Brothers & Sisters

GSF has just hosted a reunion for it’s older ‘brothers and sisters’. This is a weekend where those who have left and graduated from the orphanage gather together to meet up with old friends, see younger ‘brothers and sisters’ that are still living here and to swap stories of what they are up to now they are grown up! They get to meet their old house mum’s, aunties and those adults they have grown up with. It is a weekend of fun, celebration and thankfulness.

Last Saturday night after the big brothers and sisters had arrived throughout the afternoon we all gathered around the bonfire. We were led in worship and a time to share testimonies of what we are thankful to God for. The microphone was passed around and I heard story after story of struggle and success, sadness and great joy, of uncertainty for the future and God’s abundant faithfulness. It was a special evening and one that I felt exclusive to be a part of.

We had an amazing service on the Sunday morning with worship led by the brothers and sisters and it was a joy being with them and worshipping together. Part way through the service they sang a song with the line, “God you have been faithful to me”. I was excited listening to these words and watching these remarkable young adults who have become incredible people each accomplishing huge personal goals; striving after success at university, maintaining good jobs, having their own families….I looked around the church at the young lives that God has entrusted into our hands today and was overwhelmed at the responsibility we have in raising and moulding them into wholesome, successful and Goodly young people.  What a privilege I have to add to their lives in the year I am here. I was thinking of all the love I can give them, the many hugs and kind words I will be able to share telling them how special and wanted they are here. I pray over each one as I see them in the clinic, when I am applying a plaster or giving malaria medication and I ask God daily to make me his hands and feet as physical and emotional wounds are healed within this safe place. How exciting that we have another generation of incredible people here now that I am seeing develop and grow each day and if our big ‘brothers and sisters’ are anything to go buy these kids are going to turn out to be amazing!

I must remember to give out double hugs today to all of the beautiful children today!

All the brothers and sisters with their babies

James 1 v 27 "Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you."

Hoodwinked

Everyone on board and ready to go!

I had the privilige last week of helping to escort 26 of our younger children here at GSF to the cinema. A kind donation had come through which meant that we were able to treat the children for Christmas (the teenagers were taken quad biking a few weeks ago!). We informed the children the night before and the atmosphere was wonderful. There was lots of chattering, giggling and an excited buzz that moved through the orphanage. The excitement even meant that most of the children were standing ready to leave at 6.30am when we had asked them to meet! They couldn't wait to get going :) We boarded the bus and after loading 2 wheelchairs onto the roof and a last minute toilet run we were ready to go. We took the 2 hour bus journey to Kampala which in itself was fun. Some of the children had not been to the capital before and it was lovely listening to their chatter and watching them as they took in the sights and sounds of their capital.

All the children were put in teams. Gayla was in the yellow team
(note the yellow necklace and yellow headband!)

We arrived at the cinema to find Rose, the cinema manager all prepared and waiting at the door for us (which in itself was a pleasant surprise as we were convinced with it being Africa either they wouldn’t remember we were coming or it would be hugely delayed!). Rose was delighted to be able to serve the children and chatted to them asking their names and doing every possible thing she could to make sure it was a perfect experience for them. We received a soda each as we arrived and were ushered into the cinema where Rose and her team gave each child a bag of popcorn. We watched a private showing “Hoodwinked too”, a children's movie about fairy tail characters fighting against a wicked witch!!  There was a mixture of emotions at the movie - for all of the children at GSF it was their first cinema experience and it was enjoyed by most of them however a few of the small girls were frightened by the witches mask and one of them had to leave crying! 

Waiting for the movie to start

The day was completed with a chicken and chips lunch in the shopping mall before our drive home. 

Lunch :)

The day was fun. The children were beyond themselves with excitement and all had an amazing experience that I felt privileged to encounter with them. From hearing one child crying as the witch in the film was too scary, to clearing up vomit as another child had eaten too much and been sick all over his chicken and chips!, to listening to the giggles of laughter as a group of girls played with the hand dryer in the toilets in amazement, I will take many happy memories of their special day. It was a wonderful day for them and for me, what a wonderful gift that the children received for their Christmas treat! Praise God for the money sent so that they could experience a trip to the cinema, something that I have always taken for granted rather than thought of as a once in a lifetime treat.

Playing with the water fountain in the shopping mall

Psalm 92 v1 "It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to the most high".

Zanzibarian Adventures

At the beginning of January I was fortunate enough to travel to Zanzibar and see a different part of Africa. I went, along with 3 friends, for a short break to this beautiful island off of the coast of Tanzania and had the most amazing time.


We flew to Zanzibar from Uganda which in itself was an adventure. Our plane journey took us overnight from Uganda to Kigali, Rwanda..then onto Addis Ababa, Ethiopia...then to Dar Es Salam, Tanzania and then...finally to Zanzibar!! It was a drawn out journey travelling north to go south (see map) which seemed very strange (This Is Africa!) and took nearly 24 hours to travel a not very long distance (I won't even mention the 17 hour stop-over we had in the airport in Ethiopia on the way home!). It was however an amazing experience looking out of the plane window at the landscapes of Ethiopia, Kenya and Tanzania. 

