July 24, 2009, Friday
I didn’t sleep well last night. The power kept going off and on so the fan would start and stop.
When I was asleep, I was awakened by a small animal going across my arm. I thought it was a mouse! However, instead of running it was jumping so I knew it was the toad that usually stays in one of the bathrooms! It hopped off the end of my bed and I went back to sleep. Sometime later it jumped on me again. This time I used my flashlight to follow it’s jumps to the pile of clothes on the top of a box at the end of my bed. Evidently it had previously jumped on that pile and then jumped back on my bed. This time I made sure it was off the pile of clothes and onto the floor before I returned to bed. About 3 a.m. we had a rainstorm with lightning and thunder and hard rain for a couple of hours. I finally slept for a while until I woke up at 7 a.m. to the sound of the girls outside.
Let me explain where I’m staying. Phil is renting this house and another building about a quarter of a mile away. He is the founder and director of New Hope orphanage. There are about 16 girls who stay here and the balance of about 100 boys stay at the other building. The house here has three bedrooms, two baths, a kitchen and dining area. I’m sharing a room and bath with Susan who is the Children’s director of the orphanage. There are three bedrooms in the back, an outhouse that includes showers for the girls. Moses is the watchman who sleeps in the garage/room. Esther (Mama Jonah) is the housekeeper, cook and laundress. The compound has a concrete wall about 6 ft tall with iron spikes above the wall and broken glass embedded in concrete on the pillars. There is a double wide metal door that Moses opens to allow Phil’s truck and Susan’s car inside the front yard. There is electricity and indoor plumbing in the main house. This is a muzungu house. A house built for white/rich people to live in because the Ugandas can’t usually afford such a nice house. Phil bought a refrigerator and a stove that uses propane.
I’m in luxury compared to living as a Ugandan when I was with Prossy and Esther at Peter’s compound when I was here the first part of this year.
Susan had an errand to run this morning and then she planned to take me shopping to get the food, supplies and Bibles that I need for the islands. However, she had a problem in the village and hasn’t returned yet (she’s been gone about 12 hours). Peter was supposed to get me at 9 a.m. to take me to the bank to exchange money. He called at 9:30 and said he was coming but he didn’t show up until 1:30 p.m. He said he had a problem at New Grace School that he had to deal with first. I was able to exchange money and pick up some of the Bibles I’d ordered. Then Peter brought me back to the house where we ate a late lunch. Phil is in Kampala doing some business. I spent the rest of the day locating all the equipment, organizing and cleaning things.
The girls who live in the back were eager to help me wash out jeri cans and wash my dishes.
I took photos of them working and they enjoyed looking at themselves on my digital camera.
After they had finished helping me, I gave all of them some jelly beans that Marie had left with me to give to children. I gave some candies to Mama Jonah and three ladies from New Grace School who were here typing exams on Phil’s computer. All were happy to get the sweets from America.
I’ve rested today and finished reading a book. I was frustrated about waiting for people who said they were coming but didn’t. I release frustrations, expectations and not having any control over my schedule.
The girls are at the boys place having supper. Mama Jonah has left for the evening and left supper on the stove for us. Phil and Susan haven’t arrived yet, so I’m here alone. I haven’t even seen Moses, the watchman for most of the day. The power keeps going off and on, but it’s on again now.
I’m safe with food and water and a good place to sleep. Tomorrow, I’ll get the things I need for the trip to the islands on Monday.
Thank you, Lord for a good day. Thank you, for helping me have peace instead of frustration.
Glory to God! God is good all the time and all the time God is good.
