Last Post for this Uganda Trip

On Mon, May 2, 2011 at 7:12 AM

This is a tough email to write, first of all because I had to say goodbye to people and a lifestyle that I love very much.  It is not a forever bye, I know I will return, but I just never know when that might be.  Uganda and my life in Uganda has become a huge part of me and so every time I leave there, I feel like another piece of my heart is getting left behind.   After some of you just read the first few lines, you might want to ask me well “Why are you not living there yet?”  Well here is the answer to that question.  I don’t feel like God is calling me to Uganda, at least not at this point in my life and also not full time.  God has me involved in Uganda right now on a part time basis.  So for now, I will just continue to go there on short trips, and when and if God calls me to go full time, I pray that I will be listening.

So in this email, I want to wrap up my time in Uganda and this three month experience.  For those of you who don’t know this is my fifth trip to Uganda in the past five years and without all the prayers and encouragement it wouldn’t be possible.  This trip I had a goal of raising funds for a project and other things, so I also want to fill people in on where I left things with both of the projects. So let me begin…

So the big project to build the teen building has begun!! It actually began last month and it has been fun each day to watch the progress of the builders.  Can I just tell you how good God is??  Back in December I looked at the project list of GSF.  There was a list of about 5 different things to raise money for.  Because of the time that I enjoy spending with the older kids, the teen building project is the one that stuck out to me.  The project was to raise $29,000.00!!  That sounded like a huge amount to me, and to be honest, I was hoping to just raise at least half of that.  Of course, I didn’t want people to know that though.  J  We serve an amazing God don’t we?  I began raising this money the second week of December and by the time I left for Uganda January 25^th the whole $29,000.00 had been raised.  I was so amazed and blessed by everyone’s generosity.  People are so willing to help out any way they can, and I feel blessed to have so many supportive and amazing friends and family.  The men were putting the foundation work in when I left the orphanage.  EMI has assured me that they will keep me posted on the project, so I will in return keep everyone updated.  I hope that the next time I get to the orphanage the project will be finished.  The other thing that I asked for support was actually I think two weeks ago.  I asked for support to purchase mattresses, blankets, mosquito nets and a few other items.  I was able to purchase 30 mattresses before I left Uganda.  I will post some pictures on Facebook, of the moms on the feeding programs with their new mattresses for the babies.  They were so grateful and left the orphanage that day with huge smiles.  God is good, and will somehow always provide.   

I just want to thank everyone for keeping up with me while I was in Uganda for the past 3 months.  The time there wasn’t always easy and there were definitely times that I was saying “Ok God why in the world am I here for 3 months?”  Overall, the time was great.  I built some great new friendships with the missionaries as well as spending more time with the house moms and really making an effort to get to know them.  There were still random times throughout the time there; that I was asking God what His plan was for my life in regards to Uganda and GSF.   

I definitely left the orphanage with mixed emotions.  I know I will see the kids and everyone there again, but it doesn’t make it easier.  Those kids and people have been an everyday part of my life for the past 3 months; it is hard to not see them each day. It is also going to be hard to get back to wearing closed toe shoes!!! J  I have been wearing flip- flops for 3 months.  The only thing I won’t miss is wearing a skirt every day. But I guess that is a small sacrifice that I make for all the blessings I get in return.  I am excited to see what is next in my life.  I feel like each time I visited the orphanage, I come back a little bit changed.  After being there since January, my life will be forever changed.

Here are a few things I am going to miss.  Well I just mentioned about the flip- flops and most of you who know me well, I am definitely going to miss the warm weather.  But even more important then that, I am going to miss hearing Auntie Debbie all the time.  One of the little girls Gala, she is in K3 and she cries about everything, but when I see her, she yells out “Auntie Debbie” and then comes running towards me and I have to get my stance so she won’t knock me over and then swing her up in my arms.  I am going to miss Chloe, her laugh is so amazing.  You can’t help but laugh with her. I am going to miss Lilly.  She is one of our special needs kids and she loves to laugh.  She will constantly say “I am not Lilly!” She has become so much more verbal since I began coming to GSF five years ago. You can’t help but love her.  I am going to miss Chad one of the teen boys, who is always interrupting and since you are talking you ignore him and instead of him waiting until you are finished with your conversation he just keeps speaking louder, so you will talk to him.  I will miss going into the toddlers home and the little boys coming over to you and saying “I want to kiss your cheek!”  I love listening to the kids singing.  I think I could sit and listen to them sing all day.  I might even miss the teens being a pain.  J  Don’t laugh, but I’ll miss having nail parties with the house moms.  I’ll definitely miss our many “romantic” candle lit dinners.  Although it is not by choice that our power goes out, you just have to laugh and enjoy the rest of your dinner with the girls.  I’ll miss the home made chips that Amanda will make when she makes tacos.  I’ll miss the fellowship with the other missionaries.  I am going to miss two of the older girls feeling comfortable enough to call me mom.  Both these girls I have gotten closer and closer with over the past five years.  This is the one time that I wished I was older so, I could be a mom to them.  But they consider me mom and I am ok with that. I know I will miss all the hugs that I get through out the day.  I am finding myself initiating the hugs with the kids as well as the adults.  I think God is showing me that even though I haven’t been much of a hugger that has changed.  I am learning that my bubble hardly exists in an orphanage and I am actually beginning to be ok with that.  These are just a few of the things that have become a huge part of my life over the past three months.

Well this got really long, but I wanted to try and just sum up everything for you.  I hope that even though I am not in Uganda right now, I pray that you won’t forget about these kids and the amazing missionaries that work full time there.  Living in an orphanage has different challenges every day.  You may not know the missionaries, but please keep all of them in your prayers, I know they will appreciate it.  Also please continue to pray for me and my involvement with the orphanage.  Right now, I don’t feel like God is calling me there full time, but I am praying that God will give me a clear understanding of the role I will continue to play in these kids and missionaries live at GSF. 

Thank you for all the encouraging emails and face book messages.  It is always an encouragement to know that I had people all around the world praying for me and my ministry.  Thank you for being a part of my life in Uganda.

