The end.

It is with the greatest sorrow that we write to you the following letter. After working here in Uganda for 10 months with Sam Mutabaazi and the children of Dorcas Children's Home, we have learned of a line of corrupt behavior which works directly against the full mission of the home. Both in years past and in the time we have spent here we have discovered that Sam Mutabaazi has been sexually misusing female workers and girls under his care. In his position of power, he manipulates females in this home leading them to believe their provision and livelihood depend on pleasing him. This is a gross misuse of power that even in this culture is looked down upon and thought of as morally evil, not to mention, highly illegal.
We have carefully and prayerfully worked in seeking to know if these accusations were true, and do not give our testimony lightly, understanding how destructive this information is to so many people's lives. We have nothing to gain from writing this letter to you and everything to lose for through it, we compromise the work we have done through out the year, and our plans to continue working with a home we have come to love. But, it is our moral obligation to make a stand for what is just and right, and let those who have invested so much faith and monetary support be aware of what has been taking place in secret for so many years.

We first came to know about Sam's conduct through a close friend of ours and niece to Sam. After months of a friendship, she began to confide in us about the sexual misconduct at the home pleading for us to help, or at least speak to the girls about their rights. Sharing a close friendship with Sam, and believing him to be a moral man, we struggled with this information knowing that rumors and false accusations are commonplace in Uganda. We did speak to the girls about their God-given right of choice and personal control of their body. Throughout the year, Kami read nightly through a book based on Hosea's wife, seeking to show God's redemptive love to those who have been used and mistreated, and the beauty they contain within themselves. We wanted each of the girls to know that even in a male-dominated society they still had great worth and always had a choice, especially when it came to how they would use their own bodies.
As the months went on we began to see certain things that bothered us. First, whenever Juliet, a 16 year-old who had been on the streets as a prostitute came home from boarding school, she lived in Sam's room. Sam often allows many of the children to sleep in his room and keeps his door open, so as strange as this seems, we did not think too much of it at the time. But, one day as Chris went into the room, he found Sam wearing no clothes, moving to cover himself and Juliet re-clothing herself. First, let us make it very clear that no sexual misconduct was seen, but enough of an implication was left for us to begin taking stock in the stories we had been hearing.
In the same period, our former matron asked Kami if it was normal to have to sleep with an employer to keep one's job, telling Kami this was the normal situation in Uganda. She was soon there after let go.
In the last two months, as we began to become more concerned about this situation and constantly prayed for truth, more people revealed the same information about Sam, including former volunteers on two separate occasions, former boys who had lived in the home, workers, and current children.

The following lines are the way they have come to place:

During the last holiday, when our oldest boy returned from boarding school, he confided in Kami about concerns that his girlfriend (a teacher at our primary school near his age) was being unfaithful. One day he came to Kami in tears telling her what he had found. Sam had given her a phone (a donation we had received from a church) and on the phone were messages from Sam asking her to sleep with him, confessing love and affection and wanting her to come to him. She admitted to accepting invitations to go to the Sauna with Sam. Our oldest boy was heartbroken looking to us for advice on what he should do in a situation like this.
We decided to talk to our cook and matron individually, explaining them our concerns and asking them to be honest with us about Sam's conduct with them. They both explained that “yes Daddy did tell them in their interview he would ask them from time to time to sleep with him, and had many times, but if they refused, as long as they continued to work hard, he would not fire them.” They both thought this was something not too serious, and said they refused to sleep with him regularly. We pressed them explaining it was something to be taken very seriously and asked them about his conduct with the young girls at the home (12-16 years old.) They replied that the girls just needed to know that Daddy wouldn't force them and to say no. They said, “that the problem rested in them lacking maturity to know they could say 'no'.” They also told us several of the girls had come to them upset about Daddy trying to kiss them or touch them inappropriately, and did not want to bring food into his room.

At this time we were also planning for the music tour and received emails from a former volunteer, warning us of deception in the past and refusing to support Sam because of his manipulation and many moral reasons.
On two separate occasions, the first in 2001, and the second only just over a year ago, the same sexual misconduct accusations were brought against Sam resulting in the volunteer's names being ruined in Uganda, cut sponsorship, and many of the boys leaving or being sent away from the home. We had heard stories of both, but in each, we had heard they were people trying to take over the home and tarnish Sam's name for their own benefit.
But, recently, we have learned this was not the case:

After hearing more and more stories about Sam, and having only prayer to rely on, we went to seek advice from a missionary here in Uganda, who has worked in this country for over 40 years. Before we even explained the struggle we were having, he informed us he was fully aware of Sam's sexual misconduct from previous volunteers in 2001. He knew them personally and said they thought the world of Sam and faithfully worked with him until they found that he was sleeping with many of the girls. Being powerless without proof, they attempted to take pictures and ascertain specific evidence without avail. Unless the girls testified against Sam themselves, nothing would happen. But, because of Sam's power in Uganda, and the fear for their lives being ruined, the girls would say nothing until the volunteers ensured them they would be taken care of and gave each money so they could sustain a livelihood without Sam. 20 females came forward against Sam and he fled arrest for over a year. When he returned, he was imprisoned for two weeks and then all charges were dropped.
(We do not have any evidence for bribery or unlawful conduct) but we do know from workers and family that Sam had a very nice house in Kampala before this trial, and after his release no longer owned the house.
Whatever happened in the situation, Sam was released, the volunteers were forced to leave, and any boys Sam thought might have supported the volunteers were sent away.
A very close friend of ours who lives in the village recently confided in us that he had been living at the home during this time. He explained that all the boys at the home knew it was taking place and anyone Daddy suspected as a threat to him, including this boy, were sent away.

