have the certificate to remember her. Inspired Images - you made a big difference in these women's lives - thanks.
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Some final thoughts about the Karamojong children. Feed My Starving Children food has made a significant impact on their lives - they are much healthier than when Kent and Laura saw them last summer. These children live in an "unreal world", not knowing where they will sleep, with one set of dirty clothes, minimal if any medical care. But they also laugh and play, getting through the day, going to a school that gives them hope of a better future. And they have amazing faith. A simple faith that is pure and clear. They don't know what tomorrow will bring but they trust God that it will be a good day. We all need such faith. |
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Awingo House - On Tuesday night we went to visit a place that Hope4Kids partners. It is led by a man named Ken who is a retired engineer from Connecticut. Four years ago he felt called to come to Africa to help orphans. He bought 18 acres of land and now has 26 kids under his care. The name Awingo comes from a girl he cared for in Uganda, Joyce Awingo who had cancer and eventually died. He dedicated the house to her name and a verse from Revelation "that life comes out of death - the death of Jesus". Several of the kids are sponsored by Lord of Life members. We brought many of the donations from Lord of Life here and all the kids got flip flops, shirts and jerseys. The kids sang beautifully - we'll post the video soon. They sang and danced songs of faith - expressing their love of Christ in their music. They live a simple life, crowded into bunks three high. But they are safe, fed and all go to school every day - again the hope that comes from education. Kent is an example of a hero of the faith. Ken is here living day to day, trusting God. He's building a legacy through the difference he is making in these kids' lives. He uses his social security checks and sponsorship from Hope4Kids to survive. His faith is strong even against these overwhelming circumstances. It was an inspirational and hopeful evening. |
Today we're heading for a couple other villages - always a new, unknown experience ahead...keep us in your prayers - thanks, Phil
Day Nine –
This was a different kind of day - Kent, Laura, their sponsored daughter Cordelia and I piled into Pastor Peter Obbo's car to visit three of the five villages he serves. Our purpose was to deliver the certificates to the people who had finished the 3-month English course providd by Kent's Mom. It was far more than that.
First about Pastor Obbo - he began these ministries 4 years ago - he has started churches and schools in the five villages and works tirelessly - he travels the dusty, bumpy roads of Uganda everyday visiting his people and working on development of the villages. Being a pastor here is taking care of the whole village not just the church. More about him later.
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Busaro - This village is a typical Uganda location - mud huts, a few brick structures, lots of little shops in disarray and a tin and wood church. Half of it is covered and half not - so rainy days must make it a bit more crowded on the roof side. We were met by all the villages singing and dancing - they are so glad and grateful to see visitors. The school children are in their uniforms and are saying "jambo" which is hello. They all want to touch our hands and hug us - it is an overwhelming sense of welcome. The women (hardly any men) are in their best native dress and are jumping and singing in loud voices. We took seats in the front and they began a worship service with us. The prayers were ended with everyone praying their own prayer out loud - a beautiful sound. As I sat there watching I kept glancing at the small children standing looking from outside (since there were no walls just poles - a whole new idea for outdoor worship). They are dressed in torn clothes and are as dusty as the roads...but they smile alot. |
We heard from the children's choir (Dana - lots of video for you - you should see these kids dance) and the women's choir (yes, Lee - they danced too). We then began the presentation of the certificates. The recipients are so very proud of their certificates - great thanks to the folks of Inspired Images. Every person was cheered for and I took a picture we can get to them later. They rarely have pictures of themselves and they like to see the pictures in the camera as soon as we take them. The celebration continued and as we left, the villagers started bringing gifts. We received the largest papaya I've ever seen (the size of two footballs), avacados, mats and other woven items and my favorite - 2 chickens. They rode with us the rest of the day - thankfully in the trunk. I could hear them clucking when I was sitting in the back seat. Their generosity was startling. These folks have nothing and they shared so much with us. And Pastor Peter said we cannot refuse so we filled the trunk. Pastor Peter will give the items to the people of Juba (he may keep the chickens and slaughter them himself). We head out with shouts of goodbye, kids running after the car grabbing our hands. It is hard to describe what is like to visit a village and see the poverty and the joy. The spiritual depth, the spiritual presence and the spiritual joy is palpable. They face a life of struggle every day to feed their children and keep them safe. It is an agricultural community so they can grow food - crops are planted everywhere - but they sell some to keep their homes and rely on rain to water the crops. As we drove away I couldn't help but thinking how long I could survive in this setting.
