tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-75433288032931777862024-03-14T02:14:23.946+00:00Katie In UgandaProverbs 3v5Katieinugandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04334399269575099691noreply@blogger.comBlogger79125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7543328803293177786.post-51405347299498021022012-08-10T13:27:00.002+01:002012-08-10T13:31:59.115+01:00Life back home<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Times;"></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have been home four weeks already and thought it was about time I posted a little update on how I am. Everyone I see keeps asking how I am. Every De-Brief I have had and each Re-Entry book I have recently read has warned me about the difficulties of the transition I may face and struggle with going from a developing country to one of wealth and luxury. As I write this I am actually feeling ok. Of course, it feels a little strange to be back and I have moments where I struggle to understand the huge and very unfair differences that exist between the UK and Uganda. I have questioned the harshness of life that my friends are living in Africa while I sit in my comfortable existence here. I still take a gasp of horror and shake my head as I walk into Tescos and peer at the 2 large aisle's of bread and bakery related products when all I need is a simple loaf! However, I am doing ok! I actually find it quite strange how easily I am slipping back into the fast pace of life and the world around me. Some days it feels like I never even went away and that the last year could have been a dream. How surreal it feels some days - maybe it's just that right now I am in my honeymoon period as the realities of work and daily pressures are not fully upon me yet!</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What I do think of every day is the faces of the children who I have spent the last year with. The wonderful little characters and personalities that have blessed me, taught me so much and shaped who I have become over the last 12 months. I miss them desperately. I miss their laughter, the fun they brought to my day and I really miss their huge hugs and love that they would pour into me from early morning until last thing at night. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I learnt to live in a different way whilst being in Uganda. Some of these adjustments were difficult and some were fine. Adjusting to fit into your environment and culture was something that surprised me in how easily one can adapt. My daily life I was living there became my normal and my expectations adjusted so that what we had was enough. I grew to love so many things about Uganda and of course totally missed so many things about home. Here are a few of my thoughts on those;</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u>Things I am loving about being home:</u></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My totally wonderful and comfy bed</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Not having to wash the staining, red soil off my feet every night </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Eating strawberries</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Reliable and fast internet</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Clothes that smell amazing - a year away from good fabric conditioner really makes it more wonderful than ever!!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Being able to drive</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Having friends and family so close by</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The light evenings - what a treat to be out and about in the evenings without panicking about getting home before it gets dark</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Constant electricity</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Calm, ordered road ways where all drivers follow the rules of the road!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u>Things I am missing:</u></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The sound of children's laughter, singing and playing at all times of the day</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The friends I made over the last year who became so precious to me</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The simplicity of life</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Phillip - I miss him every moment of every day :(</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Working in my clinic</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Eating fresh mangos, pineapple and avocado each day</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Being called "Muzungu" and "Nurse Katie" </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Evenings spent playing Telephone Pictionary, Dutch Blitz or just hanging out with other missionaries</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Spending feel good time in the baby and toddler house at least once a day</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The beautiful scenery and of course the weather!</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Being back home I can see how much I have available to me. I am adjusting to living in a familiar culture again that I will have to make my norm. It's wonderful to have so much available and so many options open to me every day. This place is not a lot better its just a lot different. Being away gave me the opportunity to see life in a new way. I got to experience what normal is for other people. The daily challenges they face day to day compared to mine. I got to witness the things that excite them and the best thing was that I got to live alongside them and experience these frustrations and joys with them as well. I had to watch young boys fighting over my rubbish bags, I attended a burial and watched a family grieve the loss of their precious baby. I celebrated birthdays, weddings, good school reports and job promotions. I played, laughed, cried, played jokes and delighted in the pure mischievousness of children that surpasses any ethnicity or culture. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have learned to adjust to living without electricity and without 'mod-cons'. I adjusted to not having bagels for lunch and not always getting hot showers. This year helped me to learn that living without 'stuff' is ok. I am praying that as I settle back into life that I remember what it has been like to live with just enough. In Uganda I had all that I needed. I discovered that I didn't need a hectic schedule or a t-shirt in every colour - 'just in case'. Or the latest phone, things in my home, an array of bakery products - bagels and waffles and half brown & half white loaves and cheese topped bread & multi seeded bread!!! Life was good and I was given all that I was needed. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 20px;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</div>Katieinugandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04334399269575099691noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7543328803293177786.post-62040645421303601862012-07-07T19:28:00.000+01:002012-07-08T05:52:06.193+01:00Goodbye seems to be the hardest word<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is going to be my last blog from Uganda and it is going to be a blog about goodbyes. After almost a year away, sadly the time has come to say goodbye and it is something I have been dreading for a while. The last 11 months have gone by so quickly that it almost feels like it's been a dream. As I sit here writing this in my hotel room it all feels quite surreal.</span><br />
<div>
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;">Over the last few weeks I have been handing over my medical duties to Nurse Ruth and Nurse Claire (a student nurse who has joined us as an intern for 8 weeks), preparing myself for today and as the end of my time serving here at GSF has been looming closer.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;">It already started about a month ago when I attended the HIV clinic with some of our children. Walking away from the hospital after having been there so many times, I thanked the doctor for all of her support to me over the last year. As I walked away it was difficult and I was more emotional about it than I had expected. I have found it hard to nurse these special children during their illnesses and in the reality that they have HIV, but what I guess has been equally hard has been knowing that when these kids are sick they don't have mum's and dad's to love them while they are suffering. I am reassured and am able to move on from here knowing that they will continue to get good medical care with the new nurses here at GSF and that there are lots of people here who can give them hugs and as much love as they need. Although I will miss being able to be one of the people that can hold, support and love on these children, they certainly won't be left short of hugs and TLC when I go. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh86LtR0dxDdVTts4EE0hqzDVztC7AVspTE9sJxlK2GMvh6BNYkw1DWEsms1CLYbo26JzP1qXtoowy4akttFLOwpvcD7gRahKCrzDBNWf0YC-amEfzJMB0ZLBDYXPhLugJBtfVmLOaaSk/s1600/DSCF4037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr0Yuo5tmuX5MxkBoRU4kK6Prw1noFrwFc7LN_8uMvlcX3KiJzeOGJ5AR5pegy9oVPus542WhUMbS1fsmd5Ymd1fm3elCF0hcQasjhhyphenhyphenmyeOKdSPYbG745NGFuSFi5puhrHBUFXDdZbOo/s1600/DSCF4033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr0Yuo5tmuX5MxkBoRU4kK6Prw1noFrwFc7LN_8uMvlcX3KiJzeOGJ5AR5pegy9oVPus542WhUMbS1fsmd5Ymd1fm3elCF0hcQasjhhyphenhyphenmyeOKdSPYbG745NGFuSFi5puhrHBUFXDdZbOo/s320/DSCF4033.JPG" width="320" /></a><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh86LtR0dxDdVTts4EE0hqzDVztC7AVspTE9sJxlK2GMvh6BNYkw1DWEsms1CLYbo26JzP1qXtoowy4akttFLOwpvcD7gRahKCrzDBNWf0YC-amEfzJMB0ZLBDYXPhLugJBtfVmLOaaSk/s320/DSCF4037.JPG" width="240" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0p7cpiGXXw2HYoNirBxfmhYqQhASgRSwxpRRPb_AL1MNscAfE3AsPVCBWglzoUA8yngDQCclWAVgMU7xp1NipYk3MLkK3MFWARTvU8cmXH-m9jj_ruJlFqvGgw0VKXn8Hc90D2MxuA2Q/s1600/DSCF4059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0p7cpiGXXw2HYoNirBxfmhYqQhASgRSwxpRRPb_AL1MNscAfE3AsPVCBWglzoUA8yngDQCclWAVgMU7xp1NipYk3MLkK3MFWARTvU8cmXH-m9jj_ruJlFqvGgw0VKXn8Hc90D2MxuA2Q/s320/DSCF4059.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkq7WK_UIlkNGh1iUFcWBKpXWxFgfaZ7IF2YsYO0XYpHk1rzYIytR-5hGjMjzOCeX4ZBPu3H99F3Mx5I3e-NsKw00qQMdFEj4pEn-wGAuPIDrd2ry1Fuc95_ZgypUrRkUbMxqK9r-XPb4/s1600/DSCF4035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkq7WK_UIlkNGh1iUFcWBKpXWxFgfaZ7IF2YsYO0XYpHk1rzYIytR-5hGjMjzOCeX4ZBPu3H99F3Mx5I3e-NsKw00qQMdFEj4pEn-wGAuPIDrd2ry1Fuc95_ZgypUrRkUbMxqK9r-XPb4/s320/DSCF4035.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;">At times throughout the last year I have felt as though I am in the middle of a comic relief advert where all around me is despair and heartache with too many problems and too few answers. However, during the moments I have felt this I have been so grateful to remember GSF and what an amazing place it is. A place that God is using to reach out to the orphans and destitute children in Uganda. As I say goodbye to the wonderful children, missionaries and staff here that I have become so close to I thank God for having moved my heart to desire to serve Him here this year. For giving me compassion, patience, a strong resilience and a tender heart so that I was able to nurse those I was called to. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;">I admit that some days it has been tough and I have wondered if I had been taking any steps forward amongst the many I felt that I would be taking backwards amongst the difficulties of trying to nurse in a developing country but o</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">ne story that frequently came to mind during my year away has been about the boy and the starfish;</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>
<div>
<i><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;">"An old man was walking along a deserted beach one morning. A huge storm had washed millions of starfish onto
the sandy beach the night before. As the sun rose the starfish started to
dry out and die. As he walked he could see a young boy in the distance, as he drew nearer he noticed that the boy kept bending down, picking a starfish up and throwing it back into the water. Time and time again he kept throwing them back into the sea. As the old man approached he asked the boy what he was doing. The boy replied, explaining that if he didn't put the starfish back in the sea they would die. "But", the man said, "You can't possibly save them all, there are thousands on this beach". The boy looked down, frowning for a moment; then bent down to pick up another starfish, smiling as he threw it back into the sea. He replied, “Well, I made a difference
for that one.’’</span></span></span></i><br />
<i><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;">Author Unknown</span></span></span></i><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: brown; font-family: Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>
<div>
<span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;">One of the challenges of working here has been trying to work out how much if any impact I could and have had on the children and adults I have met. It has been hard to know how much I could do in a very short space of time, a year really isn't all that long!! I have learned to listen to God's call on my life and the reasons he brought me here, about just trying to make a difference to the ones who's paths cross with mine. As I have been paying a little more attention to all the small moments the last few weeks and as I have contemplated how much I am going to miss the children I have come to realise that if I have made half as much impact on their little lives as they have made on mine then I have probably done ok!</span></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;"><br /></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On Wednesday I said those final goodbyes. It was harder than I ever could have imagined. Africa and so many of the people here have stolen my heart!! As the hour drew closer to me having to drive away I went around the site and stole as many last hugs, held as many hands, took as many last photos as I was able and gave as many kisses as I possibly could in my limited amount of time that was left. It was an emotional morning and it felt like everywhere I looked someone else was crying and saying goodbye to me. I had enjoyed a wonderful few days of saying goodbye to as many people as I could. The missionaries on Tuesday night had thrown me a small goodbye supper and the missionary children sang the most beautiful song to me (see lyrics below). At the Tuesday morning house mothers meeting they sang me a song which they had written themselves which again had amazing, thoughtful and such personal words. I had been approached through the week by many members of staff and children at GSF who had given me letters to say goodbye and brought me small gifts from their well earnt money. The sunset and star filled sky on Tuesday night was one of the nicest I have seen in my year here so it was a wonderful walk home from the missionary party and time to contemplate all God has blessed me with this year. The clear night sky was met by an equally glorious sunrise on my final morning, Africa really is so beautiful and it was making itself very clear about that in my last few hours at GSF! </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What really tipped me over the edge Wednesday morning was when precious Phillip who I have become so close to this year started to cry. I gave him a hug and I made him give me one of his wonderful smiles before I walked him to school and waved to him as he ran to his class. Oh, how my heart aches.....</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz8c7221qxqw8QMsvRKuzpApcmHuoDREVJ3Pq-JewQl2DMW3XeO2xJRMtkZVjZnVKgeznYHU1kbhZvwHDYg7kXdw2ylvb-Ci3x-dIh4f_nrnDtzVAANNB1KBfQdk6lHmmteZTXEax64-8/s1600/DSCF8675.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz8c7221qxqw8QMsvRKuzpApcmHuoDREVJ3Pq-JewQl2DMW3XeO2xJRMtkZVjZnVKgeznYHU1kbhZvwHDYg7kXdw2ylvb-Ci3x-dIh4f_nrnDtzVAANNB1KBfQdk6lHmmteZTXEax64-8/s400/DSCF8675.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: xx-small;"></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><div style="text-align: center; text-decoration: none;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">Now it's time for us to say, Good-bye for just a while, </span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center; text-decoration: none;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">and until that day we'll meet again, may God's love make you smile,</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center; text-decoration: none;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center; text-decoration: none;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">And we'll be friends forever, Jesus and you and me, </span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center; text-decoration: none;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">He joins our hearts together and friends we'll always be.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center; text-decoration: none;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center; text-decoration: none;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">Now when you see the sun, you'll know, I see the same one too,</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center; text-decoration: none;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">and when you see the stars, they'll say 'hello' from me to you,</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center; text-decoration: none;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center; text-decoration: none;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">And we'll be friends forever, Jesus and you and me, </span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center; text-decoration: none;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">He joins our hearts together and friends we'll always be.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center; text-decoration: none;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center; text-decoration: none;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">May the Lord bless you and take care of you, </span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center; text-decoration: none;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">may the Lord be kind and gracious to you, </span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center; text-decoration: none;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">may the Lord look on you with favour and give you peace, Amen.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center; text-decoration: none;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dx7nOTor8intCv-eipuj5Y2XF2fm7wRU5YjtvE2ux-hI34gbzgzcB8ekyjvK48A8XRAZ6bpve4StgznJ6GY4w' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center; text-decoration: none;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center; text-decoration: none;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica;">
</div>
