Greetings everyone

For those that are confused by my subject title, I'm listening to Sting and for those who don't know him - sorry!

Again every day seemed to speed by with daily expectations that I was going to find both the time and energy to sit and write an update of life here in Africa. And again that has not happened for sooooo long so I'm just going to sit and write. I am already feeling cautious and I'll explain why. We have been experiencing some significant problems at Open Door that I will share with you, but they centre around one individual and that makes me cautious to say too much. So I love to just sit and share what's on my heart, but this time I will still try to be clear and not vague but that's the reason - clear as mud?

I can't believe it's now October, I really cannot believe how fast this year has sped by. I arrived here last year on the 20th Sept, and I celebrated my 1st anniversary by moving into my own home. I actually just moved upstairs but I love it, I have a great view, the place is quite bare but I could call it artistic decor! I had some of my kids stay with me that weekend, so we had a busy but fun time together. They are so amazed by things that I have taken for granted, and their questions are hilarious.

Now, I know some of you may know some of what has been happening these last 2 months at Open Door, as I have sent out some urgent prayer requests. To be brief, there has been major issues about ownership of Open Door, and who is in charge of projects and finances. Unfortunately it has been very difficult for everyone involved, but most especially and most importantly it has been very difficult for our children. I cannot tell you how amazing and special these kids are, they carry the title 'street child' but they are so much more than that, each of them are so individual and have survived more struggles and abuse than many of us could ever imagine. They each have known the love and mothering of Rita Nkemba who was our leader at Open Door, and they have come of the streets into her care. Now this is where it's a bit complicated but Rita left and has started a new NGO called 'Dwelling Places' and many of the team, including me, have joined her in this work. This was all done off course with the blessing and knowledge of AIM, who completely support Rita and her vision and ministry. Now back to the children, well unsurprisingly they also wanted to join Maama Rita too, and again this is where it has been both complicated and difficult. Out of 90 kids at Open Door, 70 have now joined us at D.P, and it's mainly the youngest kids that are remaining at O.D, so it remains difficult in many ways. Those of us who have left are not able to return to see those kids.

I lived with the kids at Open Door for these last 2 months, I wanted to be close to them and try and help them through this difficult time. I am glad I did that but I nearly lost my mind! The kids start wakening up in the morning about 5-6am, and then the place starts quietening down around 10pm, so I was knackered. I continued to be the nurse there, but I believe more so, I was their aunty that they could come and share with me anytime they wanted, that's what I found the most rewarding but the most draining. I don't know if we will ever know why this 'storm' had to come to Open Door but I do know my relationship and love for these kids has grown so much stronger through it all.

So God has blessed us with a new beginning in some ways, but really a fresh opportunity to continue the same work. We have 2 houses for our kids, so we're trying to get all the basics organised like beds, food, school stuff, etc. The health of the kids is good at the moment which is a huge blessing. To be honest we have some significant discipline problems with particularly the teenagers, which in some ways I'm not surprised at because of the recent confusion for 2 months at Open Door, but we really do need to get back on track again and settle down to our usual routine - we would really value your prayers for that particular issue.

Another side but very important issue is that 2 of my brothers here, Grace and Jackson spent 5 days and nights in the most horrible jail in amongst this confusion, they were completely innocent, and I know them to be 2 of the most gentle godly men I know. They were released today with all the charges dropped - all of us at the Home were ecstatic to see them again, they were VERY smelly but VERY happy! I know I shared with you in May, my thoughts and emotions about seeing so many of our street children being locked behind bars in Kampinigisa, that image will always stay with me, and now added to that is the image of seeing my 2 brothers in a sea of African men behind bars. I spent Sunday morning with them in what they described as 'hell', they were packed in a cage with hundreds of others, they were unable to lie down and have had alot of pain because of those conditions, they also did not get food or water. There is much more to describe but what I have to tell you is how much they were praising God for some amazing opportunities to speak about Him, and the real freedom in life through His son Jesus. Through the pitch dark nights they led prayer and worship!

So that's my update. As many of you can imagine I have cried a flood of tears but then the next day comes and we just walk through whatever it brings. I tell you, I have questioned God so many times in this last year why so many difficult things have happened to us in this work and yet I cannot doubt that He is always with us through it all. None of us can see what is ahead, but that is what faith is, trusting even when we don't see nor understand, I know that goes against everything the world teaches us, but I cannot live this life trusting the world.

Thank you more than I can ever say for all your support,encouragements and prayers, and for all those that give donations, I thank you from the bottom of my heart and behalf of so many children who's lives are changed by this ministry. My usual but heartfelt apology is for not being able to keep up with communications with so many letters - my only reason is that my days and often evenings are so full.

Many of you ask about my language studies, they've been 'on hold' these last 2 months, but I'm starting again this week. It's difficult for me to assess myself but my sentences seem to be getting a bit longer and stronger, the mixed blessing is that my kids understand my broken Luganda!

Mukama Akuwe Omukisa - God bless you all

MUCH LOVE FROM AFRICA MARSALI