Greetings one and all.

This is a cloudy overcast day in Uganda, so it's perfect for writing letters.

What can I say about life and work here? I know it has not helped that I have not written for ages and therefore there is so much to catch up on. Compounded with that is that I've just discovered that my new anti-virus thing has been disrupting sending my messages but I only discovered that when I was waiting for an important reply to a message I sent in Dec that never arrived. It seems that as it was checking some were not sent but I have no way of knowing which ones went as all are in my sentbox. Anyway, trust me that I have been sending stuff, apart from the last few weeks.

In many ways I feel good. I am well which is great and I am so thankful to God for that. I like the fact that I'm 'getting on with it' here. Before I left Scotland that was what I often mentioned to Mum, I just want to be there and get on with it. I know the first few months were difficult in some ways because I had to study the language (ongoing challenge but I do love the results) and also the work was huge and yet with no structure or planning, and living in this hot, noisy polluted city remains an ongoing challenge!

I can really testify on how much closer I am to God through those times. And even before I came out, from wondering where I was to go and then the last minute change in my assignment, I have to HAD to trust and depend on God so much more than previous 'easy-going' times. To stand, or rather sit here knowing I am where God wants me to be is priceless and invaluable and a real rock in times of challenge. I have really needed that.

Now I can never speak too much on the challenging times without trying to give a more balanced picture. As I have had to trust God more, it does take some of my own self-inflicted stress of me, and to cast my cares on Him because He loves me so much. I know I have been a fair-weather child of God at times, it can seem 'easy' to praise Him when things are going well, and yet there are times when I look for Him and cry to Him, and I seem to hear nothing and I question where He is at these times. I know He is unchangeable and all-knowing and all-loving, I am the one who is changeable, questioning and difficult to love!

Despite that, surprisingly I'm making friends! I love the folk in my team, one day I'm going to take time to detail more about these folk. Also making some friends around where I stay. We had our annual AIM missions conference 17-21 Jan, and it was excellent. We stayed in a lovely hotel with a swimming pool, lovely food, I shared a room with Winette which was such a good time to catch up and laugh and pray together. Most importantly we had an excellent speaker Chris Komagum, a Ugandan pastor and his theme was 'Lord, teach me to love'. He spoke on our own relationship with God, then within our AIM team (especially about unity) and then relationships with our folk at home (I hung my head at that point!), relationships in our work here, and to strangers, especially those that are difficult to love. It was excellent, good to hear powerful relevant messages, praise God in singing, and learn more about what others are doing in Uganda.

This must be longest I've gone in a letter without mentioning the kids. Well, maybe and hopefully I'm learning something about speaking about God first! Do I always tell you that the kids have my heart? I do love getting to know them more and more, and it's amusing to see new ones come from the streets and wonder what this muzungo is doing! We have 81 children at the moment. We have had 2 in hospital recently, 3 month old Angel with TB, and Esther with sickle cell anaemia but she got home yesterday. Two girls came of the streets last week, 8 and 6 years old, they were born on the streets and have been there with their Mother who is drunk every day, they used to leave the street at 1am and sleep on boxes with a plastic cover over them. They have not stopped smiling since they arrived, it's luxury to them. They often call me "Aunty, Aunty" and then just give me a huge smile, what a joy and privilege! They are both fairly well but malnourished.

We have 5 teenage boys going for vocational skills training next month, David and Sempungo(engineering) will return to us daily but Willie, Andrew and Vincent will be residential. I'm going to miss them. They really do have good hearts but they have had such challenges, and they can be challenging. I'll probably go with them when they start, just to completely embarrass them!

There continues to be many sicknesses at the home, malaria,TB, HIV, diarrhoea, respiratory infections. It has been such a blessing to find a Ugandan Christian Doctor called Daphne who will come and visit the kids at the home. Also I've found some specialists, like ENT, Ophthalmology and Dental who will see our kids. I still need a good Orthopaedic and Neurologist. Basic hygiene and nutrition are essential and important aspects in the health of the children, but they seem to take such time and patience (sometimes in short supply!).

In relation to security/safety, I know there are some that have been concerned. Maybe I cannot tell you not to worry, but give it to God in prayer. I am so thankful for protection, both from thefts/burglary and on the roads, and yet it is in my prayers daily. There continues to be political and tribal conflicts, and it was horrible to see the devastating results of the earthquake in our neighbouring Congo.

Please continue to pray for all these aspects. We, as in Open Door, are trying to do some structuring and planning in the work. There are many aspects to the ministry, including our 'transitional rehabilitation home', family empowerment-micro enterprise programmes in Katwe slum area, and street outreach. Rita, our team leader often says "We live and work in faith in God". There is alot of need here.

Many have also asked about what the financial needs are here, we are trying to get organised with some details, so if anyone would like more information please contact me.

I want to sincerely thank everyone who has prayed for this work, and for me, it has been very real and tangible that I and the kids are being prayed for, please be encouraged and blessed and please continue.

A wee message to anyone reading this who has not given their life to God. Please do. I have been very challenged recently in prioritising aspects in my life. I felt my work was so important, I know my family and friends are also very important, and yet there will come a day when we will all have to stand before God and answer to Him about our lives. I am far from perfect, even just reading this letter would convince you of that! No one is 'good enough' but God who created us and knows EVERYTHING about us, and still loves us so much He has given us the opportunity of salvation through His son Jesus.

MUCH LOVE IN THE ONE WHO LOVED US FIRST

MARSALI