Week 51 (8 – 14 July 2007)

It rained last night. That makes the “roads” wet and muddy. It also makes me very jittery about driving. It’s not so much the driving as the trying to drive, the wheels turning but the car not moving. It only happens when the local road engineers re-surface the roads with an additional layer of – mud. Once it has been compacted and dried the new rain just washes off most of it. We wanted to go to Kuluva to the baptism of Jonathan, Mary’s youngest son. In the end, Andrea decided to walk even though it was raining lightly. I tried the car with the intention of turning back if there was any possibility of getting stuck then walking later. Lillian was just setting out at the same time and going in the same direction as me so, thankfully I had both company and a Luganda speaker. But, although the roads were wet and muddy in a few places, there were no problems other than negotiating the additional potholes and crevasses which have appeared since our last trip on Friday. Andrea arrived at the Kuluva church at the same time.
We were told that the service would start at 9.30am, which is when we arrived. We still haven’t learnt. It actually started at 10.15am and ended at 12.45pm. And it was the Lugbara service. Fortunately the first person we met on our arrival was Emmanuel, the Deputy Head of a local primary school and speaks very good and clear English. He translated the relevant parts of the service and helped us to find the right places in the service book. He was one of the three God-parents and was able to assist Andrea as she too is a God-parent to Jonathan. I suppose that make me assistant God-parent! The translations made a huge difference and we did feel more a part of the proceedings than we had expected.
While at Kuluva, we visited Molly and Isobel who were in the UK for much of the same time as ourselves. We had lunch together and it was good to catch up again. At 4pm we then moved to Mary’s house for a meal with the God-parents, pastors, relatives and friends. They have three straw-roofed huts: one for the lounge and sleeping area which leaks when it rains, one for the cooking and one as a workshop for Isaac, Mary’s husband who is a carpenter. We had duck and beef for the meal and were up to Mary’s usual standard of cooking! It was the first time I had met their eldest son, Tom, who is 15 years old and in a wheelchair as he has cerebral palsy due to brain damage at birth. Although Tom can speak very little he seemed to be able to understand when to smile for the camera and enjoyed having his photograph taken! His wheelchair is in need of some repairs and we took some photos of it so that we could ask advice both locally and further afield. Tom can’t feed himself so his Dad has to help him but of course they don’t use cutlery as we do. It was clear how much his parents cared for him and how much he was accepted by the other children – about 10 from the area joined us, they were about the same age and Tom’s second brother, Godwin who is 5 years old. In between eating and taking photos we were able to chat with the pastors and other friends, mainly about the corruption in the area and, sadly, by those in positions of responsibility in Christian organisations. It was very interesting to listen to them describe and analyse these issues in their own community. But as always, what is the right thing to do about it?

The main event of Monday was the second meeting of the Chess Club. We had about 10 boys playing until they were called for a compulsory practice run for a forthcoming athletics competition. All students will run for training and the best will be selected during the next two weeks. Some came back quickly and continued with the chess!! The girls were knitting quietly nearby but didn’t return after the run. During the club time, I was able to look at one of the S1 Physics exercise books to see what the student, Samuel, had been doing with them. I wish I hadn’t. He was doing a topic that is no longer on the syllabus and although I had pointed this out previously he, and the Head of Science who was also present when we talked about it, clearly thought this didn’t matter – it will be useful for them to know it and it comes up in exam questions. None that I’ve seen so far. But the mathematics associated with the topic is much too difficult for these students who are very weak at Maths anyway. It’s pointless, even for the brightest. SO what to do about it? Challenge again or leave it? It may depend on how much longer he stays on that topic. We were wondering why so many classes seem to get behind with the syllabus!

On Tuesday the main events were the staff briefing and the staff devotions. Perhaps I’m getting even more deaf or slow but I seem to be finding it even more difficult to hear what is being said – raising your voice to be heard seems to be confused with shouting, which is not polite here. And even when we can hear the words they don’t seem to make much sense. They also have a habit of making comments which do not follow from the previous speaker and are often on a completely different topic. Towards the end of the meeting the teacher in charge of sports and games apologised for the disruption the training and practice runs were having on other after school events. No one could answer my question about the longer term effects on practical science sessions (4 days every week) and the debates, also timetabled for after lessons and previously planned. We left the staff meeting exhausted and confused but grateful it only lasted 30 minutes. The talk at the staff devotions was more than a little depressing too. It seemed to concentrate on gloom and doom, suffering and persecution (and the passage was taken slightly out of context too). Another teacher made additional passionate comments – later I discovered that Andrea had no idea what he was talking about either!

