First, we want you to know that we want to post pictures but our internet connection is so slow it is difficult. We will try to add to previous posts when the connection is stronger.
It is amazing how primitive things are. The villages are beyond imagination. The pictures we took will not do it justice. The homes are mud huts with a separate mud hut for cooking. The toilet is also a separate building. They haul their water from a spring in jerrycans and they have to pay for it. They do laundry outside under a tree by hand in a tub using a bar of soap, then drape it on ropes and bushes to dry. They wash their dishes under the shade of a tree in pans with a bar of soap, and dry them in the sun on a mat. They are meticulous. Everything is scrubbed clean and inspected. Children are rolling a tire with a stick and people walk by on the road and pass us as they walk down the path to other huts. Neighbors are passing the day in the same way. The plant life was beautiful, along with the women.
Our ladies were welcomed by the widows who bake for a living. A group from the Hunter’s church in Oregon researched how to make a clay oven, built one at home and tested it, then came to Uganda to build one. The American ladies from that church developed recipes for the widows using ingredients readily available, put them in a recipe notebook for them in plastic sleeves and brought all of the measuring cups and spoons, bowls, pans, cooling racks, etc and taught them how to bake in the oven so they could sell their goods for profit and support themselves. They gave us a demonstration and it was just like watching Food Network with a wonderful woman named Margaret as our host. They made banana bread and pumpkin bread for us. Regina built the fire in the oven to heat it up. The oven is located next to her home. Her adult daughter, Dorothy, was our hostess for the day. The other widows helping today were Sarah and Florence. As we waited for the breads to bake, the ladies shared their stories with us about how they became widows. You could tell by their faces how painful it was. Margaret interpreted for Florence and Regina. Their losses included assassination, illness (AIDS), car accident, and intentional alcohol poisonings. We sat on benches under a tree, drinking soda pops they retrieved from the market, as we listened to their stories. We sang for them and Dorothy sang for us an original song she composed and then taught it to us. It was an amazing day.
The construction of the desks is making progress. Byron made a handmade table saw and has taught the local men to use it. Before the end of today, we will have 50 desks 2/3 completed. We have made a big dent in the lumber pile with most of the wood cut. The tent in the courtyard is a life saver in this heat! We are going to be sanding and routing the seats and tops. Painting is next. The ladies are excited to be involved in the washing down and painting process. The young men who live here, Henry and Abe, have been introduced to power tools and refuse to quit…which means that our men don’t get to use them. It’s a great day.
Paul passed out three of the bibles tonight that we brought. Two to seminary students and one to a Birundi visitor that is passing through and staying a few days. He shared that he has prayed for 5 years for an English bible and today God answered his prayer.
The meals once again were over the top today! Tonight we sang “Marvelous Grace” and “Amazing Grace” to our marvelous and amazing cook named Grace.
Tomorrow will be church and a day of rest.
It is amazing how primitive things are. The villages are beyond imagination. The pictures we took will not do it justice. The homes are mud huts with a separate mud hut for cooking. The toilet is also a separate building. They haul their water from a spring in jerrycans and they have to pay for it. They do laundry outside under a tree by hand in a tub using a bar of soap, then drape it on ropes and bushes to dry. They wash their dishes under the shade of a tree in pans with a bar of soap, and dry them in the sun on a mat. They are meticulous. Everything is scrubbed clean and inspected. Children are rolling a tire with a stick and people walk by on the road and pass us as they walk down the path to other huts. Neighbors are passing the day in the same way. The plant life was beautiful, along with the women.
Our ladies were welcomed by the widows who bake for a living. A group from the Hunter’s church in Oregon researched how to make a clay oven, built one at home and tested it, then came to Uganda to build one. The American ladies from that church developed recipes for the widows using ingredients readily available, put them in a recipe notebook for them in plastic sleeves and brought all of the measuring cups and spoons, bowls, pans, cooling racks, etc and taught them how to bake in the oven so they could sell their goods for profit and support themselves. They gave us a demonstration and it was just like watching Food Network with a wonderful woman named Margaret as our host. They made banana bread and pumpkin bread for us. Regina built the fire in the oven to heat it up. The oven is located next to her home. Her adult daughter, Dorothy, was our hostess for the day. The other widows helping today were Sarah and Florence. As we waited for the breads to bake, the ladies shared their stories with us about how they became widows. You could tell by their faces how painful it was. Margaret interpreted for Florence and Regina. Their losses included assassination, illness (AIDS), car accident, and intentional alcohol poisonings. We sat on benches under a tree, drinking soda pops they retrieved from the market, as we listened to their stories. We sang for them and Dorothy sang for us an original song she composed and then taught it to us. It was an amazing day.
The construction of the desks is making progress. Byron made a handmade table saw and has taught the local men to use it. Before the end of today, we will have 50 desks 2/3 completed. We have made a big dent in the lumber pile with most of the wood cut. The tent in the courtyard is a life saver in this heat! We are going to be sanding and routing the seats and tops. Painting is next. The ladies are excited to be involved in the washing down and painting process. The young men who live here, Henry and Abe, have been introduced to power tools and refuse to quit…which means that our men don’t get to use them. It’s a great day.
Paul passed out three of the bibles tonight that we brought. Two to seminary students and one to a Birundi visitor that is passing through and staying a few days. He shared that he has prayed for 5 years for an English bible and today God answered his prayer.
The meals once again were over the top today! Tonight we sang “Marvelous Grace” and “Amazing Grace” to our marvelous and amazing cook named Grace.
Tomorrow will be church and a day of rest.
AWESOME! I can't wait to hear from you guys in church tomorrow. I hope it works out. Sounds like you are witnessing and being witnessed to, isn't it amazing how God uses each and every one of us. Keep the posts coming. Praying for you all daily.
ReplyDeleteMisti