rothwellsmission: NEW ADVENTURE, NEW DIRECTION

Leave...go to the land I will show you. Genesis 12 : 1
I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go. Isaiah 48 : 17

Hello everyone

First chance to update you all due to power/internet down and just lots going on!

We realise that to tell you everything would mean that this blog would go on and on for pages so will try and give you a brief (as possible) flavour of our first 9 days and a few photos. Also don't miss the short video from today's church service at the school which is arranged by and carried out by the students – amazing, joyous and very humbling.

We spent our first week in Kampala being shown around by Elspeth and Jerry Dugdale and Michele and Phil Ball from ServeDirect. We had guided tours of the shops, markets, hospitals and (important from Stan's point of view) where to get the best cappuccino!

Sitting in the garden at the Dugdale's, high above the hills of Kampala, we saw Maribou storks, black kites and plantain birds, whose call is exactly that of a monkey. Growing in the garden are banana palms and a tree laden with pomegranates, we needed no reminder that we were no longer in Churchdown!

Saturday was our first visit to Wobulenzi Town Academy, cross country on some very bumpy roads heading north through tiny townships where people were milking goats, tending their crops and walking up and down with water containers from a standpipe often a long way away with babies tied on their backs.

The school was very quiet, term was due to start on Monday. Although we had seen photos and video we were still not prepared for this amazing build in the middle of the bush. Even though the conditions are what we in the UK would regard as basic we understand that the resources and conditions far surpass many of the other schools in the area and what has been achieved here in such a short time can only be the hand of God – dormitories, classrooms, examination hall, teachers houses, toilets and shower blocks, chemistry lab, library plus 'The Bridge' primary resource centre and 'The Rock' health centre – and now of course our new home, the volunteers house.

On returning on Monday we found a very different atmosphere. The students had started to return, the day pupils first and then gradually during the day the boarders. Many had to travel long distances from the north and had to wait at the side of the road until a bus with space stopped, often some hours later or in some cases overnight. Over the week more and more have come and it is humbling to see what they bring – a small box of personal possessions, their school fee (a minimal amount but often the reason for further delay until it can be found), and their 'requirements', two brooms to help with the cleaning, a mattress, a set of uniform, a contribution of two rolls of 'TP', bowl for washing clothes and self and a medical form which they then take to 'The Rock' for checking over and registration (some turn up already suffering with malaria and TB).

By the end of this week pupils were still arriving and the classrooms and dormitories are slowly filling with smiling faces. We are starting to get to know some of the teachers and Charles the Director, an amazing man who is guided by God in all he does, and have been able to talk to some of the students and are trying desperately to remember

names. We have also had the opportunity of dropping in to 'The Bridge' where we met a delightful group of local children.

This morning we were formally introduced at the church service they hold every week, planned and carried out by the students. The joy in their worship was awesome to see, and the sermon, also by a student, was riveting. It is clear, even though we have only been here for a few days, that this is a very special place and we are blessed to be able to be a part of it.

Thank you to those of you who have sent us encouraging messages and are praying for

us, we feel so at peace here knowing that.

Can we ask for your prayers this week for the students still to return. We understand some are in the care of relatives who are trying (with the girls) to marry them off and get a cash dowry rather than let them return to school, and the boys can be of more use in the fields and looking after the cattle, so often these students have to take on small jobs to put together their 'requirements' and will not return until they have it. There is a 'hardship' fund for those who find it impossible, but most of the students are so determined to come back they find a way. Please pray for their safety on the journey back, often a difficult and perilous journey, and that the students God wants here will be able to return.

Also – the first immunisation clinic is to be held at 'The Rock' on Tuesday. It has been well advertised locally via the children who attend 'The Bridge' so we are praying that mothers will come, so please pray for that also.

And now – a few photos.

PS - video wouldn't download - will try again next time!

With love

Sue and Stan xx