A COOL BREEZE IN AFRICA

As we sit awaiting the results of the first multi party presidential elections in over 20 years, Uganda seems to have an air of apprehension. At times it’s tense, spilling into violence, other times it’s peaceful and hopeful. Whatever the results will show, many are praying for peace for the future of Uganda.

As I write I feel strange and a bit out of place which if you could see my setting and company you may consider my feelings to be odd. Because of the political instability some Kampala missionaries are based at our AIM guesthouse which is a beautiful house with lovely gardens and situated on top of a hill overlooking the city. I feel strange because it seems far from my ‘norm’. In many ways it’s nice here, restful, lovely meals, watching movies but my heart is with my Ugandan friends and my special children. However I am thankful for the relative safety and peace this place allows and it has given me a much needed break and an opportunity to catch up on communication and hence this newsletter!

My title of a cool breeze came from many experiences during the past 5 years here in Africa. It may seem a strange title for those who imagine that Africa is always hot but for those who travelled over this continent know that many areas do get very cold, in the high grounds, the mountainous areas, cool nights in the deserts, etc. However my title comes both from the literal sense and also in the spiritual sense. For those that follow my tales I am working in the busy noisy hot and often polluted and dusty city of Kampala with street children – so when I have an opportunity to be on the shore of the beautiful Lake Victoria or sit by the River Nile, a literal cool breeze is a refreshing gift from God. There are other times when I get home late in the evening after a long and difficult day and I sit on my veranda under the stars, a cool breeze passes and it can sooth my mind. Maybe if I equate it to the breaths we take so regularly and thoughtlessly through the day and then there is that exhale that seems to come from your soul, just a long deep exhale that can catch you unawares. A moment that stops you and makes you think outside of the tumble of thoughts that often jumble our minds. At times that ‘cool breeze’ has been a smile on a child’s face that is so happy to see me, it’s the sound of laughter, it’s my Mother’s voice or a story from one of my nieces describing the gifts she received from Santa and ‘showing’ me her new pyjama’s through the phone!

I speak of these because I want to reassure those of you that get very concerned about me and my life and work here. It can be a challenge to portray a clear concise description of what my life is like here. I get asked what my usual day consists off and when are my days off, etc – these are difficult to describe because of the nature of my life here. There are times that I am extremely happy and am reminded of how worthwhile this work is, other times I am exhausted and confused by all that life can be here. BUT in my heart I love these children, and I love much about my life here. AND God sends these wonderful ‘cool breezes’ – they come unexpectedly but always at the right time!

Now an update on the work of Dwelling Places - At the end of last year we had a week-long camp for more than 200 of our children, many of these children are now with their families and back into community life, some attend boarding school and we help them during their holiday time – the camp was great in many ways and the kids had a good time and we ended the week with a feast of roasted calf and sodas and a big party with lots of singing, games and dancing! There were a few ‘cool breeze’ moments in amongst that very busy week – stepping back from the busyness and to see these amazing children that have come so far from the darkness of the streets and slums. Dwelling Places may receive praise for the work we strive to do to help them but these children have had to make their own choices which is far from easy when you imagine what their life experience and age ranges are. How do you trust when you have never learnt who to trust? How do you plan for the future when you have lived day-day? How do you learn what is ‘normal’ when all you have known is sleeping outside, no bedroom, no kitchen, no bathroom? Eating from dustbins or anywhere there is a possibility of food, can anyone imagine what that hunger is like or that life? Perhaps the most difficult to imagine is what happens to a child’s heart when they have never known love or protection, how do you learn that now? DP does not have all the answers but we know someone who does – God! It can be challenging work but please remember who these children are and where they have come from and you will understand my heart is here.

One of these superstars Nalule Sylvia who many of you know she has a complicated medical history – sickle cell anaemia, heart, lung and liver failure. She is doing amazingly well and back living with her Aunty and siblings and cousins in a great new house built by Colin Law and a LIFT team from Ireland. I have known this beautiful wee lady since 2002 when she was 10 years old and barely surviving life on the streets. Since then she has had abdominal operations, hospital admissions and even times in Intensive Care Units, I have been told many times by Drs’ that she will not survive that particular episode and each time she comes through and back smiling again.

I had a lovely Christmas and New Year time, I had 12 kids stay with me over Christmas which was busy but great fun and a blessing. New Year I spent with some of my friends and some of our teenage boys at a praise and worship night over Hogmanay, it was so good I lost my voice!

Some of you heard that I had malaria in Dec, it was not a pleasant experience at all but it made me more thankful for my many days of good health and a new appreciation for this common disease to many here.

I have been invited by AIM International to join a group going to Central Africa Republic and Congo next month. I would love to go and see both of these countries and be of any help and encouragement. I hope to assist with some seminars on street children.

Thank you so very much for your thoughts and prayers and interest in myself and the work of Dwelling Places. I will attach an update from Rita Nkemba our Director.

WITH LOVE FROM AFRICA