A Day of Miracles ...

I am in London for the night and arrive back in Texas tomorrow.

Yesterday was my "miracle" day. :)

Monday morning I spent two hours in our school library in Mukono - Martin Nkoyoyo Primary. I left at 11:00. I needed to make it to an appointment with the Secondary Commissioner of Education (1:00); next - Mercy's lawyer, then get money to pay the carpenter for the shelves at King's College to Patrick Bakka (headmaster) and try to get it to him; and last, travel with Br. Charles to the Catholic brothers workshop to see an example of the 126 book cabinets we need.

We hit major traffic jams in Kampala - unbelievable jams!

Miracle 1: At 10 minutes before 1:00, we pulled up in front of the Ministry of Education building. There was a long, long line out the front door, as one has to sign in and let them check your handbags, etc. I knew I would be late! Then I hear someone say - "Trudy?" I responded and it was a lady I had met in the Primary Commissioners office. She told me to come with her. We walked past the entire line straight in the door and then past the line of about 20 people who were waiting to talk to the Commissioner - directly into his office! Normally I wouldn't cut - but this was a necessity. Really - a miracle!

I was able to tell Commissioner Agaba that Sarah Okumu would be there on Wednesday for an appointment about her job - so that was an added bonus.

Miracle 2: After I finished at the Commissioners, I "footed" it to the lawyer's office to talk about Mercy. I then caught a taxi to the outskirts of Kampala to a petro station, where I was to meet Br. Charles. While I was standing right outside an ATM, again I hear my name called. There stood Patrick Bakka's wife, Molly! I was able to get the money out of the ATM and send it to Patrick! I know - another miracle.

Miracle 3: We have had the most difficult time getting book cabinets made for our classrooms. One cabinet can take months. Br. Charles "picked" me at the petro station and we were off to the workshop, which is near Entebbe. It is huge place containing different rooms, where various woodworking activities were happening. The "example" cabinet was perfect. Br. Paul says they can produce 126 cabinets in one month's time. That is a miracle, believe me! He also took care of some shelving we needed done at another school. What a blessing!

I even managed to stop by my "robbers" to tell them goodbye and give them a couple Bibles. Ahhhhhhh!

At 11:30 pm, Derrick called. He said he had thought all day about why - with so many on the bus last year, that he was able to sit by me. He said he knew it was God. He went on to tell me how much he loved Jesus - and me.:) Then asked me to pray for him, his brother, and mother over the phone. So I prayed, while they listened together. What can I say - it is amazing the people God places in our lives.

At the end of the day, I felt like I had received a pat on the back from Heaven - saying work completed.

Thanks!

Trudy

One last adventure - the sick / chicken bus (not lime green)

I decided to travel on a matatu Saturday to go out to the village to see baby Mercy. It is about 10 minutes on a main road out of Mbale - and then 40 minutes down a really bad dirt road. The matatu (window mini-van) looked decent. I was glad. However, it didn't fill up fast enough, so the driver told me to ride in a different van. This van's window was shattered and the seats badly torn. It must have been the "go to the hospital" van. One girl, about 13 years old, boarded. Her entire head and chest were full of sores, including lips and eyelids. I felt so sorry for her. I've never seen anything like it. The elderly man two seats over had on an old tattered suit, with no shoes. He couldn't sit up in the seat and kept falling my direction. His eyes were totally bulging and clouded over ... sad. We were crowded - definitely!

The conductor had stuck bags in front of my seat, so I couldn't put my feet down flat. I had to bend them under my seat. Unfortunately, the lady behind me had a rooster in a black plastic bag, with the head sticking out. She shoved it under the seat in front of her - into my feet. I don't know what this thing is with the chickens and me?! Yikes!

I arrived in the bush just in time to watch Mercy lean over and bite the naked butt of a little boy crawling past her. She was in filthy corduroy overalls and busy crawling around in the dirt. If you have seen the movie "Babies" - it definitely describes Mercy's home and life.

As it moved toward lunch, I saw a poor chicken being carried to slaughter. The funny thing - it looked like one of the rubber chickens we have for a laugh because it was so skinny and the boy was holding it by the head. I even asked if it was alive or dead. It was alive but for a short time. I was sure Bonnie (Illinois) would have been yelling she was a vegetarian. It actually tasted okay ... .

Later in the day, Anna wanted me to go to an introduction ceremony. Mercy and Anna climbed on one boda. I rode on a boda with Anna's husband. We took off even farther down the dirt roads into the bush - way in the bush. The introduction ceremony was almost as fancy as the weddings - tent for the groom's family; one for the bride's, and one for cakes. The groom offered his presents (bride price) at this ceremony. This one offered her family three cows, 5 goats (all tied where we walked in), one sheep (which kept wandering between tents), rooster, two chickens, big jerry cans of maybe kerosene or petro, huge bag of flour, 10 cases of pop, etc. He also had about 25 presents in bags for all of the girl's sisters, cousins, aunties, etc. All the men and ladies were in their African ceremonial dress.

As each name was called, the lady danced slowly up and collected her gift, with a huge smile. The groom gave one present to the bride's brother, which was in a bag - along with a rooster. This future groom had to be in his late 40s - the girl probably 20 years younger. The girl, her mother, and sisters were sitting on a mat between the tents. It was great fun. Somehow the beautiful native dresses look a bit better than my dirty travel pants and my Reading Rocks (done in rhinestones) t-shirt that is dirty and stretched out of shape! Rather embarrassing. It was a great engagement party though - lots of music and laughs. Mercy was clapping and smiling as the music played.

It was a great way to spend my last day in the Mbale area.

On a serious note, which I have already discussed with Cody and Melissa:

Please keep Mercy in your prayers. For breakfast, she was put on a mat and given a small bowl of eggs. Later in the day - the same, only a bowl of rice. All the neighborhood kids helped themselves to her food - with their dirty hands and snotty noses. Some stuck the eggs in her mouth. I have made other arrangements for Mercy, as she is not getting proper care at this home. But, truly - lift her in prayer for her health (a constant bad cough and malnutrition), her new housing - which will take place on Aug. 5th, and Cody and Melissa as they continue to try and expedite the adoption. Mercy has a beautiful laugh that totally melts your heart.

I am now in the office at Wilber and Sarah's church while Wilber is preaching the second service. After this service, I will be off to the bus depot climbing aboard the Elgon Flyer - a big bus, as I make the 4 hour trip to Mukono. Flyer is the word, as they even pass the mutatus, which are speed demons.

The service this morning was totally inspirational. As I've said before - that Okumu guy is one anointed preacher! His sermons always teach me something new from the Bible - and inspire my heart.

I will probably be off the computer until I return to Texas. I hope God has blessed you on this beautiful Sunday, as He has me.

Trudy

Last post from Uganda

This will probably be my last post, as I leave on Tuesday. I did want to share the latest news.

I had a meeting with all the Mbale librarians on Wednesday. Not to throw around the word "blessed," but I am so blessed and honored to know these wonderful men and women. It was fantastic to be able to sit with all of them and discuss library issues. They had great ideas. They would like to hold a reading competition between all the Libraries of Love schools. They also talked of keeping the libraries open on a Saturday each term, so parents could come and read with their children. At the end, one of the older men said that meeting everyone and being part of this group of librarians was of huge benefit to him.

I have been working with a young lady from Wilber's church that will travel between libraries to check them on a regular basis, and plan librarian meetings. She will be a big asset in Mbale.

I shared at a church in a different village tonight. A little boy on the front row had a shirt in shreds, filthy shorts, no shoes, a head that was full or sores - and the biggest smile ever. He danced up a storm and kept raising his eyebrows and grinning at me. What a cutie!

Yesterday, Wilber and I met with the Mayor, Town Clerk, Education Officer, and Inspector of Schools. We had a good discussion about the success and problems our libraries face. They asked many questions and were quite supportive of our vision. We agreed they would partner with us. They will do such things as direct the headmasters and teachers to following our polices of 20 minutes of reading per day, the library schedule included in the regular timetables, etc. If we have a difficult headmaster, we are to report to the education office and they will take care of the problem. If it works as it should, it will be a huge relief for us.

Today, we were a parade of cars containing many of the "important Mbale government people." We traveled to Namakwekwe to see that library, and then on to three libraries which they identified as good candidates for next year's libraries. We are encouraged by their support.

Tonight we relaxed and had movie night at the Okumus, watching Invictus - the story of Nelson Mandela. Tomorrow is prayer breakfast with the church leaders at 6:30 a.m. I will then leave at 8:00 to spent time in the village with Mercy (Cody and Melissa's Ugandan daughter). There is a taxi returning after 5:00, so I will be able to spend the entire day playing with her - cheers!

Sunday, I will be off on the bus to Mukono to spend the night with Retired Archbishop Livingstone Nkoyoyo and his wife Ruth. Monday morning will find me at Martin Nkoyoyo Primary School for a couple hours, and then on to Kampala. I am planning on meeting with the Secondary Commissioner of Education and stopping by Cody and Melissa's lawyer's office for a last update. Hopefully, I will meet Herb and Ellen for a late lunch, if that works for them. I hope so!

It will be difficult for me to leave all our friends here and this country that has become my second home. I know, I know - I will be in tears. However, it will be good to get home and see my daughters, their families, and friends. AND - it will be nice to have a sitting toilet for a change, instead of a "squatter." :)

Thank you for following my journey once more. It has been an amazing summer, full of amazing Americans and Ugandans, joined together to provide some happy kids with books and more books, which will change their world.

Special thanks again to our many supporters, who have provided books, volunteer time, and funding. You make this mission possible. May our God richly bless each of you.

Trudy

Wrapping it up in Uganda

COUNTDOWN TIME - It is just a few days until I head back to Texas. Speaking of Texas, I have had great fun teaching classes of students to say "bye y’all." That is a guaranteed, huge laugh.

I have been arriving "home" at the Okumus after 7:00 each evening. The things I want to get done in the libraries seem like an ocean of various tasks. Yesterday, I went into many of the classes at Namatala Primary to visit with the students. The smallest class now is 190 students per teacher - with most 200+. It is another one of those sights that just digs in your mind and won’t let go. Later in the evening, I was working at North Roads Primary - a school which has a student population of 3,900. The noise, dirt, children, and chaos are overwhelming. The teachers work until 6:00. They said by evening, they are exhausted and still have papers to grade. Sad!

At the schools, I am told that students stay on grade level in subjects like math. It is just reading that is a problem. How do you teach large classes how to read, with no reading material? It will be a huge blessing next year when we are able to furnish class sets of readers to many of the schools.

I have been in contact with some Catholic brothers that have a large woodworking shop. We are going to have these men mass produce book cabinets for the schools in Kampala and Mbale quickly so the teachers will be able to store the books after students return from the library - translating into reading time each day. Thank you very much to those who have already donated funding to purchase some of these cabinets. It seems we will need approximately 115 cabinets. Oh my! I have found over the years, that when something is needed - God provides it in amazing ways, through amazing people.

Sunday, Wilber picked me up in Kampala and we went to his son and daughter’s visitation day at their boarding school. On the way, he had a flat. We then had another flat - different tire. Later, that tire went flat again. Also, we were catching up on news and drove right through the town and about 10 miles further down the road. When we finally made it. :-) We had a wonderful visit with Billy Paul, Mitch, and Arthur, who is Jane from Namirembe Primary‘s son.

Yesterday evening, I came in tired, dirty, and exhausted - mentally and physically. After dinner, we had devotion time together. As I sat and closed my eyes, I soaked in the voices of Wilber, Sarah, Mercy, and Lawrence (a cousin) as they sang worship songs. What a blessing this family has been - not only to me, but to the many Libraries of Love volunteers that have come to Uganda.

Blessings,
Trudy

(Hey - Ashlyn, Jada, Lauren, Brooke, Sheala, Justin, Tyler, Daniella - it is almost time for sleep-overs at my house once more! Cheers! My love is sent to each of you.)

Robbers & Derrick

Robbers: As I was walking down the dirt road to Namirembe Primary one day, three young men in their twenties surrounded me. One had a swastika tattoed on his arm. I guessed that they were considering robbing me. I stood still and started talking to them about Jesus and asking them if they were Christians. They assured me they were (Humm). They explained they live with several others in what is a tiny shack (the boards of the walls don’t even fit against each other - big gaps), without doors or windows, just off the road. We talked for some time and I walked down and met one of their sons, about age 2. When Jane arrived to pick me up in her van, she looked at the guys and her first words were, "Those are robbers!"

Since then, I have returned to visit my "robbers." :) A few days ago, when I walked past, their shack was totally torn down and their few belongings were outside. The group was sitting outside under some trees. It seems the land had been sold and their place was totally demolished. The guys said the owners said they could build at the back of the land, however. I felt sorry for them so decided to donate for the new house. They rebuilt in one day with old boards that again don't meet. The "house" has a back with big holes, but it does have sides, though no front. I am rather excited that I have ownership in a house in Uganda. :):) I will check on them again Saturday.

It has been exciting to be places and have students approach me to say thanks for their library. A young man talked to me Sunday after church in Kampala. He is a 5th grade student at Namirembe, so was thanking us for the library. He invited me to attend a meeting of street children at his home, which is held on Saturdays. I will be singing songs with them and talking to them about Jesus. He said usually about 30 kids attend. I am looking forward to this opportunity.

Derrick: The last night the Illinois team was here, Derrick (The boy I met on a us in 2009.) and his brother Dixon came to have dinner with us. They were hilarious. We were laughing all evening, but crying at other times as Derrick tried to express his thanks for how God brought us together. Friday, I went with Derrick to his home to spent the afternoon. As I wrote before, it is in an extremely poor area. His home is in a retangular building, which has five doors - all separate houses. Derrick said that because he knows a muzungu (white person), he is like the president of the neighborhood. :)

It was an absolutely precious afternoon. I don't know how else to describe it. The children and adults from all the surrounding homes came. We sang and the kids danced. We laughed and laughed. Derrick, his mother, and Dixon danced and sang, also. I tried to imitate them, which put the neighborhood people in stitches. It was simply a wonderful afternoon in a place, with people, which I find amazing that I even know - and consider myself absolutely blessed that I do! Derrick's mom, Harriet, said that Derrick had been stubborn and kept her life distressed, until after we prayed together on the bus and he accepted Christ. She said he is a different young man. He is now fun and is always good to her. I cried when I left ...

Thank you for your prayers and concern. May God bless you on your side of the world, as well as our many friends on this side!

Love,
Trudy

Bombings and latest library news

Things are quiet in Kampala city after the bombings. I think one should compare it this way: If bombs went off in two different night clubs in Austin, everyone would be terribly upset and sad. However, regular life in the city, except those two locations, would continue, though there would be many discussions and some fear about the happenings. So it is here. The bombings resulted in a tragic loss of mostly young lives; many were university students.

Latest update (Friday):

I will leave for Mbale on Sunday and remain there for a week to work in Mbale libraries. Please keep Uganda in your prayers.

Damallie (our head librarian) and I held a meeting with all the Kampala librarians this week at Namirembe School. It is hard to describe; it was such a wonderful time of sharing and bonding. Their problems are quite different than ours. Examples: How does one handle 100+ students in the library at one time? What is the solution to students keeping the books clean when they take them to mud/wattle homes? If a student loses a book, how can the parents pay 10,000 schillings ($5.00) if they don’t have money? (This amount was agreed upon by headmasters.) Since teachers aren’t usually readers, as they didn’t have libraries during their school years, how do we encourage them to read, as well, etc.?

I have been in two to three libraries a day, these past few days, and have been totally amazed at the fantastic job the librarians are doing. Even in the new libraries, I have listened to the librarians teach easily, reviewing the library concepts I had shared with the students and staff previously. At times, they have had students stand and demonstrate the use of a shelf marker and tell the process of borrowing books, which I could tell they had learned quite well. When classes come to the library, a few students each time give book summaries.

Today at one of our new schools, King’s College (a high school), I had an "awe" moment. I must add a note first to tell you that this is the elite high school of Uganda. A student must have finished primary (through 7th grade) in the top ten percent of his class, and have some funding, to be accepted. It is recognized that many of Uganda’s leaders - and future leaders - are from King’s College. We furnished this school a library because the headmaster was previously a headmaster at another school in which we provided a library. We now have libraries in 18 poor schools - and King’s College. :) My awe moment: When I walked in the library, which is large, it was totally crowded with students reading and checking out books. It seems the biggest problem at King’s College is that students are so excited about having books to read, they are cutting class to go to the library. Ahhh!

It seems no matter how many hours a day I am in the libraries, there is so much more that needs done. I cringe when I leave some schools, because I know they need me to stay a few more days to help. I can send Damallie, but I feel responsible to provide assistance. I am, however, thrilled that thousands of students now love reading and are given time to read in class each day. It is happening!

Please keep me in your prayers.

Love and best wishes,
Trudy

Bombings in Kampala

July 12, 2010

Uganda bombings kill 64 as World Cup fans targeted

(Reuters) - Suspected Somali Islamists carried out two bomb attacks in the Ugandan capital that killed at least 64 people as they watched the World Cup final Sunday evening at a restaurant and a sports club, authorities said on Monday.

Friends,

Please be assured that we are fine. Today, I will have the team stay at the hotel instead of moving between schools. There are two guards at the security gate of the hotel, so it is a safe place to be. Things seem to be quiet in Kampala this morning, however.

I have been in touch with Herb and Ellen Cook. Herb has lived in Africa his entire life. His parents were missionaries in the Congo when he was young, and he and Ellen have been in Uganda for many years. He believes the violence is over. He believes the last night of the World Cup was a good time to make a statement by the Somalian terrorists. I have also been in touch with the Okumus. Everyone is checking the news, including our many headmasters. They will keep us informed of any happenings.

That said - please keep the families of those killed and injured in your prayers. There were many young people gathered to watch the game.

Also, please keep the Libraries of Love team in your prayers, as they leave for the airport at 6:00 Tuesday morning. I will let you know if there are any schedule changes.

Trudy

Baboon Comes to Visit

Hello everyone! I hope all is well in the States.

Unusual Happening: We have been at Murchison Falls Park the last couple days. Yesterday morning, Sarah Okumu, Debbie Rhoades, and I were sitting in our small banda (cabin) with the door open. Sarah said, with a surprised tone of voice, "Look at HIM!" I looked in the doorway; there stood a baboon that was at least as tall as my shoulders. As I looked at him, our eyes met. It was weird ... more like looking into a person's eyes. He cocked his head around to look at all of us, then backed out and took off through the brush. Oh my! Now I have been in a van chased by an elephant; rode in a boat that landed on top of a hippo's back; and had a baboon come to visit! Fantastic!

Murchison Park is always breath-taking. The 3-hour ride down the Nile River to the bottom of the Falls is well worth the trip. On the boat trip, we got close to about 20 elephants that had come for drinks (lots of babies), plus ran across a huge group of crocs and many hippos. Later on the safari, the team saw giraffe, lions, African Cape Buffalo, etc. They also saw a huge python that had just swallowed a small deer.

Last Sunday, as I was leaving Pearl Haven Church and walking down the road, two young girls stopped me to say thank you for their school library (Wambwa Primary). Ahhhhhhhh! I send the thanks back to all of you ...

The pastor who gave us a ride to Kampala has four children: Peace, Patience, Prince and Princess. Prince rode with us to Kampala; he is adorable. When the pastor ask Prince if he needed to go to the bathroom, he asked him if he needed to 'rain out.' If you do need to stop for the restroom, you say you need to stop for a 'short call.'

Sarah Okumu has been with us the last few days. We have had some wonderful devotions in the evenings. She left this morning for Mbale.

Enough for now. I will enjoy the last few days with this wonderful team of ladies before they leave on Tuesday. After Tuesday, I will be working long hours every day at our 19 schools making sure everything is in order before I leave. I do still have classes and staff to meet with at two of our new schools for training.

May God bless you there - as He is blessing us here!

Trudy

Those muzungus will eat you!

Sunday, July 4, 2010

On Thursday we went to Livingstone Nkoyoyo's school (blind and sighted children). We restocked his library, but also took four listening stations, 12 headphones, and about 200 books on tape, so the blind children could listen to the stories. Jennifer Martin, a volunteer from last year, had sent several boxes of shoes in our shipment, as well, so they were thrilled with those.

While we were at the orphanage/school, a young 3-year-old girl, Emily, was walking with us. She kept jumping in the air to high five us. Then she saw some other people and started yelling in her language. Billy translated: These are muzungus (white-skin people) and they are MY muzungus! We then saw the cutest little boy - perhaps 2 years old - and she yelled at him that the muzungus were going to eat him. He started backing away! She was a funny mess!

Back-tracking: At the student Christian Fellowship a young man read Eph. 5:15 - See that you walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise. His interpretation: All of the children who walk along the roads, which are numberless, should be very, very careful and watch because someone could grab them. Child sacrifice by witchdoctors is on the rise in Uganda. As Americans, we would't have thought of that interpretation. So sad and scary that any young person has to even give child sacrifice a thought.

Did you know that if you let cows, chickens, and goats wander the streets they will return home in the evening? Here that is true. I don't know how, but it happens!

We went to the clinic/hospital Saturday, in which we put a library this year. Seriously, it is not possible to describe ... two adults sharing a twin bed; the beds shoved almost together; families sitting at the foot of the bed on the cement floors. So much suffering all contained in one long room. In a seperate room were several people, with a couple kids. I gave the children a stuffed animal each, which the Illinois ladies had brought. The young man on the table with a tube in his arm said hello. I ask him if he had malaria. He replied that he had AIDS. An older lady was lying on a little bed with the door open and people wandering through. Her son said she had breast cancer. I looked at our youngest volunteer, Leigh Ann, a college student; she was shedding endless tears.