</div>Katieinugandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04334399269575099691noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7543328803293177786.post-62223561853473244062012-07-05T20:00:00.002+01:002012-07-05T20:07:26.271+01:00Teddy and Leticia<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;">Teddy</span></span></h4>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A couple of weeks ago we welcomed baby Teddy to GSF (in Uganda, Teddy is a girls name). Teddy is 3 months old and came to us as she is malnourished and is needing care that her grandmother can no longer provide for her. Her mother is very young and left Teddy with her grandmother to care for her. The grandmother has been trying hard to care for Teddy even going to the lengths of breastfeeding her (the grandmother is 75 years old) as she didn't have enough money to buy formula. Teddy came to us weighing 3.5kgs which is the weight of a newborn baby so we are hoping to build her up and make her very chubby! Teddy's grandmother came to visit her on Tuesday and it is wonderful to hear that she longs to continue a relationship with this sweet girl.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8fLt__bxUl9VxM2n8YhpjUzBza4ze8UwJZO-b7mTtDhlb4JCjFpG1C94nRNi_OIczyEYWCSrt-g2h6NAGj4E0MaVy_ghpYNRIqJ4lBXNlf-SKWK_ZSnn3KzPE-otVY3q2j7C2sdNWP58/s1600/DSCF8421.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8fLt__bxUl9VxM2n8YhpjUzBza4ze8UwJZO-b7mTtDhlb4JCjFpG1C94nRNi_OIczyEYWCSrt-g2h6NAGj4E0MaVy_ghpYNRIqJ4lBXNlf-SKWK_ZSnn3KzPE-otVY3q2j7C2sdNWP58/s400/DSCF8421.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Br-duI89eHS-_K1KVvZXJljwyJlr274XH_ZrdCkzkOS5uzigYm2LghaZgDh1NzlqgMh8PpQhWLWFydKG6lhdyyN3KTpfh4EHl08TnzjjZy2snlIYHIuQpQMSTb0mb7gkOTeNZ8ndRbw/s1600/DSCF8462.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Br-duI89eHS-_K1KVvZXJljwyJlr274XH_ZrdCkzkOS5uzigYm2LghaZgDh1NzlqgMh8PpQhWLWFydKG6lhdyyN3KTpfh4EHl08TnzjjZy2snlIYHIuQpQMSTb0mb7gkOTeNZ8ndRbw/s400/DSCF8462.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;">Leticia</span></span></h4>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Last week Leticia's mother carried her to the gate of GSF and asked to come in as she had heard that she might be able to get some help here. Leticia is 9 months old and when weighed by the Social Worker and Nurse Claire only weighed 3 kgs (that's less than the average weight of a new born baby). Claire told me that they weighed her three times as they didn't believe the reading on the scales! Leticia was taken to the nearest hospital and admitted and treated for malnutrition.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A few days ago Leticia's mother returned to GSF with Leticia and the hospital discharge papers and it was on this occasion that I got to meet them. I picked up Leticia and couldn't believe how under nourished she was. I could feel all of her bones and could visibly see all of her ribs. She literally felt like a 'bag of bones'. It's hard to describe what holding her felt like as she was so fragile but then in contrast her head felt heavy and strong on top of this tiny frame. GSF plan to admit Leticia and her mother to the new babies home which opens this month. This will enable her mother to remain with her while Leticia grows stronger and her mother learns some new skills and is supported in caring for her.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr8FF_K9pkbSjQYv-yL29DATFy-ztAIezVunyIsSLm7JW0YAA87yxHUmHACENDOz107pts72RMSxyz8ssgIYWTT91uuKxUS2s-hdelQsaHOywa-dE6xke4oMEqc-vYyOqFq9vvvruLD6A/s1600/DSCF8447.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr8FF_K9pkbSjQYv-yL29DATFy-ztAIezVunyIsSLm7JW0YAA87yxHUmHACENDOz107pts72RMSxyz8ssgIYWTT91uuKxUS2s-hdelQsaHOywa-dE6xke4oMEqc-vYyOqFq9vvvruLD6A/s400/DSCF8447.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgwNsF584a61F_qhq-UTYj-5UeYYaPWRWis8kAdXQlxcTSBhepfOqAvFNmicVfs0uVPeqHAOO0QEaFy2fa98ZEpOpLhs16EaBUtCJJBi302GDPHhrEWcPPsRSJv7Iye4sZsVGUATvG_Xc/s1600/DSCF8449.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgwNsF584a61F_qhq-UTYj-5UeYYaPWRWis8kAdXQlxcTSBhepfOqAvFNmicVfs0uVPeqHAOO0QEaFy2fa98ZEpOpLhs16EaBUtCJJBi302GDPHhrEWcPPsRSJv7Iye4sZsVGUATvG_Xc/s400/DSCF8449.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Please continue to pray for Teddy and her grandmother, Leticia and her mother and all of the families that GSF have dealings with each week from the surrounding communities. Today I read a scary statistic that 1 in 4 households in Uganda is caring for at least one orphan. In a society where the average annual income is only £250 that adds a huge burden on those families. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>Katieinugandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04334399269575099691noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7543328803293177786.post-18659107666715518462012-07-01T18:13:00.000+01:002012-07-04T19:23:37.677+01:00Special People - GSF Missionaries<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 1px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 1px; color: #466079; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"></span><br />
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;">My last 'Special People' blog is on a group of people who have been my family throughout this year. As you know I have been serving at Good Shepherd's Fold Orphanage over the last 11 months. During this time my team mates and fellow missionaries have become very special to me. </span></span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;">For a reminder......</span></span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;">(and just because Robb's blog about GSF was so amazing I have stolen (with permission!) part of his recent blog which can be found here if you'd like to read more of his stories...</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 1px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 1px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;"><a href="http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Snapshot.html?soid=1102157695494&aid=Mj-mLbwHQ6c">http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Snapshot.html?soid=1102157695494&aid=Mj-mLbwHQ6c</a>) </span></span></span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 1px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 1px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;">........here is a snapshot of GSF, who we are, what we do and why these special people are so dear to me.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 1px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 1px;"><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;"><br /></span></span></span></strong></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 1px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 1px;"></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 1px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 1px;"><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;">Setting:</span></span></span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;"> </span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Good Shepherd's Fold: 120 acres filled with a farm (pigs, cows, goats and occasionally monkeys), a school and six orphan homes surrounded by sugar cane fields and one of the larger rain forests in Uganda in one direction and Lake Victoria (the second largest lake in the world) in the other direction. Only 30 minutes from the source of the Nile.</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 1px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 1px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #466079; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 1px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 1px; font-size: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #466079; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 1px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 1px; font-size: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #466079; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 1px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 1px; font-size: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #466079; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 1px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 1px; font-size: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #466079; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 1px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 1px; font-size: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;"><u>The Cast:</u></span></span></span></strong></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;">Claudia - <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">A </span></span></span></span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;">lady from Colombia, South America who has lived and served at GSF for 14 years. She has adopted three Ugandan kids already and has four others that stay with her. She handles all the adoptions for Good Shepherd's Fold and does much of our accounting.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;">Mark & Amy - </span></span></span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;">A couple with three kids who have previously worked with international schools in South Korea and Singapore. They have been serving at GSF for 4 years and handle all the farm management, child care, house mothers (ladies who stay with and take care of the orphans), maintenance team and handle the intake of orphans.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #466079; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal;"><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;">Robb & Sheila </span></span></span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;">- They have been here since April and have three kids. Robb directs education for GSF, heads up Mercy Ministry for GSF and deals with all the older students whether in high school or university. Sheila will help with organization at the school and donor communications. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></strong></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;"><br /></span></span></span></strong></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;">The Interns</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;"> - GSF currently have 4 American University students serving here for the summer. Emily (post grad), Janie, Claire and Ashley will be here for 8 weeks and will help out in various ministries here.</span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;">Focus: </span></span></span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;">Good Shepherd's Fold started out solely as an orphanage to deal with the AIDS crisis. A veteran from Vietnam who lost his legs saw the orphan crisis created by AIDS. He opened up his home and started caring for the kids. However as it matured he thought if we provided care for certain destitute mothers or fathers their kids might not end up in an orphanage. Mercy ministry and Social Work have therefore become bigger focuses at GSF. We constantly walk a fine line between trying to empower a local community to care for their own destitute and realizing that many of the communities we are dealing with are so poor that they simply cannot provide all that is needed to even meet basic needs. We therefore offer a feeding program for mothers with young children (and the elderly) that are malnourished so that their children do not end up at GSF because the mother cannot feed them. </span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;">Additional examples of these sorts of situations that we have dealt with in the last two weeks are:</span></span></span></div>
<ol class="_mce_tagged_br" style="text-align: left;">
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;">A father who was recently paralyzed </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;">(see my recent blog last month about taking this man to the hospital) </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;">by a stroke and cannot move 1/3rd of his bodies but has four children under eleven. The eleven year old takes care of his father and cooks for all the kids. His wife left him after he had the stroke and at that point he bought poison to kill himself and his children as he thought they would starve to death anyway. Fortunately, some community members b</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;">rought him to church and a pastor helped to give him hope </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;">through faith in Christ. While trying to encourage the community to do what they can GSF is providing medical assistance to see if the father's condition can improve a</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; color: black; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 1px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 1px; color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">nd hopefully the kids can stay with their father.</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; color: black; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 1px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 1px; color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;">A mentally insane mother who locked herself and her children into their mud hut. She was found still covered with blood from childbirth several weeks after giving birth and human waste all over the floor. The children have been taken to GSF while counseling services </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;">and </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;">mental health experts attempt to treat the mother.</span></span></span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;">A grandmother who is attempting to take care of her abandoned grandchild in her tiny mud hut but has a problem with rats continually biting their feet at night. We have yet to come up with a solution.</span></span></span></li>
</ol>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;">I have been blessed this year to have been able to serve alongside this group of people. They have taught me all of their American ways (including inviting me to a wonderful Thanksgiving party, teaching me new recipes, new words and amazing ways on how to pronounce the 'A' sound in a variety of words!), loved me, fed me, driven me around, encouraged me and been a spiritual and emotional support through all the ups and downs that we have faced in this journey that we have been on this last year. They have taught me about living in Africa, about what it means to be a missionary, how to cope/manage and pray through good and tough times. They are incredibly hard working, dedicated, honourable, kind, loving and great examples to the GSF kids. </span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;"><br /></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;">As I prepare to leave GSF please continue to pray for these guys and all of the hard situations they face including the difficult decisions they have to address each week. Just the above 3 examples show what tricky decisions have to be made each week in order to serve the community in the best way that GSF is able. </span></span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;">Mark & Amy, Claudia, Robb & Sheila - all very special people, with a very special place in my heart who have become a huge part of my daily life. I will miss seeing each of them every day.</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;"></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Thank you guys for everything. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;"><br /></span></span></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibhBHkMkiHxRYgYLE22bhOxHzeNeQthXyWLcs8abjUfYL0qxYVemBrO2Zvrj89N4YWFrGCI1qv6IQ0hEAZRGfqCT5b6ylUHwCpNWmUXa0FTSaNIiOYxSFBlw5CiO8HTB-MYvg0UBTMCEo/s1600/553773_10151638281916165_1729665023_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibhBHkMkiHxRYgYLE22bhOxHzeNeQthXyWLcs8abjUfYL0qxYVemBrO2Zvrj89N4YWFrGCI1qv6IQ0hEAZRGfqCT5b6ylUHwCpNWmUXa0FTSaNIiOYxSFBlw5CiO8HTB-MYvg0UBTMCEo/s400/553773_10151638281916165_1729665023_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">L-R: Amelia, Hope, Claudia, Anna, Bobby, Emma, Maggie</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigjOjXJkytj70HhiCU7zOlf9Z4cjwyNnn9URZ_-TbB8KpCWHfuH6WbjAouD9S8HCR56g0FzWt59cymxJWIT3QEVHwp79oPgALH0r207-kdlfFXrrkpYFPYs_w_elRR_iUHbB3i_nR83wU/s1600/557804_10151638289766165_1769435805_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigjOjXJkytj70HhiCU7zOlf9Z4cjwyNnn9URZ_-TbB8KpCWHfuH6WbjAouD9S8HCR56g0FzWt59cymxJWIT3QEVHwp79oPgALH0r207-kdlfFXrrkpYFPYs_w_elRR_iUHbB3i_nR83wU/s400/557804_10151638289766165_1769435805_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Back L-R: Titus, Megan. Front: Amy, Caralina, Mark</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3MTsEPt_pLBYg5-g5TuiQ5VUPMA0Bpm5XM0-qcI2OzpVc5k7NU0KDOxZ60BCKv8oBl9Cr6Lbg-6OiaLA6XbnpCk8Y5I76h6YYOpJ9Ju2lauMA8sM-LpAKXGDBzJBQA87WeP8xC_wUYHY/s1600/DSCF8607.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3MTsEPt_pLBYg5-g5TuiQ5VUPMA0Bpm5XM0-qcI2OzpVc5k7NU0KDOxZ60BCKv8oBl9Cr6Lbg-6OiaLA6XbnpCk8Y5I76h6YYOpJ9Ju2lauMA8sM-LpAKXGDBzJBQA87WeP8xC_wUYHY/s400/DSCF8607.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">L-R: Teddy, Avery, Avalyn, Sheila, Hayden, Robb</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
</span></span></span></div>
</span></span></span></div>
</div>
Katieinugandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04334399269575099691noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7543328803293177786.post-20226486167659499202012-06-29T07:46:00.002+01:002012-06-29T07:48:46.137+01:00The Baptist Times Interview<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;">This week an interview I had with Africa Inland Mission has been published in The Baptist Times on line. If you would like to read about it please click on this link to read the whole thing!</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;"><br /></span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;"><a href="http://www.baptisttimes.co.uk/index.php/interviews/328-following-god-to-uganda" target="_blank">www.baptisttimes.co.uk/index.php/interviews/328-following-god-to-uganda</a></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjNkxU9EDDz2Ed1bpCdJCEhcHLVcqtK1a0c2hE3uF7xzDiIOoTEPgk1YkmeJv461zK3h5KPLqqYe4sxBGfoNHR8aCSvci1VinPajxFEfxsuKOmSy6DGGu8srOmB35HaqwsL5JfYQZryNA/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-06-29+at+07.41.53.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjNkxU9EDDz2Ed1bpCdJCEhcHLVcqtK1a0c2hE3uF7xzDiIOoTEPgk1YkmeJv461zK3h5KPLqqYe4sxBGfoNHR8aCSvci1VinPajxFEfxsuKOmSy6DGGu8srOmB35HaqwsL5JfYQZryNA/s400/Screen+shot+2012-06-29+at+07.41.53.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<br /></div>Katieinugandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04334399269575099691noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7543328803293177786.post-83503113514093541932012-06-25T15:08:00.002+01:002012-06-25T15:08:57.183+01:00Stubborn Days and Big Miracles - Part 2<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: bold;">Big Miracles</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: bold;"><br /></span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Despite my lamentations and depressing thoughts that I blogged about in the last entry I also know that some days here just leave me full of joy and wonder. I recently went on a hospital trip with 4 different people and at the end of the day sat back and thought about how special it is that on these journeys I get to experience the wonderful gift of giving hope and life to those we are serving here. Part of GSF's ministry is to serve those in the local community and part of this is through medical assistance. I have been blessed to have been seeing this on the front line in working for GSF as they minister to these special people with the donations they have been given.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;">Here is a little information about 3 of these 4 people we had taken to hospital recently;</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;">The first guy is around 40 years old. He lives in the village and has 4 children under 12 years old. He is known to GSF through their Mercy Ministry programme and GSF have been trying to assist him in his recent difficulties. About a year ago this man had what we presume is a stroke and became paralysed down the left side of his body. At this time his wife left him - He had never 'officially' married her so when he became sick her father came and took her back to her home village. In Uganda if an official marriage hasn't taken place where a dowry has been paid for the bride then she does not belong to the husband but still belongs to her parents. When her parents heard he had become sick they came to take her away leaving this man and his 4 children to fend for themselves (in Uganda the children are cared for and belong to the paternal side which is why the children do not always remain with the mother). This man struggled for months to support his children until last month when a neighbour approached GSF as they felt that he was not coping anymore. When our Social Worker arrived to assess his situation she found a bottle of Sulphur in the house which he explained that he had just purchased that week as he wanted to poison himself and his children. He could no-longer see how he could continue to survive each day and thought that they would all be better off if he poisoned them and they were all dead. Our Social Worker discarded the poison and registered him into the programme offering assistance with food supplies, clothing and money to pay the rent. Another way that she offered to help was by funding through the Mercy Ministry programme to get him some medical assistance. That's where I got to meet this gentle, kind spirited, humble and amazing man. We arranged to take him to a good rehabilitation hospital in Kampala and got him in to see the physiotherapist there. After an hour or two of assessments and exercise programmes the man appeared to be developing a new lease on life. He had changed from a bent over, shy, broken man to someone with hope, determination, joy and a future. He got a new crutch to assist him with walking and the physiotherapist gave him lots of exercises to try and help regain some of the muscle tone in his arm and leg. On our drive home I sat next to him and sat smiling and watching this man who spent the whole two hour drive home doing his exercises and watching out of the window asking questions about the capital, Kampala which he had never been to before. He also spent the journey looking up to thank us for all we had done. I always feel embarrassed in these situations as really I have done nothing. I have just been privileged to have escorted these people to the hospital where I have represented GSF and been able to use donations to bless others in God's work. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The second patient that we escorted to that same hospital was a mother with her 3 week old baby. She was also known to GSF via the Mercy Ministry programme. She lives in the local village and when her baby was born with a cleft lip and palate she came here to look for help. GSF have an amazing ministry both within the orphanage and in this area where they are able to help so many. We took the baby with us and booked them into the hospital where they provide free medical care for cleft palate operations. This baby will have an operation to repair the lip and palate and all the medical bills, hospital stay and food will be paid for by this charity at the hospital. It was amazing to be sitting on the journey to Kampala with this lady and watching her expressions. Despite it being a journey that I do each week, to have walked through it with both the paralysed man and this lady who have never even been to Kampala before or even a good, large hospital was wonderful. It made me realise actually what a big deal this journey was for them. I am so used to escorting our children to the city for medical appointments it made me see that it is actually something that people in the villages don't ever experience like these two adults have never. It was amazing to be watching the world through their eyes.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhEgsJODMisidj26ktFXkxIikHusm0IE9sLiRghywOART4SH0voh_kPL-dALc_Un6y4KKqcEg6q2n59P61jBwDIs9qDR8GiddtToF02OEER9Zw8xAFc41VF9jX5GXr0jCgTCdQUd0i8fc/s1600/DSCF8257.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhEgsJODMisidj26ktFXkxIikHusm0IE9sLiRghywOART4SH0voh_kPL-dALc_Un6y4KKqcEg6q2n59P61jBwDIs9qDR8GiddtToF02OEER9Zw8xAFc41VF9jX5GXr0jCgTCdQUd0i8fc/s400/DSCF8257.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our third man was a 26 year old guy that works for us here at GSF. He was involved in an accident 9 years ago in a cement factory. His friend was reversing the cement truck and ran over him which amputated both of his legs at the knees. Since then this guy has moved around in his wheelchair and has done an amazing job of moving around the village and back and forth to work at GSF where the terrain is not often kind to those who have mobilisation difficulties. A sponsor from America had offered some money for him to have prosthetic limbs so we took him along to see if this was a possibility. We had a consultation with the head trauma surgeon and then met with the Physiotherapist and started to discuss about the limbs that he could have. The great news was that it is very possible that he may walk again after some intense rehabilitation and training on how to use the prosthetics. This guy was amazed and was already making plans on how he will walk up to the front of the church when he has his new legs to show his church how faithful God is. He says that those in the village have told him that he would need a miracle to walk again and now God is showing them that he does perform miracles! He was very excited about the prospect of walking and on the journey was showing us his favourite Psalms and discussing with his friend (our driver) how he will go on the local radio to tell everyone the Good News of Jesus.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;">It is on trips like this that I can't fail to see the Greatness of God in the daily situations I am involved in while serving here in this ministry. The great works that He does and the faithfulness he shows in the stories of people around us.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">Psalm 145 v 1- 13</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">"I will exalt you, my God the King: I will praise your name for ever and ever. Every day I will praise you and extol your name for ever and ever.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; his greatness no-one can fathom. One generation will commend your works to another; they will tell of your mighty acts. They will speak of the glorious splendour of your majesty, and I will meditate on your wonderful works. They will tell of the power of your awesome works, and I will proclaim your great deeds. They will celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love. The Lord is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made. All you have made will praise you, O Lord; your saints will extol you. They will tell of the glory of your kingdom and speak of your might, so that all men may know of your mighty acts and the glorious splendour of your kingdom. Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations".</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</div>Katieinugandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04334399269575099691noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7543328803293177786.post-19484420785395704472012-06-25T13:50:00.000+01:002012-06-25T16:06:09.887+01:00Stubborn Days and Big Miracles - Part 1<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Stubborn Days</span></span></span></h3>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;">On a recent journey home from a local hospital where we had spent the day waiting and experiencing third world medicine I still couldnt believe quite how different things are here and how much they continue to take me by surprise. During the drive home I began thinking how after nearly a year living here I still sometimes sit down at the end of the day shocked/upset/confused and often just simply baffled by just how very different two cultures can be from one another.</span></span><br />
<div style="font-family: Helvetica;">
<div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;">Let me give you just a few examples of some of the cultural differences that I have noticed in just the last two weeks that still take me aback;</span></span><br />
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;">- Last week on a boda drive home from a hospital we passed a mob of men holding tree branches and thrashing them to the ground. It was quite scary watching them chanting, shouting and bashing the leaves and branches on the floor and I couldn't quite see what it was they were looking at in the middle of their group, I was presuming it was a fight. When my boda trip had finished I felt relived to be out of the noise and uncertainty in the mood/purpose of the group. Feeling safe again I asked the driver what was happening. He explained that Male circumcision (carried out here when the boy turns into a teenager) is a huge part of culture and tradition in the area we were in. A teenage boy had run away because he didn't want to be circumcised. He was later on found and held/tied down so the circumcision could be carried out. However, he had been found in the town centre so the group of men who had been searching for him began to circumcise him on the pavement in the middle of the street and that's when we drove past on the bikes. I honestly couldn't believe that it was just happening in the street in the middle of the town and spent a long time on the remainder of my journey home thinking about the trauma that boy will have gone through.</span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;">- In the past I have been walking through the taxi park holding one of our babies when somebody takes the baby from my arms. In my mind I panic and automatically think that they are taking the baby from me but culturally thay just want to help or to hold the baby. It's a very different concept to get used to coming from the West where we wouldn't let a stranger hold our child and are constantly teaching children about 'stranger danger'!</span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;">- Recently on a bus journey back to Jinja a man got on at one of the bus stops and then began selling medication throughout the journey. He stood in the aisle and told everyone about each drug he was selling 'i.e; "this antibiotic will help you if you get a bad flu or a dry cough". He then would wander up and down the bus as people brought a few tablets of whatever it was that he was selling. He did this with a number of antibiotics and some other items. Again I was shocked and frustrated at this culture in its mis-use of important drugs and the lack of education people have around the use of medication.</span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;">- This morning we found out about 3 children in the local village who had died last night in a house fire. The father had left the hut to go to the store leaving the children sleeping. On his return he found the hut on fire. The neighbours had heard the children's scream but initially thought they were just being disciplined so hadn't gone straight to the hut until it was too late. The children were buried the same day and there will be no investigations into the cause of the fire (which is thought to be from a candle falling over) and possibly no thoughts or actions as to how this could be prevented in other huts in the village in the future.</span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;">- Last week I rode into Jinja with one of the families here at GSF. In town they stopped at the skip to empty their trash. We sat in shock as 3 street boys rushed over jumped into the skip and literally started fist fighting each other over the items of rubbish in the carrier bag. </span></span></div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;">- During a recent medical emergency at GSF we rushed an unconscious man to the local hospital. After running into the ward and placing him on the bed I stood back in horror as.....nothing happened. I asked for some assistance and was told that the doctor was coming. A nurse then came into the room to take the mans temperature but there appeared to be no sense of urgency to treat the man immediately. I suggested to the nurse that we lay him on his side as he was struggling to breathe. When the doctor did come in he said that there were too many people in the room taking the air which was why the man was struggling for oxygen. I walked away upset thinking how different this situation would be if the man had been rushed into an Emergency Department in England.</span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;">These are just a handful of examples as to why I still find it so difficult living in another culture. I find watching life go on here as an observer so hard, raw and sometimes so merciless. Obviously I have just mentioned a few 'hard to swallow' moments and of course there are many, many moments I see things here where I think, "Wow, this culture does it so right!" and I often think about what a better place England could be if we were more like those here in Uganda. The things I have just shared with you are just to show you that even after a year living here I still struggle and sit down at the end of a 'stubborn day' (as a difficult day would be called here) trying to work it all out. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;">One of the lessons I guess that I have learnt after my time here is that no-matter how hard I try I just can't figure it all out. Life, death, pain, joy, hope, suffering, poverty......these are just a few of the things that I will never fully understand. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I don't understand... </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Why life is just so hard here?</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;">Why I am so rich but the ones I treat have so little? </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;">Why even though the beautiful people I have spent this year with experience much suffering and have so little they can be so joyful and so full of hope.? </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;">Why 3 small children should die in a terrible accident but others are given life? </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;">All I can do at the end of a 'stubborn' day here is to give my worries, fears, and lack of understanding to my God. He is Sovereign over all and despite my human failings and lack of faith on some days I know that He is in control. He is the one in who these people I have talked about also go to when they are having hard days. He is where they find their love, hope and strength for each day....and where I have to remember to go when I don't understand why. I have to remember that He is the One who who is holding me and is my strength through stubborn days despite my human weaknesses.</span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">Psalm 73 v 23-26 </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">"Yet I am always with you;</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">you hold me by my right hand.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">You guide me with your counsel, </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">and afterwards you will take me into glory. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">Whom have I in heaven but you?</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">And earth has nothing I desire besides you.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><b>My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart</b></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><b>and my portion forever".</b></span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>Katieinugandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04334399269575099691noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7543328803293177786.post-4240874789795249292012-06-13T20:23:00.000+01:002012-06-13T20:48:48.666+01:00A new addition to the family<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Grace</span></span></h2>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;">The dictionary describes Grace as; elegance or beauty of form, favour or goodwill, kindness, love and mercy.</span></span></div>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: #e69138;">.</span><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQVxRbADjhQgTwnYCZCLaP1OE-B8e18MIGTJH36WhTTEF9p30xm3YZRLNzrKK_iOu9VSMMZc8qYrz2pmuTWbv_wWGuynw9tqemPttB7AAnibUSwK7E2qMLnk8PRPk92UcIt5BPb6pAqQY/s400/168282_10151591052596165_977820617_n.jpg" width="266" /></span></h2>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;">We have a new baby here at GSF and what a perfect name she has. Baby Grace is 7 months old and came last week from the local village. Her mother has some mental health problems and has not been a reliable care giver often disappearing from the home. Grace was blessed with a wonderful grandmother who would return from the gardens and find her daughter gone and Grace on her own. Her grandmother has tried her best but is unable to sustain the care that Grace needs so she has come to us and joined our home.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica;">
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;">Grace is adorable, she is everything that her name describes. She is beautiful, full of love and we can see that she has already had favour and mercy on her in her short life. Grace is now getting spoilt with hugs, kisses and love from all that meet her. She is the most content baby I have ever been with. Today we took her to the hospital and she didn't cry, groan or whimper once, not all day - and it was a long, hot, rough day (I moaned!).</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;">Grace was seen by a specialist neurological team at a hospital in Mbale, about 3 hours away today. We have been concerned that </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;">Grace has an unusually shaped head and a very large 'soft spot' at the front of her head. Her skull does not seem to be fusing together like normal but is wide and an odd shape at the front. We had been told that it could be Hydrocephalus. At the hospital Grace saw a neurosurgeon and had a CT scan. The scan showed us that her brain isn't entirely normal. The ventricles are slightly enlarged (the areas of water shown in the scan which shows the spinal fluid collections in the brain) and at the front of her skull there were small areas of 'brain damage' (softening of the brain matter due to a bleed). The doctor was not able to tell us if this would have been caused to a bad birth where Grace could have been starved from oxygen or damage to her brain from abuse. The doctor did tell us that it is likely that she will be slightly developmentally delayed. We were pleased to have been able to see a specialist doctor so quickly and to find out that Grace will not need any surgery for her condition. It saddens me to think that there is a reason that Grace has sustained damage to her brain and it is heart breaking to even try and contemplate the possible reasons this could have happened. </span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1O8U6HyxO1-7Cyv6cykiJ_xzialxsARmG1fT6WhaVewCgQLaTOSQOwaOZEHCky8va7cd6Z28D8aWHrtvs6t7u6eB4qDp1LFB3VbcSKqHPPUi8oJmlqtNxuOSu-YpPQX_w-DXqavSw3d0/s1600/DSCF7877.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1O8U6HyxO1-7Cyv6cykiJ_xzialxsARmG1fT6WhaVewCgQLaTOSQOwaOZEHCky8va7cd6Z28D8aWHrtvs6t7u6eB4qDp1LFB3VbcSKqHPPUi8oJmlqtNxuOSu-YpPQX_w-DXqavSw3d0/s400/DSCF7877.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;">Please pray for Baby Grace.</span></span></span></div>