The chemistry practical I had been planning for Wednesday afternoon had to be postponed at the last minute because another school was coming for a debate! The topic was “Foreigners are responsible for all Uganda’s woes”!!!! Ushindi were proposing. We sat at the back of the hall as we didn’t intend to say for the full two hours and left after the first speaker from each team, mainly because we couldn’t hear or make out anything they were saying! Ushindi eventually won. But the students are still speaking to us. We would like to have heard their arguments but they spoke too quickly.

I decided to use the lesson time on Thursday for the postponed S3 Chemistry practical (their first titration). It went well and they learnt quickly otherwise they had no sense of time or urgency about getting to their next lesson! Still, they seemed to enjoy the experience. The resulting calculations will be a different matter! After lunch, Andrea went to speak to Samuel, the student taking her S3 Maths class. She had looked at their books and was concerned. She came back fuming. It will be a disservice to the education system if he passes his practice – but it’s best not to say any more! She also spoke to the Head of Science and Maths to explain what had happened. Later in the afternoon, Andrea went for a dig with a neighbour to learn how to use some local tools. I looked after the house – after all, I had taught two lessons today compared with her none! We returned to the staff room block to recharge the laptops. I hadn’t used mine during the day so was fully charged and after doing a little work I watched a little rugby (Ireland v France). I don’t care that I know the result or that it’s several months after the even or that I’ve already watched the first half.

On Friday we went to town as usual but it started getting very hot and we got back more in a puddle of sweat than rain. I can’t remember anything else of note except the opportunity to watch two episodes of a DVD of “Upstairs Downstairs” (Series Two).

Saturday began with a welcome quiet morning of reading and pottering only interrupted by the students chatting as they washed their clothes near the pump. In the afternoon, we took the knitting and chess sets up to the classroom area and had a full house of keen students for over two hours.

In the evening we started to watch a DVD of “Round the World in 80 Days” but the laptop power expired before the end of the first of two DVD’s. We’ll have to wait until next weekend for Part 2. The excitement and anticipation is hard to bear! But it’s a gentle film and just what we need.

Week 50 (1 – 7 July 2007)

A team from Mukono University came to sing in the Sunday service today – and were very good. They joined the students later in the morning for their Scripture Union fellowship but we listened from a distance. Being older, we can only manage one 90 minute service in the morning! There were three visiting students from Uganda Christian University, all doing theology courses and one of them preached. He is from Moyo, and area further north and bordering with Sudan which means his accent was slightly different. He is also a fisherman. Sadly, he missed some good opportunities in his sermon although he did make an attempt to relate to the school students. It’s very frustrating to hear the Bible stories made so incomprehensible and uninteresting. While we were having (our second) breakfast after the service, the power had been connected again so we watched a DVD of a Christian musician singing and dancing in a lively, modern but distinctly African way. I asked if this was the sort of thing the theological students were being taught. Sadly, it’s not but our Principal did explain that it was an attempt to relate to the school students. He didn’t say if he agreed with it or not! I took the opportunity of having power to catch up with the blog as the laptop was charging – so am back to writing “real time” again. And, by the way, the temperatures have been lower recently but it’s still hot and sticky, more like UK atmosphere on a warm sunny day. But just as I write it’s hot at over 28°C.
Shortly afterwards the temperature dropped quickly and there was w very very heavy downpour for around two hours. Two boys were trapped in the car as they were in the middle of “bathing” it! It’s surprising how quickly the ground dries out.

There was another heavy downpour on Monday afternoon. As I opened the front door four ladies were running for shelter and came into our house. We’ve no idea who they are but they enjoyed the tea and biscuits that Andrea provided. After about half an hour we discovered that one of them was carrying a baby on her back! Fortunately, one spoke fairly good English and eventually Andrea started to teach her to knit! They had been on a course at Kuluva Hospital about healthcare but still had about another 2 hours walk to get home. The course is on the first Monday of each month so it will be interesting to see if they return. Mary, our helper, also got caught in the rain and stopped at someone else’s house – but didn’t get any tea and biscuits! Unfortunately, the rain lasted so long that neither the knitting circle nor the new chess club were able to meet. But I did join the Scripture Union committee meeting at 8pm to try to listen to some of their frustrations regarding storage space for their files, songbooks and other materials. They suggested getting a grass thatched hut but this is not cost effective in the long term due to termites and rats. Another possibility is a cupboard in and unused area of the staff room. As usual, it all comes down to money.