A Different Ministry

On Wed, Apr 20, 2011 at 1:48 PM, 

Well mom is once again bugging me about sending out an email.  So it is midnight and I am trying to decide if I should continue on with this email or pack!!!  Wow decisions, decisions.  But for those of you who really know me, I guess I don’t have much of a decision to make, I don’t even leave here until Friday, so I guess what is the hurry???  I mean I really can’t stand packing.  It drives mom crazy.  I think she was pretty well packed almost two weeks before she came here to visit me.  Now me on the other hand, maybe I’ll be packed a few hours before I am supposed to leave! J  So I guess you will get an email.

I guess I should also update people on how I am feeling.  After I sent my last email, I continued to have chills and a fever throughout the night.  So Thursday one of the nurses came to my place and tested me for malaria.  It came back negative; however, I had all the symptoms of malaria.  I had the chills, then I was burning up, I had a fever of 102, and a throbbing headache.  I was basically in bed all day on Thursday, drank a little water and ate nothing.  On Friday, I felt much better, but still had very little energy and stayed in bed most of the day, but didn’t have all the symptoms.  Saturday was better, but just got exhausted easily.  Went down to the playground with the kids and cleaned up some rubbish.  Was only there about 30 minutes and then I had to go take a nap, I was so exhausted.  Finally by Sunday I felt almost 100% and for lunch had my first meal since Thursday.  So all is well, it just took a few days.  J  Thanks for the prayers and the emails checking in on me.

So far this week, I have been wrapping things up, so to speak.  I hung out with the house moms on Monday.  We did our last nail party, then after dinner, we had most of the teen girls to the house and we did nails for them.  Tuesday, we as missionaries went out for our last meal together before a couple of us leave.  Today, I went to town and spent the day with a couple of the big GSF kids.  I am really close with one of the older girls , so I spent most of the day with her.  A number of the kids who are at boarding school came back today and some will be back tomorrow.  I am excited that I’ll get to see these kids before I leave.  Then Friday I leave the orphanage and then leave Uganda Saturday right before midnight.

When I came for my three months, I didn’t know what God's plans were for my life here.  I struggled with the not knowing and the constant feeling of not doing anything.  I felt like I had no jobs and sometimes, just felt like I wasted so much time.  I felt like my relationship with the older kids was different than what it has been in the past.  So after being here about a month, I was so frustrated with God and wondering, "Ok, I don’t understand why I am here for so long."  When I made the decision to come, I felt very strongly that God wanted me to be here for these months, but when I got here, I started to question what His plan was.  I felt like I have always had a ministry with the kids and I felt like that wasn’t there.  That is when I started to spend time with the house moms.  I decided that at that point maybe God's plan was to have me here to encourage and get to know the house moms.  It was a struggle for me to accept that, because of what I felt for the kids, but I thought, ok God, I can do this.  I am ok with this change.  In the other years I have come, I would walk past the house mom’s houses and greet them, but other than that, I didn’t even know some of their names; I didn’t really have a personal relationship with them.  I am so excited to say that after these past couple of months, that has changed.  I know these ladies.  They are wonderful women, and work so hard, and so I wanted to show them how much I care about them.  We had some great times talking and sharing.  I might not have thought this at the time, but, I am thankful God changed my ministry here at GSF, at least for this trip.  I got to know some really wonderful Ugandan women.

Ok, well it is almost 1am and I really need to get some other work done, so I can spend time with the kids tomorrow.  Please be praying for me especially the next couple days as I have to say some hard goodbyes.  Also, please be praying for safety while travelling. 

Sick!

April 14, 2011

WOW, I think the bottom is falling out of the sky!!!  It is almost 3:30AM and I am wide awake, and for a number of different reasons.  First of all, I went to bed with a little bit of a heavy heart, not feeling really great, and then I was awakened at about 1:15AM because of the lightning and thunder.  I had only been in bed for about an hour before I was rudely awakened by this storm.  There is some rain coming in the windows, they appear to be open, but since there are metal bars around them, I should be conscious because of the massive strikes of lightening.  I was lying in bed wide awake thinking about not feeling well.  I have never had malaria, but you hear so much about it.  Let me just explain to you how I look right now.  I am sitting with a pitcher beside me, just in case I need it.  I learned that from mom when I was a kid.  J  Hopefully I won’t need it.  Normally it is warm here even at night, so I just sleep with a light sheet on.  I am sitting here now shivering like there is no tomorrow, a throbbing headache, and dressed as if I am in Alaska.  Long pants, two blankets, and a hooded sweatshirt, hood on and all, and I am still shivering some.  Besides it is cold in this place, it is probably 70 degrees!!!  J  No worries, I am sure it isn't malaria, just praying that I’ll feel better in the morning.  Sooo, since I am wide awake, I thought I would let ya’ll know what is so heavy on my heart.

Before I do that though, having mom here was great.  She kept commenting on how beautiful everything was and how green.  I realize how much I take for granted being here, cause I have seen the pretty of it.  We were riding back in the truck from taking the kids swimming and mom looked at me and said “Should I even say it?”  My answer, “Yeah mom it is so green, hilly, and beautiful.”  It was great to have her here and see things though fresh, new eyes.

The last day mom was here, I asked our head matron, Julienna, to come up.  Our social worker Karen joined her.  It was nice having them up and just talking with them.  Since mom is the one who always packs the bags, I asked both ladies what was needed for the next time I come.  Everybody knows I’ll come again, I just don’t know when for sure.  Here are a couple of things that stand out to me, things that I can purchase here before I leave.  On Thursdays there are about 10 or 12 kids that are on a feeding program.  They come for clothes, formula, and just needed food to survive.  Actually a few weeks back we got a new addition to our GSF family.  His name is Sebastian and he is doing quite well.  Karen checks on the kids in the feeding program, to make sure they are getting what is given to them.  Anyway, Karen said that most of the babies have problems with their skin because they sleep on the sometimes wet dirt.  None of the babies have mattresses.  Most of the time in the western society, you take care of your babies and then you, here it seems to be the opposite.  So the mom/dad might have a mattress or something to sleep on, but the baby won’t.  Can you imagine??  Seeing as I have somewhat of a soft heart, this just laid a burden on my heart.  I went and spoke with Jane today; she is over the scholarship program for the primary school.  She said that in 2009, mattresses, blankets, and a mosquito net was purchased for each of the 80 kids in the program.  We have gained another 12 or so kids, who do not have any of these things.  She apparently asked about them, but the finances just aren’t there to do it right now.  Obviously these would be things that would be best purchased here.  The other thing that is a need, which is quite private for a young teen girl, is toiletries.  Girls that don’t have these things, won’t come to school for ten days because of it.  I am going to go to the super market in town and see what kind of discount they will give me if I were to try and purchase a few cases.  These are serious needs here.