Wikus - we drove for 2 1/2 hours on roads (that is a loose description) to reach Wikus, another Pastor Peter village, to deliver certificates. We passed field after field of papyrus, saw monkeys, 100's and 100's of people walking, carrying everything imaginable on their heads. People just walk and walk - miles and miles - frequently barefoot. There are very few overweight people in Uganda. We arrived in Wikus to the same welcome...singing, dancing, children and women squealing with delight to see the American visitors. Americans are so very rare here - I've tried to watch for white people and I've only seen 20 or so in 10 days. This is the bush Africa - and white people stand out. This time in Wikus was less worship and more city celebration. The school is a community one but still religious. The kids in technical school (16-18 years old) put on a skit about the evils of drinking. It also had something about demons but I didn't catch it all. Pastor Peter spoke at the end of the program, preaching against the old culture of demons and local religions. He also stressed the importance of education. He spoke very plainly to the girls about making something of their lives, getting an education and making it "to university". The women's movement has grown and women are taking positions of importance in commerce and government. We ended the time with the jubilant reception of the certificates - lots of cheers, squealing and jumping...not exactly like graduation in the U.S. We headed for Juba...
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Traveling in the dark in Africa is a bit unsettling - no street lights and so many people biking and walking on the road - not many reflectors or lights on them. Peter made his way through the rain - again, so many people going somewhere, walking, soaking wet...and that is their life. As Peter said,"it's only rain."
We got back to the hotel - waited forever to get some food (but I'm not going to complain - I got food)...and talked to the other team members who had been out for a well dedication and other events. I spent 5 minutes on the phone with Carol, saw the internet was down and went back to watch Cricket on the TV. I will never understand cricket. Sleep came fast and now I'm packed and ready to hit the road...we'll have chicken on the stick today -better than the unknown sausage we have for breakfast...but I had food - so no complaining.
More to come...
Day Ten - Thursday, April 15, 2010This morning we said goodbye to Pastor Ruth of Smile Africa/Karamojong Children and Pastor Peter - they hope we all return soon. Laura and Kent have spent a lot of time with Peter and Kent has been very instrumental in the chicken farm at Juba. And the chickens were still alive in Peter's trunk...if PETA only knew. After a quick breakfast and devotion time we hit the road for an 8-hour trip. We are blessed to have an excellent driver, experienced leaders/guides and a good group - they have to be if we're going to be in a bus like the LOL black buses. We headed from Tororo through Kampala with a final destination of Mytiana...it was the same exciting time with baboons and chicken on a stick...and 1000's of little ramshackle shops and 10s of 1,000's of people walking. I just want to stop and ask, "where are you going"? The same with the bicyclists with their loads of items either coming or going to market. As Kent and Laura's Uganda son said to us, he came to us "walking with his feet". So it is in Africa.
Going through a different part of Kampala gave us a different viewpoint. We passed some really nice houses that were right next to mud huts and fields of bananas. Not sure the Maple Grove city planners would go for this arrangement. Even in this major city there were goats and cows along the road - and we were going 60 miles an hour past pedestrians and animals. And, of course, endless numbers of children. In the school yards we could see the children in uniforms playing. But if you are not in school it seems like you hang around...without much to play with. Again, it is just amazing all the hustle and bustle...but not sure of the result - but that's because I'm American.
We stopped for gas and I was emptying the trash from the bus - I had 3 plastic water bottles and two pop cans - before I could get to the trash three children came up to take them from me - and started fighting over them. I divided them up as best I could and watched them go to a box filled with bottles and cans - this was their way of contributing to the family income I assume.
