Uganda Team 2009

Airfield View Primary School

2009-08-19T02:22:00.000-07:00

Games with the children

Mary teaching the children

Bethany and Sarah doing role play on "How to say NO"

Rebecca talking to the older children

Dickie asking questions to the older children

Deep in conversation

Noah in action with younger children

Mary and her teachers are doing a brilliant job with the children in this school, which we had the privelege to visit during our Uganda trip.

Final comment - written from home

2009-08-14T01:46:00.000-07:00

All the Uganda 2009 team are now safely at home and I would want to thank each one of the team for all their efforts at making the 2009 trip so productive and a blessing to those we met in Uganda.

In total we delivered programmes in 24 different places (20 schools and 4 other church/projects) In all 58 programmes were delivered to pupils, teachers and parents.

Additionally 18 different items of playground equipment were erected and over 90 cases/boxes of mercy items distributed.

What was achieved was quite amazing and considering for many on the team it was their first time in Uganda I would have to say they all adapted and worked brilliantly to achieve our purposes.

As is always the case in Ugandan trips what will linger longest in the minds and hearts of the team are the people we met, the relationships we formed and the memories of Uganda as a place and the Ugandans as a nation. We will continue to remember all the children, teachers, pastors, parents we met during our short time in Uganda. They can teach us much about humility, thankfulness and simple faith. In this they are definitely our teachers.

Many, if not all of the team were challenged by their experiences and it is our prayer that it will not be the last time that they work in Uganda.
We are thankful to God for safety during our trip and for good health that we all enjoyed – no one from the team missing a single day with sickness during what was a very busy schedule is testimony to Gods grace and is quite an achievement. We are thankful for the prayers of many that were answered on our behalf.

As this Blog closes can I ask you to continue to remember our Charlene. She was scheduled to go to Uganda but her health did not allow her to make the trip. She very bravely sent us on and although there were times when we felt we could not go through with the trip or that either Janice or I would have to return early, Charlene continued to encourage us to complete the task she had sent us to accomplish – namely selecting the school build for Charlene’s project. Basil, one of the team prayed with us a few nights before we left as we agonised over our decision. He said that God had called us to go and if that was the case He would look after Charlene at home while we were gone. Basil was right. Charlene remained in Belfast City hospital the full time we were in Uganda receiving excellent care and made very significant progress.

She met us in the luggage collection area of Belfast city airport and it was wonderful to see how well she looked. She had progressed so much that she was able to travel with Dickie to the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle upon Tyne for her inpatient lung transplant assessment the Monday after we returned from Uganda.

Charlene in Newcastle

As this Blog closes Charlene will begin her Blog which will keep you informed of her progress and the project she is starting which will allow others in Uganda to be educated during the time she is unable to complete her education as a result of her ill health. It is found at http://charlenesproject-theschool.blogspot.com/2009/08/and-so-dream-begins.html#comments

Thank you for sharing with us in thought and prayer through our UgandaCrew2009Blogspot

Day 23

2009-08-06T13:05:00.000-07:00

I am writing this on our last night in Uganda. At 5 am tomorrow morning we will be up and leaving for Entebbe and our return BA flight to Heathrow and onwards to Belfast. What can I say except that the last 3 weeks have been an incredible experience of knowing the Lords provision as we have delivered our programmes in schools, churches and community groups around Kampala. The need is enormous and we have been blessed as we have done just a little for a few people to make things a bit better.

Today we dropped off pineapples at Hands for Hope with Joe Cummiskey, Wenford and Andrew returned later to distribute some clothes and other gifts as the children were leaving nursery.

The rest of the team headed back to Airfield View Primary School to deliver programmes at Mary's school (see yesterdays Blog). Hannah led the Kids Programme while Dickie led the I'm Special; You're Special programme. We were amazed at the knowledge of the children around spiritual issues and their awareness of sexuality and relationships issues.

Mary asked Dickie and Janice to visit an 11 year old who was unable to sit up. Sadly the little girl although bright and alert had severe cerebral palsy from almost certainly a cerebral haemorrhage that occurred during her premature birth the result of a botched abortion. The mother was advised around simple measures to reduce the likelihood of her arms and legs developing contractures. Mary said she would bring cushions to the bare little one room home so that the little girl could be nursed at least in a way that she could interact a little bit better with her family. Mary also said she would bring some plastic sheets so that her incontinence could be better managed. This was the second child with severe cerebral palsy that we had come across durng the trip and you wonder how many other children with cerebral palsy are in little houses across Africa being managed by their families in very primitive conditions with none of the assistance that is so necessary and that we are so used to in our own country.

We were able to distribute a lot of mercy items in the local community around the school and shared a wonderful time of fellowship with Mary. She hopes to contact Bernard at Fields of Life around the possibility of becoming a Fields of Life Associate.

It has been a wonderful couple of weeks. We have had a good team of people working with us and have met some very special Ugandans. I don't think it will be our last time in this beautiful country.

The Barr family are looking forward to seeing Charlene again.

Day 21 and 22

2009-08-05T14:25:00.000-07:00

Day 21
We started off our day at a little more leisure which was lovely! We split our team to visit two projects. Five of us went to Joe’s project at the Namuwongo slum area. The project is called ‘Hands of Hope’ and is run by Joe Cummisky. We had a lively morning in their nurseries. We enjoyed playing with the little ones who were very affectionate and full of beans! We had fun doing the Noah presentations and seeing the little ones singing and participating. The teachers are doing a good job with all the wee ones from the slums. We were impressed at some of the older nursery kid’s levels of English. We had a great chat with Joe who was kind to give of his time to fill us in on all that is going on with his very diverse project.

The rest of the team visited the Hospice in Kampala. We heard the history of the work and about the home visits made daily to many who were dying with cancer or complications from HIV/AIDS. As a result of the project morphine had been made available for pain relief and very significant progress had been made with training health staff across Uganda in effective palliative care measures. There was opportunity to interact with some of the children who were receiving Day Care at the Hospice and we were pleased to be able to give the children small gifts.

Patients waiting to be seen at the Hospice

Children receiving gifts at Hospice

Day 22
The team headed off this morning with great excitement to visit an abandoned babies home. Sanyo baby home has 40 little ones ranging from 3 months to 3 years. We had such fun playing with the babies, learning their names and experiencing some little personalities! It was shocking to meet the youngest baby who was abandoned and just arrived in the home yesterday. Deborah was very frail and had very prominent bones. Many of the kids are left in latrines, dustbins or abandoned on streets, hospitals. These wee ones are the lucky ones who have managed to survive and are now thriving on the love and care they get in Sanyo. Many of the children are adopted in Uganda and also outside of the country. It was a privilege to visit the home today and also to learn from the Social Worker about the processes of Ugandan local and international adoption.

Wenford relaxing at sanyu while the others fed all the babies

David had left a Greek New Testament with us to deliver to Father Aloysius on the Entebbe Road. We took the opportunity after Sanyu to see him. He was delighted to receive the New Testament and offered to come with us to deliver some relief items to needy local communities. We called at a school in the slum area and left clothes and footballs for distribution and then he brought us to see Airfield View Primary School which was being run by Volunteer director, Mary Smith from USA. Mary told us the story of how God had given her a vision for orphans and those sexually abused and she had bought land to build an orphanage for those who had been traumatised and bereaved through the terror of the LRA. Already Mary had opened an orphanage in India and had come to Uganda 3 years ago investing all her resources in the school and in land for an orphanage. On her own she had established the project and it was amazing to hear how she had established the school and was working towards her vision with no outside help. She had met Father Aloysius 2 weeks earkier and asked him to bring any visitors he met to her school. We had asked Father Aloysius to bring us to places of need and he had immediately thought of Mary. She told us she had been praying for folk to visit and had just that day prayed for a football (we brought her 4) and we were her first foreign visitors. Wow – to be an answer to prayer and to be able in just a little way to bless her by providing a few simple resources for use in the school – which was so impressive. What a mighty privilege for us to meet Mary and see the work. We will definitely follow up this amazing networking opportunity. Only God knows where this connection will go.

