Jun 22nd Update

Click to enlarge

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So, I came to Mbale and wrote an email yesterday, but as they say here, the internet "refused." So, here I am again today to try and send it. Power is off on one side of the street, but I am on the other at a new internet cafe. Oh, Uganda!
So, here's your Monday email...1 day late:


Hey, Everyone!

It's Monday afternoon here (early Monday on the west coast) and here I am in the internet cafe once again. It's been an interesting day already...

This morning we had to deal with the staff about "tribalism." Some who are of the Bugwele tribe (those who are from the Budaka area) are talking bad and excluding those from Buganda (from the west of Uganda) and others I can't remember the names of. Who'd have known? Sounds like things that happen in the States (on church staffs at least - maybe not at your work). Anyway, we shared the Kingdom concept of being in unity regardless of the tribe (from Galatians 3 and 1 Corinthians 1) and there were tears - unfortunately not of repentance, but of anger that we would call them on this. Please pray for us as we walk through this. We told them that this ministry is just beginning, but it must be built on unity of purpose and the Spirit. Makes me realize we need to teach the children this concept. They are all Bugwele, so we have to introduce NOW to this next generation. Rogers says this whole thing is very common here and causes lots of problems around the country. There are 40 different tribes in Uganda...a country the size of the state of Oregon.

Re: pictures: The first picture is of Brother Stephen who is making chapatti. He has made the dough and the balls which then are rolled out flat (with the rolling pin – sitting in front of the tray of dough balls - Mom, these always remind me of your rolls before they are cooked) and cooked over the charcoal stove (to the left of Stephen…yellow with an orange handle). They are cooked one at a time and he makes 40-50 for the meal. It takes 2-3 hours from start to finish for 2 people to make them (you can see a part of Christine on the left of the picture). Chapatti are like tortillas and are quite yummy.

Behind Stephen, to his right, is the area we keep firewood in. We buy a truckload (about Shs200,000=, or $100) at a time and have been using 1 load every 3 weeks, but with the new rocket stoves, it should cut our consumption down to about ½ that.

The children are doing well - a couple of have colds now, but we have no one with malaria. People in the community are saying that they are getting very "fat." We would say "normal" in America. But they don't have stick legs and arms anymore. Next Monday is visitation day for the guardians and extended family members. The kids have a program ready for the adults and kids who will come. I will get a picture. That also means I probably will not be on the internet, or at least not very long - will try to write an email earlier. The kids are so excited to see people from their home villages and churches. I get excited just because they are!!

The 2nd picture is of Johnson - it's one of those "missing pictures." You have to find what is missing. Can you see?

Okay, I will tell you - the bottom 2 buttons on his shirt are missing. Which brings me to this: I have found myself having to do SOOOOO much mending. I spend about an hour a day (sometimes more!) sewing buttons back on clothes, putting new elastic in waistbands, stitching up tears in clothing, etc., etc. The kids LOVE the attention and all gather around and say "Me, Pastor Laurie, me!" meaning they want me to fix their clothing next. I think maybe they tear off the buttons so I will sew them back on for them :-) So, after I took the picture I sewed back on his 2 buttons. Anyone want to come over and repair clothing?

I am so enjoying my days here...hope you are enjoying yours! Let me know how you are doing and what is happening in your neck of the woods!Love,
Laurie