We had also known of a girl taking boys from the home in the past. We believed on Sam's word she was deranged and sleeping with some of the boys and had wanted to start a home for herself to get money. He told us she gave each of the boys a kiss on the mouth and told them to leave with her in the middle of the night.
From former volunteer letters, we learned that they too had been accused of sleeping with the boys as well. So, anytime volunteers have begun to suspect Sam of misconduct, their names have been tarnished and smeared. (As if a long line of volunteers have brought money in, worked here selflessly and then tried to destroy the home for their own gain.)
Recently, we have heard the true story of this woman: She, like us, was working here and fell in love with the children, and then discovered the sexual misconduct that was taking place. Without any proof or any power, she asked her father for money to rent a building and took as many boys as would leave away in the night. Many of these boys still live in the home she started today.
And then we learned even more devastating news. This had happened only September 2007! When Sam came to America in early November to meet us and seek support, almost all sponsorship had been lost for unexplained reasons.
Instead of being skeptical, based on Sam's story and moral demeanor, plus the urgent need the children were in, we jumped in with both feet and began raising the necessary support for the home.
This was 12 months ago. From that time until now, we have been working tirelessly to provide the best situation possible for this home. All money has gone directly through us and been accounted for since our arrival and because financial corruption was the main fear we concerned ourselves with, we felt confident in asking for your faith and support in this home. Daily, weekly, and monthly we have met with Sam and lived with the children being apart of all functions in the home, accounting for each and trying to the best of our ability to maintain complete transparency. In wanting to see this home continue for many years into the future and assist Sam in his retirement, we both agreed to stay on past our year commitment, offering not just years, but a commitment of our life, whether stateside or here to sustain this home and help these kids grow into well-balanced adults. For all of these reasons, when we began to learn the truth, it was the most devastating blow of our lives, shaking us to our core.

But we felt that a strong enough friendship had grown with Sam and that if we approached the situation in love, and complete forgiveness, we could work through the situation. We saw the only real option was to accept his requests that we take over the home, help work towards his retirement, provided that he stepped down and removed all girls from under his care. It was the hardest decisions of our lives and both of us spent days and nights in prayer trying to understand the responsibility of what we were undertaking. But, our affirmation came in our love for the kids, and the commitment we have that no girls should live under such oppression, fear or abuse. We knew that if we informed sponsors before talking with him, Sam would not even listen.
Our talk with Sam went as badly as we could have conceived. We told him that we loved him, offered our forgiveness but had to bring these things to light. He had spoken to us continuously about standing up for what was right and just, and because he was misusing his power and doing what was morally corrupt in the eyes of both man and God, we told him we held firmly that it had to stop. If he would allow us to work towards his retirement and raise money for the sustainment of the home for the following year, we would help him in whatever ways we could. It was not about us or him, but about these children and the work that is so valuable. He did not consider what we said for a moment. A change came over his eyes and in second he went from seeing us as friends and instead saw us only as threats. He demanded proof and for us to bring any girl before him that would say he had touched her. We told him we would not speak to him of any girl, nor would we say any names. We also would not go to the police. We were here as his friends. He refused and said we could prove nothing. At this, we told him the only other option was to make all sponsors aware of what was happening, and what kind of lifestyle the director of the home they were supporting was living. His eyes grew even darker and he rose from the bed screaming repeatedly for us to get out of his room, and that he was not a pauper and did not need us.
We both left the conversation deeply hurt. But, we needed to continue to try. We spoke again the next day. This conversation was much more calm, but even more damaging. In a very diplomatic, but manipulative way he explained that he was not doing what people were accusing him of, and played on our emotional connection to the children asking us to stay until our agreed upon times. He brought up things people had told him about us, saying children had spread lies or accused us of misconduct too, and should he believe them? Should he tell the sponsors? In every way, he turned the conversation on us and put the children before him like a shield. Kami and I could say nothing. We knew the truth, and now watched him lie to us and try and manipulate the situation to his favor.

We left and again were at a loss. We love these children. We did not want to leave them and were completely powerless in the situation. Sam owns all the land and the buildings, and the board here in Uganda are made up of his friends. He knows the president personally and many judges, and both times that we knew people had brought these charges against him before, they had failed and were forced to leave, their names tarnished and their reputations ruined in the country. We prayed daily. We asked for God to show us a clear path. After two weeks, we found to our horror that his behavior had increased. He had sent messages, which we saw ourselves, telling teachers and workers he would provide them with a full month of food if they would sleep with him, and our cook, whose room lies adjacent to the girls' reported Sam continually entering their room late at night for extended periods of time.
And finally, we found out that Sam told his daughter (who is completely unaware of any of the misconduct) we had been spreading lies about him, and that he would let the situation quiet down and let us keep raising money for the home and the kids, and once we left, not allow us back.

We have been manipulated with children as leverage. Sam has used them to deflect the actual child and women sex crimes. This has happened to all those who have worked here in the past.
We have evaluated all sides of the problem but find ourselves completely powerless. No girls will stand against Sam and he will not be brought to justice by Ugandan law. Bribery and corruption are apart of all levels of government, and even missionaries and mentors have made it known to us that there is no judge that cannot be paid off in Uganda.
Our only ability to stop this misuse of power is to bring Sam's addiction into the light and make it known to you who support this man and his home.
We know that the children, who are innocent, are caught in the crossfire, but Sam's lies and manipulation of sponsors spreads even to his stories about these children. In trying to understand what steps to take, we have found that only 5 of the children left in the home are actually from the streets of Kampala but have reached the age of adulthood. We have also discovered that every child in the home has living relatives or parents they can live with. (They may not be great situations, but they are not destitute or starving and still have options for education.)
For us to continue in this capacity, we would only be supporting his lifestyle, and allowing ourselves to be manipulated further.

It is with the deepest pain we offer this request:

PLEASE STOP SUPPORTING DORCAS CHILDREN'S HOME.

We can assure you that the money you have sent has gone to the children's welfare and neither Sam, nor we, received any salary from your money. When we return, we will send out an end of the year report listing every donation received and where the money was spent. Sam's position and power has allowed him to act in these malicious ways, and it is this we are trying to stop, not the caring for of these children.
Although to leave them is the hardest thing either of us has ever had to do, we have found some peace in understanding that God took care of them for many years before we arrived and will continue to do so afterward. They will be cared for.