Day 20

2009-08-03T10:12:00.000-07:00

Hidden Treasure Christian School in Wakiso District

Today we visited Hidden Treasure Christian School in Wakiso District. The school, which was about 40 minutes from central Kampala, is one that has been approved by Fields of Life for a school build and is awaiting sponsorship to allow progression of the project.

After arriving in the town we were met by the Pastor/Head Teacher who jumped on a boda boda and we followed him up firstly a short mud road and eventually up a narrow grass path in the most beautiful surroundings to where we stopped outside the simple, tiny wood building that housed the little school and the 75 pupils.

The school had originated 7 years ago from a Sunday School with the vision of giving a Christian education in this little community where both alcohol and marijuana related problems abound. The Pastor and his wife and 3 other teachers welcomed us and showed us round the little campus and it was immediately evident the excellent care and attention that the children received.

The children were a little timid at first as they were not used to school visitors, let alone white ones, but they soon warmed up as Hannah and the team told the Noah story as the HeadMaster translated. The children sang heartily and were excited as they listened and sang. The visit was rounded off with the presentstion of simple gifts to all the pupils and teachers in what was a very needy school.

As we looked around the tiny classrooms which contained the most simple of homemade furniture and little if any resources, we were glad to have visited and everyone counted it a privelege to have spent just a little bit of time with some very special teachers and children.

As we consider "Charlenes Project", which will involve Charlene raising money to build a school in Uganda Hidden Treasure Christian School will be one that we will consider a worthy option to assist if God so leads.

Charlene has had to drop out of school this year due to failing health from cystic fibrosis. Charlene was originally scheduled for Uganda with the team this summer but sent us on the look out for a school for her project when she had to remain in Belfast City Hospital being unable to travel. She is currently undergoing assessment for lung transplant, travelling to Newcastle next week for a weeks intensive assessment. It is her desire that if she is unable to continue presently in school - she will do all she can to help others receive an education in Uganda.

Day 19

2009-08-02T11:32:00.000-07:00

Day 19 began early but in relaxed mood as we made our way to Makerere Full Gospel Church for 9am service. There we received the customary warm Ugandan welcome and joined with over 800 others in an uplifting lively and challenging worship service. The choir was all you would expect from an African choir and the Pastor gave a truly inspiring address on qualities required from a true Christian .The second of the 3 services for the morning lasted until 11am and as we left the Church was filling again and the 3rd service was beginning.

We travelled for about 2 hours by bus to District of Jinja to the area where the river Nile flows out of Lake Victoria. This is an unbelievably beautiful area and we had a light lunch on a balcony overlooking the River Nile and Lake Victoria.

We then spent the next 3 hours travelling round the Jinja rural area in our mini bus giving out teddies, blankets, clothes, sweets to people who are unbelievably poor but seem so grateful and content with life. It was very rewarding to see the hard work of folk back home in making blankets and teddies reaching such needy and deserving recipients.

Until Tomorrow. Wendy and Sarah.

Best African Dancers in the team

2009-08-01T03:12:00.000-07:00

Today has been quieter for the team and we have had the chance to judge the video clips to decide who was the teams best Ugandan dancer - two of our team members tied for first place - Basil and Wenford.

The clip links are below - we have all enjoyed watching these phantom dancers - I hope you enjoy seeing them displaying what unitl now has been hidden talents. These two guys will go down in Ugandan folklore.

Wenford:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZiOGKsk5Ntw

Basil:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q2t4m0JrqyE

Day 17 and 18

2009-07-31T13:09:00.001-07:00

Ok......so somehow I (Becs) have escaped writing this blog so far....as my way with words is most definitely not one of my strongest points. As always Uganda has been such a challenge and a humbling experience. I have felt overwhelmed at times....and I have to admit at times have been very heavy hearted at what I have seen. But again God has been teaching me, that it is not up to me to solve all of Uganda’s problems.....it is our responsibility to examine our own lives under Gods word and see what He requires of us.....to bring these people before God and leave it to Him.

Yesterday, we visited the school for the blind at Salaama and the visually impaired unit at the associated secondary school. Programmes were delivered to the children at both schools and it was encouraging to see all the excellent work being done with these disadvantaged children.

Many of the cases of blindness that we saw, in the west would simply not have occurred. Some became blind after getting measles because of lack of immunisations and others from living in unhygienic conditions, with conditions being carried on household flies, and through dietary deficiency of Vitamin A. It seems so unfair that things we take for granted like immunisations, diet and hygiene, so deeply affect people here. However, it was encouraging to be at this school and see children in education as the blind in society here are not sent to school as it is seen as pointless to educate the blind. They were such joyful children, despite not being able to experience the amazing beauty within their own school grounds.

Close to this school we stopped the bus to watch a troop of monkeys do their stuff above the trees at the side of the road and got some pictures of workers harvesting tea in a field at the road side.

Today another six of our team left on an early flight this morning, leaving twelve of us still remaining. We went to a primary school within a prison compound, that had been scheduled for earlier in the week but was cancelled due to the death of a teacher from HIV related causes. The primary school was massive, with a total of about 1700 pupils. It was very difficult to begin with.....as all of us were extremely tired. The pupils were divided into two groups, primary 1 – primary 3 and primary 4 – primary 7. Wenford and Andrew worked extremely hard on concreting in the swings at the school, in extremely hot weather.

However, nothing could have prepared us for the mass number of pupils we met. We tried first of all to do the kids club with all 700 primary one – primary 3 (each year group has at least 3 classes of 80 pupils-with one teacher to each class) but it was just not possible as the children were too excited. We tried again delivering the programme three times to each individual year group. This worked and the programme was well received. The Love for Life programme was delivered by Ruth and David with the dramas being acted out by Bethany and Sarah in the packed prison church to over 1000 senior primary pupils – what a challenge. After the pupil programme input we addressed the teachers and left the pupil resources with them. What a difference teaching is in Uganda to what is the N Ireland experience.

Tonight Daniel, the headmaster of Shammah joined us for dinner. He told us of the ongoing impact in the little community near his school that we had visited two days earlier. We were able to provide him with more basic resources for his very needy community. Dad also got an opportunity to talk to Ian Clarke from International Hospital and Rory Wilson from Kiwoko Hospital (Denise and Rory had just arrived back in Kampala this afternoon). Both meetings occurred within 1 hour of each other in two separate places (total God incidence). He had the opportunity to chat around some of the medical situations we had encountered over the last two weeks. As I write this we have just receiveda text from the other six team members to say they have arrived safely in Belfast.

Well I better go here and get some much needed beauty sleep. Thanx for continuing to follow. God Bless...xo

Day 16

2009-07-29T21:31:00.000-07:00

Yet another early start albeit a slightly shorter journey to Ebeneezer Junior School, Kawempe. Despite a population of over 300students and very cramped conditions, we found both the children and all the staff members enthusiastic and ready to get involved in the day’s programmes. Again, we found the children extremely well mannered and able to concentrate throughout the day despite the sweltering heat, with all morning programmes being delivered outside under the blazing sun.

We were challenged again at how some children manage to cope with severe physical disabilities. One the young girls in upper primary was missing both hands. We can only surmise as to how this horrendous disability had occurred, but such atrocities were unfortunately typical of the warfare tactics employed by Kony in northern Uganda of recent years.