The first time I came to Uganda, a friend of mine wanted to give me money to come.  It was really hard for me to accept it and this is what she said to me “Debbie, it is great that you can go and serve, but I have a family and I can’t go and this is how I feel like I can be a part and help serve, so don’t be prideful, take the money!”  I know there are some of you, who are like my friend and want to help and just don’t know how.  Most importantly, I don’t want you to feel obligated.  There are always organizations that you can give to and help.  I just happen to be in Uganda and see a need.  So if you want to help, please shoot me an email.  If you are in Kodiak there is still a pass through account set up at the Bible Chapel, just remember to put in the memo line “Debbie Uganda”.  If you are mailing a check, you can send it to

Debbie Rohrer   Box 2219  Kodiak,  AK  99615

The storm has passed, I am at the end of my email, hmm, I wonder if that was God thing? When I wake up in the middle of the night, I don’t normally get up. I lay there and toss and turn and get really mad that I am not asleep.  But I think God really gave me a burden for these things tonight, and maybe it had to do with our missionary devotions tonight.  Either way God is good and He will provide for these needs, in one way or another.  It may not be through this email, and that is ok, but at least I can help people’s eyes be open to some needs around the world.  I know Uganda is not the only place that has these needs, America does too.  Somehow God will provide!!

Please be praying for me.  I only have a little over a week left here.  It is always hard to say goodbyes, but it will definitely be harder since I have been here for three months.  I never want the kids to feel like someone else is walking out of their lives.  I need them to know that I truly love them.  Please pray that I’ll be able to reveal that love to them.

God is good!!!!

Deb

It is now 4AM, definitely time to go to bed.  I will be praying that I’ll be able to go right to sleep and wake up in a few hours, well rested.

Mom's Last E-mail from Uganda

On Mon, Apr 11, 2011 at 11:22 AM

Hello all…..this is my last email to you (this is Sue).  Deb says she doesn’t have anything to say because I say it all!!!!

I wanted to tell you something the last time and forgot…..the wooden benches at the church are all pushed together….almost feels like you are sitting on a plane….knees touch, no leg or arm room.  And the first Sunday I thought, man, I wish I could spread these benches out, but of course didn’t do it…just thought it!   Then this past Sunday I mentioned it to Scott Zook, the missionary who has been in Uganda for 8 yrs with Wycliffe Bible Translators.  He said that westerners like their personal space, but Ugandans are used to lots of people in a very small space.  So if you are the only one sitting there, they will squeeze up beside you as if there wasn’t any other room on the bench.  Sooooo of course, I thought of OUR church and how everyone spreads out and we keep wishing people would move forward and not spread out quite so much!

Sunday Deb was teaching the 7 and 8 yr olds out on the veranda for SS and they were singing….Zacheaus was a wee little man, a wee little man was he….in their British accent….it sounded so cute.  I really could listen to their singing for hours.

Today I got to raft the Nile River.  We signed up for Class 3 and when we got there and got the instructions, I’m thinking…..he’s going to make us do Class 5, which is where they tip the raft (on purpose!).  I had seen pictures of Deb from previous years and you can tell the guides tip the raft because that’s what most people want. But not me.  So the man says….oh you’ll do fine.  And I said, oh no I won’t.  I don’t want to do Class 5.  So he said…ok you can go in the Safety raft….you do the same rapids but don’t tip because it carries the medical supplies and the food.  So that’s what Deb and I did.  I was the oldest in the group of three four rafts with about 4/5 in each and they called me the Mama!  They certainly catered to me and as some of you who know me…..I loved the attention!

We had to crouch down in the raft to do the rapids, and got soaked which was great. We would go first, then were able to watch every one else go down and do all the flipping in the falls.  It was lots of fun to watch but I realize that most of you would rather do the tipping over!  We did get in to swim for a while, so nice to be in warm water to swim!  Thought I’d head up to Cairo, but decided I didn’t have time!

To get to where we put in, and then to where we got out……we had to ride in this high open sided truck.  It was fun to be able to see out and not be hot.  It was very bumpy and jarring!  Then to get back to GSF we took a boda boda, so Deb finally got me on one.  It was just like riding on a motorcycle like Dick and I used to do before getting married, but the main difference here is the red dust from the road and condition of the roads.  But all in all was fun…..so I think I’ve experienced about every type of transportation except the public bus and taxi.  No thank you!

I don’t know why my preconceived idea of Africa was that it is barren, dry, flat, and certainly not pretty.  But the scenery is incredible.  On the Nile today, you could see how the people farm on the hillsides.  It makes it all so green and then a” fresh look” where they have been hoeing.

I also never thought that there would be so many nationalities here.  Today I would say that all of the rafters were in their mid 20s – mid 30s and all just traveling around Africa or working somewhere in Africa doing humanitarian work.  The conversations we listened in on (you couldn’t help it!) were very interesting…about water/health/agriculture……and how they were working on improvements to help the country. The people were from Holland, Belguim, Russia, Japan and Sweden.  We were the only Americans.

I read a few books from the missionary next door and one had this comment in it…..…”We should live more simply so that others may simply live.”!  That’s a great thought.   And I noticed that when we eat down at the girls place where Deb usually eats (the two nurses and one teacher) that twice when they pray they thanked God for the food and prayed for those who had none.  It’s something that I haven’t given much thought to until the last few months.  Our daughter and son in law who live in NC started a nonprofit feeding and educational program in a small town in Honduras.  It’s called Simple Matters…..look it up on the internet.   With them helping in Honduras and Deb in Africa, it has made me focus more on those who don’t have much of anything.

Once again thank you for all the things and for the money that Deb has been given to bring over to GSF.

Africa has certainly grown on me……I’m so thankful to have had the opportunity.  Dick gave me the trip for a Christmas present and I guess birthday and anniversary too! So a big thank you to him.

I leave tomorrow night, head to Amsterdam, Seattle, Anchorage and home Wed night.  When you think about it, pray for the 80 plus children here and all the adult Ugandans who so lovingly care for them and for the missionaries who oversee it all.

Sue

Oh for those who want to see the picture of the hands….I have it on my phone and won’t be able to get it off til I get to Seattle.  We kind of did a remake of it with Deb’s, but I’ll post the original!

From Mom

On Sun, Apr 10, 2011 at 12:03 PM,

Hi, it’s Sue here.  Deb just said she loves having me here, but hates having to share her computer!!!! I told her I’d be out of her hair soon enough!

We had a great day today.  Worship is so great in African culture.  They love to sing, move, clap, laugh, jump, you name it!   (Rachel P – you’d just LOVE it!  And you’d be surprised how I’ve loosened up!)

We have friends here from Entebbe, Uganda.  Scott and Melissa Zook and 4 yr old daughter, Abigail are missionaries with Wycliffe stationed here.  Melissa has known my parents since she was a little girl, and on Deb’s first trip here (and now all the other times), they have met her at the airport, housed her overnight til she got a ride to GSF.  They came yesterday to visit and are leaving tomorrow – Monday.

After church we went to King Fishers which is a resort (ahhhh….. resort used loosely!)  We took Deb’s 7and 8 yr olds SS class.  There were 11 Ugandan kids, then Zooks, three older kids, Deb and me.  They have a great swimming pool and beautiful grounds.  Then you pay a price for the use of a boat no matter how many people.  So we all went on this boat, certainly not like a Whaler or anything!  We put in at Lake Victoria then went slowly around the sides looking at birds….this is a birders paradise and I told Deb that Stacey S should be here.  

We went to the source of the Nile, the only river to run north.   And of course, the story of Moses is foremost in my mind!   Along the way we saw many monkeys, a cobra snake and river otters.  The kids had never been in a boat….oh and we had brought along with us the “head” auntie.  She was scared to death to get in a boat, but we all pestered her and she was so glad she had gone.  I’m sure she’ll tell many people about it.

We rode to King Fishers standing up in the back of this truck that had metal bars to hang on to, kind of hard to explain, but you all would have been proud of me!   Actually I told Deb that so far this had been my favorite way of traveling around Uganda.  It was open air – so not so hot, you could see forever, and I felt like I was fitting in with everyone!

I so enjoy watching all the activity along the sides of the roads…..there is so much going on….the people’s huts are right where you can practically see inside them.  Now you may not like this but….the women are constantly working!   Bending over from the waist washing clothes, tending children and have babies on their backs   And the men are sitting playing cards!  Some are working on their boda bodas, but seems like they cluster around talking!   Now that’s just MY observation!

The country side is lush, fertile, rolling hills, beautiful shades of greens from the sugar cane fields and maize fields.  I had pictured it all being more flat and barren, but not here.  Lush is the only word I can think of to describe it.

A couple of summers ago I taught Sam Irwin how to drive and I kept harping on him to drive defensively…always watch out for what the other guy is doing, meanwhile dodging pot holes.  Well….here it is dodging children, goats, crazy drivers, bicycles, boda bodas, etc.  You have to constantly pay attention to what is happening.  Did I mention the “no shoulders” part?  I do the best I can back seat driving , but……

Tomorrow Zooks are dropping us off at the rafting place, so will try to do that again.  That will be all day.

I leave Tuesday night, Deb leaves about 10 days after me.  I am so glad I got to come….Africa is really growing on me.  I am learning the “aunties” names and the kid’s names and feel more a part of things. I am beginning to enjoy the slower pace just in time to get home to a hectic pace!

You all know the song….This is the Day?  They’ve added some other verses.  One is “we are the people, we are the people who the Lord has made, who the Lord has made.” I love that thought.  Then they sing, “you are the brothers, you are the brothers….etc, then the next time around…you are the sisters, you are the sisters.”  Isn’t that neat?  Sue    

Mom

On Sat, Apr 9, 2011 at 12:25 AM, 

Good Morning…it’s Saturday here…it is very easy to lose track of time and day!  It’s a beautiful peaceful morning.  One load of clothes is out on the line, and another is washing.  It’s so nice to hang clothes out and have them dry quickly!  Had my smoothie, read my Bible, hanging out clothes……what a life!!!!

We toured the old GSF place the other day…our driver, Louis, was raised there, then he moved over here to the new one, I think it was 10 yrs ago.  The old place is one big house, kind of like the houses at the mission…..about the same size maybe a little larger and they housed 200, yes, 200 children!!!!  Lots of acreage so kids could play, but they out grew it.  (that house is very close to Global Theological Seminary where Fulkes are).

Samaritans’ Purse donated property for a new place and it is about 45 min away.   Instead of one big house, the kids are now housed in small duplexes – 8 or 9 kids and an “auntie . Louis said he liked the big house and the feeling of family.  The duplexes are functional, but not fancy.  All the housing has cement floors.

We went on to see John Fulkes at the Seminary…..it is smaller than what I thought and yet bigger.  Guess that doesn’t make sense!   The buildings are close together, and there are 61 men there now. They bunk in big rooms, just a cot and a mosquito net.  But the grounds are huge….sugar cane fields, maize, vegetables.    And it is all so lush and beautiful. From there we drove to the top of a mt somewhat like Pillar Mt and could look out over lake Victoria and the all the fields.   It was a hot day and I about melted in the van.  No A/C, windows down, not much of a breeze. Lake Victoria is the 2^nd largest fresh water lake in the world about the size of Uganda!  It is at 3800” elevation and we were way above that.

We met up with the FL team at a Chinese restaurant…..good food.  Chinese food in Africa!  Just seemed strange.  

There were some heavy thunderstorms during the night and the next morning. We were to go rafting, we being Deb and I , a couple of the missionary  girls and I think around 5 of the FL team.  But at the time we were to be picked up the weather was pretty bad.  Deb kept saying it would clear, but it sure didn’t look like it.   The FL team decided not to go, so we didn’t go either.  Yes, it did clear up in the afternoon!   Then a few more storms passed through around supper.

Did I tell you there is a tailor who lives here with his wife and kids?  His name is big David and he is quite the man.  He came as a young man, and now is working and raising his family here.  He does ALL the sewing: the kid’s uniforms, the guards clothes, bags and scarves to sell. He basically can sew ANYthing.  He is lame.  Debbie doesn’t know what caused it and when he first came here he was like that.  He walks some, but mainly uses a three wheel type bike that he pedals with his hands.  It is not unusual to see kids sitting on his lap, kids hanging on, kids pushing him so fast you don’t know how they keep from crashing!   He has the sweetest disposition too. 

Last night we went to Jinja where John and Rebecca Fulkes live.  Rebecca is Joan Burnett’s sister, and they are Frank Gardner’s daughters.  We hired one of the former GSF boys to drive us…..it gives them work, and we don’t have a vehicle to get around in.  It takes around 45 min and is a crazy ride.  Some of you Kodiakans remember what the drive to Saltery Cove was like when you could drive the whole way in?  A lot of the roads are like that!  Not exactly pot holes, just big ruts, no shoulders, and of course kids, goats, boda bodas and vans coming at you right and left.  I think it is even worse in the dark….the driver was great, but I’m sure my blood pressure was up!  You do get up on a bigger road that is somewhat paved….somewhat used loosely!   David told us that the road will be lined with large container/van/not quite semi type trucks….but they are on their way to and from Tanzania and Kenya and they park and sleep at night.  So the road is even narrower.

Rebecca had invited some of the local missionary ladies over for a “ladies night out”.  Debbie had brought two games of Bunko over….one for here and one to leave with Rebecca.  So she invited 12 ladies over and we played 2 rounds.  Was tons of fun and a great way to mingle with everyone because you don’t have to “think” when you play the game.  So you can talk and visit at the same time.   The ladies represented probably five different types of mission societies:  Baptist, Lutheran, Church of God, African Inland Mission, Global Outreach.   Most of them were young ladies….older 20s and 30s I would guess.

So that brings you up to date……a few more thoughts….just BRIEF!   I got to see the new babies home that a lot of people in Kodiak collected clothes/blankets for.  It has not received the occupancy approval yet…..I’m not sure what all needs done.  I asked if it was major work, but they said no.   A lady from a former mission’s team painted all the walls with mural type scenes very similar to the nursery at the chapel that Diane Harrison painted. In fact it looked very much like her work!

Deb and I stopped in the baby’s home for a few minutes, picked up some kids to hug and hold, and when I handed the toddler to the auntie I realized that he didn’t have a diaper on!   I had forgotten that Deb said they didn’t wear diapers!  

Some of the big kids who go off the compound for school, got home late because they had exams yesterday.   There were maybe 8 of them each wearing a back pack….another “Kodiak” sight.  Thanks to all who bought and gathered back packs for the kids here.

Thanks for reading……sue

Another Mom Letter

On Wed, Apr 6, 2011 at 10:48 PM

Good Morning…..it is raining a nice, soft rain that they need …..and I tell you, it IS refreshing after the heat!  I was sitting out on the veranda (honestly, I do more than sit on the veranda, but it is so fun to watch the orphanage wake up each morning!)    You can hear the children, then see them walking to school, the donkey is braying and the birds are singing!  What a fine way to start the day.  Of course, as I sit on the veranda I am reading my Bible, and it is all so peaceful! I feel like I am at a retreat center! 

We (Deb and I, some of the missionaries) went into the town of Jinja yesterday to buy some needed groceries. Deb and I went to the open market....quite the place.  You should have seen all the sardines out in the sun…..actually, you should have SMELLED them!  It was pretty bad.  It is so nice to have all the fresh fruit.   There are fruit trees here at GSF (that stands for Good Shepherds Fold as you probably know by now).  There are pineapples growing too, so they do have some fresh fruit of their own.  But they also have to purchase some.  We went to the regular grocery store too to pick up a few things because I was making dessert for the supper last evening for the missionaries and FL mission’s team. About the baking….I made two cakes and it took me most of the afternoon.  I surely did miss my KitchenAid!!!!   I had to make a lot of stuff by hand that went into the cakes, and the icings.  The instructions were in metric, and some of the instructions were in some language, not sure which one.  It is a miracle they were edible!

We all met up at Ozzies, a great place for great food!  There were lots of Mzungus (white people) there.  Many relief organizations and Christian groups work out of Jinja, so it is not uncommon to see many of them shopping and eating lunch. (Debbie just gave me a wonderful smoothie she made out of all the fresh fruit. She has done this every morning, so I am getting a little spoiled.)

Yesterday she had a group of about 12 kids up to play Bible bingo.  The lady that usually lives here does that and had asked her to continue it.  The kids have a vast knowledge of Scripture, they have been taught well.  For some reason they started saying the books of the Bible, and it sounded so neat with their accent that I recorded it on my phone.  Then they said the Lord’s Prayer, so I recorded that also.  I played it back for them and they really enjoyed listening to themselves.  I just love listening to their accent….it is a little hard to understand sometimes and they also speak softly.  So lots of time I don’t catch what they are saying.

Two evenings ago a young Ugandan gal who works next door to us (she actually grew up in that home and is now 22 and is there quite often) came to our door around 11:15.  She was weeping and we were alarmed that something was wrong.  She began to tell us that she had been reading her Bible in Romans 12 and was so overwhelmed with God’s mercy and grace that she just couldn’t stop weeping!  I sat there listening, ashamed, thinking “how long has it been or have I EVER wept because of God’s great mercy and love towards me!”  And the other amazing thing that it had been Romans 12 which is the exact portion I had talked on at Bible Study that morning!   So we looked at it again and we shared thoughts with each other.  I mentioned some things that I had said to the ladies that morning.  We closed in prayer and as Debbie prayed, I peeked (!) and looked at the black and white hands intertwined and could hardly take my eyes away!  So I did what any good American would do and when we were done praying, I took a picture of their hands!!!!

Since it is raining  right now and I have the time, I’m going to add a couple of other things.  I’m sorry that these get so long…….

At the Sunday afternoon presentation at church, the Ugandan in charge started out by saying….GOD is GOOD and the kids said ALL the Time, then he said….All the time….kids said…GOD is good!  It just hit me so hard because that is what Steve Steffenson, who is the Kodiak Christian School principal, says all the time and how he starts out every chapel/meeting with the students.  The kids at KCS support Debbie so much, so Steve….you have GOT to tell the kids that whether you are in Africa or Alaska…….we are all leaning the same thing…..God is Good….all the time!

 Also….for all of you who have donated toward the building of the teen rec room…..they are coming right along with it.  They are currently laying the bricks for the wall….this is all very tedious work and nothing like in the states.  There are 8/9 Ugandans working on it every day.  A man who lives in Jinja and works for a mission society is in charge.  His sole job is construction projects around this area….he hires only Ugandans.  So it is great to supply them with jobs.

As you look around this compound there are many many Ugandans working.  It takes a host of people to run this type of organization.  All the Ugandans to do all kinds of work.  There is a missionary couple with three children who are in charge of things, there are two nurses, one teacher (for the missionary children), the couple who are currently in the states whose house we are living in, and the lady next door to us who does finances, adoptions  etc for the orphanage.   So the Ugandans are hired as house moms (aunties), cooks , social worker, school teacher, head master, field hands, lawn/grounds maintenance, mechanic, wood working/building, guards at the gate and on the grounds….and I’m sure there are more.   So GSF provides lots of jobs for Ugandans.

OK, one more thing!!!!!  You see signs of Kodiak everywhere!  How is that?!   Over the years people from the chapel/ the school/ the town have donated many, many things that Deb has brought along with her.  This past trip, she brought over 15 foot lockers, and I brought 3 plus two other bags filled with things they needed. Still others have sent things to her in Kodiak from the states that have been brought over.

What have I seen?....…..a little boy wearing a Joe Floyd Tourney Tshirt, one of Jill Bunting’s soy candles on the table, a young man wearing a green Subway shirt (new but not used in the stores anymore).  I passed by a toddler playing with a push toy Ron Kutchick from Grand Slam toys donated, baking sheets for the cookies I made the other day donated by someone, the school teachers wearing ties we had brought over, jars of vitamins and ibuprofen at the nurses house, and when I was teaching the ladies, I looked up and on the wall was a calendar with puppies!   It was so fun to see all the stuff being used that we had packed.  Thank you again to all who have donated over the years.

Well, the rain has stopped.  Thanks for baring with me here and making the rainy time go faster!  We are headed out to see the original GSF home that is located about 45 minutes from here.  Tomorrow we are going to raft the Nile!   I saw it yesterday for the first time- it just seems impossible that I am looking at the NILE!    Some of the FL team is also going rafting.  It is an all day trip.  And for those of you who saw the pictures and videos and when Debbie and Rebecca F rafted it, I am NOT doing those falls.  I am NOT.  I am doing class 3 which is much calmer!!!!!  I’m in to a much calmer life style! 

Sue Rohrer

Sunday Service and Important People

On Mon, Apr 4, 2011 at 10:59 PM

What a beautiful morning we have here this morning.  We just finished breakfast and mom is sitting out on the veranda reading, so I thought I would send a quick email.  Mom commented a number of times yesterday how hot it was.  I actually didn’t think it was that bad, but considering she just came from the winter in Kodiak, I guess I understand.  It is good having mom here, but I am just not use to having a shadow!!  J  She is getting to meet all the house moms and a bunch of the kids, I am trying to call them by name every time we greet them, so hopefully it will help her remember the kids.  It can definitely be overwhelming when there are close to 80 kids, plus missionaries, and then of course the house moms too. 

So I just have to say, because I am her daughter, she has a biased opinion of me in her emails.  So I apologize for her bragging.  J  She is seeing things from a mother’s perspective. 

I just want to tell everyone a little bit about Sunday.  I am so glad that mom was able to be here for the Sunday service, although it was not a normal service, it was definitely amazing.  There were about 30 or so of the big brothers and big sisters of GSF that came for the service and some of them lead the worship time.  The big brothers and sisters are kids that also grew up at GSF and are now living outside.  Some of them are still in boarding school, some in university, some have gone to seminary and are now pastors, some have opened up their own orphanages, and others are working or looking for work.  It was so great to see the kids and see how they interact with the little ones who are here now.  I got to see a few kids who were here in 2007 and I haven’t seen them since.  It was such a great day.  The worship time together was incredible.  Just listening to the kids sing.  At one point one of the guys was speaking in English and the other was interrupting in Luganda and mom kept looking at me funny.  She was having a hard time and then she said “Oh I am not supposed to be able to understand the second guy huh?”  Yeah, no you aren’t he is speaking in Luganda.  J  It was funny; the thing was is I remember it being that way for me my first year here.

In the afternoon after lunch, there were presentations.  There was a group that came and danced from the nearby village.  They were amazing.  Sarah who was the leader actually helps in one of the houses.  She was incredible.  Just watching them dance and shake their hips, wow, I wish I could upload the whole video for you to see.  I’ll will try and upload some of her dancing and it will at least give you a taste of what it was like.  After they danced, our Hosanna choir sang a couple songs.  I love listening to the kids sing.  It is a little different this time though, they have three mzungus that join them, and they as well do a great job.

I wonder sometimes why God brought me here for three months.  I feel like I don’t have enough work to do.  The thing I do know is that God has brought some amazing people into my life.  I have been spending more time with the house moms and I have such a respect for them and all the hard work that they do daily.  I mean I know there are some moms out there who have 6 kids but I have imagined being a full time mom to 8-12 kids.  There is a great group of moms right now, who are really trying to be great models for our kids.

 Then there are the missionaries.  I have met some amazing people every time I have come to GSF.  I think back in 2008 I met a short term missionary who is from New Zealand and we became fast friends. We only got to really hang out for a few days, but we are still great friends and continue to stay in touch.  But I need to tell you about one, who I truly believe God, has put in my life for a reason.  I met her when I was here back in Sept/Oct.  We got along great and I was looking forward to seeing her again in January, but I had no idea what Gods plan was for that friendship. I have so much respect for her.  She saw a flyer about GSF and right away felt like God was calling her to Uganda.  That right there tells me what a heart she has for God.  She left everything she knew, her family, friends, and committed to GSF to be here for 2 years.  What an amazing testimony she is to me and so many others.  She is such a true missionary, not just because she is in Uganda, but because she has such a heart for loving others and sharing Gods love with them.  You can see Gods love shining through her.  This young women works all the time.  Even if she is tired or doesn’t feel well she is spending time with the kids.  She lets them cook with her, I see her out playing games on the veranda with them, reading books to them and so many others things.  What an encouragement and a witness she is to these kids as well as other missionaries.   Missionaries are quite incredible people.  This one in peculiar is such an encouragement to me.  I feel blessed that I can call her friend.  She is the definition of a true missionary.

I just wanted ya’ll to learn about some of the people who have become such an important part of my life.  Whether they are from Uganda, New Zealand, or America God has blessed me with these friendships.  Sometimes good friendships are hard to come by and I have the privilege of knowing people all around the world.  There are people all over who receive these emails.  God is good in all things, even in our friendships. 

Mom's Letter

 Apr 4, 2011 at 12:54 PM

Hi, this is Sue again!   I am standing on the veranda of the house we are in and cannot believe I am in Africa.  I guess I just never thought I would ever see and experience it!  My last piece of luggage arrived at 10 pm last night after riding in the trunk of a car for the entire day!   So all that wonderful Evans Family chocolate was melted in blobs in their individual bags (look it up on the internet, it’s wonderful candy)! So Deb stuck it in the refrig, and now we have HARD choc. Blobs!!!!  So we kind of hammered it apart and ate some of it and gave some to the ones who came to the house today.

The cheese was was smushed but we handed it out and everyone was thrilled!  Now…on to other things. We got water back for the evening and then today it went out again and we got it early this evening.  I thought in Kodiak we are always talking about the weather, here it’s the water!  Electric also went out this evening, but they got the generator going pretty quickly!!!!

Everything is pretty slow here….as far as …….no one rushes around to do things!  If supper is 6, then it’s 7 and maybe even later.  We were to go to a performance at the school today at 1, then it was postponed til 2, then postponed til Wed!  But it wasn’t the Ugandan’s fault, the team that is here had been out in the sun and needed to rest.  Guess we are at 4000’ elevation also.  I’ll have to check if that’s correct.

Before I forget it, I have two things to tell you.  Remember I told you about the boda bodas, they are the motorcycles that you hire to take you around.  The traffic was so bad in Kampala and I kept thinking….this can’t be safe.  Well, I just heard a few minutes ago that one was in an accident, the passenger was ok and the driver killed immediately!   SOOO they AREN’T safe!!!!

The second thing is about the authentic Ugandan supper we had the other night.  The “aunties” made it and some graduates of GSF (Good Shepherd’s Fold Orphanage) and Debbie served it!  It was rice, potatoes, shredded cooked cabbage, chicken, and some stuff I can’t remember the names.  The afternoon they were preparing they had the chicken laying on some cloth, in pieces, lying out in the sun! They were cooking rice in huge pots with large paddles!  It all tasted very good. Ugandans don’t use utensils, so we ate with our fingers!   Well, I have to tell you all I could think about was…..we don’t have water, and every ones hands have GOT to be filthy and we are eating with our FINGERS?!!!  There was a basin at the beginning of the line, so we could wash our hands, so that helped!!!!

Today we separated out the things I had taken over and put them in the proper containers (big trailers).  Deb borrowed a vehicle because we couldn’t carry it.  Remember I said there is a team of teenagers here from Florida to do projects? The head missionary doesn’t have to do ALL the cooking but lines it up.  I’ve been helping here and there, setting up/cleaning up and this morning I asked her what I could do for her to ease her load.  Deb said….she could make a dessert or cookies or something.  And Amy said….that would be wonderful…..dessert was the ONLY thing she hadn’t lined up or made.   So today I did two of my favorite things…hung clothes out and made cookies!

The ingredients are a little different texture, etc, and I thought they turned out pretty bad, but no one gets homemade cookies very often so guess they liked them!  While I was making them, Debbie invited up to our house 15 “aunties”.   In one of the trunks I took over we had a bunch of lotions, body washes, etc that someone donated and Deb spread them all out.  They picked out several things and it was all so much fun.  Then we gave them each a cookie and they loved them. At least that’s what they said.  They don’t eat cookies evidently.  The house lady that works here some days (at our house) watched me make them, then another lady came, so I had two ladies looking over my shoulders. 

The reason the one lady is here is because three days a week she cooks a special extra nutritious meal for the HIV children.  There are currently 6 of them.  So they eat at the house we are living in.  So we ate lunch with them and you absolutely cannot believe how much they ate.  Big dinner plates FILLED up high with rice with a chicken/peanut oil topping, fresh green beans and delicious fresh pineapple for dessert!  Auntie Harriet cleans the house, does the wash (except we did ours), cooks the food and does the dishes.  Sounds pretty nice doesn’t it?!

Tomorrow Amy asked me if I would do the Bible study for the 15 “aunties”.   I said I would and I asked her to tell me a little more about them, especially spiritually.  So I am praying that the Lord will speak through me to them.  I ‘m sure I could learn a lot more from them!!!

The Ugandans are very warm, caring people. Kind of shy and hold back, but then they can really laugh. And I did tell you how they can sing and dance!!!!  Deb teases them, young and old, and they seem to love the attention.

Other than carrying water in jerry jugs (we always get some of the boys to carry it), the centipedes, the gekos,the tiny tiny flies that come to the light, the heat and humidity, I really like it here!!!!! It’s really all about the people, and the scenery is absolutely beautiful.  The workers keep the grounds immaculate and it’s like an oasis.

 I found out today there are around 80 kids here….and when you look around it still seems like an oasis!  The kids are contently playing with almost nothing, they eat meals cooked around a small charcoal pot, and their homes are functional; nothing fancy or very homey. But they are happy, happy children and sitting on the veranda watching them play is so delightful.

About the flies, if you don’t close EVERY thing up tight they end up everywhere.  This morning we had to sweep away millions of them…HONEST!  Well maybe not millions but close.  There were none in my room, mainly in Deb’s bathroom and bedroom and the kitchen/dining room.

Tomorrow we are headed out to one of the boarding high schools where some of the GSF kids are.  The missions team is doing a presentation.  Then we’ll go to lunch and to another school, so I’ll get to see new territory!  The kids are in school from 8 – 4, and all wear uniforms.  So the kids don’t have a lot of time til supper and bedtime.  We try to be around to spend time with them when they get out of school.

That’s it for now……thought I’d better write again because otherwise I’ll forget things and I’m not good at journaling.  Arlene P, thanks for making copies for my mom and dad.    Love, Sue

Mom's Arrival

On Sat, Apr 2, 2011 at 11:52 PM

Hi Everyone….this Sue talking now, Deb’s mom!  I just thought I’d tell you a little from my perspective.  This is my first time in Africa although Dick and I have done a lot of traveling.  I flew into Entebbe, Uganda from Amsterdam and also had a stop in Rwanda to pick up about 12 people making us 3 hrs late into Entebbe!  I wasn’t too crazy about stopping in Rwanda after hearing about political problems there, but everything was fine.

We spent the night with Wycliffe missionaries just a few minutes from the airport.  They have been here 8 yrs and we had a wonderful time with them. The next morning we headed to Good Shepherds Fold Orphanage, the “we” being Deb, Joan Burnett, her sister Rebecca Fulkes and her 10 yr old daughter, Lindsay.  There were also two Ugandan girls; one had been raised at GSF. 

The drive is quite the experience, I have to tell you!  Rebecca is quite the Ugandan driver!!!!  First, they drive on the “wrong” side of the road!   There are a few lane markers, none are obeyed!  There may be two lanes, but somehow or other it becomes 4 or 5, with people squeezing you in and out of lanes.  I thought China was bad, but this was something else!  Instead of a lot of bikes, they were motor scooters, and taxies (white vans for maybe 9 people with 20 inside!)   How on earth any one gets anywhere safely is beyond me!  There is so much activity besides all the cars.  There are lots of outdoor markets, and people selling things to the drivers.  If you are stalled in traffic, which is often, the vendors rush to the vehicles selling….sun glasses, phone cards, sugar cane, maps, clothes, cloth, flip flops, you name it!!!!

The road onto GSF is the red clay dirt that is in the south USA.  It is narrow, winds around, and then comes to the orphanage.  The kids have quite the reception planned for a visitor.  They sing, dance, hand out flowers, and this goes on for at least 30 min.  There is also a missions team here from a huge church in Florida.  There are 12 teens and 3 chaperones.  They were actually on the same plane as Joan and I out of AMS.   They arrived about an hour after us, and the kids went through the same thing!! It was so beautiful.  I think Deb got some pictures.  I was handed a baby about 5 min after getting out of the van!  By the way, Frank…..the van is great and Rebecca, although she is a crazy Ugandan driver, keeps the van very clean!  NO FOOD ALLOWED!

It is Sunday morning, and Deb is teaching a little kids SS class out on our veranda. When she is done we all will go to church…I can hardly wait to hear the African children singing.  I have fond memories of hearing the African children’s choir when I was young!

Today for dinner we will have a traditional Ugandan dinner…I have no idea what it will be like!  I’ll let you know. 

Oh, my last bag is to arrive this evening, by courier from the airport…..it was the most important bag I had taken…..one of 5, the others all got here.  So we’ll see if everything important (cheddar cheese blocks, special candy, printer cartridges, birthday gifts sent to some missionaries from their parents (from NC to AK, and then to here!   So I am praying all is inside!

Deb knows each of the kids by name, and there are close to 100 I think. They run to her, hug, want to be picked up.  However, she is also spending a lot of time on the “aunties”.  They are the children’s house moms, some cooks, some teachers etc.  They were sitting under a tree peeling bananas when we walked by. They love Deb and were excited to show me their pink, yellow, purple nail polished fingers and toes!!!!  Deb had given them manicures and pedicures a week ago!

Because she won’t tell you much about herself…..this is why I grabbed the computer!  She really doesn’t have an “assigned” job or a schedule, which she doesn’t like much!  You all know she likes to be busy, and accomplishing something!  But she is called for many things….the car battery is dead, can you come do this or that…..last night a child in the house was having an asthma attack, the others kids ran here for “auntie” Debbie.  She basically just does what anyone asks.  I think I am going to offer to help the main missionary lady who is here and having to plan and cook for not all the meals, but a lot of them for the missions team who is here.  So she has extra to do, so I’ll offer to help wherever I can be of most help to her.

Deb is out on the veranda asking the kids to sing some songs in English too, besides Ugandan!  They can sing, harmonize, move and sway…..with no training.  She just asked them what worship is….and after the “regular” answers, one boy says…DANCING!

On the way to GSF, we stopped outside Entembbe for lunch at a mall.  We met up with the missions team, the Zooks from Wycliffe (who had housed us the previous night) plus Deb had invited 5 Ugandan young adults, 4 who were raised here.  Whenever she goes to town she invites some for lunch just to keep up with them. They are the ones she first got to know when she first came here in 2007.  She just sits and visits with them, asking them how they are doing, what they need, what they have going on. 

Wow, those 6 or 7 boys can sing LOUD, and with lots of energy…English and Luganda and always clapping.  Never heard Jesus Loves Me done so beautifully!

Back to the lunch with everyone, mainly talking about the 5 Ugandans……Deb told me later that the reason she pays for lunch and their transportation to and from the lunch is because they can’t come otherwise.  Also, she asked them if they had enough minutes on their phones.  She gave them each a prepaid phone card so they can keep in touch. By the way, EVERYone has cell phones.  There is no other way to keep in contact, no land lines.   It’s funny to watch the “aunties” texting!!!!  

So it’s neat to see her trying to keep in contact with the older ones who have left the orphanage.  Basically they are on their own when they leave; they don’t want to go back to the village, so they usually live with a relative in the town, or go on to college if they can. 

I guess this is enough for now…..oh, on the road into the orphanage Deb said…watch for monkeys in the potato field.  And there they were….we counted 6.  Joan and I looked at each other said, can you believe we are in Africa and we are watching MONKEYS?!!!!