buzy week

We have had a buzy, but great week at Kampala King's School. On Friday was tour day!! (Always a favorite for children.) And this one was extra fun as we went to Wonder World, a children's amusement park, followed by a trip around Garden City, which is I think the biggest shopping mall in Uganda, then a drive around the city to point out important places, and lastly to a beach

on Lake Victoria where some children ventured to swim. Came home tired, but had a great day.
Then Sturday was party time. Primary 7 canidates had a "leavers party" filled with food, fun, and dancing. This is a time to just have fun before sitting for the Primary Leaving Exams which will be taking place on 1st and 2nd November. Please keep these seven students in prayers during this time as it is stressful and a lot of pressure to preform well. We are trusting and believing that they will do their best and pass well.
Also in Wednesday for the Children's Fellowship we showed Queen Ester Veggie tales with the new projecter and the kids loved it.

My heart was torn in two.

Wanted to share some thing that happened the other day that tore my heart in two.
David came home one evening from visiting a member of the church that has not been around for a long time and this is the story that they told him.
Just down the road from our house at a clinic, which is not much more then a pharmacy, a woman went to deliver her baby as it was time to push. At this clinic they are used to such things happening and they have services available for that. As soon as the baby was born, the mom said she wanted to go out to find a phone to call the father, only she did not come back. She left the baby girl in the clinic and just walked away, abandoning the baby.
On hearing this, my heart was broken. My first though was that we can take care of her till something can be done for her. Then having to think also of my own children and mostly Keziah as she is so young. Then the other problem is that we are still studying at Bible College for a few more weeks. I was so troubled for days trying to reason out how to help this baby. Also talking to David, and he was not ready to have another baby in the house right now.
So on Friday as we were coming back from town, David asked if I wanted to go and see this baby. I jumped on that chance and we went. This is a  clinic that knows us and we know them. After greeting and catching up, we started to ask about this story that we had heard of a baby being abandoned. They confirmed it all and added in the details that we were not knowing, followed by bringing her out for us to see her. She is such an adorable girl, whom they have named Gift. Inquiring what will happen to her, they said that they are going to raise her from there, that she is a Gift that has been given to them to take care of.
I had peace that this girl will be looked after and that we are not needing to be the ones to take her in. However, my heart and dreams came so close again to touch and it is hard to let go. There are children left like this all the time here in Uganda and some are even dieing. My dream and hearts cry is still to start a babies home where we can take in these children. I want to do this soon, but know also that God is in control and has his timing. Please pray for Gift and my dream to come true for all the children like this here.
Thanks Heather

Hello

Wow it has been a long time and I have not written here.


First let me talk about Kampala King’s School. We closed the second term on the 13th of August with a parents meeting. This was the most peaceful closing of a term that we have had. There is so much to do that David can even miss to sleep and is on tension for a week before. It was so nice to be able to relax and trust that all will go well and it did. As a result of the parent meeting we have set up a PTC (Parent Teacher Committee). The parents are so excited for this to be in place and have already met during this holiday time. Teachers reported back to school on Monday the 22nd of August for seminar and preparing their schemes of work for the third term. The students will be reporting back to start studying on the 5th of September. We are behind about one month with paying teachers, but are thankful that they are patient with us. PRAYER: Keep the start of the third term in your prayers. It is getting difficult with the increase of living here in Uganda for parents to pay school fees and that affects all areas of the school, so we are praying for God’s provision on the parents as well as the school at large.

The King’s Discipleship Church has seen some great growth also. It makes such a difference to have a separate structure for church. We have had many visitors who are choosing to stay and are also blessing the church with their talents. The choir has added new members as well as a dancing team has risen up that goes to other churches to minister for special functions. On Sunday the 21st of August we had baby dedication of two babies, one being Keziah and the other another girl just one or two months older named Catherine. We are planning a baptism on the 11th of September as there are many in the church who has not been baptized. We also have started a Holy Communion Service on the last Sunday of the month were we combine the two services and have just one long one that we can all be together for that time. We want to be able to continue building on the church structure. The iron sheets are about completed and soon will be ready to start on the sides. PRAYER: For continual growth and that we will be able to complete the structure soon.

We started back at Bible College on the 25th of July with many changes. As some of you may know that the Director died suddenly of pneumonia on the 23rd of June. Of course things are not the same now, but we are still learning and wanting to complete the course which will be at the end of October. They have allowed us to come to classes with Keziah as she is a quiet and well behaved girl. PRAYER: To be able to complete paying in time to graduate in October.