We are going from Eastern Uganda to Western Uganda - and the terrain really changed the further we went - it is lush and we see the beautful mountains, including Kilimanjaro, in the background. There are still the little villages of huts and shops but they are fewer also. There is a saying in Africa about being like a reed, that you need to bend and not break...so when we were approaching Mytiana to stop at a school, we got word that plans had changed. The President of Uganda's son turns 18 on Saturday and becomes a king...and it happens to be in Port Portal where we are to stay Friday night and Saturday night - and the President of Uganda is taking over our hotel, Mountain of the Moon. As the person told Tom, in Kenya you can ignore the President but in Uganda if you do that you'll be killed...we think she was kidding (but she's taking no chances). So, we flew by Mytiana - well actually there was a 50 (yes 50) mile construction project on the road to Mytiana. It felt just like Minnesota in August, so traffic was slow but we made it to Port Portal for Thursday night at Mountain of the Moon hotel - and it is lovely. This is where I am writing this. We just finished a very good buffet - best food all week. There is actually hot water, 4 TV channels not 3 and it seems pretty quiet. There is a loud party of the President's staff but I don't think we're going to complain.
We have to be out of the hotel by 9am. We were thinking about refusing to leave but we saw lots of military trucks on the way in so we'll leave quietly. We have been assure we'll have nice lodging our last two nights in Uganda. Tomorrow we'll be touring two schools and meeting sponsored kids. Should be a fun day of meeting more new people.
More tomorrow about the mission trip to Uganda...please keep us in your prayers (especially for the volcanic ash to clear out from the Amerserdam airport, which is currently closed).
Day Eleven –
Hello from lovely western Uganda. I'm typing really fast because I'm in a lower level room with no screens on the windows typing on the one computer in this hotel...the bugs are very attracted to the computer screen and me...so this may be a bit short. We were able to visit three great places in Port Portal today.
The medical clinic was very rudimentary and not close to western standards but good for Africa. They had an x-ray machine which is a rarity. Tororo, our first base of operations, doesn't have one in the whole district. We met the staff and they were very proud of the facility. It was shocking and yet hopeful for those able to receive care. The widows shop was in a shopping area (remember lots of small shops, dirt streets and lots of goats and cows). We were able to buy a few things there.
Momma Evie runs "Outreach to Africa" and it includes a medical clinic, widow's shop and a school. Momma Evie has a fascinating story. She was born into a wealthy family, was left behind when her father fled Uganda and lived as an orphan for years. Her father died and she eventually found her mother - but they lived homeless and poor in Europe. She eventually made her way to California through hard work and finally reconnected with her family and her wealthy uncle. She now lives 6 months in CA and 6 in Uganda. Because she understands poverty and being an orphan she is giving back now. She is a woman of the people and a great woman of faith.
The highlight of the day was the school. There are 60 kids attending, 40 of whom live at the boarding school and 20 from the community. They entertained us with the Ugandan national athem, their school songs, songs and dances of welcome and lots of other songs - they were great. We toured the facilities - again good for Uganda. The kitchen was next to 10 metal bathing rooms about 2 by 2' - the water used is rain collected from the roof - a bit cold and not terribly clean. The classrooms were the best we've seen in Uganda. They were neat and clean and filled with teaching aids. The desk were from the 1950's in America. About 75 yards from the classrooms, out back, were 8 latrines which consist of 2 by 3 stalls with a cement floor with a 4 by 6" hole. You bring your own toilet paper. Even further out is the well - where they use the ubiquitous yellow containers to bring water. The campus also includes a church and dormitories for 40 children. The school is very faith based and the kids know, love and follow Jesus.
After the tour we played a big game of "duck, duck, goose" (yes duck duck grey duck AZ style). The kids loved making the muzungus (white folks) the goose or even their teachers...we played for quite a while and the kids laughed and squealed a lot (as did the adults actually). We left with lots of hugs, handshakes and goodbyes and headed into town to eat lunch at the Garden Restaurant. It was a buffet which all our meals have been...we did order off the menu one night in Tororo and it took an hour to get our food - but no complaining - we got food. It is ironic to sit down and eat as much as you want after leaving kids who eat two meager meals a day. A little unnerving.