After lunch, the parents programme got underway as per usual whilst the rest of the team attempted to amuse the children.

We rounded off the day with a lovely dinner in the guesthouse, and treated ourselves to a wee ice-cream – John Haw jumped with glee!

Devotions allowed us an opportunity to reflect upon the activities of the past two weeks, and spend some time in encouraging one another. We were very happy to hear that the first two members of the team to leave, Basil and Nan, had reached the UK safely after a long day of travelling.

Any yet again as we sit here writing this, we are serenaded with the melodious cries of Natalie as she encounters another of Africa’s numerous beasties!

Day 15

2009-07-28T14:10:00.001-07:00

On the bus on the way to school - another early rise and sleepyheads on the bus.

The welcome at school today included an incredible display of Ugandan dance. Some of the team attempted to emulate the Ugandan children - Basil in particular displayed a hidden talent. We have a copy of this on video - this can be seen on request - despite Basils protestations of confidentiality within the team!

Both Kids Club and I'm Special, You're Special were presented to the 350 children in Kiwoko Primary School this morning. The parents received programme input. As in other schools teachers were very pleased with all the programmes delivered and with the resources, gifts and books left with the school.

As always the little team of workers put both swing and goal posts in place for the Primary children . It is not an easy task in the 40 degree sunshine. Afterwards they got into conversation with a teacher around the war in the area and the situation about so many orphans. He also pointed out a witch doctor in the vicinity of school and the guys got to meet the Bishop of Luweero.

In the afternoon some of the team headed to Kiwoko Secondary where they presented to over 800 young people. Afterwards they had many individual conversations with young people and questions ranged from ones around sexual infections to situations about friends who were being offered money for sex to allow them to pay for school fees.

Some of the team headed to Shammah to see Daniel the Head Teacher, planning to deliver some gifts in the little church community near the school. As is typical of Daniel, he immediately welcomed us, even though our visit was unannouncd, immediately saying he knew of an even more needy community, not far from school. Arriving at the little scattered community, need was everywhere as the team members were surrounded by nearly 100 small children and women with babies in arms. We were shown the little church and the community wanted to have an impromtu church service to celebrate the arrival of their visitors. It was so noticeable that virtually all the community were women and children with very few men to be seen anywhere. As gifts were distributed house to house some comments were so humbling; "We never thought white people would visit our little commuinty and bring gifts to us all". As we got inot the bus and got ready to leave we watched as the women got the little children in line to give them a little piece of the bread and sweets that we had brought. It was obvious as the children eagerly devoured the meagre offering, that they were very hungry. One of the men who said he did not believe in God said - "Today I am going to church to thank God for your visit to our community". Daniel encouraged us by saying that our visit would support the owrk he and the pastors were trying to do in this very needy community. He pointed out to us that the village folk were already heading to their little one room church to give thanks to God for what they had received. Again as has been so often the case over the last two weeks we all acknowledged that we had so much to learn from our Ugandan neighbours.

Day 13

2009-07-27T09:21:00.000-07:00

Hello everybody,
Today was another busy day, but very different from the rest. It started off tough when we heard that one of the teachers in the prison school that we were to go to had passed away the night before so therefore the school was closed. We therefore would really appreciate all of your prayers for the school and also the teacher's family, friends and community as the funeral is tomorrow and it will effect the whole community.

When we found out we weren't going to the school due to the circumstances we decided to visit an organisation called Waakisa. There we saw Sharon and Stuart Hamill who had just arrived in Uganda on the Friday. It is a very good organisation which helps young girls who get pregnant at a young age and are abandoned or don't know where to go or what to do, some of them were also girls who wanted abortions. Waakisa took these girls in and counselled them throughout their pregnancy and when it became time took them to the local hospital and cared for them. These girls who had wanted to have abortions learnt to love their babies and look after them. Waakisa then tries to get them back enrolled into there families and homes and then they follow up a couple of months after to see how they were getting on. We heard one awful story of a young 13 year old girl who was raped by family members and she became pregnant and came to Waakisa for help. Some of these girls find it hard to open up at first but through Waakisa counselling they finally do. There are some situations when the families won't accept their daughters back into the family because they blame the girls. In these situations these girls are given a new home and are allowed to run a small business. It is a very good organisation which could do with a lot of prayers.

After our visit we then went back to the school we were at on Friday to leave the football team a kit and two balls. They were so happy and thankful and it was lovely to see all there smiling faces again and hear them sing the songs we taught them on Friday.

We then ate our lunch looking out onto Lake Victoria in the warm sunshine. It was a beautiful sight and it was very peaceful. After that we took off and went to a small viillage where Arnold lives with his mom, Joy and his brother. We collected them and took them onto our bus. We then went into his small village and gave out small gifts like goodie bags and knitted teddies and blankets to the children. It was lovely seeing there smiling faces as we gave out the gifts and we got many good photos.

We then went back to the guest house and some of us rested and some of us made more bracelets while Ruth, Keith and Jessica went with Joy and Arnold to the hospital. This was to decide what was to be done with Arnold. As he is not too well as he needs two valves in his heart repaired. His situation is being talked over with a surgeon tomorrow so a lot of prayer will be needed tomorrow for Arnold and his family. They then returned and ate dinner with us which was a lovely experience. Also joining us at dinner was Ribena and Robert, two teenagers Rebecca had got to know on a previous Uganda trip. They are originally from Rwanda and tragically lost both parents to the genocide. They have struggled to stay in school being unable to afford the necessary school fees.

The outlook looks good regarding Charlenes project. The project which will see a school built in Uganda is part of Charlenes to allow some children in Uganda to be able to go to school, something she currently cannot do as a result of failing health. We think we have identified a school pending further research by Fields of Life.

See you soon, Bethany and Serena.

Teacher Death

2009-07-26T23:07:00.001-07:00

Just a small update.

The school we were to attend to day has had an unforseen tragic incident. A teacher at the school (A prison school) has passed away. This has shocked the whole team and we ask for your prayers for the school and for the family.

Day 12: Fellowship, Food and Football...

2009-07-26T13:14:00.000-07:00

Greetings to you all from the whole Uganda team!

Today was the last day of our fairly relaxed weekend, with the hope that by now we are all well rested and prepared for another week of hard work in and around Kampala. This morning, we had the privilege to join in fellowship and worship with a local church in Kampala that was based within the largest prison in Uganda. The church itself was for the wardens and their families who work within the prison and is led by Pastor Nathan, who we met on day 7. It was he who had the vision of opening the schools in the war-torn area of Uganda, giving homes and support to many children who had lost their parents during this war. He is truly an amazing man, who finds time to dedicate himself to the work within these schools along within the prison. The service itself was truly inspiring, with lively and enthusiastic worship, as seems to be the custom in Ugandan churches. We were treated to a sermon looking at women within the New Testament, and in particular, Mary the mother of Jesus and Mary Magdalene. The Kid’s Club team were asked by surprise to lead the Sunday School Children’s services, but stepped up to the task with a very high standard as always, forming great relationships with the children. This will prove a true blessing as we shall be visiting the schools within the prison tomorrow to deliver our programs, and it was great to be able to say ‘See you all tomorrow’ to the children as we left, along with ‘What about ya?’ and ‘What’s the craic?’, courtesy of Tracey teaching this to the children.

After the service, we had a quick(ish) pit stop for food in a local restaurant. We had quite a long wait (David’s was much longer than the rest), but it was well worth it, and everyone was well fed, all be it, under the watchful eyes of the local scavenger birds (see left!).

After this, the team split in two, with a group of the ladies (and Wenford) returning to Shalom for a relaxing afternoon sunbathing and reading. The rest of the team departed to watch the ex-players of Uganda take on a Brazil Legends team in a charity football match, to raise money for Bulrushes orphanage, which we had visited yesterday. This proved to be a highly entertaining afternoon for all of us. We somehow ended up in the royal box (or the Ugandan equivalent) seated in the row behind the Brazilian ambassador and along with other past players of the Ugandan national team. As we began our first chorus of ‘We’re not Brazil, we’re Northern Ireland’, we drew peculiar glances from the Brazilian ambassador, but soon after, the Ugandan supporters were appreciating our support of their country. It was a highly entertaining game, with Brazil edging it 2-1. Afterwards, we descending to the pitch side and had some photos taken with the Brazilian players, (if anybody can put names to faces it would be much appreciated!), followed by some more chants of ‘We’re not Brazil, we’re Northern Ireland, which was then recorded by the Brazilian players as they left on their team bus.

In the evening, we were once again well fed by the wonderful staff at Shalom Guest House. Afterwards, John led us in a truly challenging devotion, to follow God’s guidance, whether it is where we are at the moment, or to move on to something new. After this, we discovered John’s hidden talent for bracelet manufacture as he joined the rest of the ladies in making bracelets for the children that we meet every day. As I sign off, I’d like to leave you with the verse that John spoke to us during the devotion as food for thought for you all....

Numbers 9 v23

Thank you all for your continued support through prayer and God’s richest blessings from all the team in Uganda

Day 11: Relaxation at Last

2009-07-25T10:41:00.001-07:00

Day 11

Day 11 was the first "slow day" of the trip all week. We were woken shortly after 8 O'clock so it was a late start for us. We stumbled outside glad that we had no need for the generator or sound system to lug about.

Our first stop was Watoto Church (Formerly KPC) to pick up our guide for the day. He took us to Baby Watoto, also known as The Bulrush's because the first baby taken in was called Moses. This was a beautiful house that previously belonged to a wealthy Asian. The building was converted to accommodate the orphans. There were 70 orphans at the place to take care of and the staff did a brilliant job in looking after the kids.

We left for The Watoto Village of Bbire which was to a very high standard. Our guide was really enthusiastic about the work being done. The surroundings were idyllic and the accommodation incomparable to what was seen in the slums where much of the children came from.

We then proceeded to the Craft Market where some damage was done. All the people at home can look forward to seeing our purchases.

Overall its been a tiring day and we'll all be glad of a good rest.

Moley (very tired)

2009-07-24T12:39:00.001-07:00

DAY 10 Uganda

Day 10 began bright and early as usual, .............maybe just early. We travelled for approximately 1 hour in the direction of Entebbe from our base in Kampala to the school at Kitala , Kitala Grammer Primary School. Our journey was interupted on 3 occasions when we were pulled over by police patrols. On each occasion we were briefly questioned, but allowed to proceed.

We arrived at Kitala School to a rapturous welcome. The children were obviously delighted to see us by their screams of delight on our arrival. This is a private primary school of 150 pupils which is run on a very commited christian basis. The nine teachers all emphasised their faith and appreciation of our visit.The facilities were basic beyond comprehension and it was soon apparent they had spent many weeks preparing for our visit.

The LFL childrens programme, Kids Club were both delivered to the children. The team errected Netball posts and swings and supplied footballs and sports equipment. We also left a set of football posts as the headteacher has a vision of expanding the school at a new site if funding became avaliable. Teaching resources and books were also left.

Before we left each class presented either a song or a dance to us which was very moving. We were also presented with small gifts made by the children and staff of the school.

We returned to Kampala in the afternoon, loaded up the bus again and headed to Hands for Hope project. We were met by Joe Commisky the founder who outlined the work that they do in Kampala's Namuwongo slums where they provide education, support and develop self help and aid projects to the residents of these slums. We went on a short tour of the slum area where over 8 thousand people live on the edge of the swamp next to the railway line in conditions that are so horrific that it is almost impossible to describe. Their home's are rough wooden shacks clustered together on mud banks with open sewers throughout and families of 6 and more live in a hut of about 6 foot square with nothing more than a few rags and and pots to live on.

We all found this an extremely moving and challenging experience and more can be read at the website http://www.handsofhope/ . Some photos of our experiences will follow in due course.

Good night from us all until tomorrow

Uganda Crew

2009-07-23T13:18:00.000-07:00

Day 9 in Uganda

After our daily wake up call – kindly provided by Wenford, we stocked up on breakfast for the day, gathered all our resources and embarked on our next adventure with Antony (our typically Ugandan driver!!)

Our first port-of-call, the first of three schools scheduled for the day, was Nasbwe Primary School in Mukono. We were led to the school through a guard of honour – a very humbling experience; we were treated like kings and queens to rapturous rounds of applause! This was a school that took a lot of pride in their pupils and buildings and their motto was ‘Education is the key to success!’ We all gathered in the local church, pupils and all, for the customary welcome and introductions. As we have come to expect this is a real show of the pupil’s talents for singing, dancing and drumming. We were even treated this morning to a rather energetic, vibrant, spontaneous dance performed by their teacher. This was the beginning of what turned out to be an excellent day of ministering to not just the pupils and teachers, but also members of the local community. As a one-off experience, Janice and a small team had the opportunity to visit local humble homes and pray with local residents alongside the pastor. They even met a sprightly man of 102, who was delighted to receive a pair of zebra print glasses to help his failing sight. We spent lunch at this school which was kindly provided for us – water melon, banana, pineapple and egg. As part of the mercy ministry we were able to distribute 27 loaves of bread to feed the children who were unable to pay for the rice lunch provided by school – one of the loaves was received by an elderly lady, who upon receiving the loaf danced and sang outside the bus. Yet another sobering and powerful experience.
The afternoon saw another two schools visited with Hannah and the “Kids Clubbers” heading to Neezinnkrie Primary and the Love for Lifers presenting in Central View Secondary school. Both teams had challenging yet fulfilling afternoons with many children receiving the messages and small gifts. The primary headmistress looks after her school but also has over 80 orphans living at her home that she takes care of. There was a great emphasis in the school of being born again. They were very excited to learn new games and songs and promised to use them again in school the next day. The secondary school started off a little dubiously with the staff members being unaware of our visit. However, after a short prayer and a quick set up, the team went on to deliver the programme with an excellent response. Although the students were typical teenagers – lively and chatty, the headmistress was delighted at their attentiveness to the programme and certainly the vast number of questions put to the team at the end confirmed that the pupils had been listening and indeed needed to listen!!
So here we are, sitting in our room, drinking tea, writing this blog at the end of another exhausting yet fulfilling day. Tomorrow is Friday, and although we are looking forward to having a rest at the weekend, no one would swop the experiences and blessings we’ve encountered throughout this week.

Katunda Aquakee Omiskisa (God Bless)

Sula Bilungi (Good Night)

… on behalf of ‘Love for Life Uganda 2009’ … Family ‘VIP!’(Hannah, Jessica and Rebecca)

Day 5, 6, + 7

2009-07-21T12:16:00.000-07:00

Day 5

We traveled to the "Let There be Healing" church were we led parts of the Sunday service, the whole group sang two songs, and a smaller group of girls sang a song (Natalie, Rebecca, Hannah and Tracey)
Paster Paul gave us a warm welcome and it was very evident that the complete congregation were very joyful for us to be part of the worship .
Keith and Jessica both gave their testaimonies, and Basil did the talk, a group also led the Sunday school class by presenting the kids club.
The congregation of the church kindly prepared a lovely meal for us.
The whole service went very well and the members were super!
The service did last all in all from 10 until 4 o'clock - that is including lunch.,but the Church members were so happy to spend the time in worship and prayer.

