It is time ...

Really ... it’s time to go?!

I have asked myself that question over and over the last few days, as I have panicked thinking I still have so many libraries in which I would like to return and spend time. In fact, just a couple of days ago at 4:30 in the morning, I convinced myself that I just couldn’t leave now. The airline ticket would have to be changed! About 5:30, I remembered all the work that is being done - and needs done - in Austin in preparation for the next shipment. Funds need raised, and books must be collected and prepared. I am so thankful for the group that has continued working on books in my absence. Bless them big time.

What an astonishing summer! Libraries of Love has completed four new beautiful, well-stocked libraries. We are now serving over 30,000 students in 24 schools, thanks to our wonderful donors, volunteers, and supporters. The librarian and head teacher (principal) meetings were an amazing time of bonding. Plus, an unbelievable amount of learning/teaching took place. Total successes! Walking onto campuses and seeing children in classes, and sitting around the grounds reading books, has been a joy. Those kids may never realize the immense amount of time and effort required to provide those books, but they do understand that they have books because people in America love them.

Thanks to our previous ‘travel’ volunteers, 3 students are in college, two university students just graduated, hundreds of students are receiving free school lunches, 120 children received new shoes this summer, and many, many students have had school fees paid. These are just tokens of the many different way our volunteers have changed lives in Uganda.

A mixture of happiness and sadness is settling in now that I have started packing to leave. It will be great to spend time with my friends in Lithuania - AND, I am anxious to see my family and friends at home. It is sad, of course, to be leaving my friends in Uganda, and our work here. I will miss the six children that I have spent time with this summer, my home church, and the wonderful people who have made me part of their families: Wilber and Sarah Okumu in Mbale, and Noah and Jane Semugoma in Kampala. They have opened their homes to me for extended amounts of time. May God bless them for their kindness to this muzungu.

Please know that Libraries of Love is truly changing thousands of lives one book at a time, on a daily basis. Just as important, it is ‘more than just books.’ Love is being shared and long-term relationships are being established.

Thank you for sharing my journey. As always, each day I am thankful for God’s call to this beautiful country and these wonderful people. I will send one last email after I return home on the 21^st. Love and best wishes are sent to you from my other home.

Trudy

Determined brothers - despite obstacles

Jackson, Sylvester and their grandmother.

Friends, you have met the children who have retained a huge chunk of my heart: Rachel, plus the precious family way in the bush - Damasco, Leah, Florance, and their mother, Grace. Please meet two others who were 'placed in my path’ this summer.

Jackson: 8^th grade, 17 years old, excels in school. Jackson is the provider/caretaker of his 90 year old grandmother and 5^th grade brother.

Sylvester: Jackson’s adorable brother - 15 and in 5^th grade. His smile melts your heart.

Grandmother: 90 years old … used to manage a pub

Their story:

Jackson was 10, and Sylvester 8, when their mother died. He has no idea who his father is/was. When his mother died, he and Sylvester were passed to a family friend. The friend kept them for a time and then handed them to the grandmother, who was in her 80s. Jackson became the family provider. He began working for some men making the local brew/beer. He did find someone to help with Sylvester’s school fees for a short time, and he tried to pay his in installments. However, both boys were sent home many times for lack of fees, as you can tell by their age and grade.

Jackson’s words: “My goal is to finish school, get a job and provide for my brother and grandmother because they are all I have. We don’t have other relatives.” He would like to become a teacher, doctor, or lawyer.

There are many things I admire about Jackson. The small mud/wattle home in which they live - he built. To cover up the dirt inside, he put a nice cloth on the back wall and a small piece of blue vinyl on the floor. He and Sylvester sleep in this house, and Jackson rents a small room in a house beside theirs, where the Grandmother sleeps. When I visited the day before I left Mbale town, they had paid rent, 15000 schillings (about $6.00) but hadn’t eaten, as the rent was the end of their money. The brewery shut down, so there is no income.

Jackson introduced me to a man that runs a small shop across from their house. I was thrilled to find that he is also an assistant pastor at a local Anglican church that Jackson and Sylvester attend. He said he had prayed with Jackson, and that he will keep an eye on the family for me. I introduced Wilber to this man, as well as to Jackson, Sylvester, and their grandmother.

Again, as much as we would like to totally revise their situation, it’s not possible. We can only help as much as we can - in that situation. School fees for the boys have been taken care of by my Bible study group leaders, Tom and Jan Cammack. What a blessing! I believe we will be able to move Jackson to the school where Sarah Okumu is the assistant principal, which will be good.

Both boys now have new sports shoes, school shoes, and a shirt. The ja-ja (grandmother) is the proud owner of a new mattress, which she needed badly, plus both boys have new blankets and sheets. I also took them the local grocery so we could purchase food.

Please keep this family in your prayers. I know everyday is a challenge for them, but despite all the obstacles, Jackson and Sylvester are polite, considerate young men who badly want to finish school. As with the other children I have written about, they know if they have a serious problem, they can contact Wilber, who will be in touch with me.

There you have it - six children: Rachel, Damasco, Florance, Leah, Jackson, and Sylvester who have touched my heart and enriched my life in Mbale town. May I always remember - it is possible to smile even when life is difficult, as these children have taught me. My prayer: May God hold them gently in His hands until I can return to receive a huge hug and smile once more. I will miss them.

- Trudy

Inspiring meetings with headteachers & librarians

Headteachers from Libraries of Love schools gather for meeting in Mbale.

Aug. 27, 2011 - Headteacher’s (Principal’s) Seminar: Our Kampala area headteachers arrived Wednesday afternoon (Aug. 24) and toured three schools in Mbale, spending time in each school‘s library. Thursday was a special day, as I met with 21 of our 23 headteachers, plus two assistant headteachers (deputies). What a thrill to have them together! I shared ‘all things library’ - including organization, Dewey system, spine labels, borrowing system, shelf markers, schedules, etc. From training, each headteacher should be able to walk in his/her library and tell within minutes if students are reading consistently and if the librarian is doing an excellent job. Wilber talked about our volunteers and supporters, including the work in the States. Our first headmistress,

Jane, shared the plan for daily silent reading time, DEAR - ‘Drop Everything and Read,’ which has been successful at her school. Other speakers also shared.

