a few highlights..

Sorry! I know it's been a long time... "you've been lost" as they would say out here... so, where to start?
On Thursday we went into the slums to do a bit of community outreach. We were aware that we often visited the same families so we went with the intention of meeting some new people and going to new homes. I was in a group with Nic, Kathryn and Jon. We met and prayed with lots of new people. I always love this time as we can get to know the families of the children who cling to our arms and encourage them. This Thursday in particular involved a lot of piggybacks and running down hills. The children are so full of love and joy and I've learnt many lessons from them. They are not rich in the way the world views wealth, but they have an abundance of love and faith in our God and their riches will be overflowing in Heaven. 
In that community I have adopted a little shadow who doesn't leave my side while we are there. Her name is Juliana and she is incredibly beautiful and very very cheeky! She's the one on my back in the photo below. Last week I gave her a bracelet from my wrist and she gave me her ring - a ring pull from a carton of juice. These kids know how to steal my heart! 

Piggybacks!

Praying with a family

Yes, this is four children sitting on my lap at once!

This is Esther. I remember meeting her on one of our first visits to the slum. On her back is her younger sister Alice. I'm not sure I've ever seen Esther without her sister. She carries her round day in day out, cuddling her when she cries and feeding her. I can't imagine a young girl of Esther's age in England having the responsibility of caring for her baby sister. It's not unusual to find children caring for their younger siblings as their parents often go out to work and childcare is not really an option. Unfortunately, Alice is scared of white skin, but I often offer to hold the baby for a while so the older sibling can have a break (and I'm not complaining!). They should be able to run and play and laugh without the worry of a little brother or sister attached to their back. I guess it's just a challenge to see such a young child having such adult responsibilities. 

Early on Monday morning we were back off to the hospital. We had noticed last week that the children's ward could do with livening up so we took some pictures down to stick on the walls. Kathryn also gave out some bracelets to the children.

We saw a very poorly baby who was suffering with malaria. He was attached to an oxygen tank that towered over him and his breathing was very fast. We prayed with the mother for healing and a swift recovery. We also visited the pre-natal ward where we met a lady who was having contractions. During our prayer - she left to go and have her baby! It was very exciting!


On Tuesday and Wednesday we went to a new school called Ruth Mother Care. It only caters up to P2 and has two very lovely teachers, Teacher Ruth and Teacher Monica. Susie, Anna and I went to observe nursery class for the first half of the day and Kathryn and Jon were in P1 and P2. At break time we led some games with the children and introduced them to 'mingo mingo'! After break we took a lesson. Some of the children are too young to write so I took them outside and tried to do some phonics and letters with them - they spoke as much English as I speak Luganda!! At the end of the day we gave out toys and soap as a 'thank you for letting us visit your school'. I really enjoyed the day and we went back on the Wednesday where we taught some more lessons. We are looking into making this school another one of our Smile projects and I hope we can go back to teach there again.

The school building

Baby Class

Clearly engaged in our lesson!

Wednesday - teaching the sound "a"

These are just some of my highlights from the past week or so. We're off to the slums now so I will end there!
Thank you for all your prayers and messages of support.
God Bless x