As far as home life is concerned we are doing alright. We took a few days out and went to the village for Keziah to meet her Jaja’s (Grandparents) as well as the Uncles and Aunts who are there. It was such a busy time that we came back home so tired, but they were so happy.

One other thing that is happening with me (Heather), I have been having pain in my right foot for about 4 months. I have tried everything, raped it with a bandage, put cream for sore muscles and tried to just rest it with nothing working. We went for an x-ray to see what was going on and found out that there is a calcium deposit on the bone in the heal so that every time I step down it pushes on the tissue and causes pain. Now what we are going to have to do is remove that growth from the bone. Please, please pray for me at this time as we have to find a doctor who we can trust as well as the money that is needed to undergo such a thing.

Great things are going on here. We have planted a branch of the church in an area called Masaja, a suburb of Kampala. We have also started to build a temporal building for the main church on the same property as the school.

 Commissioning the pastor, the female with the mic, Pastor Imelda

 Her gift was a copy of the Bible.

 Praying for her.

 On location in Masaja for the opening program.

 It was a Saturday evening, then the following Sunday Pastor Imelda was there to start the church.

 Start of the work for the main church building. Digging holes.

 This is how far we have reached. The frame is there.

 Cutting poles to size.

Now we are needing Iron sheets so that we can be meeting here for church and not get burnt in the sun.

We are so excited and blessed to see how God is blessing the church. These are both such big steps to seeing this ministry grow more and more.

Thank you to all who have been a part of this so far and for those of you who are wanting to be a part there is still a long way to go.

Keziah's Birth story

I know some of you have been wanting to hear this and I am having a few minutes right now as Keziah is sleeping. Hope that it will not be too graphic.

We went into the hospital just after midnight on the 22nd of June. It was strange to walk in feeling nothing and yet know that by the end of the day we would be carrying a baby. Well we got to the room and in the hospital gown. The night doctor came in and checked us and found we were ready. He inserted a tablet down there to induce me. Then we were told to rest as it was night and we had a long day ahead of us. So we slept a bit, David having to sleep on the floor poor guy. Woke up around 5:00 AM with small contractions starting. Decided to go out and walk the halls. At 6:30 the doctor came back and checked me. We had moved to 4cm dilated and he gave the second round of inducing meds. He said that the contractions will start to pick up now, boy he was not joking. Within just minutes they were coming on strong. However there is not much to do but just wait them to come on more. Our doctor came on duty and came to say good morning around 8:30 promising to come back by 10:00 to see how we are doing. At 10:30 a different doctor came in, one who we had refused to see as he was just wanting to take us for C-section. The contractions were strong and close together at this point, but I was in my senses enough to ask for the other doctor. He left offended, but I was not happy with all his talk about going for operation. So the nurse went to find our doctor. So he came in and saw that the water was bulging so he popped it only to find that she had pooped in the womb. So he said that we will for sure have a baby by the end of the day. For me I said that we will have a baby before the morning is over. After the water was broken, WOW, things started to pick up. There was hardly time to breath. There came a point that I wanted to push her out and they checked me and said that I could not yet push as the cervix was not yet ready. It was so hard to hold her in. They injected something to make the cervix ready and I started to push whether I wanted to or not. They called the doctor and knew this time was for real. They put on gloves and made ready. I started to push and the doctor was pulling me open down there. After three pushes she was out and I was so surprised that she came so fast. The time was 11:45, so we were right that she would come before morning ended. However that was not the end. The real pain was just starting. After getting to placenta out the doctor found that there was some tearing and the blood was pouring out like a fountain. It took him sometime to find the leak. But repairing was hell. I have never in my life felt pain like that. I was screaming and crying, felt like I was going to die. It took him like 40 minutes to get everything stitched up and had to get a catheter put in, also a first in my life. They had me just lie in bed for a bit while they weighed and saw that Keziah was so perfect. We were so surprised when she weighed in at 4 kg, 8.8 pounds. So much for a tiny baby. Around 3:00 they told me that I could get up and bathe. Reaching in the bathroom I almost pasted out. David had to call the nurse and she had to bathe me as I could not stand up. They said that I lost so much blood and that was why I was dizzy like that. Shortly after that, they came to take us to our room where we would spend the night. After getting some sleep I stated to feel so much better. Keziah took to nursing right away and we are happy for that. David went and picked up Abijah so that she could see her sister in the hospital. Abijah is so much in love with her and will not leave her side. We went home the next day and we have just been so happy and blessed by her. Keziah is such a good baby. Everyone who sees her comments on how peaceful she is. She only cries during bath time, but sleeps so well at night. I can't say again how happy we are. Many people say that she looks like me, she is definitely more white then Abijah was and has more of my face.
Well there it is and I hope that you enjoyed.  

