What are you used to? (December 2013)

 

The rainy season has stopped and its suddenly started to get very hot. A couple of days ago I was walking through the hospital, sweat trickling down my back in the 34 degree heat, when a local man passed me wearing a big thick quilted coat! I couldn’t believe he could possibly be comfortable but I was told it’s all a matter of what you get used to.

 

In Britain shops are full of Christmas goods, children are writing present lists and parents are rushing around to get in enough supplies for the descending relatives. Here nothing has changed. For Christmas, if they are fortunate, children will get a new top or trousers, and parents have strived hard for weeks to try and provide a scrawny chicken for Christmas day. There is no commercialism, no Father Christmases, no Christmas lights just a low key celebration of Jesus birth, it’s what they are used to.

 

When you get used to something you take it for granted and don’t really think about it at all. How easy it is, particularly for those of us who are long past our childhood, to tune out of Christmas. To do things automatically because that’s what we always do and forget what the real meaning is all about, we are too used to Christmas days.

 

This Christmas think of those whose experiences will be very different from yours. The homeless, those who would be persecuted for celebrating their faith, refugees, victims of natural disasters and even us celebrating in the heat!  Looking at Christmas from a different perspective may make us think again about what it really means and how amazing it is to be able to celebrate the Son of God coming to earth for us.

 

Work wise Malcolm is just coming to the end of a very busy and stressful time. The hospitals Strategic Review coincided with an external audit and his Finance Manager’s resignation!  All of them difficult situations on their own but when coming all together. triply so. We thank God that despite a tricky start the Review went well and many people felt that they got something useful from the time. The auditing reports are being finalized and interviews have been held for the Financial Manager’s post. Unfortunately no one was found suitable for the role so further interviews will need to take  place.

 

Irene has been working closely with the H.I.V. manager and together they have been making changes to job descriptions and moving personal around to positions which best suit their skills. They are still waiting to return to the refurbished H.I.V. department building. Unfortunately just as it was almost ready to move back into the  building, the funders came to see the work and were not happy with the standard, so many of the work surfaces have had to be  pulled down and made anew. For the first time the office and the clinic will be in one building which should make it easier to keep track of files which often got lost before. Hopefully it will be ready to move into in the New Year when new job changes will come into operation.

 

Prayer points

 

• Thank God for the safe return to Kiwoko of Dr Corrie and Dr Natasha, after their sudden visits home for family reasons
• Thank God for the visit here of Sarah Shelley (a worker from our church) and Stephen Burgess (our CMS Manager) – for the fellowship and fun-ship
• Pray that a suitable candidate will be appointed for the Finance Manager’s post to be able to take on more responsibility when Malcolm leaves.
• That the move from the temporary building to the refurbished HIV building will take place smoothly, and a reliable internet connection established for sending vital statistical data to Kampala
• For all Mission workers as the celebrate Christmas apart from their families

On a Journey (October 2013)

Transport and roads in Uganda have to be seen to be believed. The local taxis are small mini buses , known as matatus. In England they would seat 14 comfortably; here they seat 25 (uncomfortably!) with 8 or so standing and always room to squash a few more in if they’re waiting along the roadside. Recently Malcolm travelled from Kisiizi to Kampala, a 10 hour journey in a small local bus. Aisle seats were pulled out so more people could sit so the only way to exit the bus was through the back window!

 

Another mode of public transport is the boda boda. A motorbike which will easily carry 2 or 3 passengers who seem to calmly ignore the driver’s death defying weaving through traffic and pot holes. The women usually sit side saddle often with a baby in their arms or on their backs, or both! No helmets or goggles are worn.

 

Then there are the roads themselves. Only main roads and those in Kampala are tarmaced, all others are dirt tracks. At the moment a large amount of re surfacing is going on along the main road from Kiwoko to Kampala. There are no diversions as there are no other roads to use! Traffic squeezes by on one lane after waiting at a stop sign until a man waves a green flag instead of a red one. Last time I was in a car we waited over 15 minutes in the queue on our side whilst oncoming traffic passed by. When it came to our turn only 4 vehicles were allowed through. The conclusion was that the driver at the head of the queue the other end had bribed the traffic controller to let the traffic through that side again.