Zanzibar is known as 'Spice Island' and is an exotic paradise. Whilst away we had an action packed, fun filled holiday with time to rest and relax as well.  It was amazing to walk along white sand beaches fringed with coconut palm trees and swim in warm turquoise seas. We stayed in a place called 'Stone Town' which was full of incredible history about the slave trade era, the export of slaves from Africa to other countries and eventually the end of slavery in this area. We wandered through tiny Arabic alleyways and took in the rich mix of fascinating Indian and Arabian culture that surround the small streets.  One of the highlights was obviously learning that Zanzibar was the birthplace of Freddie Mercury and seeing his first home!

A sunset cruise on a 'Dhow'

Prion Island

During our 4 days we were able to enjoy snorkelling among the coral reefs, visiting endangered turtles on Prison Island, relaxing on a beautiful beach, having a tour of the historic town where we were staying, enjoying BBQ seafood from the evening market, experiencing a 'Spice' tour and enjoying a sunset cruise on a Dhow (a traditional Arabian sailing boat). 

Locals collecting seaweed from their seaweed farms

Zanzibar was beautiful paradise and provided us with a lovely short break. I am blessed to have had the opportunity to visit one of the most beautiful beach destinations in Africa, and to have spent time with some wonderful friends recharging our batteries over many hours of fun and laughter.

Happy 2012!!!!

A few highlights of our New Year celebrations at GSF

Every child had a chance to 'hit' the pinatas we made. FUN!!

The scramble for goodies!!

Even the house mum's had a turn - they chose the metal baseball bat over the wooden stick!!

Singing songs and sharing a blessing each around the camp fire waiting for midnight to strike

BBQ-ed goat on a stick

Phillip pulling scary faces with his new torch and enjoying all the glow sticks. The older children were allowed to stay up and play games in the dark (and it was DARK - no power at all!) with only glow sticks for light!!

Dancing the night away :)

As I look back and reflect on what 2011 held it feels as though it has been a whirlwind of an adventure. I started the year in the middle of a fundraising race, gathering funds that would support me to be here doing just what God has called me to do and to live a dream that for years was just that. How crazy it is that I now get to say that I live in Africa! Some days I have to pinch myself!  

Since coming to Uganda I have been blessed in meeting so many beautiful people, in making lifelong friends, in doing a work where I get to make a difference to someones life. I feel blessed to have been given the opportunities I have and have made a mountain of memories and learnt so much along the way. 

2011has taught me many things which a year ago would never have even been on my radar.

- I have learnt and am still learning to be more patient (this is a must when living with 80 children in a community!) and giving of my time. 

 - I try to not get stressed out over things which I really should know better by now after 5 months of living here, like wearing a white T-shirt in a place where orange dust blows around and makes it brown, every time...and if the dust doesn't get you a big orange child's handprint will! Thank goodness for bleach!

- I have learnt to love my mosquito net. Some nights it honestly is a hassle but if a day passes that I haven't been bitten it's a big deal!!

- I have leant not to be surprised when when I open my kitchen cupboard and find cockroaches running around. That is a fact of life I am having to deal with living here.

- I am learning to continue to smile and thank our house helper when she has lovingly prepared lunch for us even though my heart sinks when I see more Posho, cabbage and beans before me.

- I have learnt how much I truly appreciate, love, miss and long for hugs from my dear family and friends.

- I have learnt to be so appreciative when the power is on and to remember what a privilege it is for us when it isn't.

This list could go on and on and each thought reminds me that somedays it is a dream being here and sometimes it is just plain tough. My dreams, expectations and faith are tested every day and I have to remember daily to trust and lean on the one who sent me here, who knows better than I do what can be achieved by serving Him here. In the bustle of busy work, fun games, laughter over mealtimes, exciting adventures and new experiences I still sometimes feel sad with homesickness and overwhelmed by the role I am in. Often the simple frustration of not being able to communicate with someone as they don't speak English is enough to 'tip' me over the edge...but then God blesses me and smiles on me and does something like putting a group of toddlers in my path who will rush up to me and shower me with hugs and love. I will be moaning to myself when the alarm goes off at 6.30am because I have to do morning rounds and then I go outside into the stillness of the morning and see the beautiful African sunrise and the mist in the valley. In the craziness of driving through villages and seeing real life poverty like I used to watch on TV appeals, God reminds me of his love and power in the simplest of things such as a smile, a touch and the warm sun on my skin.

2011 has been good. It has taught me lots, given me memories I will always treasure in my heart, helped me to grow and made me rely on God for my needs. 

2011 also showed me how absolutely wonderfully blessed I am to have had so many friends, family, supporters and encouragers behind me on this journey. For those of you who were, still are or are just joining this journey with me I want to thank you. YOU have given generously of time, money, support and love and that is one of the things that has kept me going. To know that my blog is still being read blows me away - thank you for sticking with me this far!! You are a daily blessing to me.

2012 excites me. I have another 6 months of living in this beautiful country with all the challenges, excitement and blessings that it brings and then...who knows! I know that I am very excited (yes, already!) to hug my family and friends at the airport, to wear jeans when I want to & to ditch the skirts, to be able to drive to a friends and eat food I love but for now I will cherish and soak up all the challenges, simple delights and moments that being in Uganda is giving me. 

Psalm 107:1 "Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever."