Home is where the heart is and Uganda is my home away from home. Lutaaya, Kenny and Mugowa picked me up at the airport and I was so excited to see their smiling faces.
There is just no substitute for spending time hanging out with The Rock scholars. Ken and Esther spent Thursday with me. They arrived at 11:30 and we talked about many things, went shopping and had a “pitch in dinner party” in the kitchen cooking chicken with rice. Both of them are in law school and from Kenya. The students always want to talk about relationships, Biblical principles and how to stand firm as the world pulls you in so many directions. It was great to hear all about what is going on in their lives and on campus. Esther is a good friend of Joanitah, (another Rock scholar) and lives in the same hostel.
Today (Friday) was so productive. Lutaaya (our partner ministry leader of African Hearts) and I met for several hours discussing the agriculture plan, band marketing, academic performance of the children in the homes and the policies Junior and he have come up with as standards for the students. Both of them understand the vision of the Rock and the importance of preparing the kids for the future so they are giving their best. I look forward to seeing the standards and also the student agreements they are developing. I was so excited that they are being proactive leaders in expecting more from those they are leading. Junior is developing a document for the secondary students to sign like a performance contract. They are serious about results and I respect them so much.
Regarding the agriculture, Lutaaya brought the survey and deed to the land and we discussed several options for the 30 ft. x 60 ft. poultry building. We will visit the land on Monday and get pictures and water source information.
Ben finished class and came to the cottage to confirm the rest of the schedule, and join Joseph who arrived from Kabale Friday afternoon. What a blast at dinner catching up and sharing stories. It was the first time for Joseph to see a toaster and cook on a cooker. I love the memories we are making as they experience new things and gain confidence. Joseph is 15th out of 80 students in his graduating class and looks forward to joining the Rock for university in IT. He will get the scoop on everything on campus tomorrow as Mugowa (who is also studying IT) will give him a tour. Even though the cottage is a bit rustic it is great to be able to cook with the kids. It is more like being at home and people are free to come and go and visit as they can.
Saturday I planned a sleepover with Christine, Joanitah and asked Esther to join us. We are planning a “gals night.” I can’t decide whether to bread with them or muffins. Ben has suggested that they need to learn how to use the cooker. Most Uganda women cook on charcoal so this is a new experience. I guess they can decide.
I hope you liked the monkeys. Life is busy but so great! One thing that keeps coming up in the student discussions is the value of understanding the “condition of the heart.” These students really are using this as a Biblical compass we stress at the Rock as a benchmark to how they evaluate many things in life. Even Joseph shared he talked about it when asked to preach to his secondary school class devotional. Thanks for your prayers.
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