Monday late afternoon we were greeted by clapping. Children came from everywhere! As we all gathered, the Nyamabuga headmaster formally greeted us and the children sang and danced for almost two hours. Personally, this is my third time seeing this grand greeting and each time it is so impressive that it makes me forget the rest of the world and enter into the real world of God's love for these children.
Hello Everyone!
First of all, we would like to thank everyone who gave toward this trip. It seems like the finances came together so amazingly. Truly it was God’s provision.
On September 26th seven people left the from three different States. We all arrived in on September 27th. Roland and Linda Beard went on to Uganda while Nannette Glaser, Bonnie Rawson, Teresa Skinner and Annella Whitehead had a more than 8 hour lay over in Amsterdam with the hope to visit the city for a while. Unfortunately has changed their policy since the last time Annella was there so as a South African she was not allowed to visit the city even though she has a green card but needed a visa that would have had to have been obtained before we arrived. We all opted to stay in the beautiful airport and get some much needed rest.
Sunday morning early we arrived in . After meeting Sister Gertrude and her family we sorted medical supplies, toys and food that we brought from the states. Roland and Linda were meeting a container that they had sent earlier yet they decided Linda would join the medical team for the week and then return to to wait for the papers to clear for the container. Roland would spend the week with Emmanuel, Sister Gertrude’s youngest son.
Monday morning we rented a van and driver, Mr. Gibson, a kind Christian man who was also a friend of Sister Gertrude’s.
We arrived at the hotel in Fort Portal, put our things away and then we were off to the village and !
Monday late afternoon we were greeted by clapping. Children came from everywhere! As we all gathered the headmaster formally greeted us and the children sang and danced for almost two hours. Personally this is my third time seeing this grand greeting and each time it is so impressive that it makes me wonder how missionaries might have felt as they were greeted many years ago.
We took many pictures and videos of the presentation and will include some pictures in this report. Afterwards we went to the clinic to see what we would need for the next day.
Last year, in preparation of our first medical outreach, Sister Gertrude had obtained permission to set up a clinic close to the school. This clinic includes four rooms, one which is used as our break room; the other three are treatment rooms. Before we arrived this year Sister Gertrude added a restroom – a latrine with a western toilet seat close to the clinic for our convenience. Thank you Sister Gertrude you are so precious.
We all gathered and discussed our method for treating the children this year. It was a plus to have Annella Whitehead RN and Health Administrator for All Nations International with us on the team; she had some great ideas especially concerning the triage. Last year we were able to treat more that 300 children in six days and this time we had only four days to treat more than 500 children.
When I first visited in 2006 with my niece Miriam, I really felt like I must return. But, I just could not return empty handed. The Lord put it on my heart to bring medical help to these children; it looked as if many if them had never seen a doctor. We started researching the general medical complaints, each time we have filled out index cards with their height and weight and medical information that clearly states their complaints. Taking special note of certain health issues so that we may either train the teachers and families to help eradicate these diseases or encourage a worming regime with better nutrition. Our goal now is to bring doctors, dentists, optometrists and surgeons to treat the more serious medical complaints.
We need to take the time to thank God and those sponsors who are helping the children as they do seem to be improving. When I first came in 2006 I believe less than 20% of all of the children owned shoes. It looks like by Christmas this year 100% of all children will own at least one pair of shoes.
Special thanks to “Crocs” and also all of those who donated shoes! Also special thanks to Roland and Linda Beard of Christworks Ministries who have personally taken the financial responsibility to collect supplies, send a container and then meet the container to distribute the supplies and teach the teachers how to use them. This is what happens when people work together to show the love of God to a village far away.
Not to ever forget that if Sister Gertrude Kabatalemwa did not decide to leave her job and see obey God’s call to her of “what is in your hand” we would have never met this small village of beautiful children.