Early on Tuesday morning, about 1.30am, we heard a commotion outside – some students were singing and others praying loudly. We later found out that it was a fear of demons – again. Although we have no experience in this area the descriptions of what happen as told to us by John, our neighbour who eventually sorted out the students, we were a little sceptical.
The staff devotions were held at our home today. The custom here is that friends and family all come to support anyone who has had a bereavement in their family, often in very practical ways such as fetching water and providing food as well as praying and just being with the family. The Chairman of the Board, John Ondoma, and whose home we stayed in last September, gave a short talk in between some songs. I found some photos of Dad and showed those while telling our friends a little about him. They provided some light food afterwards and gave us a monetary gift in lieu of the practical assistance they would have given had we been here. It was difficult in some ways, but it is the way they show their sympathy and probably more helpful than western ways. We were both very touched and grateful.

Around 8pm we again heard singing and loud voices – when the students should be quiet in prep. Knowing John was off site, we went to find out what was going on even though there were other teachers in the staff room. We found three girls rolling on the floor and about five boys praying loudly with their hands on the girls (“laying on of hands”) and a few girls who looked very concerned and unsettled. We watched and listened for a few minutes and both came to the same conclusions and had no need to verbalise our thoughts! We moved the boys away from the girls – they could pray just as easily from the side of the hall. Within a few minutes, calm was restored. The school secretary, Jocelyn, had spoken at the student devotions and joined us but followed our lead. We then asked the boys to return to prep. One of the girls on the floor started to roll around but stopped when she got to my feet. Andrea took my place and was talking to another student so that the one on the floor could only rock between the two. We gave little attention to the other two but made sure someone was sitting near them. Within a few minutes all three were peacefully asleep on the floor where they stayed for the next 90 minutes. Everything was calm from then on but it became clear that some of the students were very confused and the boys hadn’t seemed to realise that there may be some more natural explanation, such as hormones, for at least some of the behaviour.
John returned to the site around 10.30pm and seeing our light was still on, asked for help with a laptop problem – which we solved eventually. We updated him on the evening’s events and discussed what to do – prayer meetings after devotions to stop for now and same gender prayer groups only.

It’s hard to believe that we left home one year ago. And yes, I’ve got the blog week numbers wrong by two weeks. But then I don’t teach Maths. I think it’s just that I’ve missed two entries early on.
We spent most of Wednesday wondering about what to do or day about the disruptions of the last two evenings and eventually thought that we should speak at the evening devotions. John had also spoken at the morning assembly and to a few people at lunchtime. We have much reading to do now but fortunately have collected a number of relevant books during the last year.

On Thursday morning I got up early to observe the student taking my S1 Physics class. He refused to let me watch! I tried to persuade him and the only reason he gave me was that he didn’t want me to. He was so reluctant that he said that I could go and teach the class rather than watch him. I backed off – for today but insisted that I would see him teach at some point. Fortunately, the Head of Science, Victor arrived and manage to sort things out – for now. Samuel, the student is still not happy so it will be interesting to see if either Andrea or I get to observe a lesson. I also said that he would be welcome to visit any of my lessons – his choice of both lesson and time. I’m not holding my breath.

Grace, the S3 Biology teacher has been away so on Friday morning first thing I taught them Chemistry instead as another catch-up lesson. We then prepared to go into town. I was standing sorting some money and was just about to bend down to our locker – which I do several times a day – when I felt my back “go”. There was some doubt as to whether we would go to town but found that sitting was OK. Everything else I just did slowly. Ok, more slowly than usual. We returned in time for lunch which Mary had cooked for us; we now have fish on Fridays. The usual assembly took place at 4.15pm and afterwards several of the students (and staff) offered their sympathy for my “paining” back. Andrea spoke on Esther at the devotions; one of the girls dormitories is called “Queen Esther”. We then worked on our laptops for a couple of hours in the offices while they charged. The laptops charged, not the offices. Some students were watching a video of a modern version of Hamlet. The volume was very high and the rooms echo. Our heads were also echoing by the end of the evening.