The secondary and primary headteachers met in separate groups to discuss what is working well, and the challenges of their libraries. The headteachers have formed committees and plan to meet regularly throughout the year!


Librarians from Libraries of Love schools gather for meeting in Mukono.

Librarians Meeting: Believe me, the 25 librarians that met were a hoot! Oh, my goodness! We did have a serious workshop, with great discussions about their job - the positive side, and the various obstacles they face. Classes of 100-250 students is definitely what one would call an obstacle! Low salaries because the government doesn’t fund libraries, and headteachers have to get the money from the parents - definitely a challenge! However - there were endless amazing reports of the great things happening in their libraries. During my time, I emphasized that these are Libraries of Love, which means they should be a safe haven for the kids. As I shared - if their lives are difficult, they can have joy and a smile while reading a book. If they never leave their town, they can travel around the world. They should love to read, and love their library.

A laugh: Many of the librarians have had civil ceremonies (not church weddings), others are living with a person, and a few are single. Together they cooked up this grand scheme of having a huge Libraries of Love mass church wedding ceremony next summer! As we were introducing ourselves, and each one gave his/her name - the others would yell, “Are you a candidate for the LOL wedding?” Then they would die laughing!! The poor single people were informed they needed to find mates in time for the wedding - and that others would help them in their search! Two of the ladies want muzungu (white) husbands. They decided I should take video of them and show it to people I know!!!

On Sunday evening, before the actual librarians meeting on Monday (Aug. 22), we were together and had a wonderful 'singspiration' (Is that a word?) Three of the librarians even sang specials (2 guys and one lady), which was great! Believe me, these librarians can sing and dance the roof off - as only Africans can! It was an amazing time - truly a time of bonding!

The headteachers and librarians send their thanks for your support and love. I only wish you could meet them and understand the depth of their gratitude!

In summary: Both meetings were a complete success.

- Trudy


Head librarians:
Irene,coordinator in Mbale; Damallie, lead Libraries of Love librarian;
Hijera, librarian trainer for Mbale; and Michael, librarian liaison to headteachers.

How can I leave them?

Grace (mom), Leah, Florance, Grace’s grandson Michael, and Damasco

Friends, I know the popular way to write is to make it in short news bytes - as on Facebook. However, how do you describe three children's lives in a short paragraph? I have spent time in Uganda for 8 years now. In that time, I have been around masses of children - all wonderful, beautiful children that we are helping through our libraries.

This is the first time, that I have simply lost my heart to specific children that I am sure I will be involved with for many years. There are six - Rachel (of the clunky boots story), Damasco, Florance, and Leah (this writing), and two brothers - Jackson and Sylvestor. These children have been my 'life-changing' experience for this trip.

My writing is 1 1/2 typed pages - so not too long. Perhaps it can be your bedtime reading - your 'Chicken Soup for the Soul' story for the day. :)

Please read!

***

My serious thoughts: How can I leave them? How can I not jump on a boda and head to the bush to wrap Damasco, Florance, and Leah in my arms, letting them know that someone cares, instead of boarding an airplane soon headed away from them.

Damasco: 13 yrs., ranked 3^rd in his 7^th grade class of 50, high level vocabulary, short.

Florance: Damasco’s sister, ranked 5^th of 120 in 5^th grade, laughs all the time, cute.

Leah: A cousin – both parents deceased – 10^th of 120 in 5^th grade. Leah has had to miss two years of school. Her life has been painful … as seen in her eyes.

Shy with a beautiful smile. Damasco and Leah’s father is also deceased. They live with their mother, along with Leah.

Damasco came into my life last year. His mother, Grace, a sweet, quiet lady, was begging a headmaster to let him set for exams, though they hadn’t paid fees. The headmaster replied no, in a harsh voice, and sent her away. I asked if it was about fees. He said yes, so I ran after her, had her come back, paid the fees, and gave her extra money to keep.

Fast forward to this summer: Our Mbale LOL coordinator, Irene, said that she and a teacher were concerned about five children – three in one family, two in another, that were very intelligent – but had no source of income to pay fees. They had been sent home repeatedly, though the teacher kept sneaking them back in class.

Damasco was back in my life. I understood it must be a ‘God thing.’ I went to Wambwa Primary to meet the kids. They begged me to come to their home. On Saturday, I met Damasco at school and we headed to the home in the bush together on one boda. The kids walk 1 ½ hours to school, so it is some distance.

Soon, Damasco said, “Here it is.” I glanced, but kept looking, as I thought the small, mud structure must be a cooking hut. It wasn’t. We had arrived. The walls inside the tiny house are crumbling, showing the pole structure. The only items in the living area are yellow containers to collect water from a well – not one chair. The living area also serves as Damasco’s bedroom. He sleeps on the dirt floor. What can I say? To be truthful, I can’t change their situation totally, though I would love to. Instead, I have to look at how I am can help them – in that situation.

Being able to sleep comfortably seemed huge to this muzungu. I collected Damasco and went to town to shop for a mattress, quilt, blankets, and sheets, plus shoes, as he had on his mother’s gold flip flops. He only has school shoes, so usually stays barefoot.

To let you know the real Damasco, who has shouldered too much - and seems like a little man, let me share a bit. I offered to buy 3 blankets; he said no – one would be enough. We looked at a large ball. He saw the price and said it was too much. He then found a smaller one and said it would be good. As we were walking, he said he needed to tell me a secret. He said the headmaster was not a good man. He had charged me double the year before for his school fees, so he must have kept some.

Damasco then told me that they hadn’t had food for two days; the extra I gave his mother bought food. I cry thinking about it. I have made several trips back to their home. The kids love hugs and back scratches. Plus, we sing songs together and laugh.

Partial solutions: I have three wonderful daughters – and 8 grandchildren. Each group of grandchildren (each family) has decided to adopt/sponsor either Damasco, Florance, or Leah! The grandkids will pay the kids’ school fees out of their own money, plus buy school uniforms. I gave the Damasco, Florance, and Leah an 8 by 10 picture of my grandkids, letting each one know who will sponsor him/her.

