Monday 28th May 2007

I learnt two valuable lessons when eating out today. 1. ‘Local Vegetables’ means beans. 2. Don’t order something just because it sounds good. I had a Vegetable Burrito at a local restaurant and resolved that I will not go there again, though we probably will one day in the future.

We got some productive things done in the administration side of things today as the power was back on and we could use the computers again, estimating set up and running costs, and getting together some child profiles. We also have organised for the property we are looking at to be inspected by the Inspector of Schools. So hopefully if that works out well then we can look at getting things under way. Our relationship with Pastor Edward and others is getting better and better, we seem to be getting things done. Although nothing official has actually happened, many things are underway and will just need the processes to take place before things start happening.

It is good to hear that Quinton, Erica and Amelia have had their last Sunday in church and will soon be with us here in Uganda. They must be feeling excited now – or at least I hope so. Kathryn and I are sharing on Friday and Saturday and a Marriage Conference that is being hosted by Pastor Frank. Don’t know if we will be much help or not, but we can give it a go. Then on Sunday we are leaving early to drive to Kampala again to meet the incoming troops on Monday. It will be funny to have them arrive in Kabale and us show them around as we don’t know too much yet, mainly just where the bakery and internet café are.

I thought about some things that Eddie said to us the other day while we were praying. He said that it was as if Kabale had been on a life support system and it was now going to be taken of and us coming was going to inject a new vitality into the local churches and community. Also he used climbing a mountain as an example of what things will be like for us. It will be hard and there will be pitfalls and setbacks. We will take locals with us to help, but also to inspire and take with us. When we to the top, however, the view will be amazing! To look around at all that God has done will be better than any view form any mountain.

Also, as requested, here is the Wards – Pam:

Eddie:

 

Ben:

It is a great experience living here with them. They are great people, looking after us while we get organised, and an awesome encouragement to us. We are learning much about living in Uganda as a westerner, like tonight we were about to sit down for dinner Sam (the boys living with them) came home in a huff, a pastor came around to invite them to preach at his church in a few weeks and another young boy from their project arrived after he had been to the hospital and was told he needed a needle as he had a disease. Not sure exactly what is up there, but he slept the night and Pam is taking him to the hospital tomorrow to try to sort it out. One really great thing about dinner though was I got to try out some chilly powder I bought from the supermarket today – very nice indeed. This is where they live:

This is Phil soaking in the missionary vibes at the Wards:

And this is the hot rod that we cruise around town in: