The Legend lives on from the Chippewa on down to the great
lake they call Gitche Gumee. “Lake Superior” This is the first line to the song
written by Gordon Lightfoot describing the sinking of a freighter, the SS
Edmund Fitzgerald” that sank in Lake Superior on November 10th
1975.
One of the crewmembers, Captain McSorley, reported to shore
that this was one of the worst storms he had ever seen. The ship had been caught in the middle of a
storm. These storms are typical during
the month of November. The lyrics of the song say the “Gales of November came
early” The ship took on water and sank with all hands, meaning, all 29
crewmembers went down with the ship. What a tragedy!
Do you ever feel as if you are caught off guard or that you
are overwhelmed with trouble and you’re struggling to keep your head above
water? Well, we just had a month filled
with some tragedy and difficulties, but also some joy. Shortly after we
returned to Uganda we were blessed to start working in the village and then we
were overcome with one problem after another, which affected ministry in one
way or another. I know, we are to praise
God in all situations!
I am reminded of Ephesians 6:12 “For our struggle
is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the
authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual
forces of evil in the heavenly realms. (NIV)
Our first week here we received news in the middle of the
night that a P7 student “Stuate” had passed away at the school. He was one of the Orphans that the Afayo
Project supported by paying school fees and providing food. He had visited a clinic and he was told he
was Ok and to return to school. He
passed away the following day. As if
this wasn’t tragic enough, a member of the village reported to the police that
one of our teachers, Patrick, in charge of the P7 class, had beaten the child
and this was the reason for his death.
Sad to say: it took two autopsies, multiple visits from the
police to school for interrogations. 2 million shillings (aprox. $550) was
given in payment for the police to do their work and another $150 to pay for
the teacher to eat each day before the police finally released the
teacher. The teacher spent a total of 17
days in jail before they released him, and before they told him the autopsy
report said the student died of malaria and a lung infection. The teacher was innocent!
One of the young mothers in the women’s Bible study
delivered a baby safely, but the child died two days later. Why? We
are not sure. Another one of our new
moms had complications, but finally delivered safely by C-section.
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| Benjamin & Maribu |
This same week, another one of our women shared that her
child, Benjamin, age 5, had a growth the size of a small cantaloupe in his
belly. They had been treating him for
worms, but believe that it might be cancer.
We were able to host them in our home for a couple days and spent some
time with them before their trip to the big city for more testing and a
biopsy. Benjamin is still in Kampala
awaiting the biopsy test. After the
biopsy, it will take a week for the results.
Please be praying!
Two days ago we were celebrating with the P7 students prior
to their taking the state test. Patrick
made his first appearance to the school since he had been released from
jail. What a joyous day it was! The students cheered for the return of
Patrick! We returned home and two hours
later we received notice that another teacher “Richard’ was involved in a boda
boda (motorcycle) accident and received several lacerations to his face.
Richard received many stiches and is doing fine, but he is still in the hospital.
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| Our P7 Students |
We realize accidents happen and that people become ill, but
it seems as though there is a spiritual attack on the village and more directly
on the people we are involved with. We
are confidant that God is still in control and that He will work out all
things for the good for those who believe!
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| Thank you Harlem for our notebooks! |
Even during all the turmoil we have hearts that are
thankful! We spent several days joyfully
sorting through the contents of the container.
Thank you for all the gifts that were sent to the village for the
school, students, church, and the people!
We are making plans for the Christmas season to start distributing much
of the contents. Thank you Hillcrest and
ECM for making this dream a reality!
Janine and Kate (Janine’s helper and interpreter) spent quite
a few days sorting through books, organizing and setting up the library at the
school. We have three more bookshelves
coming and enough books to fill each bookshelf.
We can’t wait for the students to start using the books. What a blessing for them to be able to read a
book or even look through a book for the first time!
This month has been one with many struggles, but also with
great joys! Thank you everyone for
joining forces with us to bring hope to the least of these, for being our
prayer partners, our financial partners and our friends!
With much love,
Bruce
& Janine
