In the sermon at church today I heard something new to me - that every moment is different from every other moment, with God's potential in all of them. Do we have eyes to see?
Given my last week of ups and downs, prayer times of 20 minutes and 2 hours, nudges to reach out and to release....it does seem that God is present in everything that I do, that you do....mind boggling.
What if the moment on Wednesday when I let a staff person go was nudged by God to open up better opportunities, or save him from big trouble or...something else. What if the letter I write to one long lost from my life is really God dictated and directed. What can happen then??
God is a God of miracles today, and I am so glad that He is in charge of my life. Thanks be to the One who Loves with mercy and understanding.
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Seasons
Personnel actions are among the most difficult areas for me. In the past when I have laid a staff person off, it is after much soul searching and once on direct orders from God.
Yesterday I released a staff person that I really like and who is a good man in many, many ways. Yet, as we discussed what had occurred, it seemed as if there was a fork in the road that God had laid out. The decision was mine to take and the employee was gracious, self-contained and seemingly easy with the change that just tossed his life into the unknown. He will likely leave Kampala today or tomorrow with his family and return to the village for a time.
I have to trust God that this was/is the right decision. But it is hard. Prayers and tears don't change it. But God can bring something much better out of this. The jobs I have for guards are boring, not challenging, lots of down time and little to keep the person growing either in faith or skills. If anything, it is so easy as to perhaps lead to loss of skills and maybe even attitude.
Now, there are only 3 employees here and hopefully no changes in the near future.
Yesterday I released a staff person that I really like and who is a good man in many, many ways. Yet, as we discussed what had occurred, it seemed as if there was a fork in the road that God had laid out. The decision was mine to take and the employee was gracious, self-contained and seemingly easy with the change that just tossed his life into the unknown. He will likely leave Kampala today or tomorrow with his family and return to the village for a time.
I have to trust God that this was/is the right decision. But it is hard. Prayers and tears don't change it. But God can bring something much better out of this. The jobs I have for guards are boring, not challenging, lots of down time and little to keep the person growing either in faith or skills. If anything, it is so easy as to perhaps lead to loss of skills and maybe even attitude.
Now, there are only 3 employees here and hopefully no changes in the near future.
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Drinking Water
Think of the two things you need every day to survive.
Was air and water on that list?
Here is what some people have had to use for their water source. They walk from their home, often up to a mile away, to fill a 5 gallon (20 liter) plastic can with this brackish swamp water for their cooking, drinking, cleaning. Not a pretty thought.
Below are some of the photos of the men from Streams of Life making a well to supply clean drinking water to an area with 30 families. The two day project cost about $600 and will last for years if the people learn to take care of the simple machinery and don't contaminate the land around the well.
The test hole was dug 3 times with the hand auger before finding the one with a good refill rate. Photos on my earlier blog showed the drilling process for that step.
Once the hole is dug, the water refill rate is checked by dropping in a sleeve like cylinder with a closeable bottom flap. This is used to pull the water out and then the well is timed to see how long before it comes back in again.
Once the well location is selected the hole is enlarged to 6" diameter, which accommodates the 4" perforated pipes (see the earlier blog).
Once the pipes are in place coarse sand is poured into the space between the pipe and soil to act as a biofilter for the water seeping into the pipes.
With the 4" pipe firmly in place the pieces of the actual pump housing are added.
Around the housing are placed bricks which are part of the solid base of the pump
More bricks are added to outline the platform and the drainage trench
Cement is used to fill around the pump housing, between the bricks, tamped down to make a solid base.
When all is firmly in placed the smaller water pipes connected to the pump are threaded together in inserted into the middle of the 4" pipe.
The top part of the pump housing with the handle is added and fixed to the smaller pipe that reaches to the bottom of the well, minus 1/2" for clearance.
With the pump mechanism fully in place the final finish work on the well platform and surround is completed.
Instruction to the people is given in how to use the pump and to take care of it. A few pumps of water are used to demonstrate, but the people will have to wait a few days for it all to set up and dry properly before coming for their new water.
Was air and water on that list?
Here is what some people have had to use for their water source. They walk from their home, often up to a mile away, to fill a 5 gallon (20 liter) plastic can with this brackish swamp water for their cooking, drinking, cleaning. Not a pretty thought.
Below are some of the photos of the men from Streams of Life making a well to supply clean drinking water to an area with 30 families. The two day project cost about $600 and will last for years if the people learn to take care of the simple machinery and don't contaminate the land around the well.
The test hole was dug 3 times with the hand auger before finding the one with a good refill rate. Photos on my earlier blog showed the drilling process for that step.
Once the hole is dug, the water refill rate is checked by dropping in a sleeve like cylinder with a closeable bottom flap. This is used to pull the water out and then the well is timed to see how long before it comes back in again.
Once the well location is selected the hole is enlarged to 6" diameter, which accommodates the 4" perforated pipes (see the earlier blog).
Once the pipes are in place coarse sand is poured into the space between the pipe and soil to act as a biofilter for the water seeping into the pipes.
With the 4" pipe firmly in place the pieces of the actual pump housing are added.
Around the housing are placed bricks which are part of the solid base of the pump
More bricks are added to outline the platform and the drainage trench
Cement is used to fill around the pump housing, between the bricks, tamped down to make a solid base.
When all is firmly in placed the smaller water pipes connected to the pump are threaded together in inserted into the middle of the 4" pipe.
The top part of the pump housing with the handle is added and fixed to the smaller pipe that reaches to the bottom of the well, minus 1/2" for clearance.
With the pump mechanism fully in place the final finish work on the well platform and surround is completed.
Instruction to the people is given in how to use the pump and to take care of it. A few pumps of water are used to demonstrate, but the people will have to wait a few days for it all to set up and dry properly before coming for their new water.
Monday, February 6, 2012
So What Is a Mission Trip?
Can you believe I have never been on a mission trip? I have supported many missionaries in various ways over the past 30+ years, but never have gone myself.
Yes, some have said my life is a mission trip, but that is different, for I live in (and sometimes for) my routine, and just do what there is to do.
Going on a mission trip means deliberately setting aside time and self interest to put others' needs first. When Shanthi told me she was leading a team from her church to come here to Uganda, to work along side a well-digging team and to do vacation bible school, I thought that was wonderful....especially since I'd get to see her. Then she asked me to come along. I said yes, not realizing really what it would mean.
Having been to rural villages here before, I had some idea of what I would find. So I took my thread and needle and seam ripper along so that I could mend clothes for the kids. That was the full extent of my planning. While all the other team members, for their first trip to Africa or first mission trip, had read some books, had conversations with Shanthi and with Chad, organized according to their checklists and packed up essentials, including flashlights, mosquito repellant, etc.
So here are some shots of us at work and play
Madison playing football with the kids
Melissa pumping water into the jerry cans (50 pumps to fill a 20 ltr can)
Shanthi and Karen holding down the pipe for Madison and Melissa to cut perforations over 700 cuts by a hacksaw for each pipe piece
Russ and Karen digging with an auger at the first sample hole
Me, mending clothes
Karen decorating the Sunday School Room
Karen teaching children about Jesus
On our last day the well at the Gulu Baptist Church broke. The Steams of Life team went into action and had it repaired and working in under 3 hours. A great relief for the 90 families around who use is almost daily!
All in all, 6 days for God to work in and through us to bring His blessings to all/each of us.
Yes, some have said my life is a mission trip, but that is different, for I live in (and sometimes for) my routine, and just do what there is to do.
Going on a mission trip means deliberately setting aside time and self interest to put others' needs first. When Shanthi told me she was leading a team from her church to come here to Uganda, to work along side a well-digging team and to do vacation bible school, I thought that was wonderful....especially since I'd get to see her. Then she asked me to come along. I said yes, not realizing really what it would mean.
Having been to rural villages here before, I had some idea of what I would find. So I took my thread and needle and seam ripper along so that I could mend clothes for the kids. That was the full extent of my planning. While all the other team members, for their first trip to Africa or first mission trip, had read some books, had conversations with Shanthi and with Chad, organized according to their checklists and packed up essentials, including flashlights, mosquito repellant, etc.
So here are some shots of us at work and play
Madison playing football with the kids
Melissa pumping water into the jerry cans (50 pumps to fill a 20 ltr can)
Shanthi and Karen holding down the pipe for Madison and Melissa to cut perforations over 700 cuts by a hacksaw for each pipe piece
Russ and Karen digging with an auger at the first sample hole
Me, mending clothes
Karen decorating the Sunday School Room
Karen teaching children about Jesus
On our last day the well at the Gulu Baptist Church broke. The Steams of Life team went into action and had it repaired and working in under 3 hours. A great relief for the 90 families around who use is almost daily!
All in all, 6 days for God to work in and through us to bring His blessings to all/each of us.
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Children's prison part 3 of 3
Miracle: 1. (Christianity / Ecclesiastical Terms) an event that is contrary to the established laws of nature and attributed to a supernatural cause
2. any amazing or wonderful event 3. a person or thing that is a marvelous example of something: the bridge was a miracle of engineering
When a child has no information about their family, contact numbers, etc, he or she could remain at Kampriengisa untill their 18th birthday...or when someone determines that maybe they are finally 18 (no records you know).
In December 2010, Natalie and Werner were permitted, under the umbrella of the institution, to take up to 20 kids from Kampriengisa to a home/orphanage and become the caregiver for them. These kids now live in a huge house, with the girls on the top floor with a live in social worker and the boys on the bottom floor. All the kids help with the daily chores involved in managing such a large group: cleaning, cooking, doing laundry (by hand). All the kids, except the oldest, go to a nearby local school. Sponsors pay for all the school fees. The oldest boy was deliberately damaged as a child to be used in begging, so has very limited use of his left arm and no vision in one eye. However, he has artistic talent and has a part-time apprenticeship position in a local garage painting cars. His boss likes him a lot and perhaps he will be the first one to "graduate" out into a job and place of his own.
The 20 kids housed at Coming Home, are from different tribes, speak different languages and had been at Kampriengisa various lengths of time. There are many obstacles that have been overcome in developing these youngsters into a functioning group with common values: holding the best of the Ugandan culture and background (like respect and concern for others) while trying also to give them some western values that will help with job finding and keeping (like doing what is promised and keeping time).
All the kids are provided counseling and re-socialization through the efforts of Ugandan staff trained in these fields. These are the only paid staff used by Food Step and Coming Home. Natalie and Werner are volunteers, tackling this huge life changing, character building effort, along with other volunteers whom they have recruited.
The social workers at Kampriengisa have 20 more kids identified that could go with Natalie and Werner's Food Step Uganda Ltd, when there is space for them. The court battle over the large acreage given to Food Step may be settled in the next few months, allowing Coming Home to have a permanent location and resources for growing some of their own food.
For the 20 kids who have been out for the past year, having a daily life filled with food, safety, health, games, schooling, respect and laughter qualifies as a miracle of the highest sort. What each one will make from the opportunity, God only knows. But there is much joy in making the opportunity happen.
2. any amazing or wonderful event 3. a person or thing that is a marvelous example of something: the bridge was a miracle of engineering
When a child has no information about their family, contact numbers, etc, he or she could remain at Kampriengisa untill their 18th birthday...or when someone determines that maybe they are finally 18 (no records you know).
In December 2010, Natalie and Werner were permitted, under the umbrella of the institution, to take up to 20 kids from Kampriengisa to a home/orphanage and become the caregiver for them. These kids now live in a huge house, with the girls on the top floor with a live in social worker and the boys on the bottom floor. All the kids help with the daily chores involved in managing such a large group: cleaning, cooking, doing laundry (by hand). All the kids, except the oldest, go to a nearby local school. Sponsors pay for all the school fees. The oldest boy was deliberately damaged as a child to be used in begging, so has very limited use of his left arm and no vision in one eye. However, he has artistic talent and has a part-time apprenticeship position in a local garage painting cars. His boss likes him a lot and perhaps he will be the first one to "graduate" out into a job and place of his own.
The 20 kids housed at Coming Home, are from different tribes, speak different languages and had been at Kampriengisa various lengths of time. There are many obstacles that have been overcome in developing these youngsters into a functioning group with common values: holding the best of the Ugandan culture and background (like respect and concern for others) while trying also to give them some western values that will help with job finding and keeping (like doing what is promised and keeping time).
All the kids are provided counseling and re-socialization through the efforts of Ugandan staff trained in these fields. These are the only paid staff used by Food Step and Coming Home. Natalie and Werner are volunteers, tackling this huge life changing, character building effort, along with other volunteers whom they have recruited.
The social workers at Kampriengisa have 20 more kids identified that could go with Natalie and Werner's Food Step Uganda Ltd, when there is space for them. The court battle over the large acreage given to Food Step may be settled in the next few months, allowing Coming Home to have a permanent location and resources for growing some of their own food.
For the 20 kids who have been out for the past year, having a daily life filled with food, safety, health, games, schooling, respect and laughter qualifies as a miracle of the highest sort. What each one will make from the opportunity, God only knows. But there is much joy in making the opportunity happen.
Friday, February 3, 2012
Children's prison part 2 of 3
4 years ago, Natalie and Werner Steurbaut came from Belgium to operate a mission group based in Northern Uganda. When they arrived, they discovered that the group was non-existent and that all the monies sent by various groups and individuals had gone missing, along with those who had been in charge.
Through contacts made over the next 2-3 months, they learned of Kampriengisa and went with a German lady to visit. That lady had taken 6 teens out of the center, provided housing and education for them at her own expense. But there were so many more kids who could benefit from living elsewhere!
Natalie and Werner found kids of all ages who survived on intermittent food, under the supervision of only 5 guards/staff for the entire institution. There were not enough beds or mattresses, no mosquito nets, soap or clothes to care for even part of the kids. Girls, about 10% of the population, where housed separately from the boys in a house; the boys were locked together at night in dorms containing up to 50 youngsters of all ages. Open sores, illness and poor health were the norm. While several international non-governmental organizations claimed to visit and provide health care, education, etc, , the visitor log did not reflect any visits in the past 12 months!
With available contacts and resources, Natalie and Werner set about trying to bring some smiles, joy and improvement into the lives of these kids. Once a month they organize a big meal and party, with worship, games, and hugs for any and all kids who want to join in. They have built bridges and relationships with the staff and social workers assigned to the institution. They have gained an understanding of the challenges faced by the staff and have encouraged them to be open to new possibilities. Once a week Natalie goes there with volunteers to provide some dental or medical treatment, offer some small trainings to the older kids and to continue to learn and hear the stories of each one there.
Small and big miracles kept happening, one of the most awesome occurred December 2010.
Through contacts made over the next 2-3 months, they learned of Kampriengisa and went with a German lady to visit. That lady had taken 6 teens out of the center, provided housing and education for them at her own expense. But there were so many more kids who could benefit from living elsewhere!
Natalie and Werner found kids of all ages who survived on intermittent food, under the supervision of only 5 guards/staff for the entire institution. There were not enough beds or mattresses, no mosquito nets, soap or clothes to care for even part of the kids. Girls, about 10% of the population, where housed separately from the boys in a house; the boys were locked together at night in dorms containing up to 50 youngsters of all ages. Open sores, illness and poor health were the norm. While several international non-governmental organizations claimed to visit and provide health care, education, etc, , the visitor log did not reflect any visits in the past 12 months!
With available contacts and resources, Natalie and Werner set about trying to bring some smiles, joy and improvement into the lives of these kids. Once a month they organize a big meal and party, with worship, games, and hugs for any and all kids who want to join in. They have built bridges and relationships with the staff and social workers assigned to the institution. They have gained an understanding of the challenges faced by the staff and have encouraged them to be open to new possibilities. Once a week Natalie goes there with volunteers to provide some dental or medical treatment, offer some small trainings to the older kids and to continue to learn and hear the stories of each one there.
Small and big miracles kept happening, one of the most awesome occurred December 2010.
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Children's prison part 1 of 3
Prison: definition n.
1. A place for the confinement of persons in lawful detention, especially persons convicted of crimes. 2. A place or condition of confinement or forcible restraint.