We were looking forward to a lie in on Saturday until there was a knock at the door – 7am. Nothing serious, just a neighbour wanting some flour. We worked quietly in the morning and then had another visitor, Simon, the SU chairperson who wanted to discuss the events from earlier in the week. He is well meaning and has more experience than many of the students but at 17 years old still needs some guidance and explanations. He stayed for around 2 hours! Andrea then went to the last hour of the visiting afternoon to do some knitting with the students. Some also wanted to play chess so the first three games of the new Ushindi Chess Club were played today! They picked up the basic rules very quickly and soon progressed from playing with a few pieces to playing with the full set. As the school is connected to mains power in the evenings at weekends, Andrea worked for a while in one of the offices to charge her laptop and we watched our first DCD since our return – an old Star Trek.

Week 49 (24 – 30 June 2007)

The Sunday morning service started late because the preacher hadn’t arrived from Arua – his lift was late. He is one of the clergy at St Philips, a large Church of Uganda in town. His theme was wisdom from God. Sadly, I didn’t seem to receive any and had difficulty understanding what he was trying to say. Perhaps it will take us a little while to re-adjust again to speaking styles and trains of thought. Andrea slept most of the day while I was able to complete my book sorting therapy and cataloguing the 720 books on loan. So at least the bookshelves are tidy and fairly well sorted. We have a good choice of books, from young children’s through to heaver tomes with indigestible titles. Plus a few in French and what I think might be Swahili. As the weather is dull and our battery seemed to completely discharge while we were away we’ve gone back to candles and kerosene lamps in the evening. Atmospheric and cosy in a way but hard to read and we could do without the atmosphere from the burning kerosene.

On Monday we taught our first lessons after an 8 week break for me (Andrea taught S4 during our one week stay earlier in May). I was surprised how exhausted I was afterwards. There are five students on teaching practice for the rest of this term and they seem to have taken over the staffroom. Samuel needs particular prayer. Unfortunately for him, he is taking my S1 Physics class and Andreas S3 Maths class so will have both of us to cope with! Samuel was a bit surprised when I asked to watch him teach a lesson next week. He has been teaching for three years so knows what he is doing, so he says. But I need to see how Ugandan teachers teach – it would be very helpful for me. The big bonus of the day – Mary (and Grace) came and so we had a wonderful lunch. Jonathan, her son born on Good Friday, was very good, smiling at everyone and trying to chat to me as I was working.

The staff briefing was at the morning break on Tuesday although there were no specific items on the agenda. We still managed to run over the 20 min time slot. As John wasn’t feeling well, I took his S3 Agriculture period for and extra Chemistry lesson. I’m not sure how much the class appreciated it! Andrea was feeling under the weather, and a bit tired too so she didn’t attend the Staff Devotions. I arrived at around 4pm and no one was around and had the feeling of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. A few minutes later, Dorothy arrived and reassured me that devotions would take place. When I asked what time she said 4pm. I repeated this to make sure I had heard her correctly. “Oh, yes. It starts at 4pm!” She laughed when I pointed out that it was already 4.10pm. A few minutes later I was asked if I would share anything. I declined politely indicating that I don’t do spontaneous. John later spoke for about 15 minutes and it would be good if I could report what he said but sadly, I’ve no idea although I was listening attentively. I thing the re-entry to Uganda is taking a bit longer than expected!

I can’t remember anything about Wednesday and there isn’t anything of note in my diary, which is the only indication to me that it did actually happen.

I got up early to teach the S1 Physics lesson on Thursday because we realise last night that the S1 Physics and S3 Maths are on at the same time. Samuel, the student is teaching these classes. Past experience did not leave us with the confidence that this would have been sorted in advance. Fortunately, we were wrong and the Maths lesson had been swapped for a Geography lesson. Pity we weren’t told in advance. However, I did teach my S2 and S3 lessons later, rested in the afternoon and spent an hour in the evening helping John to do some bits on Excel. One of the good things about this is that there do seem to be some moves regarding getting the school linked up to mains electricity. The classrooms have been rewired with additional 230v lights in place and there is power from the nearby electrician’s house. This gives us more opportunity to charge our laptops but the connecting wire would hardly pass any EU safety regulations with bare wires in place and a series of normal indoor extension leads across the road and footpath.

Neither of us had lessons on Friday (due to the student teachers) so we spent the morning preparing lessons, exam questions and devotions. We attended the full staff meeting at 2pm not realising that there was a special lunch (chicken) before it. Another communication breakdown. We both tried to remain calm, especially when the discussion centred on the date for the Open Day with an even longer and more heated debate about the timing of the day as the food seemed to dominate the decision. We don’t have deep freezers or butchers as in the UK. The cow or goat is slaughtered on the day, transported to the school then 150kg is cut up and prepared. Cows take 3 hours to cook and goats 2 hours – wood and charcoal fires, remember. So timing a lunch for 1pm means a very early start and a lot of work for the women teachers, especially as the kitchen staff still have to feed the 170 students as well. What about the male teachers helping, you ask? So did I, but later as the discussion was making me hungry and it would not have been culturally sensitive either! But I did suggest quietly afterwards to John, the Deputy, that perhaps a full meat meal might not be needed – what about something simpler, and much cheaper for the school too. So, we’ll see. The date has been set for 21st July. But it might change.

It rained last night having not rained for most of the week. This meant that the roads were muddier and made us more than a little nervous about our Saturday trip to town. We delayed our start and the ground dried a little so we left around 11am. There were no problems – just a few small mud patches. It was very busy in town and difficult to negotiate the cyclists and lorries. I even changed back to 4 wheel drive and turned right rather than left at one junction which is normally difficult but looked impossible today. This is a junction near the centre of town but with massive pot “chasms”. Otherwise, all was well. We had our lunch in the Catholic Centre although this took longer than usual and then visited Cathy and her girls. She gave us some background to student teaching practice – no, the students don’t normally observe other teachers lessons (most teachers don’t like this) and no, they don’t normally get observed by the teachers in the school. Basically they get on with it themselves and learn very little. And unless they are all really bad or do something silly like not turn up, they all pass. Hm. Explains a lot. We were treated to the favourite lemon cake made by the girls, but with cream this time! I also had a special time playing “cars” with Joshua (2 yrs old). I spent most of the evening relaxing with the e-mails. What I mean is that most of the time neither the laptop nor I were doing anything. The weather seems to have made the signal even less reliable that usual so that when I move or even blink the connection is lost, but being Africa, it doesn’t tell me that so I have to keep checking. Eventually, I found a spot that seemed to get better reception but it meant holding the phone in an awkward position. I’ve just put a screw in the window frame as high as possible as so far the connection is OK. Only the laptop has just 42 min left. So no replies or blog update tonight. Again. I’ll just have to give up this relaxing and read a book.

Week 48 (17 – 23 June 2007)

Although Sunday was Fathers Day we decided to go to Brentwood Baptist Church anyway. We had arranged with Peter (our minister) that Andrea would be “interviewed” and that I might or might not join in. In the end, I did so that our report took longer than perhaps it should have done! Once we start talking about Ushindi it’s difficult to know what to leave out as there is so much to share. But little and often is probably better. We really appreciated seen friends again and were given such a warm welcome that it made it difficult to leave again. I think the leavings are certainly not getting easier and probably harder each time. There are so many ways that we are being encouraged – such as the person who prays for us every time they pass our house, which is nearly every day! Our “last” Sunday lunch was with Andrea’s Mum (so we’re stuffed again!). We haven’t seen all the things, including wool, wool and more wool that we have collected in one place because Andrea left her things in Romford and I left mine in Winchester. We’re grateful for everything that has been collected but just don’t know how much we will get in, even with an extra luggage allowance. We also managed to sort out Andrea’s Mum’s internet connection before we left – this has been trial of it’s own for several months so we’re glad to be of a little help in the process.
Our return journey to Winchester was OK with no car parking on the M25. We caught up a little with Mum and Libby before tea then took the opportunity to do the last e-mail check at Greenhill Road. I also experimented with the blog and uploaded some pictures successfully. So perhaps I’ll have another go from Arua. Words are fine, but pictures are better.

Monday was set aside for packing and it was good to be able to set everything out in order of must take and might take if there’s room. In the end, nearly everything went in – except some books and of course, some wool. But we should be taking even less of our own things back on future visits so should have plenty of room for the wool. It’s probably unwise to say that because the wool collectors might now go sheep rustling to augment their supplies! We are grateful really – or at least the students at Ushindi will be. The next thing is to increase the number of chess sets. Next time!

Brian kindly drove us to Staines to see Robin and Carolyn. We have known them for over 30 years and have tried to visit annually. Since they moved from Birmingham and we moved to Uganda we’ve seen them twice in six months! It was great to see them again and we appreciated their hospitality, especially as Robin took us to Heathrow at 5am on Tuesday morning.

