May 9, 2008

Greetings from Uganda, where we are heading down the final stretch. Sally’s brother, Rich, came to Nfuufu for a week and had the option of experiencing as little or as much as he desired. He did the full treatment, experiencing all we are doing here (even breaking rock with a sledge hammer and tying reinforcing steel, etc.)

During his visit we took several days off and traveled to Murchison Falls National Park (the River Nile at its best) and went on safari. We could have never expected the countless encounters with wildlife including leopards, elephants, giraffes, hippos, buffalos, a lion kill and much more. It was an unbelievable trip.

The work project is flaming on to the end of my stay. We have poured the second floor on the administration building, set and poured columns for the two-story classroom, and we are bricking the one-story classroom. I am presently attempting to develop a “best guess” schedule for completion (Good Luck!) The metal roofing is now being applied to the girl’s dorm and electrical power will be installed on Saturday May 10 and we fly out May 13. Roof framing is near completion on the third dorm and concrete forming for the beams on the two-story classroom will commence on Monday, May 12. It has been a good run this trip.

Two Story Classroom

Sally is wide open until the end, as well, with the clinic and special projects. The highlights for the week include two babies born in the clinic and Fridah from a far away village coming to get her new prosthesis. If you recall us telling her story we called her Frances but she has given permission to use her name. It is an amazing story of how God provided this leg for her through a connection in California and a man in England who made it. When she opened the box tears of joy streamed down her face and she held it like a baby. She said, “Now I can stand and lift my arms to praise the Lord!” It took about five days of getting the leg adjusted and learning to walk with it, climb stairs, ride a taxi and boda. Sally felt like she was sending her child off to school when she turned her loose in a taxi to return to her village. Can you imagine the shouting and drums and singing as she returns home on two feet!

Ja Ja Jean is continuing to help Vincent who has made great strides with his English. She also is a vital part of the Smiling Faces Club in the village on Saturday. She runs the “nursery” as she holds the babies so that the siblings can learn their ABCs. Mom is loved by all and will be greatly missed here.

The singles leadership team met with us for the last time Friday evening. What a fine group of servant leaders they are becoming. We enjoyed great food, laughter, sharing, challenge from the Word and prayer. It will be interesting to see where God leads this group.

We are all tired but relatively content (most days) knowing our labors have not been in vain. We leave Tuesday evening, the 13th of May and return to Birmingham. We will be in Birmingham for about two weeks, then on to California for Mom’s doctor appointments, then to Oregon and Washington for a grandson’s graduation from college and celebration of mom’s 80th birthday.

We also want to express deep gratitude for those of you who sent glucometers and flash drives. One of the flash drives went to the clinic so they can now back up their patient records. The computer they use is old and we were concerned that months of data entry would be lost. Sally is continuing to distribute the glucometers and teach the diabetics and their families how to use them. The receivers of these gifts could in no way afford them and pray that God will bless the givers. Also we appreciate the supplies for the Smiling Faces Club. What a blessing to be able to leave these flash cards, markers, Frisbees, etc. with kids who have never seen such things but are very eager to learn.

Grateful for your love and support which has enabled us to serve here!

Gorden, Sally and Ja Ja Jean