They are three of the 45 students that Bethany Methodist provides funding for school lunches. Blessings to that amazing church, and Sara Solomon who heads up this project!

The evening before I leave, I will be back at their home taking food, candy, hugs, and love. May our God protect them and keep them in His loving hands until we meet again … along with my adorable Rachel in her ‘clunky’ books!

- Trudy

Richard, and Rachel ... of the clunky-clompy boots

Rachel

I may have shared before about being in front of our hotel one day, when this precious little girl came by in a filthy, torn school uniform, held together with pins. What caught my eye was her short, dirty, black boots that were two sizes too big for her. She was simply 'clunking - clomping' right along - looking very unhappy.

I stopped her and ask where she was going, guessing she didn't have money for school fees. I was right, Rachel was being sent home. She didn't have money. Her little face was so sad. I took her hand and led her back to the school, which was only a block, to pay fees. The fees are only 15,000 schillings, which is around $7.00. All that grief - for the amount of money we spend on lunch at the Sonic! After that, every time I have been at the school, when other kids are around, she will stand silently looking up at me, until I spot her eyes. She then says, "I'm Rachel.' I smile and say, "I know!"

She is small for 11 years old, and simply adorable.

Last week, she shyly asked if I would visit her home and see her grandmother. I agreed. A good friend who is a teacher, James, agreed to go with us, as I wasn't sure the grandmother would speak English. Rachel and I rode one boda, with James on a different one. It was about a 10 minute ride - going full throttle (yikes). It seems Rachel walks 45 minutes to school every morning from her small, neat mud home.

Her story: Rachel’s father is dead and the mother left Rachel and her two sisters with the grandmother, and moved to Kampala. The grandmother has five other children to raise - orphans from her deceased brother. Life is difficult. The grandmother was married to a man of a different religion, who had four wives. When she became a Christian, he kicked her out of the home.

She said the night before I paid the fees, she had prayed for a long time asking God to somehow supply the money for Rachel, though she didn't see any possible way. I am so thankful that God had Rachel walk past the hotel just as I stepped outside. I'm sure He must love her a lot. He's that way, isn't He?! I'm sure Rachel and I will continue to meet. :)

Richard

I was walking Saturday through downtown from the Internet cafe. The young man walking in front of me had the worst shoes, barely held together at the toes. Back-tracking a minute, I should confess to you that the evening before, I had purchased the bike for Caroline. During dinner, I had joked with Wilber and Sarah and said, "OK, tomorrow is my - 'not do good deeds day' because I have got to quit spending so much money!"

Then - there is this boy walking for about two blocks right in front of me. I am thinking, “Buy shoes; not buy shoes. I can't do something for everyone. Buy shoes; not buy shoes.” He stopped and went into a shop. I followed him inside. When a man asked what I needed, I said, "Nothing, really," and turned to leave. As I started down the stairs, I remembered the scripture in Matt. 25:35, where Jesus said - I was a stranger and you invited me in. I needed clothes and you clothed me. ... I realized what I needed to do - and do gladly - so I went back in the shop and explained. Richard's eyes and smile lit up his entire face.

There are many places along the street that sell shoes, but Richard kept passing them until he stood in front of one. There was a feast of bright, colorful canvas shoes. I had envisioned black, sturdy leather shoes that would last. But, one look at his face - and I knew he needed a pair of these instead. He picked out some bright, red, leather and canvas, high tops, as he grinned from ear to ear. I had to laugh.

There you have it – Rachel and Richard - God's blessings in my life. As our volunteers always realize - we are the ones who are blessed during our interactions with people here. I find that true each day. To God be the glory.

- Trudy

Libraries - really that is what I do :)

I must admit - I am already panicked that I will run out of time to work in the libraries. A couple examples of my average days:

In Mbale, we have two new librarians who had never been in a library. Prisca had mixed all the books together - fiction, easy, and nonfiction. I had to redo the whole library. The next day at North Roads: Fred, also new - without training, had decided it was too much trouble to have students select every time (3,200 students), so he put books in a jumble on the floor. They could select from those and when the next class came - their books were added to the pile ... a sort of 'recyle' library. My large team helped with this, but Fred had put many returned books back on the shelves - totally not in any order. Many books were still missing, so I reshelved every book, leaving various shelves for display. I now need to relabel shelves in three of our schools in Mbale. Usually I arrive at a library thinking - okay, just a 1/2 day here. The next thing I know, it is 6:00 and I have to force myself to quit and go home.

It is hard to imagine librarians - and teachers - who have never been in a library, but it is a fact here. Every library needs various things done, and redone. The fantastic part is that the students ARE reading! I have to remind myself of that when I look at the quirky things that happen to the 'proper' library organization.

As I have mentioned, I am VERY excited about the upcoming librarian and headmasters meetings! Our head librarian, Damallie, and I met and worked out the schedule for the librarians, which will be on August 22nd. I will go to Mukono a couple days early to purchase food and set up the rooms, with help from Bridget, our librarian at the host school.

On Monday, our lead primary headmistress and secondary headmaster will be meeting to give me input on their meeting, which will be the August 25th here in Mbale. There is so much I want to cover with these principals. My brain is a jumble. I want the meeting(s) to be informative - yet enjoyable, so they will look forward to meeting the next year, as well. It is important to the Libraries of Love Board that our schools are cohesive and work together, as we promote literacy through the libraries.

I will send pics of the meetings when they happen. Can't wait. Wish you were here!

My best wishes to you from Mbale town!!

-Trudy

Painful night - mud hut ... read to the end, please ...

