Greetings all.

Looks like a million miles away from Africa but it's the same sentiment, with the added most important wish that you would know God's rich blessing.

I have had a lovely time over Christmas and New Year. Some pre-Christmas gifts made it even more special - a tiny little 1 week old little boy was left in a swamp, he's now Samuel Tendo (Praise) and the centre of attention with 81 brothers and sisters! The other gift was a vehicle, for those who know about cars it's a 4 wheel drive Mitsubishi RVR, it's green and I and the kids absolutely love it. On my first day with it, I took all our babies for their immunisations and 1 boy for his hospital check-up, it would be hard for me to describe sufficiently what a HUGE difference this vehicle already makes to my work. Probably the most significant aspect is the safety factor in comparison to public transport, but also the time and convenience is priceless. The other gift was a visit from Operation Christmas Child (Emmanuel International), who brought shoeboxes full of gifts for each of our children, again I am struggling to describe how amazing this day was. Off course any day we have visitors is special for the kids, but I don't think any of us realised how great this visit would be. All the kids were presented with a box, but had the torture of having to wait until everyone got theirs and then they opened them together - now the following minutes will be etched in my memory forever, they were amazed and deliriously happy. What a blessing!

So Christmas day was quiet in comparison - I went to the local church with the kids in the morning and then we had lots and lots of food. Boxing day was also very special, we had organised a trip to Lake Victoria which was also such a nice day for all of us. In amongst all this I've been having different kids staying at my home, and although it is tiring, I love it and I see my relationships with the kids deepening more and more. Many times during the evenings, the children will share some of their experiences either from the streets or from their homes. I believe it is good for them to open up to share these things without any questioning or pressure - I must admit it is often difficult to hear what they have to say, they often tell their stories either in the 3rd person or in humour, though always with brutal honesty.

As a true Scottish Highlander I was really looking forward to Hogmanay, so I took a few days off and went through to see my dear Dutch friend Winette in Jinja, beside the River Nile. I love that place so much and ever since I came to Uganda it has been a place of refuge and rest, and also laughter and prayers with Winette. It felt a million miles away from Scotland but it was not a sad time for that reason, I know I am meant to be here and although I would dearly love to see my family more often, I have peace about being here. So under a starry African sky I saw the beginning of 2003.

Back to the reality of hot noisy polluted Kampala, our children are doing well and we have seen so many answers to prayers that life has settled down in our new Home and we feel we are just continuing in the same work, the same ministry to the same needy children. I would never have wished for the 'storm' that hit us at Open Door, and in amongst it was such a difficult time both personally and to see the children so hurt and confused and yet God is still the same faithful God, who does love us whatever the circumstances are around us. I really believe we have come through that time stronger and more committed to the vision of this work, which can only be a good thing that I just pray will continue.

Yesterday I was out on the streets with 2 of our older kids and Grace, our teacher. The streets can be so different for so many people, for many it's a place to work either in offices or shops, for others it's a place to shop, for some they travel through to other destinations. I see a very different side to the streets, I see the children who live there every day, it is their home, some are born there, some are left there, some are forced there by circumstances, poverty or disease, it's where they have to scavenge or steal for food, it's where they learn how to survive day after day after day, it's where they are beaten, raped and abused. When I see a pile of rubbish that's where I look to see if there are any children sheltering, I look up in the trees to see if any of the boys are sleeping there, I look in the ditches and drains and see if there are any faces shining from that darkness, I look for any light in the blank faces wrecked by drugs and alcohol, and I find many in all these places. Dear readers, these are my children, this is their reality. I know it's not easy to read and yet I need to tell you this. This is my reality, I live and work in this city so that I can try and touch the lives of these children, to join in this Ugandan work that strives against many odds to serve God in this way.

I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the many ways that you share in this work. For those who give financially, for those who write such lovely letters and emails, and for those who send such thoughtful gifts, I pray every day that God will bless you abundantly, and that God will show you some of the impact you are making in these children's lives. I thank you on behalf of so many children and also my team here.

I feel I have to also share how difficult I find it to keep up with communications as I would like. I do try but please just receive my apologies if you feel I do not write as you feel I ought.

GOD BLESS YOU ABUNDANTLY IN 2003 MARSALI