Our journey was via Amsterdam with KLM and was straight forward and the waits didn’t seem as long as on other journeys. We got our cases in Entebbe fairly quickly and met up with Lawrence, our taxi driver. But, he was also waiting for some others and when they arrived he realised he couldn’t get us and our luggage into his taxi so arranged another one for us – after we had been waiting for 45mins! We both got bitten while we were waiting too. Well, TIA (This Is Africa)! We eventually got to Lyn’s flat at about 8.30pm (UK) or 10.30pm (Uganda) and went to bed fairly soon after.

On Wednesday we eventually stirred on at around 8.30am (UK) but that’s 10.30am in Uganda. Intelligent people here get up early so …. It still took us a while to work out even simple things as we were more befuddled that usual but eventually started getting ourselves organised for a rest! As there is electricity (in the afternoon) we are taking the opportunity to search the internet (Andrea) and write the blog (James). I guess we’re getting more knitting patterns or maths problems. How exciting! I’d better be careful because one day Andrea will actually get around to reading the blog and I’m SURE they’ll be useful.

I managed to publish a blog entry on Thursday (Week 47) so at this stage I’m not too far behind. Christine Oliver (AIM Member Care) visited us for coffee and to catch up on the last month. She listens well and is one of those people who encourages you to talk. Then we rushed off to town – well to get a lift from Godfrey and the Matoke Inn car. We went to the Logogo Mall which has two main supermarkets of a very un-African, but familiar, nature. Unfortunately we had quite a while to wait for Godfrey to return for us so reluctantly had a coffee and chocolate milkshake. It can be a hard life in Uganda sometimes. We did our packing before tea and just as I was putting the last few things in the case the power went. Don’t try packing a suitcase in the dark or by torch light. On the other hand that might make it easier for some! Why did I suddenly think of Richard?

Alarm clocks should be banned. 5am is a ridiculous time to get up, or just think about getting up. Lawrence collected us at 6am on Friday exactly as planned and even though there were road works on the way to Entebbe airport we arrived at 6.45am and went straight thought the security check. We shouldn’t have gone through as the check-in desk wasn’t open but no-one checked which flight we were boarding. The flight was fine, direct and on time and we got talking to Chris from New Zealand who was going to be working for a month near Ushindi, buying land for an orphanage or school for one. We were met by Pam and reunited with our car and post. After 5 weeks I was getting a bit concerned about starting the car especially as the rain in Arua had been heavy. It started first time. It NEVER starts first time normally! After some shopping we returned to Ushindi and only got stuck in the mud once. Road-surfacing has been carried out and when its wet it’s very very slippery. That is the new mud surface not the smooth tarred roads elsewhere. We received a warm, if subdued welcome and weren’t overwhelmed as can happen sometimes in African societies. I was very grateful for that. We joined the School assembly at 4pm and were given a further welcome. I brought greetings from home and got a cheer and round of applause when I mentioned Laura, Lisa and Matt. Later the whole school were invited to stand for a moment of silence in memory of my Dad. It was a very touching gesture and one I won’t forget.

We spent most of Saturday tidying and sorting. I felt obliged to continue book sorting therapy. John and Brenda (neighbours) came for a meal in the evening and it gave us a chance to catch up with a few things. We hadn’t realised that tomorrow (Sunday) is their first wedding anniversary.

Week 48 (17 – 23 June 2007)

Although Sunday was Fathers Day we decided to go to Brentwood Baptist Church anyway. We had arranged with Peter (our minister) that Andrea would be “interviewed” and that I might or might not join in. In the end, I did so that our report took longer than perhaps it should have done! Once we start talking about Ushindi it’s difficult to know what to leave out as there is so much to share. But little and often is probably better. We really appreciated seen friends again and were given such a warm welcome that it made it difficult to leave again. I think the leavings are certainly not getting easier and probably harder each time. There are so many ways that we are being encouraged – such as the person who prays for us every time they pass our house, which is nearly every day! Our “last” Sunday lunch was with Andrea’s Mum (so we’re stuffed again!). We haven’t seen all the things, including wool, wool and more wool that we have collected in one place because Andrea left her things in Romford and I left mine in Winchester. We’re grateful for everything that has been collected but just don’t know how much we will get in, even with an extra luggage allowance. We also managed to sort out Andrea’s Mum’s internet connection before we left – this has been trial of it’s own for several months so we’re glad to be of a little help in the process.
Our return journey to Winchester was OK with no car parking on the M25. We caught up a little with Mum and Libby before tea then took the opportunity to do the last e-mail check at Greenhill Road. I also experimented with the blog and uploaded some pictures successfully. So perhaps I’ll have another go from Arua. Words are fine, but pictures are better.