Aug. 5, 2011 Imagine: Your elementary school daughter leaving home in the morning with no breakfast, walking over 2 hours to school, being caned if she is late, having no lunch, and walking back around 5:00. Meet Caroline ... before. Bethany United Methodist Church in Austin (which is home to many LOL volunteers) has sponsored lunches for 45 children at Wambwa Primary for three years. Caroline is one of the lucky children. Our agreement: I wanted to experience what this wonderful sixth-grade girl's life was really like. I had her teacher tell her to ask her parents if I could come home for a night. They were not to do anything special. I would eat what they eat and sleep where they sleep. It was agreed. The walk: Yesterday, Caroline and I, plus one other young lady started walking. The other young lady was one in whose home my team had planned to visit, but simply ran out of time and couldn't. She cried at that time, so I told her since it was on the way, I would visit this time We passed through two villages walking the dirt roads. The walk places one in National Geographic - women carrying babies on their back and items on their heads, children everywhere, men with huge loads on their bicycles, people in long lines to get water at wells, etc. **The children and adults we met found it hilarious that the 'muzungu' was walking down the roads, and they always shouted out greetings. I was my own parade! We fast-walked endless miles. Caroline kept saying, "We have to walk fast. It's a far distance." I wanted to yell about every five minutes, "Are we there yet?" Finally, the second girl said her house was down a path off the road. It was - adding probably an additional four miles to the trip. :) Her guardian (both parents are dead) came out of the field. Words can't express how grateful he was for the food for the girl. He said he would never have been able to provide the money. Caroline and I walked on - sometimes joined by other children. We left the road and walked many more miles through paths deeper into the bush. The fast-walk was from 4-6:30 pm in the heat! What can I say!!! The family and home: Caroline has a mom, dad, and two sisters. They live in a mud/wattle rectangular home. I entered, stepping down into the bedroom/living area. The mud is packed hard and smooth on the walls and floor, and the small room was as clean as ours at home. There is a wall that separates this bedroom from the parents. It has a small opening in the wall, covered with cloth to enter the other room. The chickens stay in the parents' room at night. There is also a small thatch-roofed cooking 'house'. Next to it is a structure out of limbs (open) with a small cement slab in the middle. After dark, you squat on the slab and pour water over you to bathe - unless you are this muzungu. :) Behind the house is a small, mud/wattle structure, with a cloth over the doorway. One has to bend to enter - and presto, there is a small hole cut in the earth ... honestly, a nice clean toilet, better than some I have used lately. :) Caroline's parents don't speak English, but her grandfather does. The extended families' mud-thatch-roofed homes all surround Caroline's. I had a great visit sitting out under the stars with her grandfather. Nice man! Dinner: Around 8:00, they handed me a bowl containing about 10 potatoes. I told Caroline it was too much, so we shared. The painful night: One skinny, old, piece of foam was on the floor, which Caroline and I shared. I should add, she is much taller than me. Her two sisters usually sleep on this with her, but they were nice and slept on mats on the floor. We were so scrunched that my back was totally pressed against hers. The mosquito netting was smothering my face, and my nose was probably 1-2 inches from the dirt wall. Did I mention I am claustrophobic?! I felt like I was smothering. Also, the house was totally dark - like being in a cellar without light, and no air. It was everything I could do to lie there, and not go screaming for the outside. I kept my eyes closed and prayed for peace, thought about each of my grandchildren, ask God for peace again, thought about grandchildren again - all the time wanting desperately to run out the door and get fresh air. However, I knew I would not be able to explain that to this nice family who gave me their best. I can't truly describe this to you. I still can't think about that solid dirt in front of my face. It bothers me. Finally, a cool breeze somehow came blowing through, probably God helping me out again:) It was a rough night to say the least. In the morning, the parents let the chickens loose. They came flapping in by the bed. When I started to pull the velcro on my tennis shoes, there was a big wad of poop on it! Yuk!! The brick truck ride: School was out for the break, so Caroline was free for the day. I told her I would take a boda-motorcycle taxi back, so we started walking to find one. I had forgotten how many miles we were in the bush. Endless miles - no boda...an hour had passed and still walking. Finally, I saw a small truck coming with mud bricks stacked in the back, and men sitting on them. I just knew - that was my ride. I stood in the middle of the road and flagged them down. They said they were going to Mbale and another town. I told them I would ride in the back with the bricks. However, a nice man got out of the cab and I crawled in.Yahoo - off we went. I was telling the man in the front that I go to Pearl Haven church in Mbale. I thought they were going to a different town first, to unload bricks - but all of a sudden ... there was the church! They were unloading bricks right across the street. Wow! I had prayed asking for a boda - but God, being a God of surprises, gave me something better! I just had to laugh! Funny Note: I had shared the various things in my small pack. The thing they laughed at the most was the small roll of toilet paper. It seems they use leaves. :) The gift: Today I bought a beautiful, solid, blue girls bicycle for Caroline and the family to use! It has a place on the back for a passenger, a bell, a mirror for seeing behind, and a basket in front! The roads and paths are flat, which is good. I can just picture her whizzing to school, and the family using the bicycle to go to the village when needed. I called the grandfather and he met me in town. The last I saw of him, he was pedaling the bike headed out of the town of Mbale - back to the bush! What an honor to be able to bless these people! Love to think of their excitement when the grandfather arrives! Thanks for listening once again... Really I am working 8-hour days in the libraries. I will write more about that next time! My best wishes! - Trudy

1 flat - 2 flats - 3 flats ... four & the Easter parade!

I had decided I would not send any more transportation stories, but this is a 'doozie,' as we say!

In leaving Kamwenge, Faida and I decided to take a public transport van (window van) to a larger town, Mbarara, and from there board a large bus. The ratty, dilapidated matatu (van) picked us up at 6:00am. Faida and I sat in the front with the driver (no seat belts, of course). I had a seat and Faida had a half seat in the middle over the gear shift. The front glass had several huge cracks and the defroster didn't work, so Faida had to keep wiping the windshield for the driver. For part of the trip, we had a third person, a large man, crowded with us on our 1 and 1/2 seats.

Leaving Kamwenge, we sped over the dirt road for about 15 minutes - and then heard a large 'whoosh' sound. The front right tire lost its air! At the same time, the back right tire blew! Bam! Two in one! The driver only had one spare, so he called for a boda-boda motorcycle taxi to bring a second. I grabbed a book from my bag, went and plopped down in the road to read. A few minutes later, a man on a bicycle stopped and laughed. He said, "The muzungu likes to sit in the road and read?" I looked around. The other ladies were nicely squatted, sitting on their feet!

That tire was fixed and off we went. Shortly, I heard the driver and another man saying that when vans roll very few people live. I was, of course, wishing they would talk about something else! Finally, we made it to a town. The driver pulled into a tire place. It seems the second front tire had blown right after being put on, and we had been whizzing the many, many miles on the washboard roads, over the hills, on the rim! No wonder the ride was rough - and they had been talking about the van flipping!

While waiting for that tire change in the town of Ibanda, I spotted a small restaurant. Faida and I went to grab a roll for breakfast and then sat in front on a bench to eat. It was Sunday morning and we had the most amazing treat. Ibanda has a road coming down off a hill that leads into the main town. The road was totally filled with people walking into town for church. It was like the Easter parade - an absolutely beautiful sight of men, women, boys and girls dressed in their finest, all going to worship! This sight in itself would have been worth the trip!

The third tire was fixed and we started again. However, the van was bouncing all over. The driver announced he didn't think the tube in the latest tire was any good - oops!

We made it to Mbarara and onto the larger bus. There were five of us in the very back, long seat. It was a nice group. One man broke his roasted corn (on the cob) in half and gave me half. It was good, and then Faida bought us some meat on a stick, and berries, from one of the people who surround the bus, selling food and drink. For my part, I bought an orange soda - drank half, and passed it to the man who had donated the corn. He just grinned and drank it. My new friends.

What can I say but "thank you God" once more for keeping me safe - and thanks to all of you for your prayers! God must just grin and go - her again?!

Every day, every minute, through the bad rides and the good, I am thankful that I serve in this country! It is an honor!

Love and best wishes,

Trudy

Inspiring weekend - hello from Uganda

A Ugandan friend who lives in Austin, Father Isidore Ndagizimana, suggested I should see the hills of Western Uganda and visit his hometown, Kamwenge. He said that his family had guest rooms, and would be happy to receive me. After many weeks of work - and because I love new places, the idea jumped at me!

Fr. Isidore's nephew, Faida, traveled with me from Kampala. We first had to sit in the big bus for two "blasted" hours until it filled so we could leave. After two hours of waiting - and six hours to go, the muzungu fear kicked in - how soon will they have "short call," and where? I must say, it was worth the wait and ride. Western Uganda is truly picturesque, to say the least. The landscape: rolling hills, thousands of banana trees, tea fields - plus many other types of fruits and vegetables can be seen that are grown there. It stays green the entire year, with plenty of rainfall. The small village in which the family lives reminds me of a small town in Arkansas that used to be our vacation site when I was young. Clean, small, quiet, set high in the hills amid beautiful foliage - just a fantastic village. Absolutely loved it.

Father Isidore's family (my hosts) - a brother, Patrick; his wife, Prudence; their two-year-old son, Michael; nephew, Faida, and his father, are the type of people that make you smile as you think about them, knowing God has smiled on you in letting you meet such wonderful people. Micheal is full of pep and energy and has the biggest, mischievous grin. He is adorable! I was so glad I went for a visit!

While there, I walked to a nearby secondary school, and found they had received many boxes of books. Books for secondary students were mixed in with adult novels and nonfiction. Of course, I couldn't have that. The young librarian, Dinah, and I went to work pulling all those appropriate for the students and created a good - but smaller library, organized, and ready to use. Dinah was inspiring. She and her husband gave up good jobs with Watoto Church in Kampala, as they felt they should move to Kamwenge and start a church. Her husband teaches in a secondary school, as well as pastoring now. They really have an amazing story of how God has provided for their family. I will try to share it later, with a picture of her. During the day, we erupted in laughter often, talked about our families, shared God's miracles in each of our lives, shed tears, and held hands for prayer - PLUS put the library together! All in a day's work ...

It was a totally refreshing weekend.

Next email - the trip home. One flat, two flats, three flats, four ... . Really, I couldn't make this one up!

Love and thanks for the prayers. Keep them coming! I seem to need them constantly!

Trudy

My Crazy Life!

Today, I went to one of our schools WAY off the beaten path somewhere near Entebbe. To leave the school, I caught a boda out to Entebbe Road. (I bought a cycle helmet yesterday - but, of course, it was at 'home'.) Eventually, I hopped off the boda beside the main road and caught a public transport taxi that was headed to Kampala (about 25 miles). I wasn't sure exactly where in Kampala it would stop, but figured eventually it would go to the taxi park. The ride took almost two hours because of a major - shut down - traffic jam. The van was a 14 seater - with 17 people crowded inside. I was at the back, against the door - experiencing major claustrophobia.

Finally, we made it to Kampala. I got out and looked for tall buildings to figure out where I was - feeling a bit lost in the crush of people and vehicles at the taxi park, though I don't mind being lost. I decided to just start walking. I finally spotted a small mall I recognized, and called Billy. He said to head up the hill to an eating place, where we would meet for lunch. As I tried to cross the street, there were literally hundreds of people in the street singing, yelling and dancing. It seems the King of the Buganda tribe was making an appearance, so a stage had been erected. Some men tried to sell me a badge for the honor of standing in the huge crowd. I declined - and started pushing my way back through the throngs in the direction I had come. Eventually, after much, much walking - I made it, and enjoyed a great lunch. Later, I met with Damallie, our head librarian at her school.

Finally, I had to catch a boda to get out of crazy Kampala traffic and back to the hotel, all the while praying ... OK, God - I KNOW I shouldn't be on this boda. I KNOW I should at least have my helmet on - so I will just trust you once again to get me home safely - and He did. He is good - all the time, though I must test His patience, AND overwork my guardian angels at times.

Last note: Prices here have skyrocketed in the last couple months. A kilo of sugar that was fifty cents is now $2.50. A bag of flour cost 4 times as much as it did. Gasoline that was already $7.20 a gallon has risen. There is a lot of unrest - different groups striking each day. The teachers had a sit-down today. They sat in their classes - but didn't have the students do any work, despite time for final exams. Schools aren't able to feed students as food prices are so high. The government funding has run out before the end of school. Some schools closed early - others didn't provide food. How common people pay for food, I'm not sure. I have heard many families are living on one meal a day. Please pray for this beautiful country and the many who are hurting.

Have a great weekend. I am planning on some adventure - of course.

- Trudy

Impressive! / Sad! / Tomato Frogs - what?!

I spent the day at our library in King's College - Budo, one of the highest ranked secondary schools in Uganda. The amount of reading happening was incredible. I opened book, after book, after book - and was shocked. They have just had a library one year, and most of the check-out cards were totally covered with names on one side, and overflowing to the other, as well! Wow! I am impressed!

A class was assigned to each write a report about an amphibian. One young man wrote about tomato frogs. The teacher checked it wrong and said he made it up. There was no such frog. He then went to his library, borrowed the book he had read about tomato frogs, and took it to her!

There are many refugees from Sudan at one of our schools. Every morning, the same three boys come to the library and look at their country on the map. They said it makes them feel better to see Sudan - even on a map.

I went yesterday for a home visit. Three young ladies (2 high school - 1 primary), sponsored by LOL volunteers, live with their grandmother. The grandmother had 13 children. 12 died of AIDS. To get to their home, one must walk/straddle a flow of 'water' through a narrow, long, claustrophobic, outdoor corridor. The four live in a tiny room, barely big enough for a very small mat on the floor, and two twin beds shoved against the walls, holding thin mattresses. The grandmother is large, and in poor health. All four sleep on the two mattresses. The girls are absolutely delightful and very appreciative of the sponsorship. I don't know how they would go to school without it.

God bless LOL volunteers for their service to the libraries and their outreach to others.

- Trudy

The story of Espra - a life touched

One of last year's volunteers visited with a young man at one of our schools and felt that God wanted him to stay in touch with this young friend, offering him help. Espra's family are refugees from the war in the Congo. His mother and dad are dead. He lives with his grandmother who is 68, a sister (probably 18), and a brother ( 10). The grandmother is not well. An uncle is their only support, when he does send money. Espra is 16 and in 6th grade. They arrived from the Congo four years ago. He didn't speak any English at the time, but is now in the top ten of his class - very bright young man. He is well liked at school and never a discipline problem. He walks to school - which was a ten minute ride on a fast boda, but he doesn't seem to mind. I visited with him yesterday and then we got on bodas and went to his home to meet his family. The headmaster suggested perhaps he could board at the school for a year, as those children always do better in school. The secretary is getting the figures together for me and I will let our 'donor' know. I talked to Espra's grandmother about boarding school. (Espra translated. She only speaks Swahili). She was so excited; she kept bowing to me and clapping her hands. I have told the school we will need Espra's grades every term and any comments. As we rode a boda together, Espra said, “I have never had a chance before; this is my first chance.” I tried not to cry the rest of the way. The brother was extremely sick. The grandmother said she thought it was typhoid, but they didn't have any money to go to the doctor. The Illinois group left some money - so I gave her funding to take the boy to the hospital to have him checked and get medicine. May God bless our volunteer/donor (who I will identify later if he and his wife give permission) and the Illinois team. -Trudy

Am I really breathing?! The ride from - - Hell!

First, I must say, after two long days of work, two of our first libraries (Namirembe and Bat Valley) look incredible ... or as incredible as possible when full of books carried home to dirt homes for many years. As I went through the books one by one, I realized we have learned so much in the past seven years. For example, books about the 80s, a book listing US authors - with a short bio of each - and one about little known vice presidents would not make it into our shipment now. We want books which will make children fall in love with reading. So, lots of weeding and reorganizing, but worth it. Next year, we will take a year off from creating new libraries and do major restocking in our 24 libraries.

It is difficult for me to even write about yesterday's boda ride, as I really am trying not to think about it. Hard to imagine from me - who loves to ride bodas.

I was leaving Bat Valley (a busy part of town) during rush hour. Jane offered to pick me up, but I knew she had a busy day - so I declined. I did ask the school guard if he knew the boda driver. He said yes, that he was a good man! The man took off - as we would say, like "a bat out of hell." The first three blocks we were zooming down a one-way street - right in the middle, going the wrong way. That would be terrifying in America, but here where two lanes become five lanes - with hundreds of bodas thrown in the mix - it was simply unbelievable. It was truly a matter of dodging fast-moving vehicles coming straight at us from all sides, as well as head on.

Finally, when we were out of that mess, he flew into any space he could find - fast turns left and right through tiny spaces. I can't count the number of vans and cars that I ran my hands down that were up against each side of the cycle, thinking I might need to brace against them to jump off. One time, the driver tried to zoom up against the curb and would have hit the front of a car - but jumped the cycle up on the curb, rode it for a ways, and slammed it down back into the street in front of the car. That said - I don't know why I didn't tell him to stop and let me off - other than we were moving fast and I was really afraid every minute that we were going to crash. A bit of shock, I think.

After making it to Namirembe Guest House, I decided to take a long walk to calm my nerves. I walked for over an hour up and down dirt paths and roads, cutting between houses. Once when I was looking for a path out of a group of homes, I ran into two high school boys. I said hello. One of the young men said, "I know you! You are the one who does Libraries of Love!" It seems he was a former Namirembe Primary student. As they walked off, I heard him say, "Ahhh - Libraries of Love." Nice!

In the evening, Noah and Jane's Bible study group met at their house. I have been there over the years when this group has met, so now they are my friends as well. Part of the study was about people serving as God's hands and feet. A statement by the leader touched my heart. She said, "When Trudy is staying in this home, Jane serves as God's hands and feet - providing for her, and keeping her safe." Later in prayer, I had to ask God's forgiveness for being my usual independent self - instead of letting those he has supplied, in this case Jane - help with my safety. Lesson learned, though I know I will still need to be on bodas at times.

It is time for a meeting with our Catholic Brothers who own a carpentry workshop and prepare our timber, after which I will be in working in Ugandan Martyr's Primary for the afternoon.

Thank you again for reading and for your prayers. As you can tell, I need the prayers - and they are working. God bless you my friends.

Would you send some electricity our way?

- Trudy

The simple things in life ... Ahhhhh!

This morning I just caught a boda to a hotel, as there is no water at the schools. Who would think finding a toilet could be so difficult. :) Try to imagine hundreds of kids at the schools, without water. We are without electricity on a regular basis - but being without water is much more difficult for me.

It is amazing how far we have come in the last seven years of creating libraries. As I went through the books at our first library, I flipped between laughter and horror at some of the books we sent that first year. I would go - - really??? There were books about (for instance) the '80s; little known vice-presidents, etc. These were not exactly books that would make beginning readers fall in love with reading. :) So, I cleaned the shelves of those, as well as totally damaged books.The library now looks great - but will need totally restocked next year. Today, I will do the same at Bat Valley - our second library.

In case you haven't heard, Billy and John Mary are taking me boda shopping on Saturday. I need a small cycle to move between libraries in Mbale. I hope I can find neon pink or something wild - 'Go Granny Go.' :) Every person here that I have told that I'm getting a boda, burst out laughing! Come on now! All I need to know is how to gas it and how to stop - right?! And, I need a really great helmet that my grandkids will think fits their 'crazy' granny! Of course, body armor might also be good. :) I realize bodas aren't safe (as I am preparing to take one to Bat Valley), but it is my means of independence here, so I will try to be careful, remembering that God is in control!

I am ecstatic that Mercy and Melissa are home in Kansas. I must admit, since they are family, it was especially hard to part with them. It was nice being able to call Melissa in the mornings just to say. "Good Morning" ... simply because I could. Mercy is hilarious. I'm sure her sisters are loving every minute with her!

Our second team left yesterday. It is hard to describe the impact our volunteers over the years have made. Picture a wagon wheel. The hub - Libraries of Love - 24 school libraries and one medical library. The spokes representing the stream of good works our volunteers and supporters have provided outside of the libraries- including: children fed, school fees paid, sports and play equipment provided, funding for hundreds of shoes, scholastic materials provided, university fees paid, Bibles provided, and God's love shown to adults and children on a daily basis in various ways - including: holding little hands, singing songs with hundreds, answering questions from students, offering smiles of friendship, going on home visits, and sharing laughter and tears with our Uganda friends.The rim of the wagon wheel - God. He is definitely what holds it all together and keeps it moving forward year after year to bless even more young people and adults here in Uganda.

There is so much I want to share, but I know your time is limited, as is mine. Thank you for keeping me in your prayers. My days are intense, as there is an extreme amount of work to do in a limited time. God has to renew my patience - whatever that is - :) everyday.

My love and best wishes to each of you.

Trudy

Return to Robbers AND an Amazing Team

The Illinois ladies are turning Ugandan, riding on boda taxis. OK - it was just one ride (no worry families), but it was fun!

June 11, 2011 - I should update you ... Many of you remember my story about the three guys who tried to rob me in Kampala last year. If you remember, one was shirtless and had a swastika tattooed on his arm. (Everybody should have a robbery attempt at least once a year , don’t you think?! ) The men were pressing me, and my bag, telling me they needed my money. I kept them busy talking to them about God and libraries until a headmistress arrived to pick me up. Her first words were, “Trudy, those were robbers!” A couple days later, I returned to the same place and walked down the hill to try to find them. I found them outside a ramshackle house. In the end, that house got torn down, and I paid for a new one.

I went back to find them last week. The swastika guy shook my hand, but another guy, Charles, came running and practically lifted me off the ground giving me a hug! He couldn’t believe I came back. I left Bibles with them last year, on my last day in Uganda. They are attending church, and seem like different men. The bad news: I asked them where they live as I didn’t see the house. Charles shrugged; so I would guess they are homeless. Two of the men have children. Debbie’s group has some extra items for kids (including a backpack), so I will visit them again next week and deliver presents!

I am not sure how to describe my second team – the ladies from Illinois. They are fantastic. Debbie Rhoades’s church, (Debbie is the pastor’s wife) and friends sponsor 55 Ugandan students’ school fees, and have sponsored these same students for 3 or 4 years. They also pay for 16 students’ lunches each year. This year, they brought endless wonderful items, including balls and jump ropes, for the orphanage my niece, Melissa, has been helping. They are also providing funding for 106 pair of shoes for students at Martin Nkoyoyo school. What can I say? They are definitely God’s hands and feet. To top it off, they are great company. We have had lots of laughs, and inspiring times of sharing in the evenings.

Today (the 11^th) the ladies worked from 9 - 4, without a lunch break - in a hot library. We didn’t slow down. Namatala Primary’s shelves were too long, so some time ago we had a carpenter divide each shelf into two, which meant all the books/shelves had to be reorganized because of the dividing. The ladies were troopers. At about 3, I told them I would arrange transport and they could go to the hotel. I would be able to finish alone. They refused. I reflected on the many long days I have done this work by myself, and I was so grateful for their help.

Namatala has classrooms of 200 students. Today we sang in a classroom with some kids that were simply jammed from the front to the back on long seats/planks! My mind always flips back to our small classes at home. The good thing - these children don’t know of classes of 25, so for them this is normal. It bothers us - but not them. How I wish things could be “equal” and they could have the same advantages as our American children.

This evening I will attend my first Mbale Rotary Club meeting, though I did meet with the president of the club last week. I can’t say enough good things about Rotaries. The ones that I share with in the Austin area do so many wonderful outreaches to various groups. They have my highest admiration.

Again - thank you for caring, reading, and keeping us in your prayers,

Trudy

Library #24 is a happening - and a grand one at that!

An incredible day:

July 5, 2011 - Our team arrived early at Bombo Road military base to create the high school library. It was interesting just getting through the two gates, as military men looked through the car.

We quickly went to work in the library room. It was hot and we were sweating! At 2:30, the headmistress announced we were having a grand opening. Surprise! Believe me - we were dirty, smelly, and not finished with the library. We made a mad dash trying to at least clean up the library, throw some books up for display, etc.

