I am sorry it has been a long time since the last post. Some computer problems, some travel days, some lack of time. I will try to be more regular if possible. Thanks so much for following. Last week we were still quite busy working at the orphanage preparing the freshly renovated hostels and beds for the children’s arrival this week. All beds were made with new sheets and blankets and each hostel now has storage shelves and a hanging board with nails to serve as the clothes’ hanger. Prisoners worked again yesterday and today digging for the gardens. Planting will begin in late February or early March. Baby chicks finally arrived yesterday! 306!! They send a 2 chick bonus with each 100 ordered. Please see the pictures showing the first day in their new coop! We are working this week on improving the condition of the grounds–Ugandans do not have the concept of No Littering, so trash is a huge problem all over the country. We hope to change that at the orphanage.
Last week we were able to purchase 3 used bicycles to assist in our bicycle ministries. We went to Kampala and 2 of the guys searched the “used bike section” of one street while I sat in the car not wanting to jeopardize the negotiations. We had taken another young man, Amon with us to see a dentist. The Rav 4 was loaded on the way home with 4 people and 3 used bikes!! We still have the need of one more bike and will try to purchase it in the next week or two. Much appreciation to the Missions Ministry at Istrouma Baptist Church for contributing the bikes!!
We met with our 4 village ministry groups last week, one Wed., one Thurs., one Saturday, and one Sunday which are not part of the now “bicycle ministry.” We are progressing. It is interesting to me that we have mostly men in two of our groups which is most unusual based on my past experiences in the villages.
I had to take my car in to Kampala to have some work on Friday. I needed new shock absorbers and brake pads which is no surprise considering the roads I travel. After two different attempts, we still have not been able to properly align the tires.
We will travel to Kampala on Thursday in hopes of finding a new printing company to work with on the remaining books. The artist has completed the drawings for Books 2 and 3 and we are very excited about the illustrations and are anxious to begin printing the next books. Meanwhile
we have many requests to travel to both eastern and western Uganda to distribute Book 1 and we plan to go first next week to eastern Uganda. I will post the schedule once I have the details.