Lastly, we need to ask you above all things, to not lose hope or faith in doing what is good in the world. We ask that you continue to love and support good works despite the possibility of deception. Deceit exists everywhere, and there are always men and women who will use the innocence of others to feed their greed. It is this exact reason we can never stop doing what is right, continually seeking to care for and love those in need, especially children.
Pray for these children. Pray for the work going on all over the world. And never stop supporting those who are going to do this work.

We understand how much pain this letter will cause and that you may have many questions you need answered.

We will be returning to the states within the month. Kami will be returning within the next couple of weeks and Chris will be staying in Uganda until the end of the month. In this way, we can answer your question in person, over the phone or through email. We have asked you to have a great deal of faith in us and the work that has been going on, so we will work in every way possible to answer or meet any needs you have for us, whether stateside through Kami, or here in Uganda through Chris.


With the deepest appreciation for your love and support

I believe in miracles...where you from you sexy thing, you sexy thing you

Living in poverty, holding our breath for the provision of the Big Guy, is a very exciting time not short of causing absolute ulceration(the causing of ulcers). I swear to you, we are stressed. But, in the same breath I am telling you it is nothing short of phenomenal to watch everything unfold. The God we serve is a living and breathing Spirit that provides angels when we need them, healing when we ask for it, and food for our survival. He takes away things we become dependent upon and allows us to be tested and go through trials; always bringing something good and beautiful out of the ashes.

In the past 9 months I have seen miracles. I want to share a few! Sit down and go back with me...

Mid-day a few months back Chris and I were picking up necessities from town. We pulled out into traffic only to be hit by a boda boda driver. FYI: when driving in Uganda and an accident occurs, it is advised to “hit and run” or kill the victim. Why? You ask. Welp, mob justice is brutal here. For hitting someone the entire village may kill or beat you. If you hit vs. kill someone, you are better off when drug to court of paying a flat funeral fee then paying for the care of an injured person.
Of course we disregard these heartless instructions and are immediately surrounded by the entire town. Yelling, shouting, and lots of Lugandan voices. I am imagining the worse. I look out my window at a man standing right beside the passenger window(on the left side). He looks at me and smiles, “Don't be afraid”, he said, “it will be okay”. He tagged along with us to a hospital to translate and help us out. He would accept no payment for his time and was such a joy to have around. I have never seen him again.

For four weeks I had a nasty infection. It was mostly stress related, go figure. But I had awful sores on my feet that refused to heal and new sores popping up every day. Each sore would get infected immediately, growing bigger and more painful every minute. Lymph nodes I only knew existed from nursing classes were inflamed. I could hardly walk or continue to work. I was useless. I put off going to the doctor for lack of money and fear of looking like a wimpy baby mama. But eventually, the infection wore me completely down and I gave in. Money was deposited in my account the day I decided to go without my knowledge. I ended up going to a British clinic I swore I would not return to. I walked into the doctor's office. I told him of my symptoms. He asked me what I was doing in Uganda. He asked me how? He then said, “I hope you believe in God.”
The next thirty minutes I was in tears as he instructed me to hand over all my worry and stress to Him. He told me that God is our Great Physician. We had such an amazing, uplifting conversation that when it ended I almost walked out of the office, paid my consultation fee, and left. He put some bandages on my wounds and prescribed me an anti-biotic. After four weeks of infection, I healed completely in four days.

Besides angel encounters, moments of provision happen everyday it seems. Sunday we were out of food and money. Two boys from the village came by with sweet potatoes from their garden. That evening, a friend gave us 20,000 shillings. Often times, we are on our knees praying for something to happen. The next hour or day, money is deposited into our bank account, or visitors show up with donations they are excited to give.

wee little update

Saturday is a day of hand washing clothes from the week, dancing to the beat of traditional African drum beats, watching a movie in the beautifully and newly finished library, and now, eating matoke and rice! While this may seem quite unexciting to some of you, matoke and rice once a week for two meals straight is a real treat after a long week of posho and beans every meal. (Please do not think we are mistreating our children here. Posho and beans is the country wide standard diet) When the money is there, the kids even get to eat meat! Saturday is the day of the week.
Sunday the kids dress in their best. Shoes and all! We then walk together to church down the road. Chris and Frank have began involvement in the prison ministry with the church. Chris is preaching and sharing many skits from our years in camp. Frank has a real heart for ministry!
Our bore hole is up and running perfectly thanks to you! We are having no problems and only having to pump 100 or so times to fill a jerry can instead of over 400 pumps! It is a real back saver. Don't worry, we are having the kids do push-ups to make up for the exercise lost! Just kidding!
Juliet, Meeme, and Mohamed are studying hard to prepare for their exams. Meeme is in P.7, Juliet in S.4, and Mohamed is in S.6, all levels in school in which exams are extremely important and weighting on ones future education. They will sit for their exams at the beginning of November. Mock exams take place soon! Please keep them in your prayers. As far as the schools are concerned, we are near completion of licensing Kampala City School and keeping it open! A friend's nonprofit is looking over the possibility of taking on a project to build onto Kampala City School and build a classroom for St. Thomas Primary School as well. Kampala City School is in need of dormitories for borders and two more classrooms as St. Thomas is lacking a P.5 classroom. Let us pray this takes place and building begins in January as planned.
Health update: No recent malaria cases! Although, worms are a big problem here. A few of the boys are dealing with the stomach pain worms bring. We are treating them case by case to the best we can with the resources we have. Scrapes and cuts happen daily and due to the tropical climate during this rainy season, healing takes a bit longer. With the rainy season also comes more coughs and cold symptoms, which are are treating as well. To reduce on the amount of sickness that goes through these precious kids, it is our hope to get a water purifier at the home. This will decrease on the waterborne illnesses that are so rampant. Water purifiers are $125 designed by a professor at Makerere University here in Kampala.
A new cook has arrived! She is notoriously fabulous and loves the kids as well as gets along great with our matron. Both women, Beatrice, the cook, and Vitas, our matron, are a huge blessing to our home and the children here.