Waiting in the traffic queue is an experience in itself. Initially a single line of traffic heads the queue but then the matatu drivers want to get ahead to catch the fares, so they drive along the outside lane to the front. Lorry drivers know they are going to be over taken so they drive along the inside to the front, and local drivers get annoyed so push in too. The result is a bottle neck 3 or 4 vehicles deep with no one being willing to let anyone out in front of them. In amongst all this the boda boda push through impossibly narrow gaps and women and children knock at your windows trying to sell you water, fruit or peanuts.

When eventually you get to move along through the road works there are deep pot holes, road sides falling away and large “traffic calming” speed humps. However very few people take any notice of this and speed along throwing up so much dust that its practically impossible to see more than a few yards ahead. As passengers, you have the option to either wind down the windows and suffocate in the dust clouds or wind up the windows and suffocate in the heat! Not many worry about loose chippings cracking the windscreen as most are already cracked.

Drivers of any vehicle, bus, car, boda boda or bicycle feel that they own the roads and pedestrians are expected to get out of their way even if they are coming up unheard from behind. There are no pavements outside Kampalaso if you are on foot you need to be constantly vigilant. Even if a road is empty it seems that boda boda drivers and cyclists just love to use the sides of the road instead of the middle and they often need a lot of room as they sometimes carry enormous loads like single beds or three piece suites! (yes we have seen both on the back of bicycles!) Both of us have had near misses in our time here.

In Genesis Ch. 47 v 9 Jacob describes his life as a pilgrimage or journey. He does not see this world as his permanent residence but just somewhere to pass through until he reaches eternity with God, Heaven is his true home. Some journeys in life can be easy and smooth like travelling an empty motorway through beautiful countryside. Others can be hectic and pressured and fraught with danger. As Christians we need to remember that we are just passing through this life to our final destination, whether it is easy or hard God promises to be with us and bring us though to the end. A very comforting thought when traveling!

Prayer points

Thank God for:

· the successful Kiwoko Chase and the money raised to support young people with HIV, about £600

· the enjoyable and successful Children’s Holiday Club run by Hospital staff in Kiwoko andthe desolate region of Karamoja. Sheets donated by friends in the UKwere used at the clubs and surplus sheets left with the Children’s home in Karamoja

Please pray for: · The appointments of new hospital staff, particularly that people would see this as their vocational calling as many leave for higher paid jobs in government facilities. · Malcolm and the Finance Office as they prepare for the external audit at the end of October · Doctors Corrie and Natasha, who have had to return home because of very ill mothers, that God will give them peace at a difficult time

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

Time for a Stock-Take – (June 2013)

It’s the end of the financial year at the hospital and one thing that Malcolm has to do is to make sure that there is a stock take. This covers medical items such as drugs and syringes as well as more unusual things such as cows and bags of cement.

We have been in Kiwoko for about 3 months now and looking forward to a 3 week break at the end of July to the UK for a wedding and to visit family and friends.  Now is a good time to take a personal ‘stock-take’ and remember what we have achieved here.

-               We have settled in to our very comfortable new home and have learnt not to complain (much) about showering in cold water.

-               Irene has finished interviewing all the staff at the clinic for those suffering from HIV / AIDS and has submitted her report and recommendations for improving the administration procedures.

-               Malcolm has managed, with the finance staff, to get the Hospital Board’s approval to budgets for the next financial year. He has also increased most prices (and reduced some) that patients pay for treatment and drugs. (Although most of the treatment costs are covered by donations and grants it is essential that patients make a small contribution to the Hospital costs)

-               We have made new friends with both other ‘mzungus’ and local staff, and enjoy a weekly bible study with local medical staff

-               We have avoided accidents, illnesses and bites from snakes or the many unusual bugs we find here (except from the mosquitos)

The bible talks about God’s blessings in our lives. Job 5:24 says “You will know that your tent is secure; you will take stock of your property and find nothing missing”. At the time Job was experiencing a heap of disasters in his life, and had lost his home and his family. But he was still under God’s ‘tent’ or protection. Whatever difficulties we may face we can be reassured that God will never let us down.

 

Prayer pointers

Thank God:

·        that we have so far settled in well to our new life at Kiwoko Hospital, are making friends and getting fellowship.