</div>
</div>Katieinugandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04334399269575099691noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7543328803293177786.post-29431536264823499722012-06-07T12:09:00.000+01:002012-06-07T12:27:49.127+01:00What's in the box?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Qc48QnHQIc1h8HEc0-9Qn5-xDJ8o84uGZ09JtymtzS6VKJZm3rR6-Tb1b1nG3zvY6IxO8uSNi4zr7HEwuJkItxvRINX2ps4h5_1dJa_gyF2fruDCf5bQ49EkTn7yYuKyE5dGOEANM60/s1600/DSCF7852.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Qc48QnHQIc1h8HEc0-9Qn5-xDJ8o84uGZ09JtymtzS6VKJZm3rR6-Tb1b1nG3zvY6IxO8uSNi4zr7HEwuJkItxvRINX2ps4h5_1dJa_gyF2fruDCf5bQ49EkTn7yYuKyE5dGOEANM60/s400/DSCF7852.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;">A couple of days ago there was a lot of screaming outside my house and children shouting "Nurse Kate, Nurse Kate, come quick". I jumped up and ran to the door, my adrenaline pumping thinking that there was a huge medical emergency going on. As I opened the door Henry was standing right in the doorway holding a massive snake out on a stick that I very unhappily came face to face with. The children laughed, were jumping about and pleased as punched with themselves for making me jump and scream.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;"><br /></span></span><br />
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQunMt-bW0r5bPnC9BvgJo8qRozkoRR3LZjCo1PKkh5-U9Ff7zkXds8Z7uGQYClZo_UJ-zYzp_-tALp156mbnZqMnf6owYD-gQMsdr1xFD-7g2w3s4WnDvTqxqfzQxUp2qaEsSTN_Ihpw/s1600/DSCF7853.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQunMt-bW0r5bPnC9BvgJo8qRozkoRR3LZjCo1PKkh5-U9Ff7zkXds8Z7uGQYClZo_UJ-zYzp_-tALp156mbnZqMnf6owYD-gQMsdr1xFD-7g2w3s4WnDvTqxqfzQxUp2qaEsSTN_Ihpw/s400/DSCF7853.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #ff008c; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;">In all serious though, this is another snake that has been found and killed at GSF recently. There have been many reported sightings of snakes around the compound over the last few months and there have even been some much smaller snakes being seen and killed but this is the biggest that has ever been found here.</span></span></span></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0ZdEgS6PTADrHe9lUJLD3VMGWZFtUWfXC8Y2r8ktSE0d9sg_lKZZL8484ywgImqHTn7UnLXfZpZTujxd0aNkepGBzMu9lvxujkAa4hXZREGIe43iWS6U0BmZjVnGJ3YqHOvuxwvkPahM/s1600/DSCF7857.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0ZdEgS6PTADrHe9lUJLD3VMGWZFtUWfXC8Y2r8ktSE0d9sg_lKZZL8484ywgImqHTn7UnLXfZpZTujxd0aNkepGBzMu9lvxujkAa4hXZREGIe43iWS6U0BmZjVnGJ3YqHOvuxwvkPahM/s400/DSCF7857.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">It turned out that the headmaster of our school was in his office and went to move a box that was on the floor. The box was much heavier than he expected so he glanced inside it. He couldn't tell if there was some sort of rubber inside or something else more sinister so with a couple of others for courage they investigated to find a big snake inside! The box was moved outside very quickly! Fortunately the snake had just dined out on a bird so was more placid than he potentially could have been. Outside a group gathered to 'stone' the snake and kill it with one of the school's javelins! </span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;">The snake was then paraded around the site and created much interest and excitement around the children. Outside Amy and Mark's house he was laid out on the gravel and measured. He was 8 feet long!! Reports from those living here say that he may have been a Black Mamba. </span></span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;">I love these pictures (that I pinched from Amy!) of the missionaries and children taking all 8ft of it in!!!</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii9RkmZYTz2PSfF9ilo9tUhyI2IX008wyQtO0iR29I4KgzDOnyv53Ca_6KfPCrPrkkVkap1pyjC1a4m5SiaTTiBmH0dSXOMW4O5al9gvPRfMoU9cNnur8lIb5LG-36dGEqgD98pJAdgOg/s1600/DSCF6061.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii9RkmZYTz2PSfF9ilo9tUhyI2IX008wyQtO0iR29I4KgzDOnyv53Ca_6KfPCrPrkkVkap1pyjC1a4m5SiaTTiBmH0dSXOMW4O5al9gvPRfMoU9cNnur8lIb5LG-36dGEqgD98pJAdgOg/s400/DSCF6061.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwnisvqC1vjpjytWpOIiUAS05bNyoImPYV4_H1_2HogV66rFlKMH3oN0jBvdAvFa0Jh90G5CqwgjYka-k3_DAOtPgnUqZC86fZtc_a1pmfEdxPh1aOdJ-NqI9AndZ-xfzph039lW8TKRU/s1600/DSCF6066.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwnisvqC1vjpjytWpOIiUAS05bNyoImPYV4_H1_2HogV66rFlKMH3oN0jBvdAvFa0Jh90G5CqwgjYka-k3_DAOtPgnUqZC86fZtc_a1pmfEdxPh1aOdJ-NqI9AndZ-xfzph039lW8TKRU/s400/DSCF6066.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #ff008c; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;">About a month ago the matron here at GSF got up at church to thank God for His protection here as at that point 3 snakes had recently been found and she wanted to praise God for the protection on all of us. Again, today, we can praise the One who keeps us safe from harm. </span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;"><br /></span></span></span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">Psalm 46 v 1-3 "God is our safe place and our strength. He is always our help when we are in trouble. </span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"> So we will not be afraid, even if the earth is shaken and the mountains fall into the </span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"> centre of the sea, and even if its waters go wild with storm and the mountains shake </span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"> with its action.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">Wikipedia - The <b>black mamba</b> (<i>Dendroaspis polylepis</i>), also called the <b>common black mamba</b> or <b>black-mouthed mamba</b>,<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-WCH_3-0" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1em;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_mamba#cite_note-WCH-3" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none; white-space: nowrap;">[4]</a></sup> is the longest <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Venomous_snake" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Venomous snake">venomous snake</a> in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Africa" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Africa">Africa</a>, averaging around 2.5 to 3.2 m (8.2 to 10 ft) in length, and sometimes growing to lengths of 4.45 m (14.6 ft).<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Marais_4-0" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1em;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_mamba#cite_note-Marais-4" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none; white-space: nowrap;">[5]</a></sup> It is named for the black colour of the inside of the mouth rather than the colour of its scales which varies from dull yellowish-green to a gun-metal grey. It is the fastest snake in the world, capable of moving at 4.32 to 5.4 metres per second (16–20 km/h, 10–12 mph).<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-NG_5-0" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1em;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_mamba#cite_note-NG-5" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none; white-space: nowrap;">[6]</a></sup> It has a reputation for being aggressive and highly venomous and is among the world's <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Venomous_snake" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Venomous snake">most venomous land snakes</a>.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-ErZug_6-0" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1em;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_mamba#cite_note-ErZug-6" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none; white-space: nowrap;">[7]</a></sup><sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-MYTHS_7-0" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1em;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_mamba#cite_note-MYTHS-7" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none; white-space: nowrap;">[8]</a></sup></span></div>Katieinugandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04334399269575099691noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7543328803293177786.post-65665125206209164842012-06-04T13:24:00.000+01:002012-06-04T13:24:20.231+01:00Ouch!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;">Last week we were paid a visit by the Local health team who are sent out by the government to immunise all children in their allocated village. The government, each time there is an outbreak of a preventable disease such as measles or polio, deploy teams nationally to administer immunisations on a mass scale. Recently, there have been reports of measles spreading through the community and sadly claiming too many lives especially of those under 5 years old. We have had some mild cases of measles here at GSF and in the school.</span></span><br />
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;">All of our children here at GSF are fully immunised and have had all of their routine vaccines however this does not make you exempt from getting another injection in your arm! The local heath team are sent to vaccinate all under 5's that they find despite previous immunisation history. Sadly, families in the villages are not so good at ensuring their children are fully immunised (despite it being a free service) which is why the teams are sent out to each home ensuring that the youngest children are given some protection against these deadly but very preventable diseases.</span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghbAi52PqX24ksfm2VfkYQJeU5NXRKRv0IcJ3ayKk59RGkub8APliyo0fxTA-3PSdvZN3oX781R60Xlzm4T5mLpCdZCSnkvxbYAcvFOtmHWKf5Ttg0KfLR5OUZRZLn0ISkw17WAxM1Nuc/s1600/DSCF7549.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghbAi52PqX24ksfm2VfkYQJeU5NXRKRv0IcJ3ayKk59RGkub8APliyo0fxTA-3PSdvZN3oX781R60Xlzm4T5mLpCdZCSnkvxbYAcvFOtmHWKf5Ttg0KfLR5OUZRZLn0ISkw17WAxM1Nuc/s320/DSCF7549.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUHLVGKCL9jigex9VhTR1xkXYlFA2InN8yojevA9Q0wmEcisc6ztMZ0fzvG5FvUneVsB_Ovh2fW2bZkSLu5QV_C4pgeusV5iNFlrhOF1QEE6Y3dJlZtaJrV5GS6URhM9d-3HsC6IFdHG4/s1600/DSCF7552.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUHLVGKCL9jigex9VhTR1xkXYlFA2InN8yojevA9Q0wmEcisc6ztMZ0fzvG5FvUneVsB_Ovh2fW2bZkSLu5QV_C4pgeusV5iNFlrhOF1QEE6Y3dJlZtaJrV5GS6URhM9d-3HsC6IFdHG4/s320/DSCF7552.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoQBUZrGURJEwkDCy_45uyMlacZGbFWVxdZSx-gkdFLqit_KPien_bon_O1U4qhAkHwu8RTWqucuVpKb_VUQYdclCvQtr8eISqS1CBEEHd4MG2WfNeRh50EgFTXBScm8DGRgnbA163dOQ/s1600/DSCF7560.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoQBUZrGURJEwkDCy_45uyMlacZGbFWVxdZSx-gkdFLqit_KPien_bon_O1U4qhAkHwu8RTWqucuVpKb_VUQYdclCvQtr8eISqS1CBEEHd4MG2WfNeRh50EgFTXBScm8DGRgnbA163dOQ/s320/DSCF7560.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSLMmTx3wlBKk3zUonWPJ22jMLebIjNNyLle9nv5NfMPtL59D3QykMHBL64HuDeDvKQlgHLX-SF-h1U_RtSd7W29Uk3cvJyRF40ed4tf3Qki1o3M2lSJgst_IkO7Qxcy2hulzbGnhuo14/s1600/DSCF7565.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSLMmTx3wlBKk3zUonWPJ22jMLebIjNNyLle9nv5NfMPtL59D3QykMHBL64HuDeDvKQlgHLX-SF-h1U_RtSd7W29Uk3cvJyRF40ed4tf3Qki1o3M2lSJgst_IkO7Qxcy2hulzbGnhuo14/s320/DSCF7565.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpPHBmfwfdVS__aGcXU8McB-CbxJqxoBkicXaqCLxi2Btn38Ae-_D05ghybSq8T-UdhvlvmrG71s80uHbAtkzUJ_R17gL6zayH7wLfi1dow_eFANQJtaC_QY1MKttwFBar1z5QEzNnJbw/s1600/DSCF7568.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpPHBmfwfdVS__aGcXU8McB-CbxJqxoBkicXaqCLxi2Btn38Ae-_D05ghybSq8T-UdhvlvmrG71s80uHbAtkzUJ_R17gL6zayH7wLfi1dow_eFANQJtaC_QY1MKttwFBar1z5QEzNnJbw/s320/DSCF7568.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;">The National newspaper reported that there was a very good response to the week's 3 day booster immunisation programme and that there had been more than 90% uptake of the immunisations.</span></span></div>
</div>Katieinugandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04334399269575099691noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7543328803293177786.post-66680517404292608962012-05-31T09:05:00.000+01:002012-06-04T09:11:19.255+01:00Special People - Nurse Ruth<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigujYaSda1bvf6O8p8_I9_90ET3-zwL7obuP5A6enNA3iYZ-Gch8EZv5tntdY8l-s_O9zYgO-YBNC8DOgqDz7WUGWhScMf8N_VFl7HdGzpTS2hg_1YxFTaDrFd_4hBJKYnj3LYcZ5CbyI/s1600/DSCF7550.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigujYaSda1bvf6O8p8_I9_90ET3-zwL7obuP5A6enNA3iYZ-Gch8EZv5tntdY8l-s_O9zYgO-YBNC8DOgqDz7WUGWhScMf8N_VFl7HdGzpTS2hg_1YxFTaDrFd_4hBJKYnj3LYcZ5CbyI/s320/DSCF7550.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Meet Nurse Ruth. She is the next special person that I want to introduce you to.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><br />
<div style="font-family: Helvetica;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ruth is an answer to so many peoples prayers here at GSF and at home who have also been praying for her to come. Those of us here were all starting to wonder what would happen when I left as there was to be no nurse on site. We did not have anyone to replace my nursing role. We wondered how would the medical side of things keep running and how would the current Missionaries manage the nursing duties on top of their already huge work loads and then......as an answer to prayer, along she came :)</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-lURYlU7-rbEKOW-HHtcrez8BS3WH_HvunbReptPuaDdKl0xDk0ba2RTuhW687yFWQPRjwxgalBm3lxsAL3-ywIX5VpGTTAnu2WX6Uqo5zUUfQgyQO3NoYvPjIcK8jklTEDQQgWvV6W0/s1600/DSCF7680.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-lURYlU7-rbEKOW-HHtcrez8BS3WH_HvunbReptPuaDdKl0xDk0ba2RTuhW687yFWQPRjwxgalBm3lxsAL3-ywIX5VpGTTAnu2WX6Uqo5zUUfQgyQO3NoYvPjIcK8jklTEDQQgWvV6W0/s400/DSCF7680.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If I am totally honest I returned back to GSF after being at home a little despondent and unsure how I was going to hand over this mammoth task of nursing and who I would even hand it over to as all previous attempts to recruit a Ugandan nurse had failed. When I had been at home I had spoken to a few people about my feelings; I was feeling disappointed that I had spent</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> a good part of the year organising, revamping and implementing (what I thought was) a fool proof medical notes system. Also, after having juggled the nursing role on my own for the best part of the year whilst ensuring that all the children were up to date with immunisations, medical appointments, medication etc, I was concerned that this may not be keep going. I had implemented spreadsheets and charts to ensure all medical jobs were completed each week/month/year and that nothing could get missed. I was worried that these small things, which actually make the system work well, would just fall by the wayside if I wasn't able to physically hand it over to another nurse. This does not mean in any way that those living here would fail to ensure the kids were in good health but I knew that with the day to day running and the management of everyday illnesses and hospital appointments some of these other small things might have to be dropped as each person already had a too big work load in their own roles. I kept fighting with God wondering why on earth I had spent so long this year working on those things which I believed were good if I was just going to leave them behind not knowing if another nurse would even see them or understand my system if I wasn't there to explain and hand it over.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, I returned to Uganda with this heavy heart to find that whilst I had been away a nurse had applied for the job! One of the directors here and the administrator had already done a provisional interview but had asked her to return so I could complete the interview with my questions and so I could meet her. When I met Ruth on the Wednesday, instantly I knew that everything was going to be ok. We all loved her and knew that she could handle the role. We told her Wednesday afternoon that she had got the job and asked her to start here with us asap. She said she might be able to come by Saturday which was amazing. Then on Wednesday night she telephoned the director and asked if she could come the next day! She arrived with us on Thursday and started work Friday morning - I had only been back at GSF 3 days when God confirmed to me that this one burden that had been weighing on my heart was going to be ok. I feel so passionate about the medical role here that I couldn't bear to see that it wouldn't be fully managed to it's full potential and that our precious children might not have a nurse here on site.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ruth has been here almost 3 weeks and has settled into the role amazingly. She is confident, experienced and is great with the children. We are blessed to have her working here at GSF and I know she will do a wonderful job continuing to implement all of my systems that I have been so precious about!</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I received an email a couple of weeks ago from a friend at Church who had been singing the hymn; </span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">'Great is your faithfulness' </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">...Morning by morning new mercies I see.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">All I have needed your hand has provided,</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">Great is your faithfulness, Lord unto me.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This friend reminded me how true these words are and how she knew how God will be faithful to me right until the end of my time here in Uganda and beyond. What a great promise we have in that and how much I can rejoice these days in our new Nurse and see how God, in his timing provided just what I needed</span></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #19429a; font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><br /></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #19429a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
