So here we are back in Kisoro. We have spent a large part of the first week trying to turn our house back into a home after having packed most things away so that it could be used by others during our time in England. Irene has been busy ironing clothes which had been packed in a cupboard for three months and Malcolm has been replacing our string washing line with a “real plastic coated” one, and hanging up our new pin board. We still haven’t quite found all the bits and bobs we stowed in the spare bedroom but we did manage to humanely catch the little mouse which has lived there for some time, and set it free at the far side of the playing field behind us!
We have observed a few changes. The African apple trees planted last year as 1 foot high “twigs” are actually bearing fruit; it is an amazingly fertile area. The fir tree in front of our house has almost doubled in size and a breach in the wall surrounding the diocese complex has been repaired. New shops are evident in town and we are told that a smart new hotel has opened.
As yet we have not formally started back to work although Malcolm has spent a couple of days helping to set up the budget for Potters Village and Irene has been chatting with staff members at the Vocational Training School. There is good news and not so good news. The V.T.S. has more students than ever before with over 70 enrolling this year. 22 girls and 15 boys are boarding which has presented accommodation difficulties resolved be turning one of the classrooms into a dormitory! Unfortunately 2 of the computers upgraded last year by our son have disappeared and a third has a broken on /off button leaving only 1 working computer and still no official computer teacher. Trying to trace the p.c. whereabouts and encourage the “powers that be” to employ a proper computer teacher (rather than rely on her limited knowledge) will be Irene’s first task next week.
Having spent so long in the luxury of England with shops which sell almost anything you desire, carpeted floors, dishwashers, washing machines, baths etc. we did wonder why on earth we were returning to Uganda with its concrete floors and limited food choices. Leaving behind friends, family and good churches. Then it struck us. Look what Jesus did for us. He left behind Heaven! He left wonders we can only guess at. He left behind angels worshiping and he left His father, a relationship so close we cannot imagine what it must have felt like to be separated. Nor was it only for a few months; Jesus spent thirty three years living amongst people who for the most part didn’t appreciate His presence or his work. Then at the end He was betrayed and deserted by his closest friends and killed by a brutal regime. If He can do all that for us then surely we should be prepared to do whatever it is He calls us to whether in our own country or another.
Prayer requests;
Thank God for the generosity of family and friends:
- providing us with beds, hospitality and transport during our 4 months in England
- giving many items for the tailoring students
Please pray that:
- Irene’s mum coming to terms with the death of her son and a move into a nursing home.
- we may be able to settle back into Kisoro life quickly and easily, and come to terms with any minor ‘challenges’
- we will be able to continue the work we have started and been willing to do the tasks God wants us to do.
- our Swiss friend, Bea, who has been diagnosed with cancer and her husband, may find healing and peace as they continue to work in Kisoro.