·        For the work we have been able to do and the contributions we are making to the care of poor people in the region

·        For the many people around the world who help fund the Hospital and ensure that the people here get good medical care at a price they can afford

Please pray:

·        for wisdom and insight as we find out the needs of Kiwoko Hospital, and how we can help in the spiritual, work and community life here

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

·        for Malcolm and staff in the Finance and Administration department as they seek to manage the finances of the Hospital and keep management informed of the financial position

·        for the work of the chaplain and mission team as they bring spiritual comfort to the patients, as well as their families and Hospital staff, in their time of medical and spiritual need.

·        For safe journeys and a relaxing time as we see family and friends in the UK, and prepare to return to Kiwoko until July 2014

 

To find out more about our life in Uganda see our weekly blog. Just search for ‘Malcolm and Irene Crawford’.

Our First Month at Kiwoko Hospital, Uganda - May 2013

Our first Month at Kiwoko Hospital, Uganda

It’s been just over a month since we came to Kiwoko Hospital, Uganda. This is a brief update on our experiences so far

.

We have settled in well. We are getting to know people here and desperately trying to remember a lot of new names. We have joined a weekly bible study group of mainly local medical staff, and also meet fortnightly for fellowship with other mzungu (white) Mission workers here.

Irene is working in the HIV clinic, with the intention of trying to improve their admin procedures. On the whole things work well although sometimes there are problems, such as doctors waiting for patients because staff are taking a tea break and ‘forgotten’ to tell patients when its their turn

Malcolm is getting to grips with the Hospital finances. His first meeting of the Finance Committee is on 10^th June, by which time the Hospital’s budget for 2013/14 has to be ready. This is a tight deadline, considering he still is trying to find out about the finances. Most of the funding comes from overseas donors, with patients needing to buy a modest amount, essential to balance the books for difficult for mainly peasant farmers. Because of the shortage of trained medical staff in Uganda, and the demand for staff to work at Government Health Centres and Hospitals, there is an urgent need for the Hospital to consider a significant pay rise for staff in order to retain and attract those it needs. Finding sufficient funds to pay for this is a challenge, though the two main donors have generously agreed to increase their contributions.

We spent a long weekend to visit friends in Kisoro, and to pick up several boxes we had left there pending our return. We were delighted to find how well Potter’s Village Crisis Centre for Children has moved on. To complement the residential care of babies up to 2 years old, the Medical Centre is now fully operational. This is staffed by 2 CMS Mission Associates, Dr.Mike Hughes from Ely and Sister Rosie Brown from High Wycombe as well as a local nurse, Jovia. The Special Care Babies’ Unit now receives premature babies from the local Government hospital which does not have adequate facilities to care for them. There is also a small paediatric ward and an Outpatient clinic is open for sick children from the local community.

Mike’s wife, Sue, is helping with the administration and has begun a project to construct furniture for disabled children from recycled cardboard. Much of the construction is done by local craftsman, Leonard. When we were there Doreen, a 2 year old with cerebral palsy, received a chair to help her sit upright properly.

One concern is that the long term Mission Partner, Jenny Green, is returning in June for a few months visit to England mainly to seek specialist advice on the educational needs of her adopted son, Jojo.

 

Prayer pointers

Thank God:

·        that we have so far settled in well to our new life at Kiwoko Hspital, are making friends and getting fellowship.

·        for the growth and work of Potter’s Village, the dedication of the staff, and  for the work of the staff and CMS Mission workers Jenny, Rosie, Mike and Sue.

Please pray:

·        for wisdom and insight as we find out the needs of Kiwoko Hospital, and how we can help in the spiritual, work and community life here

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

·        for Malcolm and staff in the Finance and Administration department as they seek to prepare a viable, balanced budget for the Hospital for the next financial year, starting July 2013. Especially for wisdom as they prepare reports for the June meetings of Finance Committee and the Hospital Management Board

·        for Jenny Green as she returns to the UK for a few months; for peace that God will clearly show her His love and plans for herself and her family and will continue to bless the work of Potter's Village in her absence.

 

 

 

 

 

Return to Uganda - April 2013

Having been at Kiwoko hospital for just over 3 days there is very little for us to say at the moment.