September 26th ish...I've lost track of days

I am dirty and worn out. My head is aching, my stomach is cramping, and I am chilled. I have joyfully worn myself out today; all with a smile upon my face. Today after African tea with Ellan (a sweet friend of mine who works at our shop), hours in town, and lunch with Chris, wrestling needed to take place during a jakfruit feast. A mission then went underway. We went on a search for sugarcane. Only minutes into our journey the drops of rain that soak like water balloons were falling from the sky. As we ran upon the red dirt becoming a dark mud slide, in between brick stacks, cement and plaster houses, and clothing lines beginning to droop; smiling faces turn back at me attached to little dirty black bodies. Their laughter and voices tell me that this timeless moment, this place in eternity, is freedom. Pure joy. The weightlessness of being a child. A child with no shoes, no parents, broken teeth, two changes of clothes, soaked from head to toe with mud and rain; yet a child all the same. No different from the next. And this. This is where real happiness lies. In this moment of dirt and poverty.
We return after an extended run through pouring rain and slippery mud slides with three stocks of sugarcane; our treasure! I hack and hack, preparing pieces of sugarcane for each child. Of course a bit of bickering over the largest piece takes place....but what are children without that? We tear into the stock nearly breaking my fragile teeth. The children, of course, have no problem. Amidst spitting and yelling for homework to be done, I search for small shillings to cover the cost of firewood and charcoal for dinner tonight.
As the smoke sneaks out of our makeshift chimney, my dirty fingers point to number 3 of Sebuma's math homework. I find myself becoming frustrated with myself for being frustrated he does not know 33/3! Who is his math teacher anyway? Ha ha. I failed them somewhere didn't I....?
All in all, life is flowing and lovely. God is ever faithful and I am learning and growing each day. Growing is not always an easy task and many times pain is involved, but looking back, the change is always beneficial and beautiful. I am thankful for every experience.
I do have to say I am looking forward to coming home. Leaving is going to be a heart wrenching experience, but returning home will be so refreshing.
That is all for now. Please continue to check out the more readily updated blog at http://dorcaschildrenshome.blogspot.com
Much better! ha ha

And today I am missing you all...

The wedding of Sam's daughter Rachel, and all the chaos that comes with a wedding has finally come to an end. We are reaping a few of the effects of after wedding shock but for the most part everything is going well. Today many of the boys are having stomach aches and Bosco may be coming down with the measles. It is our hope that in the near future we will get a water purifier here at the home. This investment will cut down tremendously on the sickness of the boys and girls here.

Speaking of water, our bore hole (or well) is in desperate need of repair. If we do not get the repair done soon, we are going to have a “crisis” as Sam has said. The nearest water hole is a pretty far distance away and would require a lot of time and energy to transport all the water needed for the home. Plus, some of the income needed for basis everyday things like firewood, transport, milk, and tomatoes will cease to exist if the bore hole is broken. In other, more positive news, a fence went up around St. Thomas, our Nursery and Primary School. Some fencing was left over from the wedding so the school was able to benefit from the festivities!

Joe Hedrick, a very dear friend of mine from Lipscomb, has just returned for school. His presence here with the boys and the support he provide me will be sorely missed. He was here for the last two months and helped out more than I can describe. He will be returning for his senior year of college and to pursue his music career. With all this going on in his life, he has still committed to the home and has agreed to begin a non-profit that will directly benefit Dorcas Children's Home. If you know anything about anything in regards to beginning a non-profit, please contact Joe and give him any advice you may have. Please refrain from sending any discouraging notes as we are not ready for ridicule and negativity. Joe's email address is: hedrickjd@mail.lipscomb.edu

Chris has returned in one piece and the boys were ecstatic. Thanks to the support of everyone back home, he was able to come with all of the supplies we have been needing for quite awhile now. A huge thanks to everyone who took the time out of their busy schedules to help us out. The kids have enjoyed all the letters, gifts, toys, clothes, school supplies, and medicine. You all have been such a great support to the work being done here.

This morning, our two visitors from Spain and Czech Republic taught the kids basic language lessons. Mikal and Dosha have been here a week now and will be continuing on towards South Africa soon. The kids really enjoyed the new vocabulary. This afternoon we plan on doing games focused on team work and of course gobs of fun. Laura, a friend of Chris, is here from Canada. She will be leaving on the 4th of September. She is a very talented artist and has been teaching many of the kids how to paint. Which they are loving by the way. Currently, she is redoing the library so it is more kid friendly. We are looking forward to this new addition to the home very much. Also, we have just had a meeting concerning a woman in New York who is putting on an art exhibit. She has requested that our children do art to showcase at the show. All of the money made from selling the art pieces will come back directly to the home! What a great fund raiser huh!?! Laura has begun to put together ideas that will be related to the culture here but will also be appealing to crowds in America.

Besides the non-profit, the art fund raiser, new language lessons, and the coming and going of volunteers here, we have been working on some new and exciting ideas as well. We are trying to put together enough funding to bring all the kids to America for a one to two month tour of traditional music and dance. We have a phenomenal teacher and just recently a professional drum set was donated to the home thanks to Joe. Also, we have been really praying about the need for school improvement. So we have been working with others to fund raise for school needs. And last but definitely not least, we have been brainstorming and beginning conversations with the board members and different organizations and individuals concerning Sam's retirement. He has agreed to stay on another year, but with just one year and so much work to be done, we need to be conscience about the change and working toward a positive new director. Lately we have been chatting with a great group of people with Cornerstone, a local NGO. I will keep you updated on how these conversations turn out.


Here is a recent letter that has been sent out regarding the latest project here at Dorcas:


To those with the best interest at heart for Dorcas Children's Home,


As we write this letter sounds flood our ears. The sounds consist of drum beats, dancing feet, clapping hands, and small voices raising in song. The boys have a dream of one day performing that which they have worked so hard for. What is it that they have been working on you may ask? Great question. We will be privileged to inform you.


The children at Dorcas Children's Home are training and putting together a beautiful performance of traditional dance, music, and song. These children were born to perform. More than that, they deserve to be heard and deserve to be seen. There is more than a good show to put on, but a powerful story to hear.