Day 6

The team was strenghtened and encouraged by the safe arrival of Rebecca Barr and John Haw.

Nambongo Memorial Primary School is another very special place. It has around 400 pupils who are taught by a team of seven very dedicated teachers . They were extremely grateful to be given the Love for Life teaching materials as they operate with very limited resources for all their work . Their Schools wee strap line is " God is good " -- " All the time" -- "All the Time God is good "-- " and that is His nature ". Head Master Patrick was in tears as he expressed his heart felt thanks for the play ground equipment that we installed.
In the afternoon we had five programmes going at one time as part of the team moved onto " Victor Hill Secondary School " It was very encouraging to learn that this secondary school has decided to open a Love for Life club..
Every day has many special moments and when two teachers in a primary school were given reading glasses there were more tears of joy . Meeting Arnold the little boy with a heart illness along with his mother Joy was a very emotional moment , their humble gratefulness for all the prayers and financial support were extremely evident . Arnold still needs your prayers as he has breathing problems .

Day 7

St Daniel’s Primary School and St Levis Secondary School were opened ten years ago, in a place that was very badly effected by the last war in Uganda. As a result of the war many of the pupils at the school are orphans and either stay at the school or are looked after by their grandmothers . Six different programmes were held in the school . Many mothers also found the medical consultations with Dr Dickie very helpful, again these revealled health issues that require much prayer.
Once again the the local paster and Head Master were very grateful for the playground equipment that was installed .

Day 2 and 3 - Luweero

2009-07-18T13:00:00.000-07:00

Written by Andrew Mc Dowell

I'll try to be brief but trying to cover 2 very hectic days in one post is some task. Especially when you're this tired.

On Friday, after a very long bus ride through rural Uganda. Along dirt tracks which i dont think i can describe using the limitations of the English language. We eventually arrived at Kiwoko Primary School to the warmest possible welcome. The children poured from the classes and within minutes we were set upon by around 500 children. The children rushed to greet us by shaking and holding our hands (a sign of friendship). The children sang songs to welcome us to their school and danced. The school was a Fields of Life school and showed huge improvements over the non FOL school, but still i was shocked by just how little the teachers had to work with and the yet the good level of teaching the children received.

Alongside the Love for Life programmes, we performed an open air puppet show for the kids. We visited a family that lived beside the school and gave them sweets, teddies and clothing. They had so little and to see the parents putting the knitted outfits on the children and the children holding the teddies knitted by friends before we left would have melted the hardest heart.

We left the school to visit Kiwoko Hospital and got a tour along which we met a man who had a badly broken leg after a road accident and had no friends or family and no means of payment. The money was donated by ourselves to his treatment. The hospital though basic by our standards was very good by Ugandan standards.

We stayed overnight at Luweero with various members of the animal kingdom. Which Natalie did not enjoy. Enough said - the screams from some of the team were heard all the way back to Kampala.

Next day we went to Shammah Secondary School and got a tour which brought us through the schoos labs. Mainly provided by Irish schools. The library is also provided mainly by Irish schools as well. The Prinicpal, Daniel has done a tremendous job and the school is an example of what can be achieved in difficult circumstances.

We then went to the service at the associated church where we preformed both programmes with adults and children. It was a privelege to be able to pray for the folk in the little community and to have them pray for us.

We then went to Ruth's parents house where they run the Jesus Cares Project which looks after children with HIV/AIDS. As soon as i stepped off the bus a small girl stepped over to me and hugged me and said something in Lugandan. Even though I couldn't understand what she said it really affected me. We played with kids and then performed the program to the kids. Dickie and Keith noticed a wee girl with a tumour on her face. Both Tracy and I helped to feed the younger members of the Jesus Cares Project. They where some of the cutest most adorable children in the world. We then handed out bracelets and lollies. One of older children stole a bracelet from a younger one. The child started to cry and we gave out another bracelet to the child.

Sorry about any bad spelling.

Until next time! Andrew.

First Day

2009-07-16T14:00:00.000-07:00

Written by Tracey (still getting added as a poster here): -

Day One with the whole team (minus Rebecca and John)

So after a 9 hour through the night flight we arrived safe and sound in Entebbe at 7am Wednesday morning. After convincing all the staff that we didn’t have swine flu and we gathered up all 36 suitcases we were on the bus to Shalom guesthouse. Arriving at Shalom around 11am we checked out our rooms in the fields of life new accommodation and we went for a half hour nap (that’s all Dickie would allow) but the twins decided to stretch it to an hour!!

From here we went down to Garden City, where we changed our money and bought some small treats (yes.. they do Cadburys in Uganda!!). Down there we also randomly met another team from Northern Ireland many some us even knowing a few of them! Then out for food we have all quickly come to learn that we all love to our food. This meal was an experience…we are used to going up to the counter and ordering what we want, but oh know here in Uganda things are rather different- you take a seat and ALL the different restaurants come to you with their menus trying to convince you to eat from them!!

Back up to Shalom where we practised through our presentations and kids programmes, and then eventually at 10pm Basil and Nan arrived and then of course the peace was broken with basil about as he arrived in very hyper while everyone else was ready for bed.

Eventually to bed and up and out for 8.30 am…but it was more like 9.15 (we’ll not blame anyone Janice!). Driving down the roads was an experience in itself, watching all the locals set up their stalls and sitting outside waving as we drive past. Although what they had was little their smiles oozed warmth. Our first school we went to was Kijabijjo, which had 12 teachers and around 300 kids. Here we received an amazing welcome with some of the older kids singing and sharing poems with us.

Then separated up, taking some kids for kids club while some of the older ones were given a love for life presentation. The kids listened so well and participated amazingly with the programmes. After all the programmes were finished we went outside onto the green and played loads of games which was interesting trying to explain when they don’t understand much English-but we succeeded.

The school was very poor, with little to no resources. However although they had very little this didn’t stop them from smiling and showing joy constantly. When I say they had very little this is no exaggeration, they didn’t even have lunch to feed the pupils. This is when we as a team decided that we would give them our bread and pineapple for lunch. It was amazing to see how grateful they were, they received the food with such joy and amazement. For us as a team this was the most amazing part of the day. We couldn’t help but be reminded of the story of Feeding the 5000. This was an incredibly humbling experience and left us all with strong thoughts about how fortunate we are, but also amazed at how much God blesses and cares for those in need. This really hit home Jesus’ message of caring for those who are less fortunate than us. But our richness is only in material things, for the joy and attitudes of all the children and teachers we encountered was truly humbling and a blessing to us all.

Boda Bodas and Prayer??!!

2009-07-14T09:13:00.000-07:00

RAGE!!!! Just deleted everything as I was about to post. Frustration.......

Let me try again. Ok here goes :-)

This will be my last update I imagine, as from tomorrow people much wiser than me will hopefully be using this blog for what it is meant to be used for - telling the tale of Love for Life in Uganda this summer. I apologise for high jacking it, as well as rambling on for extended periods! I have never blogged before, maybe I will do it in the future, who knows, though I fear I have a tendancy to ramble and speel (as was apparant!!!). Regardless, from now on you will be hearing from others on the trip.

Just killed a misquito.

Anyway, I have been in Kampala from Friday 3rd July, which also marked the parting of the ways, with Luke and Mark remaining to work on in Rwanda and DRC, and Chris leaving to serve in Romania with a team from his church. My task has been researching for my dissertation - 'Does faith help or hinder HIV/AIDS prevention? - Uganda - A Case-Study'.

