Grace and Blessings – (August 2013)

We have settled back into our life at Kiwoko after our short break to attend a wedding and visit friends and family in the UK at the end of July.

 

 One of the heavy suitcases we brought back from England was full of sheets which Emmanuel Church, Chesham and Age Concern Charity Shop in Boston had collected for us. These were for the Children’s club organised by the Hospital Mission Team in the middle of August.

 

Over 200 children attended the 3 day holiday club, called ‘Ekisa’ (means Grace). The children were from families of staff at the hospital and from the local church and village. In a place where children have less entertainment than in Europe, and fewer opportunities for holidays, there was great excitement. The memory verse was ‘I was lost but Jesus found me’. The programme was a mixture of games, crafts, songs and lessons. The sheets were put to good use in making posters and other craft activities.

 
There were so many sheets that the remainder will be taken in September for a similar holiday club in Karamoja – probably the most impoverished and insecure part of Uganda. Some months ago a team of medical staff had visited a children’s home there to offer a health clinic. When there they realised that there is a desperate need for a similar holiday club. They will therefore return in mid September, with the spare sheets, to repeat the club and any surplus sheets will be left for some of the destitute people to use.
 

During August Malcolm spent a week re-visiting Kisiizi Hospital and south west Uganda. He had been asked to help audit the accounts of the Hospital’s hydro-electric company. This reportedly provides the hospital and neighbouring village with the most reliable electricity in Uganda. However, the recent dry season had reduced water levels so much that the Hospital had had to start rationing. However, Malcolm managed to take the rains (or ‘Blessings’ as they are sometimes called) with him so hopefully water levels are now being restored.

   Kisiizi Hospital Hydro-electric Generator

There have been some accommodation changes in August. The refurbished male ward was opened and patients moved back in from their temporary ward and the TB ward. Builders, funded by the Inter-Religious Council of Uganda (a national body representing all faith hospitals) arrived to refurbish the HIV clinic so Irene helped to move all the equipment and files to the now vacated TB ward which will be temporary home to the clinic during the building work.

Prayer pointers

Thank God:

·        that the Hospital has, because of the generosity of its donors, set a balanced budget for 2013/14.

·        that we returned safely to Kiwoko following our short break in England

 

Please pray:

·        for safety for the Mission team as they return to Karamoja to run the children’s holiday club, and that many children will make a commitment and increase their knowledge of God

·        for the work of the Hospital, that the ongoing building work will not disrupt the medical services

·        for Irene and the staff in the HIV department as the seek to care and counsel those suffering the effects of AIDS from temporary accommodation.

·        for Malcolm and staff in the Finance and Administration department as they prepare the draft Statements of Account ready for the Auditors’ visit in October

·        for peace for Sarah who cleans and cooks for us as she enters the Hospital for a hysterectomy