We arrived safely after an uneventful trip. Irene’s prayer that we might have a “spiritually challenging” journey was met by God’s gracious response in giving her the best sleep she has ever had on an overnight flight! It is good that He knows us much better than we know ourselves.

On arrival in Entebbe we were met by our friend Corrie, but not by the taxi driver who had been arranged to pick up our large amount of luggage. However we managed to cram all the bags and people into Corries car and get to a local shopping centre where fortunately a hospital car met us and took some of our cases so we then had some room for essential shopping. It later transpired that an unfamiliar rattling Corrie had noticed in her car turned out to be due to the fact that three bolts had fallen out of her engine mounting and it was hanging on by just one!

Our accommodation in the hospital grounds is pleasant with a spare bedroom for any who would like to visit. Thoughtfully the staff have arranged for us to have meals out for the first week which is making settling in a lot easier. We are almost unpacked and mentally making lists of things we need to buy in the near future.

Prayer pointers

·        Thank God for a safe arrival and the kindness of the staff in providing meals and an invitingly clean home

·        Pray that we will quickly become used to the heat and humidity which is proving very tiring at the moment

·        That we will be able to settle into working alongside different systems in a different culture and not offend others by our keenness to “get on with it” instead of greeting people properly first!

·        That we will be able to build meaningful relationships with others

The Greatest Escape - September 2012

Some time ago we were speaking to someone from Britain who had been working as a volunteer in Kisoro for several weeks and preparing to return home. He said something that surprised us. He said he was looking forward to no longer being a prisoner in the town. When we asked what he meant we realised that even though most visitors had adapted to the poor roads and chaotic traffic and at least tolerated the culture, he had become so worried that he had refused to travel any further than the boundaries of what the travel guides describe as ' a scruffy town', keeping as much as possible within the project he was helping at. Having flown 4,000 miles to work here, he had never travelled further than a mile from that project. This meant he had had no experience of the stunning scenery that surrounds Kisoro; the panoramic views that caused Churchill to declare that Uganda must be the 'Pearl of Africa', the picturesque lakes within a short distance of Kisoro, or experienced the vitality of native churches and life in the local villages. He had made himself a prisoner in Kisoro.

Many of the locals may also feel themselves to be prisoners, but not of their own choosing. They were born in Uganda, maybe to poor, peasant farmers who struggle to find enough food to feed the family, let alone to pay their children’s school fees. They therefore grew up with little education, restricted health care, limited life expectancy, have little hope of advancement and are trapped in poverty. They can only dream of the lifestyle that we all enjoy in the west and which they glimpse in newspapers or on TV. They are prisoners of their circumstances.

And then there are the other prisoners we often see in Kisoro. The work gangs in chains and their distinctive yellow overalls, who have been allowed out of jail to carry out some hard labour clearing rubbish or digging fields. They have become prisoners because of some crime or sin they had committed.

We all may be prisoners within our own lives. Maybe because of our low self esteem, or because of our background and circumstances, or because of some unresolved sin in our lives. For all of us Jesus came 'to set the prisoners free'. (Luke 4:18). This may not mean He will change our circumstances, but if we turn to Him:

-         He is able to set us free from the insecurities that may restrict our lives.

-         He is able to help us rejoice in our circumstances and realise that He loves and cares for us in all situations

-         He will forgive us our sins and to free us from guilt that may remain

It is our last month in Kisoro before our return to the UK on 19th October.

Please thank God for:

-         His faithfulness in caring for us here, and our families in the UK

-         The work that we have been able to do, both at the Diocese, and at Potter’s Village child crisis centre and Kisiizi Hopital

Please pray for;

-         a safe return to the UK and that we settle back to our bungalow in Boston

-         wisdom and discernment as we think about what we might, or might not do in the future, including possible future placements abroad

-         Evasta, who Emmanuel church is sponsoring for work experience for the next two years. That she will settle into her role at the Vocational Training Centre when she finishes her computer course in December

-         those we leave behind, such as the CMS Mission partner, Jenny Green.  That they will continue to be encouraged by God.

To read our weekly blog search for ‘Malcolm and Irene Crawford’ or go to:

http://malcolmandirenecrawford.blogspot.com