I have interviewed and spoken to a lot of very interesting people, from WHO representatives, the Muslim co-ordinator of HIV/AIDS policy, Medsin San Frontiers workers and youth workers involved in HIV/AIDS prevention. Still hoping to meet World Bank, Family Planning and UNAIDS by end of week - we shall see. People have been so good about agreeing to talk to me, and I have been very fortunate.

Being by myself here, I have had lots of random adventures. Having to make my own way round Kampala, I have been using the motorbikes or boda bodas, where you hitch a ride on the back of said bike for a small fee. Business oppurtunity for Belfast? Anyway, I have learnt a lot of things from these daily dances with death, for example, never get on a motorbike that has no wing mirrors or speedometer. Especially when the driver seems to get a twisted satisfaction of playing chicken with buses (and fortunately winning). Also never let a driver take you on 'shortcuts' down 'roads' that have bumps that make you wonder if you are ever going to be able to sit down again!

Biggest lesson? Don't be fooled by helmets. I approached a driver with a helmet, thinking that surely this guy is a pro? Well in a way he was. The helmet seemed to give him the incentive to attempt speeds I did not know, nor wanted to know, were possible for motorbikes. Fortunately his attempt at actually becoming airbourne failed and I got back to Fields of Life where I am staying in at least a semblance of one piece!

One thing to be said for this all is your prayer life improves immensely. When you are staring at the bonnet of an incoming car your prayers become much more serious and desperate!!!!!

Team Love for Life arrives tomorrow, and I am looking forward to seeing everyone. It has been good here, but as I have been on my own I have not really had a chance to talk to anyone except those I have been interviewing, so after a week of intense discussion of HIV/AIDS prevention, abstinence, condoms, sero-status and the role of faith in HIV/AIDS prevention, I will be glad to talk about other things!

I am especially looking forward to seeing my family, and I'm not going to deny I have missed them. It has been a while and it will be good to see all of them again. I am gutted Charlene is not going to be well enough to come, but I know that she will get another chance, and before very long she will be in Uganda again, and the poor country won't know what hit it! Shes a legend, and I am looking forward to seeing her when I get home. Continue to pray for her, especially as it must be hard for her not seeing me for so long (messing Charlene :-) ).

In terms of the interviews I made the mistake of bringing only 6 thirty minute tapes, and as some of the interviews have been close to an hour, I have been operating like a machine, trying to transcribe fast enough to keep going with the interviews. Bad call of mine with that one!

So now you are up to date. As for what has gone before, my head is still all over the place in regards to Rwanda and the Congo (see previous posts). I still trying to think through everything.

I guess one thing I am learning is that God is good. And He is at work, even when I refuse to see it or acknowledge Him. He knows what He is doing, even when everything looks a broken mess to us.

When I look at situations that appear desolate and hopeless I confess I find it hard to see. But one thing I do know is that our God is a God who heals, and who delights in taking broken lives and broken situations, and making a beautiful new creation. Sometimes the most beautiful things have to be broken first.

I am also acutely aware that we are not the answer - God is. Being honest, how could we ever heal a heart, restore a relationship, work in a situation or help a community? But God does. He is already ministering in these situations long before we appear on the scene, but by His Grace, He desires to use us.

I am aware I am rambling and repeating obvious truths, so I will say what I want to say and ask you to pray, pray for the people like Jaqueline, Davos, Zacchaeus and others I have mentioned before in previous posts.

We have to pray about such things. For one thing it can put things into perspective. I am fully aware that too much of my time I spend looking inwardly and getting down about things that really don't matter in the grand scheme of things. And my prayers can become so self-absorbed. But the world is bigger than the altar of 'I', and by praying for people and situations like this we can remember that, and gather some proper perspective, as well as bein to see things as He does. We all have knowledge of people and situations, whether it is a friend who feels overwhelmed and lost, a starving child in Africa, a Romanian driven out of their home or a co-worker who does not yet know Him, and by praying for them we can begin to look towards the things that matter. The change in our lives can begin even in what our hearts look at when we pray.

Also, how can we honestly say we love our brothers and sisters as we love ourselves, if we do not pray for them? I damn myself with many of these words, but I believe that there are sometimes certain things that are true regardless of our feeble attempts at living them.

God is big. And God is good. Even though I struggle and have struggled over the last month at times to see His Hand at work, it remains true that His Justice will flow like rivers, His Mercy will minister to the nations, His Love will light up the world and at His Name every knee will bow and every tongue confess that He is LORD. All in His time, but He is at work. It will come to pass.

I have so much to learn. I need to trust Him like many of the people I have met do. And I need to remember most of all this story is not about me. God is working, and perhaps we have to wake up, open our eyes, cast off our bedclothes and ask and look to see what He is doing already, draw alongside Him and prepare to become the supporting characters in His Story. And that is when we come alive.

So I guess I am just asking for prayer. For prayer for the situations that have been laid on our hearts or minds. Even when we don't feel like praying for them.

So that is me, I bid you adiou (is that how it is spelt?). What shall follow is the story of Love for Life this summer (as long as someone actually is going to do the writing??!!). Thank you for your prayers, you are legends. Will see ye soon!

To finish, a quote from Philip Yancey, "God is already everywhere, no matter how dark the situation, how dark the life or how dark the path. Our job is simply to make Him more visible wherever and whenever we go." To serve Him right where we are, in everything we do, making the invisible visible and showing His Light in the darkness. It will come to pass.

Of Co-operatives and Churches.....

2009-06-29T06:04:00.000-07:00

Ok thoughts shall speel....

I have been visiting many co-operatives over the last few weeks here in Rwanda and have been challanged and humbled many times over. I will readily confess my initial nervousness when visiting these co-operatives, not knowing what to expect or what we would be doing. We have visited several and have interviewed people, joked with kids, picked aubergines and prayed with those we have met. It has been eye-opening.

For me the prayer has been the most immense. It is extremly humbling for all of us to be asked to pray for individuals and groups we have met, as in my eyes at least, their faith, hope and love far outshines my own shallowness. But then again, I have come to learn that that very idea is turning the focus again back on ourselves. We serve a great God and all approach Him on exactly the same way - as sinners saved by the Great High Priest whose name is Love. This story has never been about us, it is all His Story. It has been a privlege to pray with these people, and has been an encouragement for all involved. As always I feel we learn way more than we could ever ever give.

As for the co-operatives themselves, often the government here will refuse to let certain areas of land be cultivated by individuals, instead letting groups apply to do certain activities there. And so the co-operatives come into play. The group we have been working for, Coeur Joyeux, will supply initial capital to get the projects off the ground, and then the groups will work together doing whatever activities they have applied to do.

The range is quite impressive. One group we visited cultivated potatoes (we were practically at home!), another built ponds where they grew fish. One grew a paper crop, another had goats, while another taught its members to sow and make clothes to be sold at the market. Several kept rabbits to be sold for food to the hotels in the area.

And the work done is amazing. One group we met were made up of people who were all HIV-positive. Another was made up of widows from the genocide. All were close-knit communities working together for the good of all, not just themselves. Many of the individuals we met were far from the city where the wealth and aid does not filter along to, and talked of how before the co-operative they had little hope, and felt alone and abandoned, often having lost members of their family to the genocide, disease or the passage of time. When we met them things were different.

I am struck afresh with how Biblical it all sounds. The communites were like families, with the individuals serving and loving each other, carrying each others burdens and caring for those who needed it most. By themselves they could not have done the work we saw. It reminds me in some ways at least of what I read of the early Acts church. Perhaps something we in the highly individualistic West have lost?

All is of course not rosy (is it ever?). One group we met were building a bakery but did not yet have the nescessary funds. They were destitute and their stories would have shattered anyone's heart. Many were genocide survivers, and without the money to start the work of the co-operative they were still desperately poor and in a dire situation.

But this tragedy still held hope. If they can get the funds to finish the building process an entire community of 45 people will be able to supply for themselves and raise the money to pay for their kid's education, to expand and diversify the crops they grow and build and improve their local communities. All things we most certainly take for granted and would most likely curse the name of our Maker if we were ever forced to do without.

Each story is both tragic and infused with the grace of God. One girl from this co-operative, Olive, told us of how she lay on the floor of her home in 1994 (when she would have been 5 or 6 years old) and listened as men outside discussed whether to raid and kill everyone in the house now or wait until later, as they wanted homes to destroy later on that evening. This girl's story can be told as they chose to passover the house for now. She ran. Her family experienced horrendous hardships. During the genocide her mother was raped by 7 men in the one night, from which she derived HIV.

I know not what to say. Instinctively when hearing of such things our hearts break. As they were created to. And if I'm honest I lash out at God in anger, asking how He dares to let such things occur to His children, to those He claims to love. But I have so so much to learn. I realise that God loves and aches for these people more than I ever could. He mourns and detests the actions of mindless hate, as well as the apathy and blindness we in the West often choose to wallow in, often by default. I am humbled by the faith that people like Olive and her mother show, and I am ashamed when I listen to them sing to us of God's provision and love. They know Him more than I have yet dreamt.

Olive speaks of how the community she is now a part of is like her family, both for her, her five younger brothers, and her mother. There she feels love and acceptance, and knows that when she struggles, there are those who will carry her. She thanks God for His grace and love. And in that moment, in that community, I catch a glimpse of the Church Jesus lived, suffered, died and rose again for.

God is sovereign. I will never claim to understand Him or His ways. I can't begin to answer why such dispicable atrocities occured. But I do know one thing. God loves these people more than we ever could. And He knows what it means to watch those He loves suffer undeservedly at the hands of cruel men. He watched His Son tortured and murdered in one of the most horrendous ways imagineable. He knows their pain, and for each of us, no matter where we are, we are not alone, even in the darkest times.

The co-operatives showed me hope. They showed love to each other and provided oppurtunites they could not have had alone. Again we have much to learn from these 'families', these 'churches'.

I have gone on too long. What I have monologued was not what I intended. I meant to talk of how the models of co-operatives work and empower people, and to encourage us to perhaps seek out co-operatives we could pray for and provide the initial capital for. But tales tell themselves and I have ended up somewhere completely different. As my time in the internet cafe runs out I ask again for prayer for these groups. We serve the same God of miracles our brothers and sisters trust and praise for His love and provision. Maybe we need to again seek Him and His Face so that our faith isn't dependant on our fragile circumstances.

But most of all we need to pray for our brothers and sisters. We have much to learn of service, community, selflessness and love from these groups. In the co-operatives when an individual suffers, the whole group suffers. Equally when our brothers and sisters suffer, either in Africa, S. America, Iraq, Iran, China or even just in little Norn Iron (perhaps cast out of their Belfast homes by racists, or sleeping without a home in a bus shelter, or struggling to make ends meet for their family), we all should suffer. We are one body. And we are not alone. So how should we love?

Hope inspite of what we can see......

2009-06-20T07:02:00.000-07:00

I am currently sitting in Kigali in Rwanda in a cheap internet cafe where the cost of an hour is 60p. Slightly different from back home!

Let me begin by apologising for the length. Anyone who know me is aware I was not given any gift of brevity by God. Or spelling for that matter. This week has been one of the hardest and most amazing I have ever had. I have seen despair and hope in the same moment and am still waiting for my thoughts to crystallise. I still need to think, but part of me needs to type to share the story of those we have met. Suffice to say this week we have been in and returned from the Congo, and I am currently typing amidst the malestrom of thoughts and emotions spiralling through my skull.

On Thursday we got a bus from Kigale to Gisenyi at the border with the Congo, and went to border control. The walk down was beautiful (Gisenyi is a stunning place, look it up on Google, the beauty at the cusp of Lake Kivu is stunning) and we exited Rwanda easily to stand on no-mans land between Rwanda and the Congo.

And here is where the problems began. A 90-day visa is meant to cost $35 but it was soon to become apparant that the Congo operates under very different rules from the rest of the world on this regard. After being shuffled into a small back office inside the border office and asked many questions in French (needless to say I had no idea what was going on!!!), the situation revealed itself to be slightly different from our plans. While I am still unsure what exactly was said by the border guards to us, we found that it would cost us $50 for 1n 8-day visa. You don't argue with guards holding several Kalashnikovs. Needless to say the extra money handed over never reached the register in the next room.

We now entered Goma, a city you may remember from the tail end of last year when the outside world finally roused itself from its apathy towards Africa to look to the Congo and see the tragic horrors that were unfolding there. To put it simply a rebel group led by Nkunda was moving and commiting many atrocities of mass rape and murder and was now outside Goma and was threatening to take the city. Many in the path of the rebels were fleeing to Goma and the situation remained precarious. Ultimately the news was to pass from our newspapers after we shook our heads and commented on how awful the situation was, before flicking to the business section to observe how our stocks had risen and fallen in the economic downturn (this is hardly a new point, but the criticism remains real even as I am aware I follow exactly the same patterns everyday I hear of tragedies in the world. Just because we all do it does not make it anymore acceptable).

The 'news' remained very real in Goma long after we had forgotten about such far-away matters. Ultimately Nkunda was captured by Rwandan forces but the situation remains volatile. It is not my place to even begin to comment on the Congo's history and situation, but suffice to say it is a potentially rich country the size of Western Europe, ripped and torn to shreds by cpuntless militias and war-lords. There is a reason it has been referred to as 'Africa's Broken Heart'. To put it simply, with many rebel groups active in the Congo as well as government forces who actively partipate in mass murder, torture and rape as legitimate weapons of war and control, the population in rural areas of the Congo, especially in the eastern provinces of late, have fled to the cities. Goma is one such city.

In Goma we grabbed a ride on a boda-boda (motorbike) and hung on for dear life while taking in everything around us. There was volcanic dust everywhere (a local volcano erupted and flowed through Goma in 2002), as well as soldiers striding through the streets. We saw no other white people (or 'musungos' for those in the know) there, bar the few UN peacekeeping patrols we saw. On the bike I heard a helicopter and looked up to see an attack helicopter flying over. What really struck me was that this did not even register with the people of the city, who went on with their everyday business, obviously used to living within the shadow of war.

Our destination? One of the many refugee camps at the edge of the city. As I type I simply don't know what to say, but I have promised some people I would blog, and I strongly feel that the story of those people that we met at this camp needs to be told.

The children were amazing. They were my first impression when we arrived, as they swarmed around us and jumped and danced with us, all trying to grap our hands. They were beautiful. Many of them had bellies swollen through malnutrition yet their smiles shone out and spoke to each of us more than a thousand words could (which seems to be what I am trying to do here). Their eyes had probably seen worse things than I could ever comprehend, yet still they smiled and put each of us to shame.

Because we were with the kids I was not aware of where our steps were taking us until I realised we were in the middle of the camp. It was horrific. Countless small tarpaulin tents spread over a comparatively small area, yet within this area dwelt 8000 refugees, with new numbers arriving everyday. The toilets were filled to capacity. There was no food. Many of the tents did not have coverings. And here is where people had to live.

