On Our Way

With team two arriving safe and sound, but late into the night, we began our day just a bit later. Ten AM for breakfast, then we spent some time praying and thanking our great God for the delivery of every person and all 27 pieces of luggage without incident. We talked about our day and our plans for each of the different things we wanted to get done. First on the list was transporting 10 people and all the full size suitcases to the home. After everything was unloaded and Henry our grounds keeper was greeted, the sorting of all of the donations you sent began. In the meantime, the men headed to town to light a fire under the carpenter, Paul. All ten bunk beds were completed weeks ago and Janet paid him the balance of what was owed when she verified and counted every piece. It seems as though another customer may have come into the shop and purchased about 3 1/2 sets, and ours have not been replaced. This would explain the delay every day in the delivery of them, along with the dining room table and some cooking equipment. This same unpredictable vendor will be the supplier of the lumber needed for the cooking shelter. I know, I kind of see trouble and another delay coming too. They were able to find nails and some light bulbs, and a few sodas, experience the streets of Jinja and the difference between American suppliers and here. Dann is a get-it-done kind of guy, so the waiting for supplies is frustrating and discouragement and disappointment were settling in on Janet. 

In the meantime, every bit of 18 suitcases overflowing with donations was opened, sorted and piled around the living room. Bibles were labeled, backpacks and towels marked with names, pencils sharpened, notebooks identified, toothbrushes assigned, bathroom baskets filled and uniquely marked, bath sponges distributed and a special Chayah Critter placed in each pack, peaking out just enough to entice a new owner of any age. PJ's were sorted, and we counted vitamins out to cover a complete 3 1/2 months...giving us the target date for our next trip I suppose. 

At one point during the day, some of us ventured out into our new neighborhood. Some went with a family heading down a path to the Nile River where they were fetching water. Empty jeri cans were submerged and filled and then a pack of smiling new friends arrived back at Chayah. Another two headed across the road and found two small girls, maybe 6 and 8 years old. The older of the two summoned her weak sister out of the home to meet the Americans, then both went back inside to bring out a bench for sitting. The one seemed sick and we wondered what to do our that could be done. The face of the sick child has made an imprint on us and we are praying for an opportunity to help by taking her to the clinic near our house or whatever she may need. I will not sleep well until we can get back to do whatever we can.

Then we decided to combat the bed frustration the American way...more shopping. We took the entire team to the market place to pick up the draperies. Janet was out and off before we were even completely out of the van and it took no time at all to loose ourselves from each other. Where one vendor looks like the next and every 4 ft wide side street offering an opportunity to wonder "did they go this way or that way"? It was a bit unsettling in the most fun way you can imagine. The Deeds and I claimed the bravery awards this day as we sampled "silver fish". It is tiny and silver, a complete fish about 1 inch long and dried out crispy. It tastes surprisingly like dried, dead fish flakes. But you know, when in the Uganda market... We have never been so happy to have a water bottle handy.
We heard a ruckus and saw a crowd gathering around one person, there was yelling and accusing and it appeared court was being held right there in the streets for someone accused of "thieving". We made two stops on the way home, ate our evening meal and retired for the evening, worn out from the days work. We prayed specifically for the beds to be done although I doubt one bit the children will the least disappointed to be have a mattress on the floor is necessary. We've done what we can today, it wasn't as much as we had hoped and with the first 10 children moving in on Monday, we have tomorrow. Please pray with us that the beds are completed and the wood arrives for the construction project in the back yard. We are so grateful you are carrying our mission with you there by praying for us.