rothwellsmission: September 2015

After me will come one more powerful than I, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I baptise you with water, but He will baptise you with the Holy Spirit.

Mark 1 : 7-8

We got back here on Sunday 6^th September, the day before the start of term, so lots to do and lots to think about for the first few days! Because the start of term is 'flexible' school was not up to full strength until last week, Week 3, as parents and guardians found the last few shillings for fees and transport, and the journey back to school (very long for many) started.

Despite a few hiccups/concerns/problems that are being resolved, term has started well. It is always a delight to see familiar faces, but despite our best efforts there are still many whose names escape us, so it is a great relief to us that as they greet us with ''Well be back mother and father'', we can reply, ''and you dear son/daughter'' without the risk of getting a name wrong!

We wanted to share a couple of stories with you, to illustrate how difficult life can be for some students.

A young 14 year old girl joined us this term in Senior 1. Her father died whilst in the army and her mother had little income, other than the growing and selling of tomatoes. As there are many siblings her mother allowed an 'Uncle' to take the young girl as he promised in return for a little help in the house he would support her through school.

The schooling didn't happen and he forced the girl to work, without payment but with many beatings, as his house-girl, which included other 'duties'. Fortunately her mother found out, rescued her and brought her to Charles, begging him to let the girl remain at the school where she would be safe. We are using a safety net fund for such emergencies to pay her fees, and her mother can just manage her payment for requirements, which include a mattress, brooms and so on.

Even though she is new she has embraced school life, has been active in Activate and our library lessons and is clearly a very bright girl. We thank the Lord for protecting her and bringing her here.

The second story is from a boy who was at this school last year, but was moved by his parents to another school about 30 minutes from here to join the 6^th form. The school in question is very attractive from the outside, if looks were anything to go by it is a very good school (we pass it every time we go to Kampala). Unfortunately the saying 'all that glisters is not gold' proved to be true for him. He has come back to us this term in tears, begging to come back, with stories of not being fed for days, students being locked in dormitories and regular harsh beatings. He is now telling everyone who will listen, and often those who won't, how fortunate they are to be here. Sadly his story is not an unusual one. We are reminded yet again how very special this school is.

The work that was due to take place whilst we were in the UK was almost finished when we arrived – the installation of a lower gate to add to the existing ones now completely keeps the girls safe at night, new triple-decker beds grace the dorms, giving a feeling of more space, the football pitch now has standing up instead of laying down poles and fence, there are additional desks ready for the exams, and the final thing, the no longer pot-holed basketball surface, was eventually completed this week and duly professionally-ish marked out, ready for a 'new pitch launch' match on Sunday afternoon.

And everywhere is looking fresh - new signs for The Rock, the school and The Bridge are in the process of being made – The Bridge already installed. In the heat and sun here signs don't live very long!

Because this is the term of exams (O Levels start in 2 weeks and A Levels start at the beginning of November), there is now a distinct air of mild panic - trying to catch up with revision, last bits of teaching and general organising. Even on Thursday, an official public holiday because of Eid (or Idd or Edd or Iddy, depending who you ask), there were still some teachers here working with small groups of students dealing with Q and A sessions based on the Mock exam results, just received.

The Rock continues to be busy with community attendance as well as students. This is increasing year on year as word continues to get around about what a great, clean and inviting facility it is. Numbers have trebled when compared with the same month two years ago. Many births still being recorded (see photo). There were several incidents of snake bites whilst we were away including a couple of poisonous ones. Snake bites are not uncommon round these parts especially when so many people work in the fields. Children are particularly prone because they play in the grass and often don't wear shoes. Fortunately, thanks to the prompt action of The Rock nurses, all survived.

We are delighted that at long last the boda-ambulance will be on the road - soon. Training with our designated boda drivers is taking place on Tuesday, so hopefully photos will be in the next blog.

Surprise visitors this month have been Mohammed's delightful wife and children (see photo). Mohammed looks after the compound, feeds the dogs, plants beans, picks our bananas, does the painting (and that is just this week!), and has even been known to hang the washing on the line – a very un-Ugandan man thing to do.

His most important job (in his words) is 'guarding Sir Stan and Madam Sue with his life', and we think he means that. He is a delightful man, sings through most of the day and encourages us on Sundays to go and have 'your sort of prayers' (he is Moslem).

And a returning visitor – arriving this evening – Jody, who did the very successful phonics training at The Bridge for the local primary school teachers. This time she is visiting the schools with us to see the phonics in action and offer the teachers some feedback.

And a surprise visitor – Jennie who travels between Kampala and Gulu on a regular basis, a journey of about 7 hours – came to grief last week about 2 hours north of us when her car 'refused'. Cue Sir Galahad (as Stan is now called) who with his tow rope and his trusty sidekick Mohammed, (who enjoyed the whole adventure as he told Stan he had never been that far north in his life), rescued her and brought her back here. This was at no little cost to his sanity as by the time they reached Jennie it was dark, and as every sane person here knows you never, ever drive at night.

Another surprise this month – was Stan's invitation by the CEO of Fresh Cuts, one of the major meat suppliers here. They had met by chance in a Kampala cafe. Unlike England where we are a little reticent about speaking to strangers, here we are drawn to speak to other white faces when we don't see many. After having lunch together and putting the world to rights Stan left with 10kg of sausages to give the school a change from posho and beans, with the promise of more to follow. God is so amazing. And certainly the CEO was nicer than the Fresh Cut ads – see the photo!

But the high point of the month for us has to be yesterday, when we were delighted to be involved in the baptism of 11 of our students – see the photos. What a glorious day it was, and whilst our black dustbin of water may not be quite as attractive as Julie and Peter's swimming pool, (those of you from St Andrew's will know what we mean), the ceremony was no less special to those young people.

So can you please remember in your prayers Ekaru John Maurice, Adhen Denis, Namukisa Angeline, Abonyo Tafisa, Octwal Moses, Lalwenyi Poline, Ajok Nighty, Atim Irene, Nanyombi Sharon, Atim Charity Rachael and Akullu Stella on their journey with the Lord.

And the excitement won't end there – in a couple of Sundays we are holding a communion service which will include the baptism of Kyanshemeza Patience, (the remaining candidate who wasn't able to be there yesterday due to a teaching seminar),plus she will be joined at the bin by Madam Sue, who was last baptised as an infant so thought the time was right to make her adult commitment.

Please also remember in your prayers the students from Senior 4 and Senior 6 who will be sitting O and A Levels soon – in particular for wisdom and for continued health – some of them are already feeling the effects of revision fatigue. (Revision starts at 4am every day.)

And the final bit of excitement (so far) is that also in a couple of weeks Stan has been invited to take coffee with Bishop Eridard, the Bishop of Luwero, ex-Redcliffe College in Gloucester! There is unlikely to be any photos, but there will certainly be a report in the next blog.

As always, thank you for your support, both prayer, financial and with the sending of newsy emails – we are so grateful for all of them. Be assured, everything we do, we do it with you. (Almost sounds like the words of a well known song!).

Love Sue and Stan