</div>Katieinugandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04334399269575099691noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7543328803293177786.post-81644618582774219932012-05-29T12:02:00.000+01:002012-05-30T18:45:51.004+01:00A little funny for you to enjoy.....<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div style="font-family: Helvetica;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia4jDcxmwnpDuV-VIGMK3-afVOpSZd5PpU-ZbW1uxVrtGsM1VMpdcjm5CsOGWLJko7ccES0iLzEmAxdGcnt9V9r9LiUyBssBVVkUb16xyEq3DLjp4xRfXWlm3DxI0dKOAEvM1fxNKrow0/s1600/DSCF7664.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia4jDcxmwnpDuV-VIGMK3-afVOpSZd5PpU-ZbW1uxVrtGsM1VMpdcjm5CsOGWLJko7ccES0iLzEmAxdGcnt9V9r9LiUyBssBVVkUb16xyEq3DLjp4xRfXWlm3DxI0dKOAEvM1fxNKrow0/s400/DSCF7664.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;">I was taking baby Ben to the local hospital yesterday and was preparing to leave GSF to take him there. His housemother had him prepared for me and I collected him from her. He was dressed smartly in a vest, babygrow, hat and had 2 thick blankets around him. You may think that I would have gasped in horror at this poor baby being swaddled in so much clothing in 30c degree heat but this has become normal to me. When I first came here I used to be in a constant battle with the mothers who had their babies covered up in the heat here. I would unwrap them and then as soon as they would take their babies back off me they would wrap them back up again! It's cultural here to wrap babies under 3 months up and is the custom wherever you go. I have somehow got used to seeing it and and had to decide a long time ago which battles I would choose to fight here, that being one I gave up on long ago!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM9hh2GEp0avjFEvvRyjWDWUsce8G4ygW8qaW95ex6tAYAIF6vhCCP9SozfrGrvVm31w2fP8tixEQqOuxssesJ4v8xSj5ZLmd-H1-41a7l899-trqgVQw8EuNptNSixkYIig5rp0WdhLM/s1600/DSCF7668.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM9hh2GEp0avjFEvvRyjWDWUsce8G4ygW8qaW95ex6tAYAIF6vhCCP9SozfrGrvVm31w2fP8tixEQqOuxssesJ4v8xSj5ZLmd-H1-41a7l899-trqgVQw8EuNptNSixkYIig5rp0WdhLM/s400/DSCF7668.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;">So, off I went to the hospital with a bundle of blankets and my tiny baby inside. I carried him in where straight away a nurse stopped me and told me off for over-covering the baby!! She said he would be too hot. I know, I thought! - I was just doing what I was told so I wouldn't be told off by the housemother. So, off came the covers and we attended the clinic to see the doctor. When finishing there we moved along to the pharmacy where I sat down to wait for the medicine. Baby Ben was asleep and comfortable in my arms when two mothers came up to me and told me that he would get cold as he wasn't covered properly and that would make him sick. They took him from my arms and swaddled him again in the blankets I had with me showing me how I need to keep his head and face covered so that the wind doesn't 'catch' him!</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLCSpfa28FsftwNA-uC0z3fW_-rM6xG0248-rbJFiQtQucPOBYvAmrGlCNpGMJgatTQ6lNPOQMRNIiN2QFeeyGYnnLxJNbSOJy4HD7Umg5cDFtwIxH4WlgQ-fCr-GJDFVE3fiuNuDapiQ/s1600/DSCF7683.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLCSpfa28FsftwNA-uC0z3fW_-rM6xG0248-rbJFiQtQucPOBYvAmrGlCNpGMJgatTQ6lNPOQMRNIiN2QFeeyGYnnLxJNbSOJy4HD7Umg5cDFtwIxH4WlgQ-fCr-GJDFVE3fiuNuDapiQ/s400/DSCF7683.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
</div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;">I was pleased to get the medicine from the pharmacy fairly quickly as it meant that I was then leaving to head home and away from the gaze of these mothers who thought I was incorrectly caring for this baby! As I was walking out of the hospital the nurse that I had seen when we first came in saw me again and for a second time began telling me off about the amount of covers on him.....poor baby Ben was once again stripped off. We took the car journey back to GSF and I handed him back to his housemother who...guess what?!!.....Yes, told me off for not having had him warm enough and covered from the chill whilst we were out on our trip!</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNMrWrhHwCRX03UfghNSLiFWpKokg3-x4hV5IJ3ShdxNA-WudlU2WBjq32gKegmgU53MLUEpcVjMfpyWzwr1YhyphenhyphennClRj1C6qqZclHwWHYYfcRl4Htb__pn-U-JlF-aMMngF2IYaKGzw_o/s1600/DSCF7672.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNMrWrhHwCRX03UfghNSLiFWpKokg3-x4hV5IJ3ShdxNA-WudlU2WBjq32gKegmgU53MLUEpcVjMfpyWzwr1YhyphenhyphennClRj1C6qqZclHwWHYYfcRl4Htb__pn-U-JlF-aMMngF2IYaKGzw_o/s400/DSCF7672.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;"><br /></span></div>
</div>Katieinugandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04334399269575099691noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7543328803293177786.post-37287872232569063672012-05-26T11:47:00.000+01:002012-05-30T14:20:27.546+01:00Seizure Clinic<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Each month whilst I have been here I have escorted four of our lovely special needs children to the Seizure clinic in Jinja. Today I went along to introduce our new nurse to the delights of the clinic and to try and teach her how it is done. As we arrived I informed her that I would walk her through how I thought it went but I have realised after almost a year of attending I actually still have no idea how this clinic runs!!! Every time I have been to the seizure clinic the format has been slightly different and we spend anywhere from 2 to 6 hours there waiting in different areas, seeing a different amount of professionals and feeling like its the first time we are attending as we have no idea what is going on!</span><br />
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFkWx89BEen0_6tRZxugH_bFrBq9gX2KVLg0HXej_x0Vqd4ULh2jXupMsczp8X8dG3nHTuo_e5I3-pwQ-fYorZqNMVuCR6CRQ6AnVwH9DdJdWban-6ayOW4hmmIfblbSwtThMdrJFcbVw/s1600/DSCF3988.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFkWx89BEen0_6tRZxugH_bFrBq9gX2KVLg0HXej_x0Vqd4ULh2jXupMsczp8X8dG3nHTuo_e5I3-pwQ-fYorZqNMVuCR6CRQ6AnVwH9DdJdWban-6ayOW4hmmIfblbSwtThMdrJFcbVw/s320/DSCF3988.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lilly and Nurse Ruth excited about the trip </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">to the seizure clinic!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is what I told Nurse Ruth what I thought happens...We arrive at the triage desk and hand in the children's hospital books (a bit like medical notes but the patient keeps them). The books go to the bottom of the pile so that you are placed into a queueing system behind those who have already arrived. When it is finally our time we are called forward to be weighed and have the children's temperatures taken (this happens even though I inform the triage station every time that all of our children have recent weights that I have taken myself). We then move inside and join another queue to wait and see the doctor. When we are at the front of that line (which is a series of 5 wooden benches that you move along and forward on) we are allowed into the corridor where the doctors room is and we sit in another short queue until you are called into the doctors office. We see the doctor and then walk out to the pharmacy door and hand our books in there. We will then move around to the front of the pharmacy and sit and wait until our names are called and the pharmacist tells us if they have or do not have the medicine we have been waiting and have come for! That's it! Simple you would think.....except.....</span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-IwHarp3NVVdGSu21-Sgg-tLRCK2zJlnCnmyrClkYU9LppMRXlB7IBSdUr3VqAqqB7e7nT12Dk4RltyDh8CZn8eVVRMIGpJdiYG5scHqklStqNe2nf1YBaerdihFmS-Ae2b-aJmtAmt0/s1600/DSCF3989.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-IwHarp3NVVdGSu21-Sgg-tLRCK2zJlnCnmyrClkYU9LppMRXlB7IBSdUr3VqAqqB7e7nT12Dk4RltyDh8CZn8eVVRMIGpJdiYG5scHqklStqNe2nf1YBaerdihFmS-Ae2b-aJmtAmt0/s320/DSCF3989.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">During our 2 hour weight at the triage station this young<br /> boy taught me how to play 'Doru'. A game similar to <br />tiddly winks but using stones instead.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Some days I have totally skipped the triage station. A nurse will recognise one of our children when we arrive and will usher us straight away to the queue in the corridor or to the inside building. We have </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">been another time and waited and waited to have their weights and temperatures taken and when I go to the desk to question why we haven't been called I am told we are in the wrong line and we have to go to another desk?! (that just happened once and I have never seen this other desk before or since!) Some days we have waited in all the lines and then the doctor has left before we even got to see them....there is no knowing what surprises seizure clinic holds!!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv-PF5OZG8BU2UUbuttChntPehiOm8ITxpMbIEvgvIJx4R1ir2NzJ2rqRGnh427T2cUduXphnQSrBY6PVSGNYhyiKavAAXjL8sIqJSfM6QUYuxlRxmWvn0Hqr2tV04MNricid8VJ2965g/s1600/DSCF3992.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv-PF5OZG8BU2UUbuttChntPehiOm8ITxpMbIEvgvIJx4R1ir2NzJ2rqRGnh427T2cUduXphnQSrBY6PVSGNYhyiKavAAXjL8sIqJSfM6QUYuxlRxmWvn0Hqr2tV04MNricid8VJ2965g/s320/DSCF3992.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lilly fed up with waiting and catches a few<br />winks!!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As this was my last time attending this clinic I was secretly hoping for a brief, easy visit and something that was straight forward so that I could show Nurse Ruth how it is done. That was not to be and at every stage of the process last Wednesday something didn't quite go according to plan! The books got lost amongst some others when we handed them as the triage guy in charge didn't seem to have any sort of system in place. This meant that we waited over 2 hours just for the triage nurse to take our children's weights (which I had taken last week but he didn't want those ones, however he was happy for me to take them on his scales and write them in the books myself whilst he did someone else!) We then moved inside and found out that the general paediatric doctor was not at work so the seizure clinic doctor was seeing everybody that day! We sat inside for 4 hours and 25 minutes on a wooden bench until it was our turn to be seen. Once we finally made it to the front of the line my four very patient, tolerant and well behaved children were only in with the doctor for 9 minutes at which point he said 'just continue'!! Aaaargh! It can be so frustrating some days! Off to the pharmacy we then went where they only had a 2 week supply of some of the medicines that we needed so we had to go to the drug store to buy the rest.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAl2wvuzErOxt4g57qzODlrnP4hE7Apsw3E_8yL9MWPmXl2F9Fm3Q6X0ho3EI0XCvJqukh60Oq7vHkQhdqTGrrrLlD88_3vjLgczVRxZqVmGfu81YwuUTw_6xiHTVUC1H6ZSHrUFCU1JQ/s1600/DSCF3993.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAl2wvuzErOxt4g57qzODlrnP4hE7Apsw3E_8yL9MWPmXl2F9Fm3Q6X0ho3EI0XCvJqukh60Oq7vHkQhdqTGrrrLlD88_3vjLgczVRxZqVmGfu81YwuUTw_6xiHTVUC1H6ZSHrUFCU1JQ/s320/DSCF3993.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">Lilly making us laugh! Her and Moses entertain us for most of the wait and were making hats from their jumpers :) They have such beautiful personalities and their laughs are infectious. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
My poor derriere was numb and I was so bored from having waited 7 hours to see the doctor for all of 9 minutes. I was frustrated, discouraged and annoyed for our children and all of the sick children that have to go through this system each time they are unwell or have a hospital appointment. The majority of the children that attend seizure clinic, like ours, also have special needs and it asks so much of them for them to have to sit for this length of time. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am still learning patience - it has certainly improved this year but still isn't quite up to Ugandan standards!!</span></div>
<div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj44-5LZr7JIPVF-RQ9HPHT4UR1l84n_L54y8OS1-Ntm1a3A2O3Ju94XQf75LnS9TihWykpZkcVlZmXMAevikxj8nySgXKNJOShRl2IbSnLkH4OafBhna5VIafEZDquAG6O_fKjVHl036E/s1600/DSCF3994.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj44-5LZr7JIPVF-RQ9HPHT4UR1l84n_L54y8OS1-Ntm1a3A2O3Ju94XQf75LnS9TihWykpZkcVlZmXMAevikxj8nySgXKNJOShRl2IbSnLkH4OafBhna5VIafEZDquAG6O_fKjVHl036E/s400/DSCF3994.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Moses still happy after waiting nearly 6 hours and having missed lunch!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoKgy7Rz8jQU6Y8R9qZ0guElWxmSlX_UFs1FRTPYxWN76N2h2VX3I8-Jn-CaJ8aXnF9h8LAeO0rbMG0FNkkDN87C0ZpEzIk_FkOnn3HdyIDs_CR2zqdNGcFbVlyUI41f5AzafTEvcBG58/s1600/DSCF3998.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoKgy7Rz8jQU6Y8R9qZ0guElWxmSlX_UFs1FRTPYxWN76N2h2VX3I8-Jn-CaJ8aXnF9h8LAeO0rbMG0FNkkDN87C0ZpEzIk_FkOnn3HdyIDs_CR2zqdNGcFbVlyUI41f5AzafTEvcBG58/s400/DSCF3998.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">L-R: Auntie Marjorine, Moses, Auntie Joyce, Auntie Rose and Tom</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I can't say that I am going to miss seizure clinic in the slightest but what I will miss is spending time with these special ladies and children who have entertained me, chatted to me, shared jokes, sodas and stories with me over the last 11 months during the many, many hours we have had together in this clinic. </span></div>
</div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ9GAjYU3j6LsNAmq5M6thgtFcEAQcatgFo_ZWBQm-XikSEHQRTXo8wBRA5-djbnAiSSpBulmIiu_2wRsMIY0GkVMDhvwcVpoyb9qPPDU1bOBDlVIu3fbeIwde5dbcq_jJ81065UDfDB0/s1600/DSCF3995.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ9GAjYU3j6LsNAmq5M6thgtFcEAQcatgFo_ZWBQm-XikSEHQRTXo8wBRA5-djbnAiSSpBulmIiu_2wRsMIY0GkVMDhvwcVpoyb9qPPDU1bOBDlVIu3fbeIwde5dbcq_jJ81065UDfDB0/s400/DSCF3995.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tom</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeM7GblWRm5Mscci-ChhOeGgQjNLQ9b6JGN7CoH7dXMQbCtYta2DeRk6oYLl13-W66yF2_J4Kv1GYPYgWzzYQQ0jFRO7qgb8hMh33CFVzMnXPgSjdOMlwe2057yvuR4_Cj3pvd1oO2pk4/s1600/DSCF3996.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeM7GblWRm5Mscci-ChhOeGgQjNLQ9b6JGN7CoH7dXMQbCtYta2DeRk6oYLl13-W66yF2_J4Kv1GYPYgWzzYQQ0jFRO7qgb8hMh33CFVzMnXPgSjdOMlwe2057yvuR4_Cj3pvd1oO2pk4/s400/DSCF3996.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Rosie</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
</div>Katieinugandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04334399269575099691noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7543328803293177786.post-70217461455566703382012-05-21T13:59:00.000+01:002012-05-25T14:08:59.264+01:00New faces<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We have two beautiful new faces around here. Welcome to Gloria, 3 yrs and Leticia, 18mths who arrived whilst I was away last week. They are cousins to Daniel, David and Efluansi who also </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">came to GSF last month and they are settling in really well. All five children were living in the same household and their family members were no longer able to care for them all anymore. We are very happy to have them here with us and to getting to know them all.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKv6rFxzIqZuK4qptkcnOzu7j0KQ5J0XHaloqyzmNo1-OoUCxOl8-gT_F1-RXNGQIKVq138PQ6xdQDED1nP7eIJgzyAqQBt8VTk-FiunL5E5ak6vFr0H8dCkInYdPAt2oWTk-vMdUEmJ4/s1600/DSCF7265.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKv6rFxzIqZuK4qptkcnOzu7j0KQ5J0XHaloqyzmNo1-OoUCxOl8-gT_F1-RXNGQIKVq138PQ6xdQDED1nP7eIJgzyAqQBt8VTk-FiunL5E5ak6vFr0H8dCkInYdPAt2oWTk-vMdUEmJ4/s400/DSCF7265.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Leticia<br /></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTMXQ3hj8ojxt1In_mBGKoJky3lKHDMAhDZ5M_HsqIesannn-GQDuRyEkcuTzoNm88VxnK0Zv5mC9KAdbRFwrlkf2I87poGYJJVhE2XAZwHggQt9-J-aPIw9tVS4rsrk-wF7D9BSA8S-w/s1600/DSCF7434.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTMXQ3hj8ojxt1In_mBGKoJky3lKHDMAhDZ5M_HsqIesannn-GQDuRyEkcuTzoNm88VxnK0Zv5mC9KAdbRFwrlkf2I87poGYJJVhE2XAZwHggQt9-J-aPIw9tVS4rsrk-wF7D9BSA8S-w/s400/DSCF7434.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Gloria</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>Katieinugandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04334399269575099691noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7543328803293177786.post-18615490521925162382012-05-19T21:18:00.000+01:002012-05-19T21:18:06.522+01:00Goodbye is not forever<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was reading a friends blog this week which was about goodbyes and it got me thinking about this phrase, 'Goodbye is not forever'.</span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZea1vyJO1lC18kZYgs18qR7AKeUKtfBp7OHfTtyNWj9dMq73Ecn7Fe9i_IXZUruIYrkDuaL9BRXVn7zEHXlBY5MHGqKN1-he-YCtLQDh8GC_vpYzKiKe8d3NMks7rdOIBZwZAqsnaXrk/s1600/DSCF7104.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZea1vyJO1lC18kZYgs18qR7AKeUKtfBp7OHfTtyNWj9dMq73Ecn7Fe9i_IXZUruIYrkDuaL9BRXVn7zEHXlBY5MHGqKN1-he-YCtLQDh8GC_vpYzKiKe8d3NMks7rdOIBZwZAqsnaXrk/s400/DSCF7104.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;">Having just been in the UK for my Nan's funeral it made me smile to think that the goodbye I have just said is only temporary and that one day soon I will see my beautiful Nanna again. On that day I will be able to hold her hands, sing, praise and dance together with my Nan celebrating for an eternity with Jesus. As I sang the song 'Happy Day' in our devotions last night I was encouraged by the words; "When we stand in that place, free at last meeting face to face, I am yours, Jesus you are mine. Endless joy, perfect peace, earthly pain finally will cease, as we celebrate Jesus is alive".</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;">Our goodbye not forever, for now, it is just temporary.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;">Whilst I was at the airport last week saying goodbye to my Mum, Dad and best friend I must admit I got a little choked up.The parting was sad especially after having such an emotional and hard two weeks together but this was eased with the thought that I will be with them again in 8 weeks. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;">Saying goodbye is not forever, we will see each other again very soon.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;">As I arrived back to GSF it was with joy but also with a slightly saddened heart. I know that my last weeks will go by quickly and that time is short. As I am arriving I am preparing myself to say my goodbyes to all of the children and friends I have made here. I am already thinking about the things I need to do in order to wind my nursing roles down and preparing to hand jobs over to others so that they can continue well when I am gone. I have however come back refreshed and ready to "finish well". This phrase is one that has been going through my head in the UK and now I am back here at GSF, I want to finish well. I want to get to the end of this assignment having done my best and achieved to the best I can. In Philippians 3 Paul talks about pressing on towards the goal (our ultimate goal - being with Jesus forever) and running the race. Paul's eyes were fixed upon this goal and nothing was going to distract him from it. In my last few weeks I want to complete this part of my race well, to not loose focus and not be distracted by sadness, emotions, tiredness, or other obstacles that may come along to put me off course.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;">I want to finish well so I am going to make every effort to make the most of every interaction I have, every smile I see, each wound I bandage, every hand shake I give, every stomach ache I treat, each meal time I enjoy and every hug I share with those I am with here. I am going to strive to do my best in my workplace and in handing over a solid and efficient nursing service and in those times where I feel the sadness in my heart of moving on what I need to cherish are the simple but precious moments I have had over the months here. Those moments that sometimes just pass by as usual events of the day but are actually special memories. I have already been blessed with a plethora of these and can instantly come up with memory from a few months ago </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">which makes me smile each time I think of it. I remember being at one of the children's houses for dinner one evening after eating together Amanda and I were playing with the little girls. Somebody got tickled and then everyone was running around screaming "Tickle me, Auntie Amanda, tickle me Nurse Katie, tickle me!" It was a wonderful moment where Amanda and I were able to love on these kids and play with them just the way my mum played with me when I was little. It was such a tender moment. These darling children although having very special house mothers who love and care for them sometimes miss out on these unique and special moments as their house mum's have 10 or so children to care for and don't have enough hands to cook, clean and tickle at the same time! These moments that I had as a child and that I have now been able to share with some wonderful little girls here and will remain with me for a long time.