When someone returns after an absence a common phrase is "You have been lost!" so maybe we have been lost because it is ages since we sent out any news!
Maybe the Queen has also been lost! She has come back to Uganda after last visiting over 50 years ago, this time her visit coincides with the opening of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting here in Kampala. What chaos this has caused, roads have been repaired, street lights & hotels erected, grass planted, the city has been beautified! But not all of it you understand, just those bits that the visitors will see.
Last Wednesday, a practice convoy took place simulating the arrival of the Queen, roads were closed - at rush hour 6pm! The whole of Kampala came to a standstill for over 4 hours. People complained, missed their planes, got frustrated, and so the problem was pondered upon, what to do???
The decision was announced - Thursday & Friday this week will be public holidays! The army will take over security in Kampala. So Kampala will be empty, people will 'go upcountry' for the long weekend, no rush-hour, no traffic! Problem solved! Its just that the whole country comes to a standstill for 2 days!
Bird Flu has reached the Sudan, just north of Uganda - so the government has reacted!
All Chickens to be registered at Parish level said the headline in the National Newspaper!
Can you imagine in a place where not all children have birth certificates how are they are going to register all the chickens -
Just imagine the scene?
"I have come to register my chickens"
"How many do you have?"
"356"
"Right what are there names?"
.........
or
"We have eaten 3 chickens last night......."
"Who did you eat ....."
Let your imagination run wild !
Last night we were eating with our son-in-law Paul at a local restaurant (Highway at Nyendo - for those who have been here) when our car was broken into - we could see the car from where we were seated, no more than 15 ft from us, but it was entered and our bags taken - cameras, passports, work permits, credit cards and some money - all gone!! We could not believe it. But it happened in day light - in front of us - so off to the police who confidently announced they would catch the guys. We prayed. WE PRAYED!
This morning I printed out some notices, we went to the radio stations to get some announcements made, then about 11.30 Joshua walks into my office with his driving instructor - with the bags - they had spotted them on some waste ground 1 minutes walk from the internet cafe!!! Passports, credit cards driving licences all there. Obviously the cameras and the money had gone together with my watch and wallet but most important those important documents were there!
Who says God does not answer prayer!!!
What else has happened recently?
Hosanna House - the girls home - is now open with 3 girls living there together with Josephine who is 'house mother'.
I (Alan) have moved my office out of the internet cafe after 4 years to give Susan space to run the cafe.
We have a new teacher at the school in Kasaka.
We are getting ready to build 1 or 2 more classrooms at the Kasaka school, this school year ends on 7th December and when the new year starts in February we will need to add Primary 5 and probably split this years Primary 1 into 2 classes because there are 65 children in it now, and I think all school teachers will agree that is too big. So we have to recruit 2 more teachers as well.
Big faith needed - and more sponsors!
Thanks for your interest in what we are doing here.
love
Alan & Beryl Went
Masaka, Uganda
www.loveuganda.com
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