We are writing to you because we know that you know and care about the lives of Bosco, Meddy, Juliet, Reagan, Abudul and many others. We need you and want you to jump on board. Here is the plan we are concocting: Take the boys and girls to tour in America to share their talents and their story, get the word out about Dorcas Children's Home, and give the kids a rare opportunity to travel and learn.


Our intended tour goal is April and May. Currently we are getting help from Sessanga Juliet, a very talented and well-known musician, performer, and teacher. She has agreed to train the boys and girls to the best of her ability and prepare them for the demands of the performance lifestyle. By December, we will have passports, visas, costumes, and flight details worked out for all of the group to come to America. Kami will be returning to the states in January to organize the tour state side and arrange for transport, performance times, lodging, educational tours, etc.


Here is where you come in to the picture. We are somewhat handicapped geographically from here in Uganda. Since we are in a third-world country with no financial resources at our fingertips, we must branch out and request the assistance from those with resources. That is the beauty of differences in people. Without people from all walks of life and in different circumstances and situations, nothing could ever be accomplished effectively.


First, please think and pray about whether you would like to be involved in the process of fund raising for this exciting dream. We cannot do this without alternative funding due to the strain it would put on the home's ability to provide food and school fees. We also do not want to put any unnecessary inconvenience upon you. It is the hope that we allow this to fall into place as God allows it. We do not want to push something that is not in God's will.


Fund raising can take many shapes and forms, whether it is in the shape of a benefit dinner/concert or in the form of a percentage of proceeds from your personal business. Our support is behind you 100% and we want to work with you to see that you have all the information and documentation you need to make fund raising successful.


The amount of support you have given to Dorcas Children's Home already is phenomenal and we cannot thank you enough. Let us know if you have questions and feedback.


With love and joy,


All of us here at Dorcas Children's Home

Abudul trying to stop whomever may be trying to escape from Dorcas...
No Sebuma does not have chicken pox try as we may to give it to all of them to prevent it at an earlier age.

David, one of my favorite boys in the P4 class.
Sam's granddaughter Rebecca. She is a little fireball!
i caught the lil booger with his sack clothes running away with our rubbish.

 Catching you up: so many joys and trials take place everyday that you may fall asleep if I write all of them. What do you say we get a cup of tea one day in the future and I will try to entertain you with some of the many? As for now, this is what a normal day usually looks like.

My days now consist of waking just before 7:00 a.m. to the knock of a need or hot water being brought for the day.  It is then a sudden explosion of activity.  I run outside to the bathroom for a “short call” in the long drop before another knock wakes whomever may be rooming with me at the time before their scheduled wakeup. Pencils and pens are needed, homework kept safe in my room must be distributed, Frank needs money for transport, Vetus needs money for tomatoes for the lunch they will begin preparing, the storage room key cannot be found, and Musisi is sick.  Then it is off to school. We have now been through 3 Headmasters whom have all swindled money, leaving the school in a bit of a pinch. Luckily I know how to run a school?  I have been entrusted with the responsibility of recording, holding, and spending all of the funds for the school and the home.  So after peeling children from my now completely unfeasible arms, I hand out the money to the cook for charcoal and sugar for porridge, to the deputy teacher for breakfast for the teachers, and the afternoon teachers for their lunches.  Chalk is needed in the schoolhouse. School fees need to be recorded and receipts written and class is about to begin.  I have grown a fondness for teaching after these 6 months.  By no means would I qualify myself as a teacher, but I have adapted and enjoy it most of the time.  After lunch there are wounds to heal, clothes to wash, school shoes to brush, homework to be done, games to play, English to be taught, the garden to be tended to, mango walks to be had, beans to pick, water to fetch, and bathing to finally take place. Marvin, Choto and Eddi have fungus on their head bones so my room is an open clinic after prayers and singing. Sola Bulungi to everyone. Kisses on the heads… ope that one has fungus. eee.

 

So far diseases on my end have been minimal. A slight case of ringworm and just since Tuesday a bad case of Strep throat. Everyone in the village told me it was for sure malaria. Thank goodness it was absolutely incorrect.  Woo whoo!

 

Oh my goodness I promise I am still alive I just am possibly the worst blogger ever in history.

You know that feeling when you miss a friend's birthday? You have already bought them a present but by the time you remember you missed the birthday you feel it is too late to call, run into them, or give them the present...That is about how I feel now writing on here. It has been well over a month...okay safe to say a month and a half. My humble apology is all I have to offer and a few stories that may make it worth it. ooo and maybe a few pictures if they have the decency to load:

As of late we have dug a garden and it is blooming amazingly. The kids will soon be eating peas and cabbage and potatoes and greens.  A great addition to their bland diet. We have fired our headmaster at the Primary school....and yes, he did steal money and a bed oh ya and a mattress. Wonderful man really, but just couldn't keep someone around who yelled at the teachers in the middle of class. So for the time being I have been learning how to operate a school, teach, and other such activities. 

The home is doing fabulous. God is good and has been such a provider as always. Money comes from the blue and keeps us afloat. Medicines continue to arrive and school supplies are available so the boys are well equipped. 

Thanks to support, the veranda of the main house has been redone and the foundation is no longer in danger of deterioration. 

Abudul dressed in nothing but polythin bags from the rubbish pit yesterday. The top portion looked like a boxer unitard and the bottoms were bikini bottoms with a bit of flair. No pictures to accompany this, but I am sure you can imagine. 

Please forgive me for the lack of information through this blog. Please check out the home's blog for better stories and more pictures. Please. Please. please...

http://dorcaschildrenshome.blogspot.com

6 a.m. Little hands knock on our door. School is back in session. Pencils are needed, bandages wanted, homework books need to be collected, money for charcoal and tomatoes for the day. Groggally walk to the shop to fetch the milk from the only small refridgerator like machine in the village. Eat breakfast while preparing for class. No, I have left procrastination behind.
7:30 a.m. Off to school. Teaching is going much much better. I have learned to accept the relaxed style of teaching and learned to cope with the amount of stress I feel from not having students in P3 that are unable to read.
2:00 Lunch. I will forever, once back in the states eat salads and fresh vegetables. Only. After cooked till dead food everyday including and yes, limited too: potatoes, cabbage, beans, rice. But somehow it is still good and keeps us going. Food smood. ooo side note, we had visitors here from Colorado, and they were so wonderful and bought pizza for the entire home! The boys had pizza for the first time in their lives! They loved it by the way. Who would have thought?! Much better than posho...somehow.
Enough with the time table. After lunch we are now going into Kasubi to the market to buy posho, beans, rice, cooking oil (all of which the prices have sky rocketed...eee ugh). Haggling and just living life. Prices are poop right now. Gas is just a bit less than $10 US dollars a gallon. Posho has doubled since January. Not so good here as far as prices go.
As far as life goes, the boys are great and well. Senfuka has chicken pox and with the calamine lotion, he sure is a sight. But he is a trucker and is handling it with class.
The boys are loved and full of joy.

In the beginning, Chris gathered firewood with the help of Balya, Bosco, and Abudduh.
Hassan and I steal branches from trees and whittle the tops into spear like points.
Chris and the boys pretend they know how to build a fire...
Abudduh, Nakato, and Balya attempt to eat marshmellows for the first time. ( a little charred)
Molly and her little sister Judy. Judy has been coming by each day for treatment on her leg :(
Poor Judy hates me...

Iieee! It has almost been an entire month since my last post...so sorry! Things have been just going, going, going. I know, you would have expected everything to just stop...but it hasn't. School finished! Reports were made...off the cuff but nonetheless they were made. Chris and I then went and did some work in Kanungu. After which we traveled up to Fort Portal to visit the Martin's and the Cash's. What a great visit! Since we have been home we have been playing like crazy! If it is not football, or kick the can then it is bonfires and fort building. We have began giving lessons in reading and math. Digging is another past time these days. Our lil house now is completely surrounded by newly planted earth. The boys are great with digging and have been teaching us a lot. Soon we will have our own maize, beans, and vegetables for the home!
Our Matron left the other day. God has completely provided yet again though. Vitas, the sweet girl who had been helping cook and work around the home, has stepped up and is now working as Matron. She will be attending classes to become qualified soon. We are very happy and she loves the boys a whole lot! We are having visitors from Colorado come May 13th! We are very excited to have new mazugus! They will be here for just over a week. Pray for their travels.

Child rearing...?

Child rearing is a bit different within the African culture to say the least. It is not uncommon to see small infants sitting alone outside, playing with sharp objects including but definitely not limited to: saws, knives, razor blades, scissors, etc. Another oddity is...most small babes go around bottomless. No diapers or panties or shorts for that matter. Just bare bums. On the occasion I have held an adorable bottomless baby, this question has always loomed in my mind. Today that particular fear was overcome. In reality getting "wetted" on is not entirely awful per say. It is tragically hilarious! Here is how the situation went: Vitas, the home's sweet cook/employee was watching Aisha, the 4 month old neighbor girl. I was correcting exams in my room and Vitas came with Aisha to mop. She placed Aisha on the floor and went to fetch water. Welp me and the babe were having a gay ole time..until I picked her bottomless self up for a little quality time. I can tell you that ended fairly quickly. There was the pick up, the noticing of the puddle on the floor, the noticing of the warm wetness where bottomless babe sat on my hip, then the hold out like a helpless male just given a baby for the first time. Here is my favorite part, instead of the quick dash to clean up piddle from floor and babe, I was instructed to put her back where she was. Huh?!

Hmmm

Well to say the least it feels completely normal. No unnecessary anxiety or looming fear. But the past few days have been a bit crazy....
Friday there was a taxi strike. No big deal right? Only when strikes occur, riots do as well, open fire, tear gas, public arresting and beatings too. Just in a normal days work. A friend of ours was waiting for her friends in a restaurant on Friday. She heard commotion outside. Her friends had been arrested and beaten. They were taken to the police station to be questioned. Many other cases were like this. Bystanders were arrested and taken for questioning. ONly there were so many, some had to stay the night there. Horrible system..
But by 3:00 everything had cleared and it was a typical day in Kampala.
Today, Chris and I were in town getting medical supplies and food for the home. We pulled out and a boda boda ran into the side of the car. Oops. Two hours later it was all good. We took the man to the clinic. No broken bones. Just a few bruises and bumps. We paid for his boda to be fixed as this is his only way for an income. But God was watching out for us. Neither Chris or I were hurt and the driver was not hurt badly. Plus, it is very common for a mob to form and become angry when a wreck occurs and white people are involved. I thought for a second it was happening, then a man named Abraham was standing out of my window and seriously says, "Don't be scared. It'll be alright."
What? Perfect english. Perfect timing. He came to the clinic with us and translated for the entire episode. I am convinced he was an angel. And he had two very cute kids.

Besides these past two episodes, things have been relatively quite. The kids are testing this week for the end of the term. Then 3 weeks of holiday! Yeah! All the kids are healthy. There are many scrapes and cuts that I am way too excited to attempt to heal.

I am learning and growing. Please continue to pray for protection and love from our Father.

Activities as of late:

I've decided that living life is hard enough without having to relive and write about it.
With that said I am going to attempt to write and relive:
Abudduh's had two really bad teeth in his wee lil mouth that were "paining" him. One had been broken and the other was rotting. So we ventured to the dentist which happened to be quite a site. Walking through two shady looking buildings, stepping on glass and debris we rounded to the back of one of the two buildings and walked up a shaky three floors of iron steps. We reached a sheet door which led into the dental office. This office consisted of an old chair and another sheet which separated the patient from the waiting chair. Abudduh and I sat at the chair listening to the moaning of the patient not 4 feet from us. I could feel his little heart speed up. eee. How do you reassure a child it will not hurt when you know darn well it is going to be awful? I'll leave the rest of the details to your imagination but just know that the instruments and technology was very comparable to the sheet for a door concept.
Other than Abudduh, health at the home is quite good! No more malaria for the time being or other strange diseases. OOo but Fefe the dog had puppies. She just plopped down in the middle of two houses near where the boys sleep and shot them out. They are cute as lil buttons.
God is ever faithful and good. Everyday we see Him working and providing. It is difficult to go to church here but thankfully we can pray and sing and worship with the boys every night and be encouraged by Sam. Church is difficult because each time we go it is a huge deal that a white person is present. It seems the focus is off of God and now upon us. It is awful. Then money is expected of us... oh so uncomfortable.
Teaching is somehow. I am required to carry a stick. Sparing the rod is unknown here. Half of my class time seems to be spent working out fights occurring between students who are copying, stealing, or hitting each other. The other half is copying down what I have on the board. And the third half is walking around the classroom continually stopping students from cheating. Ha ha it is quite a task. Strangely enough, the kids like math class. Don't ask me why. I cannot figure this one out.
Anyhoo, I am loving it here and spending everyday with the boys for me is like a painter being able to paint their favorite picture everyday.

With two minutes to post...

Sunday: make no-bake cookies for everyone at the home. !st home style thing in way too long. ooo so delicious. Colored pictures with boys for sponsors! ooo so cute.
Monday: teach P3.Come to find out a boy does not know how to count to 20. eeee. Must send back. Go to headmistress to tell of my bad news. She tells me she is leaving. Yup. Just walking out. hmmmm. Bible study with Sam and Chris. Frequent interruptions and anger spouts from the now former headmistress. (African culture....) Later on make hand washing station for boys. Gorgeous and definitely will come in handy with that nasty bacteria. Hoe flower and broccoli garden. Help with homework. Pick beans. Wash dishes. Play tag. Lesson plans. Pass out. Living life.
These days pass and most days are ended with exhaustion. This is just the way I would have it though. For now, the home is still just keeping its head above water financially, but their are many things in the works that we are very excited about and looking forward to. The support we are getting is unbelievable. The love and prayers we are receiving is keeping us going strong. Love to you. ooooo!

Ah! Lookie lookie!

Didn't even know it was leap year.

Love and peace to you all.
Yes if you were wondering...it has been a crazy hectic week.
Friday evening: Car breaks down in the middle of town. Only Chris and I.
Saturday a.m.: Take bodabodas to get car in order to retrieve luggage from airport in Entebbe full of shoes and clothes from wonderful hearts in America.
Saturday p.m.: After many many shillings and a lot of frustration reach Entebbe. Wait and wait. Receive luggage. Bring back home. Kids freak out. Love shoes and clothing. Love. Love. Love.
Sunday a.m.: Drive to Kanungu.
Sunday p.m.: Reach Kanungu. Ps. it is crazy beautiful
Wednesday pm: come home to Kampala.
Thursday: back to teaching.

So there were a couple more details involved but in short, this is how the last week went.
Chris and I are learning what it takes to raise a family of a billion kids. This must be said:
Thank you Ma and Pops for everything you sacrificed and did for me. I am learning how much it takes to raise kids. Sacrifice of time, money, self, and cleanliness. (that one I threw in due to panic. But it works.)
Teaching is getting better and better! I think this is a prime example of how God is seen in our weaknesses.
We are seeing God work everyday. It is amazing how much He does when we do not confine Him to a box. Pray that we continue having faith and leave everything to Him. We have way too many projects for us to handle. It's got to be the Big Guy on this or we are gonna drown.
Thank you for your support. I cannot say that enough. Without all of you, none of this is possible at all. Everyday we are amazed at how God is using you. Thank you thank you thank you.
peace and love.

I've had way too much tea and water today

Yes we are still alive...eee I may be the worst blogger ever. So sorry. We have been very busy and had little internet access lately. Chris went into the hospital, which was very funny but horrible for him. He is healing and getting better. We are still teaching. And no, I have not gotten any better. But I do love teaching P5. They are the greatest kids. Mostly, they like me and the others don't. Golly, how selfish is that huh?
The boys are doing great. Exhaustion is pretty prominent. But the kiddos and their spirits keep us going.
My birthday was so much fun! We took the day off and had a shower for the first time since American soil. Holy moley, it was so great! Let me tell you, when one of the highlights of your 21st birthday is a hot shower, you know it has been too long. Seriously, though we had a great time. Plus, we made new friends and had a great time.
We have loaded some pictures on to this site. Please check them out. More are to come whenever we find the time. I love you all and miss you. Hope your lives are full of love and joy.
http://picasaweb.google.com/dorcaschildrenshome/Africa

"Madame, madame!"

Yes believe it or not I am a math teacher. Here is the tricky thing about being raised in the school system in America and deciding to teach in the school system in Uganda:
1. Well the kids do not speak much English.
2. Showing up for class....is not entirely necessary per say.
3. Time? Oh I am sorry, so it does not matter if I show up an hour later than when you said yesterday?
4. Books are not really available if you will. Meaning, I have 2 out of my 5 curriculum books. The kids do not have books. Period.
5. The heavily used blackboard is my only means of communicating the problems I want them to learn. I think I will grow a fondness for chalk. Seriously, my lungs are beginning to need it like nicotine.
6. I don't really have scheduled time that I am teaching. Strangest thing to me really. I show up, wait for the other teachers and students to actually get there. Then simply ask which classes do not have teachers. And those lucky ducks get to be taught math for two hours. No classes are not two hours long, but nobody changes classes when the suggested time has been set, so...Math all day! woot woot!
Despite this, the past two days have been wonderful and long! We had white visitors yesterday which was more of a blessing than I could ever imagine. We could actually talk to them! And boy did we ever.
Besides the usual proposals and frequent visitors, not much is new or crazy. Thank you for your prayers and love.
Love back. And back. and back.

Thus far...

This is Meddy and I working along with a bunch of people to redo the futbol pitch. Chris' great idea! The boys in the village love it to death! So much flippin futbol! meddy is a huge jokester and so much fun!
Here are a few pictures I could load after 2 hours ! hee hee I hope you enjoy them as much as I enjoyed taking them with the little goobers.
School begins on Monday! Our days of waking slowly, yoga, jump roping and running, studying Lugandan, then playing games upon games with the boys are up. Monday begins class at 8 am. Believe it or not, school goes till 5pm. eee. Tell me about it.
So far many songs have been sung, many mosquito bites gotten, and much love has been given. Both Chris and I are well and full of joy and love. God is blessing us each day with the amount of love we receive from the boys. He is providing greatly with the sponsors from the US and the way in which he is healing everyone. Musisi remains the only boys still sick after the malaria pounce. We will be bringing him into a clinic soon. Please keep him in your prayers. His mother is dying of AIDS and it is unknown whether she contracted it before or after his birth. Let us hope and pray constantly that he does not also have it. When even the chance that he may have it was said, my heart dropped and sank into my stomach. He is a sweet and joyful kid that I have grown very close to. Anyhoo, lets just keep praying God's will be done.
A side note on being white. Everyone wants to be your friend. Let me just say, I have never been opposed to friendship more than I am now. Seriously, many people come by daily or drop off letters asking for money and telling us how great of friends we need to be. It is strange. Friendship because of what they think we have to offer them...a little manipulative aye? Eee please pray we have the discernment on this one. Never had to judge people immediately and really don't like doing it to be honest.
Guys be sure to check out http://dorcaschildrenshome.blogspot.com
There are more pictures and more stories I have not written here. I think you may like it a bit :)
Thank you for your prayers and support! I miss and love you all oh so much!
ps. if you want to send twizzlers, you can.
pss. we will eat them and share them with the kids...maybe...hee hee we will we will.

hee hee
Golly it is more amazing than I ever had imagined. Sometimes I look at what is going on around me and I laugh because I feel so at home but it is a culture I have never known. Kampala is absolutely crazy. It is so busy and has kind of has bought into a cheap version of our western culture(ie. lots of advertising for cell phones, junk, beauty, blah) Which is such a bummer, but luckily I only have to come here to check my email. Otherwise, we live in an absolutely beautiful place! Fruit trees(juckfruit or fwe) right outside my door. Flowers, trees, it is super green! Everyone hangs out and works hard to survive. Naked black babies. So cute! And we just play in dirt all day and no one minds. I love it. I am learning how to cook over coals! yippie. I am going to be a real hippy. Finally. :) The kids. ooo. I freakin love them. I cannot stand it. I could play with them the rest of my life and be happy. These children are the most respectful, playful, joyful, and loving kids I have ever known. To think they came from such hard beginnings. Chris and I are trying are best to learn Lugandan. Everyone is super helpful!
Traffic? ooo don't get me started. No rules basically. 21 of us fit in a shaky 11 seater taxi van. Imagine going over massive pot holes, ravines, and trenches in that puppy. Chris tipped him because he could hardly believe we made it alive! hee hee. Sure most drive on the left side of the road, but not necessarily. Pedistrians? Ha. Good luck out there.
Toilets? There is one western like one. It resembles an awful portapotty. But it is super great. There were two huge massive cute cockroaches for a bit. just hanging out just below the seat. Needless to say, I just squatted.
Bathing? From jerry cans and occassionally we have warm water! yeah! It is refreshing in cool water though!
Food? O my goodness it is wonderful. they are great cooks! To top it off they cook over coals or firewood. Can you believe it?
I have fully recovered from sickness and praise God cause that was awful. eee.
Love you all so much! Wish you could be here too.

A boring title line should be here: THE TRIP.

hee hee. 8:25 pm. I started feeling nausious. Ugh. I sauntered on down to the bathroom. Definitely sounded like a bolimic. Second trip to the bathroom. And again I get accusing glances. Listen ladies...I am not counting calories mmmkay. Not 5 minutes after boarding did the long long long tedious repetition of up-chucking occur. It kinda went like this:
1.feel it coming
2. grap for bag
3.get oh so hot
4. did like Neli says and took off my clothes
5. let it all come out.
6. get freezing cold and apologize.
7. reinstitute clothing
8. pass out.
9. repeat for at least 4 hours.
After many trips to the bathroom, I finally passed out in the batheroom. That did it i guess. They moved me to first class to lie down. We could have saved all that drama and hubbub long ago if I would have started passed out in bathroom. Write that down.
Anyhoo, Thursday i am finally able to eat. yeah. i think food poisening was the kicker. Please stay away from fishy looking sushi from safeway.

Prepare-ed-ness?

It is now less than 12 hours before I am expected to jump on British Airways flight number 0052. It seems fishy to me. Who decided it had to be flight number 0052? Is this only the pilate's 52nd flight?Because if so, I may need to rethink my prayers.

Welp, regardless, the flight doesn't cause me too much concern. Besides the fact that with this new medicine I have been taking for a crazy infection that brought four blazing ambulance boys into my house, makes me real nauseous. Hee hee. Poor soul sitting next to me.

I have had a most wonderful send off. Friends in Nashville poured their love and prayers upon me when I left. It was so incredible. God has blessed my life with those I love in Nashville. Back in Portland, my family could not have been more supportive. From late night benefit concerts to packing my life for a year in ziplocks, they each put in so much. Love and prayer has covered me and I feel ready to go.

Although it is strange being metaphorically on the edge of a waterfall about to jump in. I have been looking at the edge for the past couple months, suiting up. All I want to do is jump off the bloody thing. I don't really know how I am going to land, but that is not why I am jumping. Now I am right at the edge. What is there? Anxiety. Fear. Excitement. Wonder. Mostly faith that something amazing is going to come of this experience.

It will be so great to come back and read these as time progresses. I pray that God covers you with His love and angels. May we not "not be selfish; not trying to impress others. May we be humble, thinking of others as better than ourselves. May we look out not only for our own interests, but always taken an interest in others, too." Phil 2:3-4

Dear friends, oooo how I love you. I would kiss you on the head if I were with you. As for now, I am in my pjs, alone in my brother's house, showerless, and hanging out on the internet. hee hee

Kami anne
ps. Please continue to put up with my blogs as they may get rotten while I am transitioning into everyday life. Sarcasm may be at an all time high. Just brush it off, I am full of poo.