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;">So, as I prepare for the next few weeks I am going to strive in God's strength to do my best and finish this part of my race well. When I was at my Nan's funeral last week, at the cemetery and during the burial our Minister read out some verses that my Nan had always had as her favourite and had requested to be read. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">Psalm 121 v 1-2 "I lift my eyes to the hills - where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">"</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> I used to read these verses when I was sitting in the mountains in Zimbabwe during my first mission trip and again I am reminded of these verses as I sit here today preparing for what will be a fun, exciting and tough few weeks as I prepare to say goodbye to some very special people.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuBC2gw2i1anD4UY-aVceKyoXVldkha9gE6hlIh3MxFAtdTOj1ZPL0S0St34ue0WG7af2ZZqfWoadGXRCXXBp1F2u5S1HmU2MrK9BW1csWr_37ltGsA__URWF8VxyNS1q0LG5z1_ubWvs/s1600/DSCF7112.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuBC2gw2i1anD4UY-aVceKyoXVldkha9gE6hlIh3MxFAtdTOj1ZPL0S0St34ue0WG7af2ZZqfWoadGXRCXXBp1F2u5S1HmU2MrK9BW1csWr_37ltGsA__URWF8VxyNS1q0LG5z1_ubWvs/s400/DSCF7112.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br /></div>Katieinugandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04334399269575099691noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7543328803293177786.post-62568121010211143422012-05-13T08:00:00.000+01:002012-05-13T08:05:29.439+01:00Check out Synergy's new website...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Synergy (Africa Inland Missions Short-term programme) have just relaunched their website after giving it a new look and I am featured on there. To take a look at my interview questions click on the link below and see what I have had to say about my experiences of serving in Africa this year.</span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.synergyafrica.com/katie-mead-orphanage-nurse/" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">http://www.synergyafrica.com/katie-mead-orphanage-nurse/</span></a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>Katieinugandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04334399269575099691noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7543328803293177786.post-90035246386364429072012-04-30T15:26:00.000+01:002012-05-09T15:31:34.128+01:00Special People - Jaja Mary and Nanna Stephens<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This month I wanted to talk to you about a very special lady I have met in Uganda called Jaja (grandmother) Mary. Jaja Mary has been around GSF for years. She used to be the matron of GSF many years ago and from I hear she kept a firm control on things! The men who work at GSF and used to live in the orphanage are all still treated by Jaja Mary as her 'boys' and she will look them up each time she visits and keeps them all in check.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg64WPqMdrbmd9cpGxZvY_TderC-TNDNJFK6OxwES1pWWdHE5h3t1lGamXFLTWHp1oRUbc6iE9ELqW7cE1oibGNZEPf_KcnJpnlzca_yXpRjphKl2CjZbz4ttliRyzElEp7Gix88QsKRNU/s1600/DSCF4303.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg64WPqMdrbmd9cpGxZvY_TderC-TNDNJFK6OxwES1pWWdHE5h3t1lGamXFLTWHp1oRUbc6iE9ELqW7cE1oibGNZEPf_KcnJpnlzca_yXpRjphKl2CjZbz4ttliRyzElEp7Gix88QsKRNU/s320/DSCF4303.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Since being at GSF I have got to know Jaja Mary and have come to know what a kind, gentle and fun spirited lady she is. She is a Godly inspiration to me and I love every meeting we have. She brightens the room when she arrives and is loved by everyone at GSF. She will not tell anyone her age and amazes me that despite her advanced years she can still walk for miles and hop on and off of bodas to get around the village. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH8uCBs-A0BB_Qlub_D07HCrRm_zZVyIVXyJGfzta2-2U9aXf5pTbkFArtHepV0qAFcdfPpiBzXD38ppLkXBdFE8TsYRIhcJAV7Y_AveOMmcnkIwUzZdPR49gx_nizNIS3Ge4lXN3NQUM/s1600/DSCF5030.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH8uCBs-A0BB_Qlub_D07HCrRm_zZVyIVXyJGfzta2-2U9aXf5pTbkFArtHepV0qAFcdfPpiBzXD38ppLkXBdFE8TsYRIhcJAV7Y_AveOMmcnkIwUzZdPR49gx_nizNIS3Ge4lXN3NQUM/s320/DSCF5030.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jaja Mary has become like my Ugandan grandmother and I enjoy spending time with her and despite not being able to speak much of the same language together we enjoy sharing smiles, holding hands, hugging and just laughing together.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbzLtSdfmHiShS2XsDOJst4Ca5GlhyphenhyphenrOHgG9-3F07uFr_3de9JGwDobYIKZLM_M9AT_P0Yc_3XTtKkdjPgfVG19IEKfxFjNWOG4Thtl8ZXePxmtcBOH-3tenJRjoollC5utQ6ghqcs2WY/s1600/DSCF4387.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbzLtSdfmHiShS2XsDOJst4Ca5GlhyphenhyphenrOHgG9-3F07uFr_3de9JGwDobYIKZLM_M9AT_P0Yc_3XTtKkdjPgfVG19IEKfxFjNWOG4Thtl8ZXePxmtcBOH-3tenJRjoollC5utQ6ghqcs2WY/s320/DSCF4387.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This brings me onto another special grandmother. Whilst having written this blog I have come home for a couple of weeks since hearing the news of my very dear Nanna who died aged 90yrs on the 28th April 2012. My Nanna was a strong Christian lady who I know right now is singing, dancing and celebrating in heaven with her Jesus. For years she has talked about going 'home', it is something she has lived for. My nan has been an amazing inspiration and Christian role model to me and I know just how privileged I have been to have had such an amazing grandmother who has taught me about being cheerful and trusting in God no matter what the situation.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX_cHe_-crjXzedQtVT7SXwgYzTKWEPIPg50d82T2oJPHau-XWTBNKzKIPm8y-5QHFjRQrVOxNUcUKSAubm93Jtc67-HRFIbodVlRziaY4_DOSScyw3tNrtXmSUM1w0gywoUf8-jZJaaY/s1600/IMG_0656.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX_cHe_-crjXzedQtVT7SXwgYzTKWEPIPg50d82T2oJPHau-XWTBNKzKIPm8y-5QHFjRQrVOxNUcUKSAubm93Jtc67-HRFIbodVlRziaY4_DOSScyw3tNrtXmSUM1w0gywoUf8-jZJaaY/s320/IMG_0656.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have been so grateful that I have had this time at home with my family. It has been amazing to ready the encouraging words of condolence we have been sent in cards and to meet people in town who have shared their own memories of my Nan. Everyone who knew her remembers her wonderful smile, cheerful spirit, kindness, humble nature and most importantly her faith, trust and belief in God. I have been blessed to have had such a wonderful Nanna who has over the years loved me, cared for me, encouraged me, taught me about the Word of God and been an inspiration for me. As we prepare for her celebration and thanksgiving service I can look back on so many memories of precious moments I had with this amazing lady.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUzzbdSFNQ9JPB6WSdhyphenhyphenXSPaNpSaLjSkYdEwPXOyZh-4GVGN3D1gqm8MAlEtyVkO_PSzQUiR8BIr35Uw7W0gZ-h8m_ctnU2tVCdKfDEE-WPHNr_JeBYF7R5bjWgsSTPxmX68xU27iGZJQ/s1600/IMG_2054.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUzzbdSFNQ9JPB6WSdhyphenhyphenXSPaNpSaLjSkYdEwPXOyZh-4GVGN3D1gqm8MAlEtyVkO_PSzQUiR8BIr35Uw7W0gZ-h8m_ctnU2tVCdKfDEE-WPHNr_JeBYF7R5bjWgsSTPxmX68xU27iGZJQ/s320/IMG_2054.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Kitty Stephens</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">31/07/21 - 28/04/12</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">These words describe my beautiful Nanna;</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">"What does the Lord require of you?</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God."</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">Micah 6 v 8</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTmM4UbyQsJhR-XJmkv40Aslfj93WghPDOurwczK8MESu_wZGFkYUFwCAW07vqwRH2Xotd9JdywKGylfQVPnfe_1fIsu8sjJ215-f_Y4GMdEVwmRnMn7dhIQcx4kkndVGkugDDaToMCbo/s1600/DSCF1553.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTmM4UbyQsJhR-XJmkv40Aslfj93WghPDOurwczK8MESu_wZGFkYUFwCAW07vqwRH2Xotd9JdywKGylfQVPnfe_1fIsu8sjJ215-f_Y4GMdEVwmRnMn7dhIQcx4kkndVGkugDDaToMCbo/s400/DSCF1553.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span id="goog_467170896"></span><span id="goog_467170897"></span></span></div>Katieinugandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04334399269575099691noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7543328803293177786.post-5623933984902804542012-04-26T14:15:00.001+01:002012-04-26T14:15:59.977+01:00Meet our new family members...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At the start of last week GSF welcome in 3 new sibings to the family fold here.</span><div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Welcome to Daniel, 8yrs, Efluansi, 2yrs and David, 1 yr. They are sweet children full of fun and mischief. They are settling in well and seem very much at home already.</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIodi2iJ8Qjayd1OzcduKDxwfmXk79lxSS5GkErrvDgXLwLoaCCLgnteqtyXCcAXKgsQNOcZb7hlnggxStddcK9Hc5BANLKt_dR0i2vfoXBKsoaozh5WSUxLZs55TVHTv3GAXq8DPXsbw/s1600/DSCF7061.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIodi2iJ8Qjayd1OzcduKDxwfmXk79lxSS5GkErrvDgXLwLoaCCLgnteqtyXCcAXKgsQNOcZb7hlnggxStddcK9Hc5BANLKt_dR0i2vfoXBKsoaozh5WSUxLZs55TVHTv3GAXq8DPXsbw/s400/DSCF7061.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then on Thursday evening baby Ben arrived! He was born on Monday and sadly his mother had died in childbirth. He has come to us so that we can be his new family and give him love, care, nourishment and all the cuddles he could want! </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlLwCNQCCKmcRd6L3368tw3zjgIYlEqVHnbhT4Slz2oN364YKppFRgDql0QnNWoDLY6t7z4czf_d9kKcFYzxMcZDyw0jTsw9fUK0LJqrPIw9y_75vvFG2FxYU2cD46SInQPTzS_KFRe6c/s1600/DSCF7067.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlLwCNQCCKmcRd6L3368tw3zjgIYlEqVHnbhT4Slz2oN364YKppFRgDql0QnNWoDLY6t7z4czf_d9kKcFYzxMcZDyw0jTsw9fUK0LJqrPIw9y_75vvFG2FxYU2cD46SInQPTzS_KFRe6c/s400/DSCF7067.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht4b7IvzraHfYaq8RO4sKWvpNDvB6oN2Sl387wVs-PPP-gtJyBBeet1W5XNugSgVZc1bRjYSEZ66qJiTI66nshm4I2kgMmK0NabdavHcC5G76m7rmXjgKBV0MrCIk7ffd-ha-x31toZoI/s1600/DSCF7068.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht4b7IvzraHfYaq8RO4sKWvpNDvB6oN2Sl387wVs-PPP-gtJyBBeet1W5XNugSgVZc1bRjYSEZ66qJiTI66nshm4I2kgMmK0NabdavHcC5G76m7rmXjgKBV0MrCIk7ffd-ha-x31toZoI/s400/DSCF7068.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Please pray for these precious children as they adjust to living at GSF, as they make friends and become part of the family.</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>Katieinugandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04334399269575099691noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7543328803293177786.post-37005848499173666172012-04-25T04:56:00.000+01:002012-04-25T15:42:47.878+01:00A crazy week!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;">My mum left and then
before I knew it, it was the middle of April! I cannot believe how fast time is
flying. I had always thought that once my mum had left I would really be
counting down the weeks to my return and then it was here. Eeeek!! I have 11
weeks left here and I can feel the time slipping away. I have had a great few
weeks with all my visitors but there was certainly no time to get sad because
as soon as I was back on site from dropping my mum off my crazy week started.....</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;">On Sunday night I
returned from dropping my mum off in Entebbe to find Laureen, 5yrs who had a very swollen left elbow after having fallen
over giving her friend a piggyback! I was not sure if it was fractured so we went
off to the local clinic the next morning for an xray (we still do not have
confirmation as the xray reporter ended up not being at the clinic that day!
The technician did say a fracture was unlikely and now her arm is fortunately
slowly improving! He said if it doesn’t get better its probably broken and to
come back!! Great diagnostics!) <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;">On my return from the clinic on Monday I did my rounds to find that Eddie had measles. The team here were
amazing and all worked together to get him shipped out of his house as we
wanted to protect one of our other HIV children in that house who has not been immunised and
is at risk. Eddie is now doing well and back in his house with his friends. We
have since had a number of cases of measles reported in the village and in our school and
have been told that there is a measles epidemic in this area. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;">In the middle of this
I had also been administering IV antibiotics to one of our HIV children every
12 hours. Phillip has a chronic ear infection that is only sensitive to a
certain antibiotic and we began that antibiotic course also on Monday! On
Wednesday morning unfortunately that IV cannula stopped working so at 6.30am Phillip and I went to the clinic where I tried to recannulate him. What a challenge
he was! After his stay in hospital in November when he was really sick they
must have used and used every possible vein in his body to the point he hardly
has any left!! He was such an amazing boy and let me prick him until we got one
in and even helped me to stick it down and hand me things with his one free
hand – he was a fab assistant! As a reward we both had some chocolate for
breakfast!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;">On Wednesday, after cannulating Phillip, I took
Faziri to hospital in Kampala for his monthly check up. I had gone with a really heavy
heart knowing that we would be sitting in the waiting room waiting for 4-5 hours
just to see a doctor for 10 minutes. I walked into the reception and after
handing in my paper went to the back of the queue trying to ready myself for
the long wait. As we walked into the waiting area the doctor who saw us last time
saw us smiled and said ‘see you soon’ - Haha I thought! Behind him was one of
the nurses who then led me to the front bench. I was confused and also starting to
get embarrassed as everyone was looking at me. I hate the ‘white skin’ thing where we often get offered
special treatment and I really try to avoid this where I can but she was
insistent that I wait at the front. As she then called me to go in she told me how
grateful they are that people like me come to help them and their children in Uganda and
the least she could do is try and help me a little. I could have hugged her! I have seen this nurse on the
last two occasions I have been at this hospital and she has sat and chatted to me as I’ve
waited – it’s a novelty for them to have a ‘muzungu’ (white person) sitting with everyone else
waiting in the government hospital and she always makes a bee-line for me! I
was flabbergasted to be in and out in 15 minutes (my other two hospital waits with this child were 9 hours and 5 hours) and after telling my driver I
would call him later (he knew that meant much later!) I was ringing him with
the exciting news that we were ready to leave. This nurse made my week, what an
angel she is!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;">Back at GSF whist going
back and forth between Eddie with the measles and Phillip for his antibiotics, I
had also been seeing the usual day to day clinic patients when I also started
to get a steady stream of children coming to me who had either vomited and/or
had diarrhoea. It took me a few cases to figure out that not everyone had
malaria (always my first assumption!) and there was a bug spreading around the children's houses. We are now seeing the tail end of that and my work is getting back to a
normal pace. The last 4 days have felt like a marathon! </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;">What with saying
goodbye to my visitors and then work being a bit crazy I have had a whirlwind
of a week and that’s without even mentioning the four new children that have
arrived to join our family here – wait for the next blog!! </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;">No pictures this week. Sorry, too busy!!! :)</span></span><o:p></o:p><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;"><br /></span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><b> Philippians 4 v 19 "And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus."</b></span></span></div>
</div>
</div>Katieinugandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04334399269575099691noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7543328803293177786.post-55791120313294860052012-04-24T06:07:00.003+01:002012-04-24T06:07:35.655+01:00The risks of being a child in the village<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;">Before my mum left and
on her last day here with me in the orphanage she got to witness one of those
sad stories that I see here from time to time.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKYseMXmxCN1llS711jUoiJBs6m_aY05kyL1efvH2bTAXY0u570acw7IS4VTQD_cxjrIvnl3TZRi1HCHt0-F5bfO77ejmc3xri-s5CO_kxE9UPPFLfGwwTzAleQjuvmkwdKjdkIux-2Vk/s1600/DSCF7058.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKYseMXmxCN1llS711jUoiJBs6m_aY05kyL1efvH2bTAXY0u570acw7IS4VTQD_cxjrIvnl3TZRi1HCHt0-F5bfO77ejmc3xri-s5CO_kxE9UPPFLfGwwTzAleQjuvmkwdKjdkIux-2Vk/s400/DSCF7058.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;">This is Godwin. He is
five years old. He was brought to see me by his father who works here on site
in the farm at GSF. Straight away both my mum and I could see that Godwin had the most
awfully infected earlobe. It was huge and he must have been in so much pain.
His father explained that the ear had become infected after he had tried to
‘pierce’ his son (pierce his ear).
Godwin’s father explained that they are living in a poor part of the
local village and their hut is deep in the village, far from the road. They
know that there is a witch doctor in that area who is catching children for
sacrifices. Godwin’s cousin had been chased last week by the witch doctor, which had frightened the
family so they started to pierce the children, and sadly Godwin’s had gone
wrong. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;">I explained to my mum
that witch doctors in this area take ‘perfect’ children and behead them. They
then offer their heads as a sacrifice to their gods. Offerings are made for all
sorts of reasons and local people will approach the witch doctor and ask them
to make sacrifices on their behalf (and at a cost). A child sacrifice is the
highest of them all. A child will only be taken if he or she is ‘perfect’, i.e.
has no scars or defects on their head. Families here will all
pierce the children’s ears in order to make sure that they are not eligible to
be taken. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;">Seeing Godwin reminded me of another example one of our teenagers had told us
when she returned back to GSF from a home visit at Christmas. She had watched one of the witch doctors
carry a 6-month-old baby off to the forest and then later return without the
baby. Everyone in the village knew what he was doing. We asked her why no one
called the police but she said that the police would not come or do anything
about it so no-one bothers. We asked her how she was dealing with it as it sounded quite traumatic and she just shrugged and said that it
was just how it was here.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;">It shocks me that
families here have to deal with this and it is 'just' something that happens.
