So this morning I discovered that World Vision aren’t running their programmes this week because of the Christmas / New Year holidays so, time willing next week I will travel with them to visit some of the vital work they are doing among the disadvantaged here.
So, what did I do instead…. Back to Bethel school. Take a look at the work progress!
This afternoon I went to see a lady who is building a grocery project right in the centre of Gulu town. It was very exciting to hear how her hard work is paying off. I also heard some heart pulling stories of how a lady called Filder is trying to run a medical centre providing much needed training for young mothers – of which there are so so many – but is experiencing major lack of funding. She has given the whole of her life to the care of children and this establishment is a fulfilment of a long term dream. Any ideas….
And lastly but by no means least I met with the gulu Rotary club and gave them the flag of friendship given by our friends at Maidstone Rotary Club.

Tiring day today! I must have walked for miles and I’m not complaining, but it’s really hot! I went with a local community leader, again looking for projects where people have really been trying to get themselves out of poverty. I saw more cows, some pigs and even a fruit farm I also spoke to some lads making bricks. I videoed so many of their stories – I don’t know what I’m going to do with them all when i get home. It’s a shame I can’t post some of them on this site – the internet is too slow! It’s really humbling to see these people keep on keeping on in the face of such hardship. A number of the older women I spoke to today lost their husbands at a young age and have had to bring up their children. One used to be a teacher but then had to stay at home when her husband died. She’s set up a small holding and this has grown as she sells her produce at market. Very inspiring. Later I went to check on the timber for the climbing frame that Richard and I will be building when he gets here later this weekend. And finally on to a small fellowship meeting out on the road towards Paminano where I spoke. Got back well after dark to a cold shower as the water had gone off!

Today I have moved around with Pastor James meeting other Pastors, hearing stories of what people are doing in their various communities to pull themselves out of poverty. I have met Roy who has been running a school, Charles, whose son has an incredible story of rags to relevant riches investing what money he made from hiring a piece of land to a timber merchant into a rest place selling soda’s and offering a place to relax. I met Michael who used to sell ‘pig sticks’ (kind of barbequed pork on a stick) to travellers. What money he made he invested in a cafe which now has a growing customer base. I am really encourage to find these and many other projects today which show how people are bouncing back after the war. On a downside, on a visit to a lady who has a dairy cow which earns her 12000 UGX a day for milk,(that’s about £4) we passed a stream, people still drink this filthy water.

… the work on the next classroom begins – watch me go!
These guys with me are incredible. 1 young man called “Ojong” is a joker! everyone was laughing with him that the ground he was digging was blessed because it was where the Muzungu had dug – he was digging much easier than anyone else. Personally I think he was stronger! They are in such high spirits because of how we are supporting the community.

A new baby and a new Christian.
It may be New Years day and I may have been out till 3:30 in the morning but It’s still Sunday and God’s people meet. I had the privilege of dedicating a new born baby at the service. His name – “God is Able” how about that, very emotional. Also a young man came to me after the service wanting to become a Christian… all in a days work!

What an incredible day! The hottest yet. and a real Acholi day spent with Pastor James and Phoebe eating at their home. The day started before sunrise for a breakfast radio show on ‘Choice FM’ and as I write I’m in 2012 but the UK is still in 2011 – Bizarre! I had the amazing privilege of singing to a packed football stadium as part of the churches in Gulu’s New Years celebrations –
The whole evening was amazing, complete with african pastors losing their voices as they preached, and artists performing their songs and dances and went on all day (we left just after 2am!.) This was part of a national initiative where 16 venues across Uganda came together for a massive prayer meeting. (The most bizarre prayer meeting I’ve ever been to!) The day starts just after sun-up tomorrow and its nearly 3am so I’m off to bed! You’re about to hit the New Year so I pray 2012 will be a good one for you and yours