How blessed we are, and we don't even realize it. That said - their library looks absolutely beautiful. Libraries of Love provided funding for shelves and shipped the books to the hospital. Dr. Matono said people that saw it were amazed that a place so far out in the bush would have such books.

On Saturday, we were able to spend the day with Mercy, who Melissa and Cody are going to adopt. She had a bit of a cough and wasn't feeling so good. She is precious. When the caregiver started to leave - I followed the sound of Mercy to catch up with Anne. I asked to see her home, so I would know where Mercy lives for now. Mercy lives in a small, round, mud/wattle thatched roof hut. She sleeps in a small wooden bed next to Anne and her husband's. They have three sons. The family loves Mercy, but realizes she needs to go to her American family. Anne started potty training Mercy at 3 months. She is now potty trained, except sometimes with an accident at night. Cheers for Mercy! It must be hard to learn to walk in the bush; there aren't things to pull up on to stand. Anne's son's names all start with E - including Elvis :) They're cute - 12, 8, and 6. I can't wait to have Mercy at home in Kansas!

This morning we attended Pearl Haven - where Wilber pastors. That also is indescribable. I think I shed a year's tears. God's presence is so real in that church. It seems that He changes my life every year through the services at Pearl Haven. I remember clearly the night that He spoke to my heart and I knew that I would return to Uganda.

As I was praying this morning, I remembered so many of you who have supported our work these past six years - your faces and names were flashing past and I spent time thanking God for you. Without people donating books, time, and funding - the libraries would't be possible. With a full heart, please accept my thanks and love. Together we are making a huge difference in thousands and thousands of young people's lives. God has provided exactly who and what we have needed over the years. 19 libraries later, He is still doing exactly that. Again, thank you!

Special love sent across the ocean to my three beautiful daughters - Kim, Donita, and Lindy. I am so glad I'm their mom! A hug sent your way.

Trudy

On the move in Uganda

We have been on the move here in Uganda! We spent Wednesday morning at Uplands High School. Their library is working well. We met again this year with the Student Christian Fellowship during their noon 'service.' Those young people love singing, moving, drumming, and sharing the Lord. Definitely an inspiring time.

In the afternoon, we moved to Namirembe Primary. They had planned a welcome for the team, attended by all the students and teachers. They had a special music leader in attendance who led the students in some active, fun songs - such as "JOY" (for those who know that song.) This is our 'home' school in Uganda, so it is always great to be there with friends we have known for five years. In the evenings, we often walk from the hotel to Namirembe and sing/visit with the boarding students.

While we were at Namirembe, I spotted a young man eating porsha (a thick white oat substance) with beans and small fish on top. The fish was complete - eyes, etc. They put these fish out in the sun to dry; they are then ready to eat. Since we have a couple of squeamish eaters in our group (especially Bonnie), I asked for one of the young man's fish and took it in the office. I then told the group that would be part of our lunch. Their expressions were priceless. I then dropped the fish in my mouth and ate it. You should have heard the groans. Bonnie immediately yelled that she is a vegetarian. It was great fun!

Yesterday we arrived at King's College (a high school) around 10:00am. They decided to have the grand opening of the library at 4:00pm. Between those times, we unpacked about 4,000 books, put them in Dewey order, shelved the books, hung maps and signage. We were ready for the opening right at 4:00! Believe me - it was intense! I heard Leigh Ann say at one time, "This is overwhelming." She was right! However, we have a system in place that works after six years of providing libraries, and we can move quickly. Many of our headmasters and librarians were at the opening. There were speeches from student leaders and other 'honored' guests. I thought I would take time during the day to write down some thoughts - but got to busy. However, I remember Sarah Okumu's headmistress saying the books are a handshake of love. So, I threw that in - saying that the libraries are a handshake of love; a handshake of friendship; and a handshake of a partnership that will last many years. Ahhhh - quick thinking. I know! My team didn't even go to sleep during the speech.

We are off to restock a library in Mukono today. It is the school that is home to about 50 blind children, as well as many with sight. Tomorrow we will visit the clinic/hospital that houses the medical library we are donating this year - thanks to Dr. Michael Regan, and many other physicians in Austin.

Need to go...my love and best wishes sent your way!

Trudy