Life is so tough here. Godwin’s father said that as soon as the ear was healed
he would again try to pierce his ear because he wants to protect him and make sure he was not at risk. The family are unable to move away as Godwin's father cannot afford another property that is in a ‘safer’
area. Please pray for Godwin, his cousin and for all of the children living
in the village who are exposed to such horrendous risks. Pray for God’s
protection over these precious children and over the dark powers that are in
this country. </span></span><o:p></o:p></div>
<!--EndFragment-->
</div>Katieinugandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04334399269575099691noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7543328803293177786.post-20689228216374404562012-04-23T21:47:00.001+01:002012-04-23T22:00:53.726+01:00''What happened to the road?!'<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then it was my Mum’s
turn to see Africa! My mum made us laugh from the moment she arrived. As we
pulled out of the airport we drove onto a dirt road to which my mum exclaimed,
“Oh my goodness, what has happened to the road?!” We couldn’t stop laughing at
her shock. I explained that 'This is Africa' and roads just happen to be full of
mud and pot holes. Our taxi driver really laughed. I think she made his day!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmgl3tfgSSg2BFqXMJxAXE1EESFLs8KAPjbJOryuhTYuqZWNhDm9mx_M8BJW4NyuTvUKuss6fjlU_CXQlSi7sxfda6h0yyh6Q5Y5uv_XIZRchpuB7m5qxMgttqGcbTrrInTjF7z41eOZE/s1600/DSCF7035.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmgl3tfgSSg2BFqXMJxAXE1EESFLs8KAPjbJOryuhTYuqZWNhDm9mx_M8BJW4NyuTvUKuss6fjlU_CXQlSi7sxfda6h0yyh6Q5Y5uv_XIZRchpuB7m5qxMgttqGcbTrrInTjF7z41eOZE/s400/DSCF7035.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;">As I said my mum
arrived during Leah’s last couple of days here and after waving Leah off at the
airport I took my mum on the journey from Entebbe back to GSF. It was great for
me to experience Uganda again through someone else’s eyes. I have become used
to the roads, the unrefrigerated butchers huts with meat hanging in the sun,
the children waving and shouting ‘Muzungu’ as we pass, the beautiful scenery
and sugar cane fields. It was lovely to see this all again with new eyes, much
like I did on that first journey I made to the orphanage when I first arrived. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As we arrived my mum
had ‘The Greeting’ at the gate with the children singing and dancing to welcome
her in. We then spent the next few hours unpacking her 2 very heavy suitcases. In
her cases she had lots of lovely gifts for the children and I and I got to
enjoy a second birthday celebration opening many, many cards and presents from
friends and family. Thank you to all those who sent special parcels with my
mum!!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;"><br /></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5IDXqgDvX8ohBFlc6v-lCaecUJqabB6Sg8tEAsla4YMJkTa9g7znEH-SB5WAUjt6UR1_OoIw6yofMjL_RkzcvsVCbnwICBDp3vJMSvvnkeGTHD6a5EuHwDtrKFqiNmPrYo06aw6fISnM/s1600/DSCF6617.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5IDXqgDvX8ohBFlc6v-lCaecUJqabB6Sg8tEAsla4YMJkTa9g7znEH-SB5WAUjt6UR1_OoIw6yofMjL_RkzcvsVCbnwICBDp3vJMSvvnkeGTHD6a5EuHwDtrKFqiNmPrYo06aw6fISnM/s400/DSCF6617.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Crossing the Equator</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_foLFI4v3u9S8U4d7aS5Po51iZLdjqpRs_cjZOksko3V1owubCQH1BVPe8BMjktG7X34PwpVNa4siqXR-KIcG55Sh0ACgMII6j_HraaIy5Dofz3bVCR_IUnslYL9wJ7RjFlP8L9aMRXI/s1600/DSCF6816.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_foLFI4v3u9S8U4d7aS5Po51iZLdjqpRs_cjZOksko3V1owubCQH1BVPe8BMjktG7X34PwpVNa4siqXR-KIcG55Sh0ACgMII6j_HraaIy5Dofz3bVCR_IUnslYL9wJ7RjFlP8L9aMRXI/s400/DSCF6816.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Beautiful Volcanic Craters</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;">My mum’s two weeks
were spent playing with the children, cuddling many babies, working in the
nursery school on site and leaning how they teach ‘African stlye’, being the
nurses assistant (and what a good she did – she even helped me diagnose one day
after having poured over medical books with me looking for a diagnosis!) and
experiencing safari!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;">We went to Queen
Elizabeth Safari Park for a few days for our safari, which was beautiful. It’s
in the west of Uganda near the Congo border and surrounded by the Rwenzori
Mountains. The scenery was amazing and we were really fortunate to be on a tour
with 6 other wonderful and very fun people. Three Spaniards who were taking a
break from their roles working for MSF in Sudan, a Belgium who was touring
Africa and had one big camera with a massive zoom! – We all had a good peak at
the animals close up every time he spotted something on the game drive. Also an
American guy who is travelling around East Africa writing the history of the
national parks as part of his PHD. We were blessed to be with such a great
group of people and enjoyed fun filled days together and great evenings in the
lodge chatting over dinner. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQeYpN7PdbmTo46Uu2rBZhvzK4r-SB3ZnZxRH_yS3Wkqv-tYqMTmMcWFK8Hmb9qvtF81MWnZdSEetjQZW67DGSKC-ArByNECbOOuMw8-aPrCRgkrr-4bYqMPrqkGLSJ0i3xTrih7rzGMw/s1600/DSCF6656.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQeYpN7PdbmTo46Uu2rBZhvzK4r-SB3ZnZxRH_yS3Wkqv-tYqMTmMcWFK8Hmb9qvtF81MWnZdSEetjQZW67DGSKC-ArByNECbOOuMw8-aPrCRgkrr-4bYqMPrqkGLSJ0i3xTrih7rzGMw/s400/DSCF6656.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A Lion very far off but still a lion!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;"><br /></span></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN_e_iXL70ao-8Ui4k-4XOtTL_TvI4msG1y-oZz-ks9YmzBzNi11ll4D6pQB5HNhj2EUWGWDnVdDMom_n21QlRFtGm1cXJitrb4FTkxM-7lBkE7KOCqZchgJqtR6j0dDwfUuJiUI6TiyU/s1600/DSCF6763.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN_e_iXL70ao-8Ui4k-4XOtTL_TvI4msG1y-oZz-ks9YmzBzNi11ll4D6pQB5HNhj2EUWGWDnVdDMom_n21QlRFtGm1cXJitrb4FTkxM-7lBkE7KOCqZchgJqtR6j0dDwfUuJiUI6TiyU/s400/DSCF6763.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After a dangerous game of hungry hippos!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbQhvJ2g6wHjR9o5R-G1y5WIfaO1MeRAGnihC6FcQGVGCt8GP2p6_xjuFu08W553-8HbTVW-vDMZ1jDd9vtld2C3J4r11KOvJGfDbcfSvTb4vw2lIeHKALJ8kaAXgdJFaLSLoH7G4TQf8/s1600/DSCF6794.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbQhvJ2g6wHjR9o5R-G1y5WIfaO1MeRAGnihC6FcQGVGCt8GP2p6_xjuFu08W553-8HbTVW-vDMZ1jDd9vtld2C3J4r11KOvJGfDbcfSvTb4vw2lIeHKALJ8kaAXgdJFaLSLoH7G4TQf8/s400/DSCF6794.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNBybut7JZB569lYHeJkaxyZCi-RdHGkSqOh8l0NJ4LByVaLt-5lrkvUEy8F8zl4N0_X5ySFi0suIJULZ34JmNGr2AZDSAyCoIpeTcB-1hvd-UxI6duPJI8nUNTXXxbymV2YHlzWksBi4/s1600/DSCF6832.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNBybut7JZB569lYHeJkaxyZCi-RdHGkSqOh8l0NJ4LByVaLt-5lrkvUEy8F8zl4N0_X5ySFi0suIJULZ34JmNGr2AZDSAyCoIpeTcB-1hvd-UxI6duPJI8nUNTXXxbymV2YHlzWksBi4/s400/DSCF6832.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At the Queens lookout over Queen Elizabeth National Park</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaeQZLtqvkWhub64rKWKYbrRWxw-qHaC-FhMEJX3TaiGxAjZ9cyECocvth0cRniokx-uD7oxBJdbEIQOoCXr7rmizYnuce0RQMiSpof5Rcux49QtW-2pPV1IC_1Xhd7yFGEgFdsE3b6YQ/s1600/DSCF6943.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaeQZLtqvkWhub64rKWKYbrRWxw-qHaC-FhMEJX3TaiGxAjZ9cyECocvth0cRniokx-uD7oxBJdbEIQOoCXr7rmizYnuce0RQMiSpof5Rcux49QtW-2pPV1IC_1Xhd7yFGEgFdsE3b6YQ/s400/DSCF6943.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Three Wise Monkeys!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOXLlfka1aRkBrxrNEGvN4FTNia-d_05Hn9drAEY1LKSMJBoA1gXqyKhRZQH-VUbTDnLyL4IjiBOqC3zeTEZAvBC2VWrrwol9QSjxzV1y2BfCS24DeRdsDh_GFxM-m_Ite3We-KvIqVOg/s1600/DSCF7001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOXLlfka1aRkBrxrNEGvN4FTNia-d_05Hn9drAEY1LKSMJBoA1gXqyKhRZQH-VUbTDnLyL4IjiBOqC3zeTEZAvBC2VWrrwol9QSjxzV1y2BfCS24DeRdsDh_GFxM-m_Ite3We-KvIqVOg/s400/DSCF7001.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Before I knew it my
mum’s two weeks had flown by and we had to say goodbye at the airport. Goodbyes
are always the hardest :(</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx_UxGMF9Ht5DMtYinsQKIDwB8QpbBatNASZLP_20b05k2m98atuK6HOwedK75ty846HS4Pf6MPyi4SvEZAs-UqXXvM98xeaHCGsUpbpR8k_1uDglcIZ4SFjAxcWy-8FjumMZUkzspdr0/s1600/DSCF6848.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx_UxGMF9Ht5DMtYinsQKIDwB8QpbBatNASZLP_20b05k2m98atuK6HOwedK75ty846HS4Pf6MPyi4SvEZAs-UqXXvM98xeaHCGsUpbpR8k_1uDglcIZ4SFjAxcWy-8FjumMZUkzspdr0/s400/DSCF6848.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br /></div>Katieinugandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04334399269575099691noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7543328803293177786.post-90508858620237565542012-04-22T13:44:00.000+01:002012-04-22T15:50:47.884+01:00Happy days<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I can’t believe it’s
been nearly a month since my last blog and it is now already nearing the end of
April. I have had a wonderful few weeks enjoying time with my visitors and
showing them what I am up to here. I have them to blame (my brother and then my
friend Leah and then my mum!) for distracting me from my duties of blogging but
it has been fun to have such special people to me being able to come visit, see
where I am and to experience a little of my day to day life here. I know when I
reach home it will be so good for me to have them to speak to about the things
I have seen and done here.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR6LZZkqm16sZbhj59sLHzUJzzCNPPKzRrDd8KEUyOY9i54y2wZIrXe6UEfKM5UaIBaCKWq0FToIMWFqvQAQdlHsLtbgd-MyJZmExHmQqLV6z3Ig_1IOYxkbDMNAUFe-hdQysn1gvzXnI/s1600/DSCF6514.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR6LZZkqm16sZbhj59sLHzUJzzCNPPKzRrDd8KEUyOY9i54y2wZIrXe6UEfKM5UaIBaCKWq0FToIMWFqvQAQdlHsLtbgd-MyJZmExHmQqLV6z3Ig_1IOYxkbDMNAUFe-hdQysn1gvzXnI/s400/DSCF6514.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At the Source of The Nile</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, two days after my
brother left I then got to have my lovely friend Leah come to visit me for 10
days. I had such fun with her here
and we had a really special time together. We were able to spend some time at
the orphanage as well as some time out and about. Leah had brought a lot of
goodies for the children and for me :) and had a bulging case which incidentally went home almost empty!! Leah
loved the kids and managed to fit lots of cuddles in with all of the babies as
well as getting a small taster of Social Work in Africa. It’s certainly very
different to her Social Work in the UK!</span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2yTAty-qoCxpEUbwJtz-UQv4OsIqtmW2cJktf07Wx0z4_zR80LNzqyilXVCQHOPLsUSs1_QHc6JB5py544seiXnJkc2Pp7cjueZi1uUzhA0cBJXifiUE_pVKTYh6VagvSMqO8RLzXt5U/s1600/DSCF6508.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2yTAty-qoCxpEUbwJtz-UQv4OsIqtmW2cJktf07Wx0z4_zR80LNzqyilXVCQHOPLsUSs1_QHc6JB5py544seiXnJkc2Pp7cjueZi1uUzhA0cBJXifiUE_pVKTYh6VagvSMqO8RLzXt5U/s320/DSCF6508.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigYNS-nF7dyrmgvaG1ely8XSGiI9PSLD5TWLzChN4pXY6fhdbqIm8ZXbs1HIo6pY76Shza7TwnjIz47tJkM-F4wsT8bk1IxNwRNoDcQ10ku7A78D10Qviy74QcaAWoLpxP4Raug91rswY/s1600/DSCF6501.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigYNS-nF7dyrmgvaG1ely8XSGiI9PSLD5TWLzChN4pXY6fhdbqIm8ZXbs1HIo6pY76Shza7TwnjIz47tJkM-F4wsT8bk1IxNwRNoDcQ10ku7A78D10Qviy74QcaAWoLpxP4Raug91rswY/s320/DSCF6501.jpg" width="240" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One of my favourite
parts of Leah’s visit was when she treated me to two nights away at a local
tourist guest lodge. We got to stay in an amazing tent (a posh one with a roof, semi solid walls and an amazing shower!) overlooking the River Nile. We spent time relaxing, quad bike riding, reading, swimming,
watching some beautiful African sunsets and enjoying some great food. Thank you
Leah for my mini break!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;"><span id="goog_2079482080"></span><span id="goog_2079482081"></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvhNXhp26xqCTeVSN8WbktNYpMlrDyUG7ggBdCBh-Z7R_Nams9jp2GKfdudTZbWy3hwArn1YsMVU0TL7kMIfF97bWuCCkzxsaoDKlTLLSrDXbCgrQWVYtqoGprxjAyiNFcrXmwEL4L3Ds/s1600/DSCF6522.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvhNXhp26xqCTeVSN8WbktNYpMlrDyUG7ggBdCBh-Z7R_Nams9jp2GKfdudTZbWy3hwArn1YsMVU0TL7kMIfF97bWuCCkzxsaoDKlTLLSrDXbCgrQWVYtqoGprxjAyiNFcrXmwEL4L3Ds/s400/DSCF6522.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Viewing the sunset over The Nile from the hammock outside our tent</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIR5P9rfDWN2Uhf7wQ3OG_Bb3keT3XhfXtuGiZC-T0YKkLv9VJDmplzNDA6UHJBETeoLU7MTQmXZK0mJkFonzXDtvNsP3iL6INj2rDb4nkJnxTEf3jTPfM2orflcK7vUHC0DVQqI-LHMM/s1600/DSCF6527.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIR5P9rfDWN2Uhf7wQ3OG_Bb3keT3XhfXtuGiZC-T0YKkLv9VJDmplzNDA6UHJBETeoLU7MTQmXZK0mJkFonzXDtvNsP3iL6INj2rDb4nkJnxTEf3jTPfM2orflcK7vUHC0DVQqI-LHMM/s400/DSCF6527.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiVjAxc0gBhBPE-isGRAwx4HmVZDdnZtJ7unoEZ1dw4JdnKilAmHr4MH7zw5kCYX7G9tCa9HrqjdUJrMn4BQ5aVf5Nud02jjZjTQ54tdt05ivglwLmHbBWcBAJnSnuiAU-4FPG9m9Enls/s1600/DSCF6542.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiVjAxc0gBhBPE-isGRAwx4HmVZDdnZtJ7unoEZ1dw4JdnKilAmHr4MH7zw5kCYX7G9tCa9HrqjdUJrMn4BQ5aVf5Nud02jjZjTQ54tdt05ivglwLmHbBWcBAJnSnuiAU-4FPG9m9Enls/s400/DSCF6542.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFNfAdTU_CQCFhk3wkSibRvp4OboNsemBrKCL9C3f2aERgUalz2nzgTvZqeLo4eE5rNJhQEtdHhcMfq1OoPSnW2cHTe_gDm8Ey9jNW1hRMmkc1kkr2JFgNSQroFhWH9XwgZANjhan6BmM/s1600/DSCF6565.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFNfAdTU_CQCFhk3wkSibRvp4OboNsemBrKCL9C3f2aERgUalz2nzgTvZqeLo4eE5rNJhQEtdHhcMfq1OoPSnW2cHTe_gDm8Ey9jNW1hRMmkc1kkr2JFgNSQroFhWH9XwgZANjhan6BmM/s400/DSCF6565.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;">On Leah’s last day my
mum joined us so the three of us were able to celebrate my birthday in Kampala.
I had such a special African birthday with two very special people. At my
request they took me for a pedicure, a movie and a wonderful dinner. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8dKDUdrcnVdqpsDsvol5FQBvqJ30mQswS2hhQB7x6T3DuVAnDXeqokfQQUO2vL_pjcdlm2N7B25pM4emxwnu4x0yvrmuoRgsj2yHIUYj_FoUFrJEnk2otMvNJ_24f9k7hzOHzdLjVSok/s1600/DSCF6590.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8dKDUdrcnVdqpsDsvol5FQBvqJ30mQswS2hhQB7x6T3DuVAnDXeqokfQQUO2vL_pjcdlm2N7B25pM4emxwnu4x0yvrmuoRgsj2yHIUYj_FoUFrJEnk2otMvNJ_24f9k7hzOHzdLjVSok/s400/DSCF6590.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn0SbnIFuuVEMq8kKffBBSxP5PEZO7GT18fnk17hm2r22hwJ6pf9k1EJ7CnvH5suu_msq83RJlzCun49cgbW2fW1NBY8f14DZdCiKd-2dCE_hESDhGg6ljFxz768tPftL-DiNoNJgYoL4/s1600/DSCF6610.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn0SbnIFuuVEMq8kKffBBSxP5PEZO7GT18fnk17hm2r22hwJ6pf9k1EJ7CnvH5suu_msq83RJlzCun49cgbW2fW1NBY8f14DZdCiKd-2dCE_hESDhGg6ljFxz768tPftL-DiNoNJgYoL4/s400/DSCF6610.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Birthday pedicure!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138; font-size: small;">Sadly Leah’s 10 days
went far too quickly and before I knew it I was back at the airport waving her off but grateful
that when I come home, my closest friend will ‘get it’ when I am chatting about
all my African adventures, my highs and lows and as I try to readjust to life
at home.</span></div>
</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>Katieinugandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04334399269575099691noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7543328803293177786.post-12537562521251676012012-03-24T16:26:00.000+00:002012-03-24T16:26:09.282+00:00Special People - Phillip<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The next very special
person I would like to tell you about today is Phillip.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeY3EODV-oKRM0cBct-1VEDtkpKwsvYiiZRm7bWo3mmZlLlJWu_aWUzHOJOix3jWewCtZyRCcLavsv72nTNNXRxrG3MS1r3nj_vd91lxXQZVtBh7kESl2Sq7kmr_ZBGJ_ffIW0uiDKXLg/s1600/DSCF3995.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeY3EODV-oKRM0cBct-1VEDtkpKwsvYiiZRm7bWo3mmZlLlJWu_aWUzHOJOix3jWewCtZyRCcLavsv72nTNNXRxrG3MS1r3nj_vd91lxXQZVtBh7kESl2Sq7kmr_ZBGJ_ffIW0uiDKXLg/s400/DSCF3995.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Phillip is one of our
HIV children. He has lived at GSF since he was a baby and is known as a miracle
child! His medical and nursing files are as big as encyclopaedias and he has
had many ‘close calls’ where those at GSF were told that his time had come.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have got to know
Phillip well. We have attended many hospital appointments together, sat
together on multiple journeys to and from Kampala reading books and laughing.
He comes to my house each day for lunch as the HIV children here are provided
with a nutritional meal at lunchtime which supplements the porridge, posho and
beans that everyone here eats daily. Phillip will come to my house at 6.55pm most
days, greets me with a smile and then races me to his house where I will administer
his medication. He ‘wins’ me most days! The racing is a new development and something that we are so happy to see as it was only 5 months ago that we were told he was seriously ill.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In mid-October I sat
in a clinic consultation room with Phillip while the doctor explained to me
that he probably had a severe type of pneumonia called PCP and would be
unlikely to survive the night. I was asked to make phone calls back to GSF to
prepare others and to call in his extended family to see him. We prayed for a
miracle and it was at this point I was told the history of Phillips’ illness and how
many times in his short life he had suffered and been close to death. Phillip
survived that illness in October. He was in hospital for almost a month and was discharged at the end of November. At his discharge he was not better. The doctors didn't really know what else to do so sent him back to us 'hoping' that he would get stronger but warning us that his immune system was very low and during those first few weeks we travelled a very bumpy road. Since then has gone from strength to strength. He has put on 10 kgs in the last
3 months! During the Christmas holidays he took part in a basketball training
course and now plays football daily (the missionaries that have been here a long time cannot remember him ever doing any sport). He eats Amanda and I out of house and home (he literally does eat 1kg
worth of food each lunchtime – we weigh him before and after eating!). He attends school each day for full
days. He makes me laugh and he makes me scared because as soon as he gets a cough or a
sniffle or we think he is becoming unwell again!! He is beautiful and I am so
grateful I get to chase him round my house everyday trying to shower him with kisses!
