what an emotional ride

Tuesday, Nov 11
(Sorry no pics - no internet. Blog entered on Blackberry)
Took off in the morning for the local Habitat office in Mbale and met with David the local HfH person. He explained the process (much different than in the US)- the homeowner comes to habitat with the land they already own. HfH supplies some or all of the supplies and labor and builds the home in 2 weeks. The cost to the homeowner is 3,000,000 shillings ($2000).
David took us to see a house.the owner, Rebecca, ran out of the house and hugged Mike, thanking Habitat and God. She was filled with joy and excitement! She is a spirit filled woman.She designed her own pit toilet - a great design that she was proud of. Her home is spotless and well cared for.she built an extension to have an indoor kitchen. She showed us a picture of baby and told us she had a dream of a white baby. Then shw found a 4 day old baby in the garbage. She took the baby home and cared for it. Then she blew us away by bringing out the baby- little Peace is 10 months old and doing great! What a blessing!
Rebecca insisted that we take 2 paw paws (papayas) from her garden andprayed and thanked God in swahili. She has created a paradise for her and her baby.he life has been transformed from utter misery into paradise- rock walk, gardens. We were all overcome with joy and the presence.
We then met kathy (one of the children St Andrews sponsors) and her mother Gertrude. Kathy is a little hard of hearing and was a bit overwhelmed with all the attention. She is a beautiful girl- she loves science, has finished her exams and is off school until Feb. This is their big break. Her mom runs a small cafe or shop.
Sam Opols family has some land near Soroti. Sam has a dream of building a secondary school there- the nearest school is 5-7 miles away, so most kids don't go. Sam wants to build a boarding school to provide secondary ed. He showed us the land and discussed his vision.
On the road we saw a big monitor lizard, 2 crested cranes - national bird- rock formations with drawings from the stone age (no time to see)
It is clear from our talks that water and children are Chris' mission as well as Marthas.
Off to the villages to see the wells.
Well #1-Ongoratok-the bore hole is dug. Pump is en route. They named the pump "God is Good" - Ajokis edeke in Ateso language (Soroti). There was singing and dancing and rejoicing! The villiage has a well committee that cares for the well.initially everyone was a bit subdued.
Eventually as the crowd rolled in,the celebration began -much ululating.




We gave out school supplies, candy and a soccer ball and drove on to
Well #2- Agulamando. Water is flowing. PRAISE GOD!



The well was a pumpin when we rolled in. The community named the well Martha. More rejoicing and Martha gave a prayer in Kuman- she rocked the hosue. Mike worked the crowd like a local lounge lizard. The joy and love was flowing. The well is marked "Funded by the Madison Rotary and St Andrews church Madison Ct. We're etched in stone!
At each villiage, the celebrations were accented by beautiful high pitched calls (ululating). mike wants his nieces and nephews to know that the family call is alive and well in Africa!
Headed back to the guest house for a mtg with a builder to go over the plans and estimates for the community ctr. Finished the evening with dinner with Bishopb Obaikol and his wife Margaret - they send their love to all of you. Dinner was a feast of pork, chicken, fish,potatoes, rice, local veggies and of course Matooke.