We fnished and got on the busses to head for Kessene, near Queen Elizabeth's park where we'll go on safari tomorrow. It was a long 3-hour trip...but it is a beautful setting with the mountains. Our hotel is African. My room has neither a TV nor air conditioning...but I have a room so no complaining. After I patched the screen with my trusty duct tape I felt ok. I have mosquito netting and I'll put on my deet to go to sleep. Hopefully there will be a bit of a breeze. Right now it's really hot.
We're coming up on our last two days in Africa but I have been taking lots of notes and will continue to write my updates for several days. Tomorrow lions and tigers and bears, oh my (no bears but crocodiles).
**Please check back for photos from Thursday and Friday
Day Twelve –
It was a fairly hot, sleepless night for me. Slept with the door open (and the screen tightly closed) and was entertained by mooing cows, barking dogs and roosters who thought sunrise was 3am. We got up early and were on the road to Queen Elizabeth National Park at 7am for a safari. It has been very hot and we knew it would be today. The Rwenzori Mountain range frames this part of Uganda and it breathtaking. As we made the hour-long bus trip, even at this early hour people were walking and biking - really something to see. Especially the herd of goats grazing on the roundabout in the center of town.
Day Thirteen – Day Fourteen - Monday, April 19, 2010 Well, we made it through a difficult and exciting 11 days in Africa only to be stymied by a volcano half a world away...so much for human plans. We were fortunate to go back to the Golfview Hotel where we stayed our first night. It has air conditioning that works, about 7 TV channels (including CNN where we can watch the depressing news about airports and ash) and hot showers...so life is good. I'm sitting on the veranda restaurant with a cool breeze, no bugs, a diet coke and music in the background. The thing that pops into my head is that the vast majority of Ugandans would change places with me no questions asked, stuck or not. Uganda is a country of 24,000,000 people with 2,000,000 orphans created by war and AIDS/HIV. It is an agricultural economy. Uganda has no minerals, oil or other natural resources. It does not have large enough farms to export anything. It is landlocked with no ports. The two largest employers are cement factories on the western and eastern sides of Uganda that each employ about 1,200 people. Thus the endless number of shops, markets, stands and ways to try to sell something to make money. The median wage in Uganda is $600 a year - with many in the villages making less than a $1 a day. There is a significant lack of clean water and electricity. Medical care is primitive. Education is scattered and limited by resources. When I asked Pastor Peter Obbo about the 5 villages with which he works, he told me the basic needs...land, a church, a pastor's house, a medical center, a school, a well, housing for teachers, a business project like chickens/grinding machine for grain/sawmill for lumber, a tree growing plan, a community stove, a technical/vocational school, a guest house...that would make a village work...but it is overwhelming to fund such a venture...how can Ugandans improve the quality of their life? Just the basics…but it won’t happen without lots of help.
The main focus is on kids now. Getting them fed and clothed. Getting them healthy and educated. With the new generation of children perhaps Uganda can improve in many aspects.
This is said with respect and the knowledge I’ve only been to Africa once and only for 10 days. I was fortunate to speak with several leaders in Tororo and the knowledgeable Hope4Kids staff. They’ve had a great impact here…but it’s just starting.
Dr. Amy Stone, the physician on the team, spoke one morning at Family Time, quoting St. Julia Billiart and it sums things up well, “You are not expected to do all the good in the world…just that which is within you power”. We each need to ask ourselves…what is within our power to make a difference in the world?
And now we wait – and wait – no word when we might get out. Please keep us in your prayers. Pastor Phil
Update - after a long 8 1/2 hour bus ride we got to airport and learned all flights cancelled...we had been told all day we could get to Amsterdam...perhaps if we walked like all the Ugandan folks...anyway - not sure when we'll get out of Uganda but at an okay hotel with AC/hot water/and internet. I'll send a full update tomorrow - so check back and see when/if the story ends...Pastor Phil
Day Fifteen - Tuesday, April 20
Good morning - we were supposed to arrive in MN yesterday...but we will be a week late. I'm recovering from food poisoning but am feeling better after a day of rest. The team will be back in Tororo for the next week until we hopefully will leave. So there will be updates about the Uganda ministries soon.
firewood/charcoal, bringing water to your hut, selling some of your crop to make money, repairing the house
Wednesday, April 21
You've likely heard of the volcanic eruption in Iceland that has caused air travel delays. Well, it's affected us as well. We had completed our safari 4/18/10 and were all mentally preparing ourselves for "re-entry". However, we've been challenged to surrender to the Lord what is not in our control. So here we are continuing an additional week of service in Tororo.