He is an inspiration and I can’t stop thinking what God has in store for this
wonderful boy. To have come through so much and for God not to have taken him
home yet at each severe illness there must be something good ahead for Phillip!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They say a picture
tells a thousand stories….<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I couldn’t choose
which of my photos to share with you so thought I would share a lot! Please keep
Phillip in your prayers as you look through these photos. He is still at risk
of picking up infections and always has a suppressed immune system. He takes
8-10 tablets every morning and evening and hardly ever complains about this. He amazes me at his resilience and love
for life. </span></span><o:p></o:p><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv8XZQbwX_rPYj4YJIEnDbGD60SJLYNWRCwi5xRFDp09UnAeN4eUm6AF0Kc7BWd6uGDPVlKg4zbUJ7wcT934cJRwluAwe0lSIxNIHuViGOr9LzP4s9AvPnlONTQMiMtS9h5_TzWlJrNqE/s1600/DSCF2869.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv8XZQbwX_rPYj4YJIEnDbGD60SJLYNWRCwi5xRFDp09UnAeN4eUm6AF0Kc7BWd6uGDPVlKg4zbUJ7wcT934cJRwluAwe0lSIxNIHuViGOr9LzP4s9AvPnlONTQMiMtS9h5_TzWlJrNqE/s320/DSCF2869.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">August 2011</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihfixXcmqC8Ttrrpn1dnAMRkVDJXsuSVsjlMAB4mSRUnA63wjRSxHqY2m_x5g17O39USvl1IjUzsOfb7OTgI9Ln3qmiW7NLGyEdMOwsGMPG8z4R4ZVI8BvFB_4t7OwxftTTRlNZuLHE3I/s1600/DSCF2881.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihfixXcmqC8Ttrrpn1dnAMRkVDJXsuSVsjlMAB4mSRUnA63wjRSxHqY2m_x5g17O39USvl1IjUzsOfb7OTgI9Ln3qmiW7NLGyEdMOwsGMPG8z4R4ZVI8BvFB_4t7OwxftTTRlNZuLHE3I/s320/DSCF2881.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">August 2011</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBGOEz9EQXhr8aK_6syG6JDhRmjQpL0CYMguAIxpxDtZpkn6komlM8I0gquGXqVMQzcSHH2q7HBlkyIzSTJZpYBnfWSPgfmbAQwJShAMvxQFpUrhlwQr7qVQoiYUAdSmXat4A8a29Hmzc/s1600/DSCF2984.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBGOEz9EQXhr8aK_6syG6JDhRmjQpL0CYMguAIxpxDtZpkn6komlM8I0gquGXqVMQzcSHH2q7HBlkyIzSTJZpYBnfWSPgfmbAQwJShAMvxQFpUrhlwQr7qVQoiYUAdSmXat4A8a29Hmzc/s320/DSCF2984.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">September 2011</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKHXIYxJeZ8IKtiTvTDOiwOHksNbWRMOHzHBNo47DRvdQpabgDlG9FsreiNslW7Degrc-WqUVSSolQV2TNEp_QxYODD6E7bM5NoKq9k2wn4mhKtMq8ZqjxleCmJ8LjCukIRSxDQZW8Tp0/s1600/DSCF2975.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKHXIYxJeZ8IKtiTvTDOiwOHksNbWRMOHzHBNo47DRvdQpabgDlG9FsreiNslW7Degrc-WqUVSSolQV2TNEp_QxYODD6E7bM5NoKq9k2wn4mhKtMq8ZqjxleCmJ8LjCukIRSxDQZW8Tp0/s320/DSCF2975.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">September 2011</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIOLcW16sbZz0sy2jILtLxFs0uACRlVE898DgXVCkv7IstjNjC4XnxSiu3B5EZbI-2fP2fbC3PZNBp7Aj35ROykYxT9r0U-8Tm0EWHVkAVMxqNlDhm4suYMVrKqpQO-vVMRqagSnNT5s4/s1600/DSCF3589.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIOLcW16sbZz0sy2jILtLxFs0uACRlVE898DgXVCkv7IstjNjC4XnxSiu3B5EZbI-2fP2fbC3PZNBp7Aj35ROykYxT9r0U-8Tm0EWHVkAVMxqNlDhm4suYMVrKqpQO-vVMRqagSnNT5s4/s400/DSCF3589.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">November 2011</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH11K7cv7v9gxeQ60YLUzlAC46olgx0PV-hurFEW4sD-GG2m4DbK7wYRlKsiUpMpyTSt6sPdvtiXEyVOGGLpF211Ux-rRAIYD5UpbvcEr17PvhQEAeZrL8jBYGYNmezNF-oHUnF8VAy1o/s1600/DSCF4502.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH11K7cv7v9gxeQ60YLUzlAC46olgx0PV-hurFEW4sD-GG2m4DbK7wYRlKsiUpMpyTSt6sPdvtiXEyVOGGLpF211Ux-rRAIYD5UpbvcEr17PvhQEAeZrL8jBYGYNmezNF-oHUnF8VAy1o/s320/DSCF4502.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">December 2011</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFZJtJ8M_QqsTJoW6G2CBXnrsc0-nfTcwueFjzQv_M8P8-MNY4476HlvdPPkFvEy7gdkxAOvgMqMQCcpQi0aQAilyGKk6LiFHjrNjTpn8oC3153mtRlI4xApaOg9aqoIf3PXVo7xXxYbc/s1600/DSCF5424.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFZJtJ8M_QqsTJoW6G2CBXnrsc0-nfTcwueFjzQv_M8P8-MNY4476HlvdPPkFvEy7gdkxAOvgMqMQCcpQi0aQAilyGKk6LiFHjrNjTpn8oC3153mtRlI4xApaOg9aqoIf3PXVo7xXxYbc/s400/DSCF5424.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">February 2012</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Kpj5ZeEm0GWdDtpicARIclKIHnxcH6PyZdETKCt74QjFnhMhfWFePE_mcphlb_9qQH55WRCf-XWCTaOMww6yvQOg8byJTQw1afUeiGWzAtaa-nWxN1fmofjWt13MQN1E7NWP2ltjvM0/s1600/DSCF5860.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Kpj5ZeEm0GWdDtpicARIclKIHnxcH6PyZdETKCt74QjFnhMhfWFePE_mcphlb_9qQH55WRCf-XWCTaOMww6yvQOg8byJTQw1afUeiGWzAtaa-nWxN1fmofjWt13MQN1E7NWP2ltjvM0/s320/DSCF5860.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">March 2012</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></span></div>
</div>Katieinugandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04334399269575099691noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7543328803293177786.post-20830658718945109662012-03-22T13:47:00.000+00:002012-04-24T06:15:30.341+01:00In the jungle, the mighty jungle....<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f6b26b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f6b26b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f6b26b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f6b26b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIx2vPfteZw7U9RuXM2gA2Yze40r50ouZ5tVca5zy5zWq6XXuWrn662DBJQh6KEP7Pog6q3Aj_U_MuMavHpFZ721WMkc3N7Mvjipe5nlIA50wN5RD9elZzlIu9EmDeNOYu5VFKf4fHmwo/s1600/DSCF6168.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIx2vPfteZw7U9RuXM2gA2Yze40r50ouZ5tVca5zy5zWq6XXuWrn662DBJQh6KEP7Pog6q3Aj_U_MuMavHpFZ721WMkc3N7Mvjipe5nlIA50wN5RD9elZzlIu9EmDeNOYu5VFKf4fHmwo/s400/DSCF6168.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">Sunrise over Murchison Falls Game Park</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f6b26b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;">Last week I enjoyed having my brother Andrew visiting me. We had a fabulous 10 days in Uganda. I really enjoyed showing him where I live, what I am doing and for him to meet all the wonderful children at GSF. We were also able to do the tourist 'thing' for a few days and it was lovely to show him a little of Africa.</span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSobJm3sFAOFNIfsgS2s9rDdTMNTREdHdLr8-LE3T3cy64ftEHf6WTP2P0vRiqurK4y2U3BBGs4js1D7VgoWr0F4unD4BcKgArTiCOyUxgQZD843WsVpSTswoveMOiG0Dt45p5bDOEY6Y/s1600/DSCF6408.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSobJm3sFAOFNIfsgS2s9rDdTMNTREdHdLr8-LE3T3cy64ftEHf6WTP2P0vRiqurK4y2U3BBGs4js1D7VgoWr0F4unD4BcKgArTiCOyUxgQZD843WsVpSTswoveMOiG0Dt45p5bDOEY6Y/s400/DSCF6408.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f6b26b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;">The highlight of his stay was being on safari. We visited Murchison Falls which Andrew reliably informed me was the backdrop in the movie 'The African Queen' staring Humphrey Bogart and Katharine Hepburn. The falls were beautiful and powerful and we were able to trek near the top of the falls and get some great views of the game park. The tour of the game park and the boat ride up the Nile was also amazing and we saw elephants, giraffe's, Hippo's, Crocodile's Baboons and Warthogs to name a few. However, the Lion must have been sleeping as he was no-where to be seen!</span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f6b26b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQO6Qr6l-B1p8wcv6X5IZHxDIR7SSLcZ4txSSI3YENvPMJoRR2qfFbRVvAICDdbHrFel7bDLFhdmZhAcmBKFYJW-uXL6BrYlqsqwvP6ikLaKSJIhQPxVfjwk-5K6NiIzDNmqYhZA2eLaw/s1600/DSCF6242.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQO6Qr6l-B1p8wcv6X5IZHxDIR7SSLcZ4txSSI3YENvPMJoRR2qfFbRVvAICDdbHrFel7bDLFhdmZhAcmBKFYJW-uXL6BrYlqsqwvP6ikLaKSJIhQPxVfjwk-5K6NiIzDNmqYhZA2eLaw/s400/DSCF6242.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCRonxmn1BsS56Rmf0WWBmK5myzMNldG7-0oTQL7HkkAoYEu1xL2tGKy0Rata_Ow5-3_dvIDIlqemo9tbzEIvdyiTJH1I1xKWK_JXKuoFvBD891I4TM7A6NeX6HoiKXas3uPZ4xpI5FqM/s1600/DSCF6264.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCRonxmn1BsS56Rmf0WWBmK5myzMNldG7-0oTQL7HkkAoYEu1xL2tGKy0Rata_Ow5-3_dvIDIlqemo9tbzEIvdyiTJH1I1xKWK_JXKuoFvBD891I4TM7A6NeX6HoiKXas3uPZ4xpI5FqM/s400/DSCF6264.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7OWF1xqornQcE4Aoz97KRMLGImHYt1GjBi0Lepv-RqyEDzj2EmxiJxNJL4u1Y_8tGQ2_Vzda8-gs8-soRH3RncRzaLlHwzXuBwieRWhoD3GDlSCpoyxpZRbz5ODev7XgWeupDT72jJMM/s1600/DSCF6289.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7OWF1xqornQcE4Aoz97KRMLGImHYt1GjBi0Lepv-RqyEDzj2EmxiJxNJL4u1Y_8tGQ2_Vzda8-gs8-soRH3RncRzaLlHwzXuBwieRWhoD3GDlSCpoyxpZRbz5ODev7XgWeupDT72jJMM/s400/DSCF6289.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;">A highlight for us was staying in the safari tent and coming out of the tent at night when we heard a lot of commotion and the words "Hippo"! As we stuck our heads out of the tent we saw a very large hippo grazing very close to our tent. We took the advice we had been given not to disturb it or to use flash photography (sadly no photos for evidence!) and snuck back inside the canvas. It was a new experience laying in bed trying to sleep as you hear a hippo munching the grass and snorting as it moves along the side of the tent!!</span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f6b26b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheMJzIfLQto1GCGFhDt2I2VcTVg8zB_bXz9lL5KrpzxgLcP45Uqgi9Y1W3n422hCu3kNV0FBZwYLpwjO8sgZ9c6l5vgz6ACqRVfvFPoMSSZpRjjuVc5LwxSbO5fovtX8D0yDRIgXgmc2E/s1600/DSCF6396.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheMJzIfLQto1GCGFhDt2I2VcTVg8zB_bXz9lL5KrpzxgLcP45Uqgi9Y1W3n422hCu3kNV0FBZwYLpwjO8sgZ9c6l5vgz6ACqRVfvFPoMSSZpRjjuVc5LwxSbO5fovtX8D0yDRIgXgmc2E/s400/DSCF6396.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f6b26b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Times;"><br /></span></span></div>Katieinugandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04334399269575099691noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7543328803293177786.post-82152012333220524052012-03-14T12:24:00.000+00:002012-03-24T12:54:51.459+00:00Mobile Medical Clinic<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV5ArRlCgFzlPqs6B2xRkjDumyYVWjjJrdSJc_IHsAXhT6CTJuCkluoZKdP8x8z73ZmvWZP0sMHYrGU3GgHCrglmvvYq4vtVh4hpbdPKNks5Y6SxMiCIgq1zO1a1FQWO2IlVT8tF2Rysk/s1600/DSCF3940.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV5ArRlCgFzlPqs6B2xRkjDumyYVWjjJrdSJc_IHsAXhT6CTJuCkluoZKdP8x8z73ZmvWZP0sMHYrGU3GgHCrglmvvYq4vtVh4hpbdPKNks5Y6SxMiCIgq1zO1a1FQWO2IlVT8tF2Rysk/s400/DSCF3940.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A mother bringing her twin boys for medical care</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;">I had the opportunity this week to join a medical team who were running a mobile medical clinic in one of our local villages. It was an amazing, tiring, exhilarating and slightly daunting experience. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We arrived at the church building where the clinic base would be and there were already lots of people sitting waiting for us. A triage station, medical stations, a mini pharmacy, an examination area and an evangelism area were set up and we were thrown straight into work.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHLrmALoso5dWlQIvOKvJOyBM_gDCdo1L8HB4yBOfjv041QWFw2mNMEl5TDgXUHBqalw73_8wnIlqd55OHZB1wDEp9TOYKBev_VlU6F72u4f6rzp80YFWPhSsi-e3OADIJADepuKpPfwc/s1600/DSCF3935.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHLrmALoso5dWlQIvOKvJOyBM_gDCdo1L8HB4yBOfjv041QWFw2mNMEl5TDgXUHBqalw73_8wnIlqd55OHZB1wDEp9TOYKBev_VlU6F72u4f6rzp80YFWPhSsi-e3OADIJADepuKpPfwc/s320/DSCF3935.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I began by managing the pharmacy with another helper but soon was called to 'man' a nursing/medical assessment station as the number of villagers was large and time was short. This was so much fun and it felt so amazing to be able to reach deep into the </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">village community helping those who really </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">needed it. All medical care was free and we saw a wide range or complaints, illnesses and conditions. It was slightly daunting running my own station as at the back of my head I was really conscious that I did not want to miss anything or make any mistakes. I saw a handful of patients before I had to head back to GSF and felt privileged to have been invited to help and assist with such a wonderful project.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB68D5L7GW79lFTQBlVveNTCgR4vdcKqEoP52K8eStRLrddI9BhYKSQQCP8kHloCOkqjMXSLFVi1cVAc474KCwfPhyphenhyphenMduy_YpYCI3XLbRX5T2z6fQ7W7KSPmPEO6J6IElMandLFzrjz9E/s1600/DSCF3936.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB68D5L7GW79lFTQBlVveNTCgR4vdcKqEoP52K8eStRLrddI9BhYKSQQCP8kHloCOkqjMXSLFVi1cVAc474KCwfPhyphenhyphenMduy_YpYCI3XLbRX5T2z6fQ7W7KSPmPEO6J6IElMandLFzrjz9E/s400/DSCF3936.jpg" width="400" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWeD-HuLNwZ47dHvXAeN2YWfkyy8fWPb__wwMF7Kd4qFTlnLFaIg8PCHCw0u5rlPWSxeBGcDSQDgYAAu0Dm9S8Lk7h2WSNIQM_Hc1kOzjVT6uCO0YrOs2IKv6zafaLt57PLZCwmmfnFLM/s1600/DSCF3941.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWeD-HuLNwZ47dHvXAeN2YWfkyy8fWPb__wwMF7Kd4qFTlnLFaIg8PCHCw0u5rlPWSxeBGcDSQDgYAAu0Dm9S8Lk7h2WSNIQM_Hc1kOzjVT6uCO0YrOs2IKv6zafaLt57PLZCwmmfnFLM/s400/DSCF3941.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
</div>Katieinugandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04334399269575099691noreply@blogger.com3