We talked to many of the people dwelling there. The stories would have broken your heart. Most of the people were women, with their husbands butchered in the fighting. Many had lost several (one person all) of their children. One family we saw consisted of a mother with six children, the same as my own family. The vital difference is that unlike my family which lives in a two-storey house, all the members of this family lived and dwelt in a tarpaulin tent about a quarter of the size of any of the rooms in my own home. And they slept on rocks and straw.

One man called Zaccheaus whom we talked to had lost all of his family in the fighing, his wife and all of his children. He himself had been left for dead in the depths of the Congo. The scars he showed us on his back told their own story.

One woman named Davos could not talk of what had happened to her, and one of her daughters who clung to her had apparanlty not spoken in 6 months since she had seen things no human should ever have to see.

Another family did not have a cover for the sticks underneath which they lived. When it rained they shivered as the water poured over their bodies,a nd when the sun shone they baked int he heat.

The stories are as numerous as the individuals. I see no point in continuing. Put simply there was no food coming, and the kids often would rummage through the rubbish to find anything salvagable for a meal. They all wanted to return home but did not know when this would ever be possible. I felt despair gnawing at my soul, as I was fully aware there was nothing we could say to these people. What could we say? What hope could we bring? How could we pampered white people ever bring into situations we could never understand?

It appeared I was wrong. Inspite of the tragedies these people all spoke of a God they trusted, who they believed loved them and would provide for them. I may pay lip service to such a God but I do believe that very few of us in the West know this God as these people did. They know God and trust Him more than I could ever hope to, as I sit wrapped in selfishness and obsessed with temporary fleeting pleasures.

We prayed with the people we met and spoke of how they were our brothers and sisters, and how people at home were praying, and would pray all the more so when they heard their stories. Each of them are brothers and sisters and none deserve to be pitied, as this implies a looking down from above to those below. They were not below us, in matters of faith and community they were light years above any of us. They were dignifed and I can truely say I saw God there. While I reacted with despair at times, God was there with those people. While praying, the faith and hope of those people was a witness I cannot forget. And I pray I will not. I know not what else to say.

Much more happened, but I cannot find the heart to say more. The journey home was a blur. A man attempted to rob me in Goma. The dust from the city made the sky appear as dusk. We arrived back at the border only to find that our visa apparantly did not apply beyond that day and if we tried to re-enter we would have to again pay $50. Not having the money to fund this corruption this appears to be our one and only visit to the Congo for now.

On entry to Gisenyi in Rwanda I was struck again by the beauty of the place. Villas line the lake shore and there are many white people visiting as tourists, with many hotels and beaches scattered throughout the idyllic setting. This only a mile from a situation fo poverty and stories that would shatter anyone's heart. After the dire situation we had left it was like passing from hell to heaven. But on reflection I was wrong. God was more evident in the refugee camp than he ever was in the comfort of Gisenyi.

And hope. What can I ever say? Having been in Rwanda now for a while I am struck by how amazing the place is. Bearing in mind the horrific monstrous tragedies of 1994 and the genocide here, the land of Rwanda is nothing short of a miracle. The infrastructure is amazing and the city of Kigale is more advanced than parts of Belfast (I say without scarcasm). And the greatest miracle is the people. The people we have talked to see themselves as one. Hutus dwell alongside Tutsis in peace and forgiveness. Love has conquered over hatred. The healing is beyond my comprehension, and what has happened in Rwanda, at least to me as a simple uninformed observer, is truly an act of God.

There is still a long way to go. But the situation here is more than I could ever have dreamt of, and is a challenge to us at home in Norn Iron. That God could work so powerfully in such a dire situation as the genocide and its aftermath is a source of hope I am failing to convey. I sincerely believe that the prayer that has been poured on this country from outside and within has had an answer both in heaven and on earth.

And this can happen in the Congo. Just as anyone looking at Rwanda after 1994 may have not seen any hope for the future or the people of the country, a similar situation brews within the Congo now. Currently I cannot see how peace could ever dwell there. The problems are too endemic and complex, and the divisions and hatred too deep. Or at least they appear so to me.

But we serve a God who can do more than we can possibly ask or imagine. A God who can heal broken hearts and set the prisoners free. A God who asks us to declare the year of the LORD's favour. And I believe He is calling us to pray for the Congo so that a healing we cannot envision can begin to happen within 'Africa's Broken Heart'. He is calling His people, will we answer?

The people we met are our brothers and sisters and are as special and unique as any one of us. They hope and pray for a miracle, and we must do the same. Zacchaeus, Jaqui, Davos, Susanna and the many others need and want and expect our prayers. I often complain that there is nothing I can do (incidentally a lie from the pits of hell), but this is one thing we can do. Just as healing has come in may ways to Rwanda, that same river of grace and love can flow through the Democratic Republic of the Congo to heal and change the future of a people. A belief in a miracle may cause the mighty and powerful in this world to scoff, but we are called to hope, weep, rejoice and pray with our brothers and sisters here in Africa. Cynicism is the ideology of the dead. God can and will move. The question is, will we?

David - the first to go!!

2009-06-08T14:12:00.000-07:00

Tonight David left Belfast City Airport to begin his jouney to Uganda. David travelled with Luke Moffett and they will spend tonight in Heathrow before flying onward with EgyptAir tomorrow morning. They stopover in Cairo before flying in to Entebbe early Wed morning - 3.45 am (oh to be young and to do crazy things). David, Luke and Chris (who will arrive on KLM) will be collected by Ruth from Fields of Life and the 3 guys will spend a few days at Shalom, Fields of Life Guest House before heading to Kigali to begin their work with Jubilee Action in Rwanda and Congo. They hope to work with refugees for about 4 weeks before returning to Uganda where David will join the other arriving Love for Life team members. www.loveforlife.org.uk

Soup and Cheese Lunch

2009-06-08T14:03:00.000-07:00

Thanks to everyone who came and supported the lunch yesterday in Magheralin Parish. It was great to have Rory and Denise Wilson from Kiwoko Hospital there. The team hope to visit the hospital in Luwero, Uganda during their trip in July. The lunch raised over £700 and the team appreciated the words of encouragement from so many and particularly thew opportunity to have prayers said for their trip by Denise, Rory and the Rector.

and so they're off...

2009-06-04T09:51:00.000-07:00

Ok so from the minute we knew the Uganda trip was happening Janice has had people gathering up clothes, toys, toiletries, books games etc gathered together so that we could send some stuff out in advance via Air Freight. So today was the day that the company came to transport it to Belfast where it would fly from tomorrow to Entebbe airport, Uganda. In total we managed to pack 55 boxes and suitcases. Please pray that these boxes and suitcases make it to Uganda safely and that they get through customs with minimum hassle and minimum cost. Thanks to all those who donated stuff it will make a big difference to those in Uganda. Included are some photographs to sum up what it has been like the past few days.

The Adventure Begins

2009-06-04T09:15:00.000-07:00

We have set up this blog so folk can keep up to speed with our preparations for our trip to Uganda this summer and also so that when we are out there family and friends etc. can keep up to date with what we are doing each day.

There will be a team of 21 travelling out with Love For Life this summer to do school and childrens work out in Uganda. We will also be building playground equipment at each of the schools we visit.

The Team is made up of:
Wenford McDowell
Shirlee McDowell
Andrew McDowell
Sarah McDowell
Basil O'Malley
Nan O'Malley
Tracey O'Malley
Julie-Anne O'Malley
Keith Oakes
Dickie Barr
Janice Barr
David Barr
Rebecca Barr
Charlene Barr
Natalie Barr
Bethany Barr
Serena Barr
John Haw
Hannah Collins
Jessica Scott
Rebecca Dunlop

Please keep these guys in your prayers as they prepare for the trip