3. A state of imprisonment or captivity.
When there is a need to make this capitol city look more presentable to leaders of other nations, especially from western countries, there is increased enforcement of laws/rules that most times seem to be ignored. Vendors selling candies, newspapers, air time, Bibles, trinkets are "evicted" from their sidewalk space...because they take up space that would be used by pedestrians and are unseemly. Beggars haunting the median strips of the biggest city streets are rounded up and taken to jail or prison, or simply hauled far from town as in the case of Karamajong tribe members. Thieves and pickpockets are also caught, where possible, and removed.
Among those collected are children who are living on the streets, doing whatever it takes to survive. Some of the children are used by adults for begging, toddlers and very young ones; these go with the adult to prison if there is no one else who will take the baby to care for it. Older kids sometimes have the misfortune to be away from their parent when the sweep occurs and are caught up with others who really are street kids. There are many children and young teens who have no place to live, or perhaps no way to get back to their family.
This last group is among those taken to Kampriengisa Rehabilitation Center, some 50 km from Kampala. Designed in the late 1950's as a rehabilitation and training center for youthful criminal offenders, its purpose and use has changed some over the years. Currently it houses 200+ children, ages 3 to 18. Since street kids don't usually have identification and many speak only their home/tribal language, it is difficult, or even impossible, to tell the real age of the child or teen, never mind who or where the parents could be found.
The 3 year old who lives there belongs to a 15 year old prostitute. Upon discovering that the child was being used in the sex business, a social worker removed the child from the mom before the mom went to Luzira prison. While the mom has since been released, and has returned to her work, the social workers and court permit only supervised visits with her daughter at Kampriengisa. There is the hope that some day the mom will find a better way to support herself and then can take the daughter.
There are stories of children being remanded to Kampriengisa through the local courts when a step parent makes the case for the child being willfully stubborn (disobedient). Only about 20 of the children there have actually been convicted of criminal activity and have a sentence to serve. All the others, unless claimed by a family member and given permission by the court, will stay until they turn 18.
1. A place for the confinement of persons in lawful detention, especially persons convicted of crimes. 2. A place or condition of confinement or forcible restraint.
3. A state of imprisonment or captivity.
When there is a need to make this capitol city look more presentable to leaders of other nations, especially from western countries, there is increased enforcement of laws/rules that most times seem to be ignored. Vendors selling candies, newspapers, air time, Bibles, trinkets are "evicted" from their sidewalk space...because they take up space that would be used by pedestrians and are unseemly. Beggars haunting the median strips of the biggest city streets are rounded up and taken to jail or prison, or simply hauled far from town as in the case of Karamajong tribe members. Thieves and pickpockets are also caught, where possible, and removed.
Among those collected are children who are living on the streets, doing whatever it takes to survive. Some of the children are used by adults for begging, toddlers and very young ones; these go with the adult to prison if there is no one else who will take the baby to care for it. Older kids sometimes have the misfortune to be away from their parent when the sweep occurs and are caught up with others who really are street kids. There are many children and young teens who have no place to live, or perhaps no way to get back to their family.
This last group is among those taken to Kampriengisa Rehabilitation Center, some 50 km from Kampala. Designed in the late 1950's as a rehabilitation and training center for youthful criminal offenders, its purpose and use has changed some over the years. Currently it houses 200+ children, ages 3 to 18. Since street kids don't usually have identification and many speak only their home/tribal language, it is difficult, or even impossible, to tell the real age of the child or teen, never mind who or where the parents could be found.
The 3 year old who lives there belongs to a 15 year old prostitute. Upon discovering that the child was being used in the sex business, a social worker removed the child from the mom before the mom went to Luzira prison. While the mom has since been released, and has returned to her work, the social workers and court permit only supervised visits with her daughter at Kampriengisa. There is the hope that some day the mom will find a better way to support herself and then can take the daughter.
There are stories of children being remanded to Kampriengisa through the local courts when a step parent makes the case for the child being willfully stubborn (disobedient). Only about 20 of the children there have actually been convicted of criminal activity and have a sentence to serve. All the others, unless claimed by a family member and given permission by the court, will stay until they turn 18.
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