King's Discipleship Church

The choir during praise and worship.

Children's choir. They have gotten so good at singing and dance as well as dramas.

The congregation.



We are currently meeting in a classroom at school and use the desks for "chairs".

As a church we are wanting to build a structure on the compound of the school. We are in the process of leveling the ground and fundraising to start buying poles for the frame of the structure. Will be informing you as we go. Please contact us if you are interested in contributing financially in the building of the church.

Thank you all and blessings to you all

David and Heather



Kampala King's School 2011 1st Term

Primary 7 registration day for their leaving exams. Taken out for a special lunch.



First Term 2011 students in front and teachers behind. We had 150 students this term.



Teachers of Kampala King's School. They have started this year with a uniform and are looking so good.



Primary 7 students with the Headmaster. This is our first year of having Primary 7 and we are looking forward to seeing how they will perform.



School administration. There is a Deputy and an assistant, a Director of Studies and an assistant, and in the middle the Heaadmaster.

This is how the year has started and we are so happy that we had a great first term. The second term will be starting on the 23rd of May and we have already had some new students register.

Thank you for all your prayers and support.

David and Heather



Good News

Everyone likes good news so I thought that I would share some with all of you.
The first thing is that we now have electricity at school. This is some thing that the landlady has been promising for a long time and we are so happy that it has been done. I think that it is illegally connected, but when it is not your place and some one else does it, there is not much that you can do. We were going to connect, but she did it first because that is how she wanted it done. Anyway the students and teachers are so happy. It has been good for the evening preps and children doing homework. Now that the boarding students are living in the school it has been great for them also that they are not getting ready for bed in the dark. The church has also benefited with the power. We now have a way to connect the keyboard and the amplifier does not run out of battery half way through the service. Well I guess that you could say that we are all excited and happy for this development.
Other good news on a personal note. We have now entered the 3rd trimester of the pregnancy and all is going so well. We had a scan done the other day and found out that we are going to be blessed with a girl. We are so excited for her to come.
Well, I think that is the news that we are having for now, but will keep you posted on other things as they come.
Love Heather, David, Abijah, Lydia, and little girl.

March 15th

Just want you all to know that we are all doing fine. I think that all this talk about rioting and problems with elections are over. Yesterday was the Mayor elections in Kampala after they were rescheduled and all went well. the government had to let off and it was a fair election. Glad that it is all over. There is still a lot of police around, but also there is peace everywhere.

Another great thing that has been happening is that there has been rain. And today there was so much rain it was almost flooding. I think that they were just saying that there would be a drought so get people worried and also use it as an excuse to increase food prices. However if these rains continue, like we are praying they will, the prices of food will have to go down again. We were buying Posho flour, which is the most common food here, at 40,000 shillings for 50 kgs. The price now has gone to 80,000 shillings per 50 kgs. And we were told to buy quickly because the prices will continue to go up. Bread we used to buy at 1,200 is now 1,500. A half liter of milk was 800 and is now 1,000. We just know that God is in control and that we are not going to suffer or go without food. We are just believing that we are then going to have an increase of income to pay for the food that we need to say alive. The good thing is that also the exchange rate has been getting better and better. Today we saw that it has reached 2,400 shillings to $1. Just wish that we had US dollars right now. Well, I know that they are coming too.

March 2nd.

Welcome to March. It is so hot in Kampala right now that I think that I am going to sweat to death. I have never heard of that happening to anyone, but that is how I feel. There is a drought in the land right now and they are even predicting food shortages soon. Water has started to be scarce and hard for many people to find. I think that here in the city, as long as we keep paying our bills, it will be okay. It is just hot.

Today is another day for elections here in Uganda. They are electing for Municipal leaders as well as the Mayoral elections that were canceled the other time due to stuffing of ballet boxes. Here in Kampala seams to be safe and fine, but I saw on the news that in Jinja there was a lot of rioting and even having to use tear gas. Just keep praying for this nation that people will keep their cool. I think that people are seeing what is happening in Lybia and don't want that to happen here.

It is so good to be back at Bible College again. I think the other time I said that we are studying in the days, Tuesday and Thursday. It has been better, only that David is missing being at school. Pray that things at school will move on well in his absence on those days. Just so wonderful to be under the word and get feed instead of feeding.

Love you all.
Heather

Feb 25, 2011

Wow the past two weeks have gone by so fast and so much has happened.
We did "run away" to the village to avoid being in Kampala for the elections. We, everyone but David, left on the 12th and did not come back to Kampala till the 21st. There was a lot of talk about war with the elections for president. Thankfully there was nothing that happened, but better to be safe then sorry. We had a great time in the village though and I was able to read a book and just relax. Of course the parents were so good to us and we ate all kinds of good food.
On Tuesday the 22nd David and I began Bible College for the second year. We have changed from the night class to the day class with being pregnant it is easier in the days to attend. There are many new students for the first year, like 100 and that is a great increase. It is different going in the day and will take some adjusting.
On Wednesday was the elections for the Mayor and Local leadership. We had thought that we were getting out of Kampala for the problems of elections, only that there were more problems for the Mayor then the President. There was some rioting because one of the guys contesting for Mayor was caught "stuffing" the ballot boxes. The Electoral Commission had to cancel the Mayor elections here in Kampala till a later time. There is also talk that the government may just chose a Mayor and that will cause even more problems. Guess the election threats are not over yet. Just trying to avoid to be in town much and watching the news to see what will happen.
Kampala King's School is doing great though. We have had a number of new students enroll, but I have not yet got a final count on the numbers. I think that by next week we will be doing that so that we will know where we are standing.
I am going to work on getting pictures posted on facebook today, if I can get the camera from David for a few minutes.

Feb 11, 2011

So we have now completed the second week of school of this new year and just as we were thinking the children have started to flood in. We have had over 25 new students register and most of the old ones have also come back. It is also a waiting game as the elections are next week and many parents are keeping their children at home till that season is over. As for us we are going to the village for a week so that we are not in the city. I, Heather, will go with Abijah, Lydia, Janet and her new baby, Esther, Betty our house girl, Betty our sister, Collin, Ian, Mercy, Hope, Cindy a Rwandise student. We will basically close the school for the week so the boarding students that are there will all go to their homes. Just keep this Kampala in your prayers over the next week as we see what will happen.
In other news, we had a doctors visit on Tuesday and all is looking good with the baby. We are now 22 weeks along and starting to show much. I am going to put some pictures on facebook in the evening so be checking there and then you can see what is happening.
Also some change with church things, we have started cell groups. We are using Wednesday evenings to meet in three homes in different locations. This is so that we can keep up to date with every one and have more personal relations with people.
Well, I am out of here tomorrow for the village so I will write again in a week or so.
Love you all.
Heather 

New Year

It is amazing that 2010 has gotten away without knowing it. And now into the New Year of 2011 with so much to look forward to.
First thing is that I am promising to start updates again for you all to know what is going on. I know that is something that I have been slacking in and am going to get back on track with.
One thing that we are looking forward to in this year will be an add on to the family. We are expecting a new baby by mid June and Abijah and Lydia are so excited as well as David. The first few months were difficult with lots of sickness, but things are looking up. Have been having a cough that was quite bad, then also had a bit of malaria, but am thankful that we got through it all.
Today, January 31st, was the first day of school for Primary schools. Our attendance was a bit low, but that is expected the first week of school. We have some new boarding student and still waiting for others to come.
David and I are also planning to attend the second year of Charis Bible College as well. We are just thinking of moving to day classes and leaving the night classes as evenings I am tired. Just trying to see how we will be able to pay for it, but we also know that God is in control.
Please pray for this nation of Uganda right now. We are going into the time of elections and there is a lot of threats and unknown. The current president has been in power for 25 years and he is not wanting to leave. He says that he came in by force and will only leave by force. I am planning to be in the village for the week before elections because the city will not be such a safe place during that time. We are praying for peace and a change in the nation.
Well, I think that I will stop from there today and see you before a week is over.
Heather and family

still alive

Hello to you all. I am not sure if people are still checking this blog because I have taken so long with out writing anything. We have been so busy and sick that it seams there is no time to even communicate. Now it is a new year and things of the holidays are calming down so I am hoping to have more time. This week we are having a VBS at our church for the first time ever and after that I need to take the time to make a real update. But until then we are all fine and will let you know the details later.
Heather