rothwellsmission: BLOG NO. 22

BLOG NO. 22 - 30TH MAY 2016

But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.

1 Timothy 6:6 verse 7

We have been so blessed to have extended leave at home and have been fed both spiritually and bodily – in fact we have been loved so much it was clearly noticeable when we arrived back – the first comment was, ''Madam Sue you are now somewhat fat and looking very healthy''. Of course in Uganda that is very much a compliment; being 'somewhat thin' is an indication of being poor or being in poor health. No craze for being 'beach body ready' here!

Something else said on the first day reminded us of this verse, ''I am content with what I have even though it is not wealth in money or goods, I am rich in so many other ways'', and that is something we have heard often here, people really embrace what they do have rather than dwelling on what they don't have.

We arrived back in Uganda on the afternoon of Monday 23^rd, having left Gatwick on the 22^nd and travelling via Dubai, so when we arrived we were already tired. Fortunately dear Yasin collected us and drove us from Entebbe, through Kampala and out on the road north to Lukomera, we arrived here just as it was getting dark.

As you will see from the photos Yasin is one of the few people Stan is comfortable being driven by – and he slept for much of the journey! Sue however decided to take some photos along the journey and try and capture the sights, sounds and smells that remind us of Uganda. We have attached some photos, but regretfully that only gives you the sights – to get the sounds and smells you have to come here!

On Tuesday morning we were eager to see the new building work at the school, we knew ServeDirect had started it last term but it was so exciting to actually see it – almost completed are new classrooms for S4A and S4B, next to the new staff room. Good decision as S4 are historically the most challenging (and yet rewarding!) year group – think back to when you were in the 4^th year and you will understand what we mean!

In addition there is a new A Level block for S5 and S6 Arts and Sciences, plus their own senior latrine block, and last but not least a rubbish sorting area – the tidiness around the site is already noticeable.

The additional buildings mean that all of the classes from S1 to S4 can be split into two, which reduces the class sizes dramatically (only 65 in a class now!) and will make life easier for the teachers to do small (er) group work. It also means that every class has their own classroom space rather than having to use the Rock, the library and any other space they could find – often outside.

Although the start of term is not until Monday, the 6^th, there are already people on site.

There are new staff at The Rock – clinical officer Derrick, nurse/midwife Peace and lab assistant Milly – under the management of Annet, Charles' wife. They have been busy through the holidays as the Rock remains open to treat the local community.

The Bridge has also remained open with holiday club and is also being used for computer lessons and a revision base for local students from other schools.

We were delighted to see Charles, the director, on our first full day back. It is always a joy to talk to him and be reminded what a wise and godly man he is.

He tells us that most of the teaching staff have remained stable which will be a very positive start to the term. Since we were last year there are some additional members of staff – a Director of Studies for the A level students only, Leo, and Shamillah, an assistant for the bursar (Kato Patrick), who has already made a great difference to the way the student information is stored and communicated by putting it all on spreadsheets, and Judith, Assistant DOS and netball teacher.

Last, but by no means least, Wilson, under the control of Mohammed who looks after us and Mirembe house so well, is responsible for keeping the school compound clean and tidy.

Some surprise welcome faces have been a group of the science students who have stayed behind through the school holidays to revise, helped by some of the science teachers. They have even been cooking their own posho and beans as the school kitchen is not manned during the holidays. Now that's commitment!

This week's Krypton Factor task was to get two mosquito nets fitted on to bunk beds (we have a large team of 14 coming!). It only took two hours and a pair of scissors......

On Sunday we were honoured to be asked by Moses, (pastor of Maranatha church in Katikamu and also the contractor for the building work at the school), to present Bibles and certificates to the students graduating from the Sunday School. When we got there he asked Stan to give a 'short' sermon, just 30 minutes! Fortunately, always heeding Johnny Perkins' advise from years ago, he had a sermon in his back pocket!

A terrific storm on Sunday evening brought down an electricity pole at the school, power went off and UMEME tell us it will be at least 3 days to get it back on again. Usually no problem as we can use the generator, but it 'refused'! Hence you will see the 'cooking and eating with a head torch' photos – reminded us of New Wine/Soul Survivor – without need of coats!

Bad/good news of the week – Mohammed cooked us some popcorn from the maize in his field as a welcome home present – Stan promptly broke a tooth on it :( Trip to the dentist in Kampala is on the cards.

PRAYERS PLEASE -

Apart from Stan's tooth and that the generator can be fixed – please pray for the students as they prepare to return to schools all around Uganda from Monday next week – for safety, protection and provision of school fees.

Finally, please pray for Engola Arnold, one of the students who have been here through the holidays. He has just heard this morning that his mum has died and he is returning home to the north, but first he has to go to tell his brother, Ivan. Many of the family responsibilities will now fall on him as his dad is absent and has little contact with the family. Those of you who have been to WTA will have met Arnold, he is a friendly young man, a talented musician, a great role model at the school and has been a great help and support to us during our time here. He and Ivan and the rest of the family are in our prayers.

With love

Sue and Stan