Monday was set aside for packing and it was good to be able to set everything out in order of must take and might take if there’s room. In the end, nearly everything went in – except some books and of course, some wool. But we should be taking even less of our own things back on future visits so should have plenty of room for the wool. It’s probably unwise to say that because the wool collectors might now go sheep rustling to augment their supplies! We are grateful really – or at least the students at Ushindi will be. The next thing is to increase the number of chess sets. Next time!

Brian kindly drove us to Staines to see Robin and Carolyn. We have known them for over 30 years and have tried to visit annually. Since they moved from Birmingham and we moved to Uganda we’ve seen them twice in six months! It was great to see them again and we appreciated their hospitality, especially as Robin took us to Heathrow at 5am on Tuesday morning.

Our journey was via Amsterdam with KLM and was straight forward and the waits didn’t seem as long as on other journeys. We got our cases in Entebbe fairly quickly and met up with Lawrence, our taxi driver. But, he was also waiting for some others and when they arrived he realised he couldn’t get us and our luggage into his taxi so arranged another one for us – after we had been waiting for 45mins! We both got bitten while we were waiting too. Well, TIA (This Is Africa)! We eventually got to Lyn’s flat at about 8.30pm (UK) or 10.30pm (Uganda) and went to bed fairly soon after.

On Wednesday we eventually stirred on at around 8.30am (UK) but that’s 10.30am in Uganda. Intelligent people here get up early so …. It still took us a while to work out even simple things as we were more befuddled that usual but eventually started getting ourselves organised for a rest! As there is electricity (in the afternoon) we are taking the opportunity to search the internet (Andrea) and write the blog (James). I guess we’re getting more knitting patterns or maths problems. How exciting! I’d better be careful because one day Andrea will actually get around to reading the blog and I’m SURE they’ll be useful.

I managed to publish a blog entry on Thursday (Week 47) so at this stage I’m not too far behind. Christine Oliver (AIM Member Care) visited us for coffee and to catch up on the last month. She listens well and is one of those people who encourages you to talk. Then we rushed off to town – well to get a lift from Godfrey and the Matoke Inn car. We went to the Logogo Mall which has two main supermarkets of a very un-African, but familiar, nature. Unfortunately we had quite a while to wait for Godfrey to return for us so reluctantly had a coffee and chocolate milkshake. It can be a hard life in Uganda sometimes. We did our packing before tea and just as I was putting the last few things in the case the power went. Don’t try packing a suitcase in the dark or by torch light. On the other hand that might make it easier for some! Why did I suddenly think of Richard?

Alarm clocks should be banned. 5am is a ridiculous time to get up, or just think about getting up. Lawrence collected us at 6am on Friday exactly as planned and even though there were road works on the way to Entebbe airport we arrived at 6.45am and went straight thought the security check. We shouldn’t have gone through as the check-in desk wasn’t open but no-one checked which flight we were boarding. The flight was fine, direct and on time and we got talking to Chris from New Zealand who was going to be working for a month near Ushindi, buying land for an orphanage or school for one. We were met by Pam and reunited with our car and post. After 5 weeks I was getting a bit concerned about starting the car especially as the rain in Arua had been heavy. It started first time. It NEVER starts first time normally! After some shopping we returned to Ushindi and only got stuck in the mud once. Road-surfacing has been carried out and when its wet it’s very very slippery. That is the new mud surface not the smooth tarred roads elsewhere. We received a warm, if subdued welcome and weren’t overwhelmed as can happen sometimes in African societies. I was very grateful for that. We joined the School assembly at 4pm and were given a further welcome. I brought greetings from home and got a cheer and round of applause when I mentioned Laura, Lisa and Matt. Later the whole school were invited to stand for a moment of silence in memory of my Dad. It was a very touching gesture and one I won’t forget.

We spent most of Saturday tidying and sorting. I felt obliged to continue book sorting therapy. John and Brenda (neighbours) came for a meal in the evening and it gave us a chance to catch up with a few things. We hadn’t realised that tomorrow (Sunday) is their first wedding anniversary.