Oli Otya-Bunnange! 08/12/2011
August 8th found the team ready and raring to continue the work we have been called to do here in this amazing place. We began our day with a short walk to Sonrise to wait for our driver Faroukh who had been temporarily delayed. The wait gave us a chance to visit with the babies a bit and meet or get reacquainted with some of our Ugandan friends who would be joining on us on the day’s projects. Once Faroukh arrived we headed out into the forest to do a breakfast feeding at a school that Damali had set up for us. We found out on the way that the pastor who runs this school is one that Pastor Robert had told Regan we should try and hook up with (unbeknownst to Damali). When we arrived at Vision Primary School we met this very friendly and dignified man named Pastor Patrick who we also found out is one of the pastors who was part of the training our own Pastor Doug and the Cassels recently conducted in the area. We met a lovely group of school age children who were very happy and excited to see us. We sang some songs with them and told them a little bit about us and proceeded to the feeding. We were also able to include some of the other children who for whatever reason do not attend the school. We found out from Pastor Patrick that over 80% of the children at his school are orphans. Vision is situated on a fairly large piece of land and while the school is very humbly constructed (perhaps a little bigger than a cattle stall, and about as well ventilated) Patrick is praying for God to provide the resources for a bigger school and boarding facility for the students as well as a health centre for this remote part of the Wakisi district. It was very encouraging to spend time with this soft spoken man with big dreams and an even bigger heart for the people he has been called to minister to. The plan for the day included beginning the work of delivering family kits which we were looking forward to. As we arrived in Jinja for lunch we found that some suppliers were not available or didn’t have the items we needed and also that rain was in the forecast. Slightly disappointed, we were taken instead to visit a couple of other children’s ministries just North-West of Jinja. The first was an orphanage that has only been open a year or so and is run by Damali’s friend, Pastor Mike. This young man has 8 pre-schoolers of both genders who all share the same bedroom. They were a little shy but Mike and one of the aunties who helps him convinced them to sing for us. We brought some salt, sugar, rice and soap to add to their stores only to find out that they had run out of food that day and were wondering how they were going to feed the children that night. Our disappointment over not delivering family kits faded as we realized we were in the right place at the right time. As we said goodbye to Mike and his little ones we headed past the Anglican cathedral in this area to a place run by a woman named Edith. Edith runs a residential home for children with multiple physical and developmental challenges ranging from cerebral palsy to encephalitis to developmental and physical challenges resulting from untreated malaria. This was a hard visit. It does not appear that the state provides much (if any) support for children in these categories and Edith is a self-taught expert in caring for these children due to her own journey in raising a son with cerebral palsy who is now 10. As a public school teacher knowing what kinds of services are available for these children home in Canada it was difficult for me to see these children in what appeared to be less than ideal conditions. As our visit progressed, however, I realized that all the adults caring for these children love them unconditionally and are doing their best to provide a clean and safe environment for them. Edith has hired an occupational therapist to help build muscle tone amongst other things. She recently received a pregnant cow, thanks to a government grant she applied for, but her landlord is threatening to evict her because of it; an immediate prayer item for that situation. We brought the same gifts of food for this centre also to find out that they had run of most things in almost the same time period as Pastor Mike. What a blessing it was to be a blessing to this woman I referred to as Uganda’s Mother Theresa when we were back on our bus. It was a reminder that I certainly needed as to Who continues to be in charge of this trip. As Pastor Gabriel (you’ll be hearing more about him later) is fond of saying, “Praise the Living God.”. Mweraba for now, Ian Sommer CommentsSat, 13 Aug 2011 04:25:05 I am so glad you got to meet pastor Patrick, he is a remarkable man with a big vision not just for those children but for his whole community...and willing to make it happen through his own resources. As to why not all the children do not go to school...he has had to cap numbers so as not to be overwhelmed. They only have three teachers and they are already stretched to pay them...not to mention how the 'buildings' are full.He told me that they would probably double the size of the school if they opened it to all. If you get a chance ask Patrick 'why' he runs this school...what his long term vision is. We continue to pray for you guys daily... Sue Sommer Sat, 13 Aug 2011 16:44:38 It is stories like these that encourage the saints and confirm to me that this Grandview-Uganda partnership must continue. God is up to something great with these people. It is a privilege to be a part of it. Leave a Reply |