While this unexpected delay has saddened us in not being able to get back to loved ones as planned, it has given us an opportunity to see some of the loved ones here in Tororo that we weren't able to see during our original stay. I have to admit, when we left here last week, I said many times that it was too short of a stay and I wished we had more time... well, be careful for what you wish and pray for, because you never know how God will answer your prayers. We will remain faithful and make the best of the time we have here. - Kent Dirks
**Pastor Phil has started his journey home via multiple airport stops. Kent and Laura Dirks are back in Tororo and will return to the U.S. next week. Please keep all of them in your prayers.
Thursday, April 22
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The remainder of the day we had a group of 8 Mazungos at Smile Africa (plus Kathrine, one of the cooks from Smile Africa and two young men who wanted the opportunity to paint). We completed the prime coat on the new 2-story water tower, transformer shed and the kitchen! Awesome! Tomorrow sounds like a fun first half of the day at Juba. The kids are ending their school year so Hope 4 Kids is sponsoring a little get together for all the village... it will be GREAT! - Kent and Laura
Friday, April 23
Beautiful evening rain last night after we all arrived back at the hotel (cooled things off quite nicely). Today was the end of the current school year trimester. All the children at Juba received their end-of-the-term report cards and a gift from Hope 4 Kids for being so diligent and sticking to the studies. Children received flip flop sandals and mosquito nets... practical gifts that brighten their spirits and keep them healthy.
We also had an opportunity to test out the new stove that the H4KI team built for the cook at Juba, Veronica. This was a wood stove made of bricks and mortar that ventilates the smoke out of the building. Before having this stove, Veronica heated water for the Feed My Starving Children food over what is called a "three stone stove" ( three stones on which the cooking pot is balanced and a fire is built beneath the pot). With the new wood burning stove, Veronica will not have to breath in the smoke from an open fire. The cook stove also burns fuel more efficiently so less charcoal/wood is used. Veronica was very happy.
Another portion of the team went back to Tororo Hospital today. The care that patients receive at the hospital does not include meals. Families are responsible to provide food for the family members who are in the hospital. Those patients without the care of a family member, go without. Our team brought eggs from the Juba chicken farm which they purchased and boiled for patients in need of food at the hosptial. What a blessing the farm has become to the Vision Nursery School and the community. Thank you, Jesus.
- Kent and Laura
Sunday, April 25
As I began preparing for worship this morning and packing up (again), I took a moment to see if the internet was up and running. I was able to connect and learned that Phil had made it home! We're so pleased to have had Pastor Phil on the trip... his insight to this ministry has given me some great new ideas as to how we can continue to help our friends here in providing education within their community and spreading the Good News.
Yesterday was one of the more leisurely days that we've had on the trip. Late morning was spent at Smile Africa helping in the feeding and bathing of kids... and of course more painting.
In the afternoon, Peter Obbo invited Laura and I to travel to his village to see his home, crops and Sarah, his lovely wife. The visit confirmed as I suspected, the living conditions of Peter's family are just as meager as the homes in Juba. If Peter has two coats, he is quick to give one to this brother who has none. Sometimes I worry that his immediate family takes a second priorty to Peter's much larger family of Christian church members. When I told him of the our American saying of "the cobbler's children have no shoes", he smiled and told me that there is a simliar African saying; "the potter's family has no pot".
My prayer today is for Peter to continue to work to find a balace between raising a happy, healthy family within his home, as well as a strong Christian family in Tororo. - Kent
Kent and Laura are people with strong faiths. They took a leap of faith in their involvement with Uganda and its people and ministries. I was able to observe them as they met their friends in Uganda and their relationships are meaningful and growing. They are loved by their friends there. In addition they support 3 Ugandan children both with their money and their hearts. Again, I was able to observe their kindness and caring as they interacted with them, gave them gifts and discussed the future of their Ugandan kids.