Thursday, November 16, 2006

The Dust Has Turned To Mud

The dust has turned to mud and Jen is causing great amusement as she walks around the farm in her skirt and wellies. It’s the height of fashion, coming your way soon! Nathan has started to join the boys in their agricultural lessons. He’s getting quite into it. The rains have made a great difference- thanks to everyone who prayed. The crops are growing really well and we’re starting to see, or rather eat, the harvest.

Four more boys have been resettled which is fantastic. We’re missing them but they are in the best place for them, with their families. (picture above shows one boy reunited with his family and community).

We’re really enjoying our work out here and slowly developing our role. Other aspects of life out here continue to amuse us. The other day we were at a friends house in town and tried to order some food. On phoning ‘Dominoes pizza (a cheap imitation of the UK chain) our friend asked if he could order a pizza and was very surprised to hear the answer ‘No we don’t have any pizza’. They may need to rethink their business strategy!

Last weekend we went to see a fireworks display only to find out that they were cancelled because they hadn’t managed to get all the paper work through in time. Typical of the organisation here.

However we’ve also discovered that our culture isn’t particularly normal either. This has struck us on several occasions but non more so than when we have to explain to people what a pantomime is ‘Well it’s like a play but men dress up as women and women dress up as men…’ and when we are asked ‘Why do you celebrate bonfire night by burning a man on a fire?’

It’s strange to think that Christmas is coming up so quickly- sure you’re all feeling the same. It just doesn’t feel right here though- it’s still hot, Jen’s not rehearsing Christmas songs every spare minute of the school day and Nathan isn’t in the midst of hectic Christmas preparation at church. However there are some Christmas decorations up in shops the pantomime begins in a few weeks so there are a few home comforts!

We’ve come up with an idea for anyone who wants to support the work here and also needs a helping hand with their Christmas shopping. A bit of background: We are working with street boys in Uganda with the Tigers Club Project. The charity has expanded so that similar projects can benefit the children of Ethopia and Kenya. All of these projects come under the umbrella charity ‘RETRAK’, so expect to see that name crop up. You can be creative with your Christmas presents AND support different aspects of the work by buying a gift for a friend or relative that ultimately benefits street children in East Africa. See details below. This is a small scale idea this year but if we get enough interest we’ll make it bigger and better for Christmas 2007. Huge thanks go to David Gregory (Nathan’s Dad) for agreeing to coordinate this from the U.K.

What do you get for the person who has everything...

What do you get for the person who has everything? How about the gift of knowing that they have helped someone who has far less.

RETRAK is passionate about getting street children’s lives back on course. RETRAK aims to rebuild lives, restore dignity and release potential in the street children of Uganda, Kenya and Ethiopia. Here is a way you can join us in making a difference. Just follow these simple steps…
Visit
www.picasaweb.google.com/retrak, click on the RETRAK logo (with a Christmas hat on) and choose from the gifts available in our selection.
Write a cheque payable to ‘RETRAK’
Write a cover note to clearly state which gift/s you are purchasing, your name, address and contact number.
Next post the cheque and cover note to
Mr D. Gregory, 11 Lancaster Avenue, Aldridge, Walsall, West Midlands, WS9 8RE.

N.B. Requests must be received by 11th December 2006 to ensure that you receive the gift in time for Christmas.

You will then be sent a RETRAK Christmas card and an insert for each gift purchased for you to then send to the recipient. The insert explains what the gift is.

We are grateful to all who share our passion and support us in our mission.


Well, hope to hear from you soon,

Nathan and Jen