The Road

Hi Everyone!

When I was little my Dad always told me how difficult his life was as a little boy, and how he had to walk uphill both ways to get to school and home again. I always laughed and gave him a hard time about it. Well Dad, this week I've found it IS possible to walk uphill both ways to and from school.

The craft shop had a lot of work that needed to be completed, so I decided last week to move my sewing class from the craft shop to Dorcas. What I didn't realize when I made the decision was I would have to walk uphill both ways (The home I stay at is on one hill and Dorcas is on the next hill. I have to walk through the valley.) . So here are some photos of my walk; it's very scenic. I hope you enjoy it.

The Kaihura International Full Gospel Church (I think I got the name right)

The hill (My path up the hill is on the left.)

A mob of ants crossing the road

The view from the top of the hill

My final destination: Dorcas

My classes have been going much smoother and focused since I moved them to Dorcas. It is easier to teach without customers coming in all the time. This week we did a crash course on embroidery, I will put up those pictures when they finish their projects. Many of the girls did very well, some not so well. But embroidery is not for everyone. Patrick, Principal of Dorcas, asked me if I would teach an Adult Embroidery class, so we'll see if that will come about in the next few weeks.

The next month is very busy; first: Dorcas is having their 3rd or 4th graduation. Katie and I have been asked to make a cake to serve 70 people. We accepted the challenge. So pray that all the cakes come out of their pans without breaking (there is no wax or parchment paper here to assist me). Then in July, there are 2 Embrace Uganda teams coming, so we will be hanging mosquito nets in neighboring villages and doing other outreaches.

Life will be very busy in the coming weeks; I'm looking forward to it.

Thank you for all your support and prayers. I know they are making a difference.

Love,

Joyce

La Gringa

Life

Hi Everyone!

The last two weeks have flown by. It has been two weeks of joy and sorrow.

Last Sunday, I attended the funeral of Gilbert, the son of one of the Bringing Hope staff members. Gilbert was 6 years old when he died of malaria. I had met Gilbert the week before he passed away, so I didn't get an opportunity to really know who he was; but everyone ( his teachers, family, and friends) said he was a bright intelligent boy with a wonderful future ahead of him. It is difficult to see someone so young pass away; I tend to ask God why, but I know that God's plans are not mine, and He knows far more than I do, so I leave it in His hands. Still, it's a very sad time for Gilbert's family; please keep them in your prayers.

After the funeral, I looked around at all the children that were playing and I thanked God for the blessing that children are. And God continued to remind me of that blessing throughout this week.

I was reminded in the laughter of Anna Marie, the daughter of Zituni an instructor at Dorcas. She is a full of life and laughter 2 year old; who loves to eat bread, write and play. We always play together after class, and I love to watch her face light up as she laughs.

And again I was reminded in the big brown eyes of Joseph an orphan who came to Home Again about 2 weeks ago. Joseph was orphaned 3 days after he was born and no one knows who his father is. His grandmother tried to take care of him but was unable too. So at 1 month old he was brought to Home Again, and that's when I met Joseph.

When he arrived he was sick and emaciated; he was so skinny that his face looked like a little old man. There was no squishy baby to him. But I was so blessed the other day when one of the girls brought Joseph over to see me; I was so excited to feed him and just to talk to him. He is alert and gaining weight. He is still not the normal squishy baby, but he is doing much better, and his future is looking brighter.

I am so amazed at all that God does. Sometimes He chooses to take a life away before we think it's time; and other times He restores life when all seems lost. Why? I don't know, but I trust God through it all.

Talk to you soon.

Love,

Joyce

Aboli

La Gringa

Firsts

This week has been full of firsts.

My first First: I experienced my first Traditional Ugandan Church Service at the local church. It was different; first, they have all the visitors come up front and greet the congregation, and in spite of my protests of not wanting to speak in front of the congregation, I greeted the people. Second, there worship was broken up into 3 or 4 parts with someone speaking in between each section. Then the associate pastor got up after 2 hours and preached in Rutorro for a long time, then he had a the first altar call. I have to confess that I left after the first altar call, but I could here the service continuing as I walked home, and it continued while we ate lunch (The church is so close to the house that we can hear everything). It was an interesting experience, but I'm looking forward to going to church in Fort Portal next week.

My second First: I started teaching this week. It was difficult teaching through a translator at first and the crazy man interrupting my class was a comical distraction. It was actually pretty funny to watch Arthur (my translator that day) run the man off with a stick, only for the man to return again, and Arthur run him off again. But I got the hang of teaching by the second day.

The girls are very bright and are excited to be working with electric machines this coming week. I'm excited about next week also. I have been practicing on the machines to make sure they work, and to make sure I know how they work...I've never encountered so many different types of machines, Italian, American, British, and French. And all but one without instructions. Some modern but most from the 60s. & 70s. Awhhh, the joys of sewing.

My third First: I was asked out by a Ugandan. Katie and I went to Kampala on Thursday to do some shopping. When we were catching the taxi, some guy named Geoff came up and asked me to go on a "stake-out" and go dancing. I politely said no, then laughed as the taxi drove away.

My fourth First: Being greeted by random people on the street. I'm told that Ugandans love muzungus (white people), and it's common practice for them to stop and greet muzungus on the street. It was so strange to be greeted by, "Hey muzungu! How are you?" or being stopped by a had shake from these random men. But it is common practice here so you shake their hand...smile and laugh and keep going.

My fifth First: Being called by names that would be offensive in the States, but are terms of endearment here. Many men in Uganda find shapely women attractive; and Katie warned me that they are not afraid of letting you know it.

So Katie, Magda (a new volunteer from Poland that arrived on Thursday) and I were walking through the streets of Kampala when a local street vender yelled out "Hey Big Mama!" I just laughed at and kept walking. Not even 30 minutes later another man called out "Just My Size, come here. " I laughed to myself and thought about how angry that would make me in the states; but I'm learning to adjust to the cultural differences.

My sixth First: I have a pet name. The Kyenjojo region of Uganda gives everyone one of 12 pet names. After 2 weeks of being asked what my pet name is I can now answer. My pet name is Aboli...now all I have to do is remember to respond when people call me by it.

It's been a memorable week and I'm sure there are many more to come. The pictures are from my class, which includes the girls from Dorcas and the girls who work at the craft shop. Talk to you soon!

Love,

Joyce...Aboli

La Gringa