We then walked out the door feeling totally a mess. Greeting us was my friend (whom I met through the Okumus), Brig. General Charles Angina, and other military brass. We walked with them to a big hall where approx. 1,200 students were waiting! This grand opening was different from any we have had. An acrobatic group performed. They stood on each others backs, with the top person’s head almost touching the extra high ceiling. Their performance was simply incredible. They also had several dances, plus different military men spoke. The key speaker was Charles. He gave a long speech telling the students they need to remember 3 things to be successful in live (GOD): G -God must come first; O for obedience starting at home; D for a disciplined life. He even quoted scripture. Simply amazing speech!

Charles also has a farm where he raises cattle and pigs. When I was there, there were lots of baby pigs. I brought him a book full of baby pigs in dress up clothes, like tutus. My guess is that will be one of the most unusual presents the Brig. General has received!

We did finish the library - number 24! It is awesome!

Today we went to Bat Valley Primary, one of our schools that is six years old. We put the library back in order and did some rearranging of books. As I told my group, refreshing the older libraries is just as important as creating new ones. I would love to send you a picture of books that go home to mud homes, and have been seriously used for six years Oh my! It is definitely restocking time next year for all of our older libraries!

Better close … thank you for reading! Keep us in your prayers.

Trudy

A few laughs from Uganda

Wilber and Sarah's neighbor kids that come yelling for me to give me hugs everytime I am returning home or going out. They are the ones that help me over the wall sometimes. :)

All Things Ugandan!

It is easier to stomp your clothes in the rubber tub than to scrub them squatting.

If you wear skirts all week - riding sideways on boda motorcycle taxis is sometimes tricky, especially if you have bags! I am getting good at it, however. Friday - I am pretending it is America … blue jean day!

Power outages daily are really not bad. There is something peaceful about a night with no electronics, using flashlights (called torches) or lanterns. I highly recommend it! However, I do not recommend those during the day!

If my timing is wrong, and nobody is home yet - I can crawl over the high wall, even in a skirt. I get my friend, the neighbor boy to get a white plastic chair. I step into it, and sprawl up on the wall. Then Ryan hands me the chair. I put it over the wall and climb down. The neighbor kids just scale the wall without the chair - of course!

The first books to leave the library are always from the religious section (Dewey 200s) - especially the children’s Bibles.

Two runner-ups are Disney books and children’s dictionaries. They also love animal books.

When you go to the bathroom, you are taking either a short call or a long call.

A high school student stopped me today to ask if when babies are born in America, do they really hook them to a machine that tells what their profession will be.

America could save enough to pay off their national debt if toilet paper wasn’t provided every place people go! Think how much your work could save if everyone brought their own! Really! My last check every day - do I have hand sanitizer and toilet paper.

Lots of laughter:

• Sarah Okumu asked me if I have ever spent the night with a stranger. What she meant was a young lady will be here tomorrow evening. Is it okay if she sleeps in the other twin bed in my room. :)

• Mercy thinking she can teach me rhythm if I just follow her steps and body movements - not happening in this life ... maybe in Heaven :)

• Billy Paul said he grew up thinking baby incubators at hospitals were machines that installed knowledge. They don’t have such things here.

Isn’t life wonderful?! Thank you for reading ...

Trudy

Not a chicken bus - but just as crazy!

July 3rd, I was going by bus from Mbale to Kampala. The bus was to leave at 2:30. It left at 4:30. Now, you can't sit at the bus station, because Ugandans crowd in front of you (always) and you might not get a seat. (Even at grocery stores, several will cut in front of you - and the person(s) behind you shove their items in front of yours also - unbelievable!)

Back to the bus story. The bus came at 4:20. I tried to shove my way on - but in the end, there were only two left people standing ... a lady with a baby, and me. The conductor tried to get me to sit - but I figured it was more important for the baby and lady. Finally, the conductor ran a young lady off the bus (no ticket), and I had a seat!

During the time I was standing waiting for the bus, an elderly 'street' lady, who was filthy, asked for money. At first, I didn't give her any, but then I felt bad. I found her and gave her more than she had asked for. As the bus left, she was standing outside my window giving me this huge toothless smile, crossing her heart, and waving - while looking right in my eyes. I was so glad I donated.

The Elgon Flyer, a big bus, then literally flew down the road. I was almost getting sick, things were whizzing by so fast! The trip is supposed to be about 4 hours. About 1 and 1/2 hours out of Kampala, the driver stopped for a short call. I wanted to yell, “You can hold it. It's not THAT far!” Instead, almost the whole bus emptied out to head for the bush!

A short time later, we had to stop at the drive-through cafe! Our bus was mobbed by people in blue smocks trying to sell chicken, sausage, or beef on a stick, drinks, etc. Geez - it was already taking too much time!

We were then flying on - until we hit a HUGE traffic jam. A public transport van had had a horrific accident, so we were in a jam at Mukono for over an hour. Our driver got irritated and decided to take a back road in our giant bus! Big mistake! It was more like a path. At one point, people were telling him no - but we plowed on! One tire slipped in a cement culvert. Everyone on the bus screamed, as it tipped - including me!

Finally, we were into the absolute mad-house of Kampala night traffic. It is like a bumper car ring - only throw in triple the number of cars, add in people, motorcycles, bicycles, and animals, and you have it! The driver told everyone to get off at the city taxi park - which is one of the worst places to be at night, though I do take taxis from there during the day. I refused to get off, as did one other lady. Finally, he agreed to take us to his offices.

In the meantime, the young conductor (about 20 years old) kept asking if we had met. Eventually, I asked him where he had attended school. He replied Mengo Secondary in Mbale. Ahhhh! I asked him about the library in the school. He lit up and was totally excited telling me he remembered us putting the library in at his school, and my training the students how it was organized. How exciting is that - to meet him on a bus to Kampala!

He then became my personal protector. He decided I and my luggage would be safe with his boda driver. He ran to get him, and then helped load my suitcase in front of the cycle driver, and I climbed on the back. At 10:00 p.m., we were roaring through the streets of Kampala ... while I am thinking what a miracle it was that that specific young man was the conductor, and I had a safe (manner of speaking) ride home!

Cheers for Libraries of Love and the lives it has touched - including my conductor!

-Trudy

Uganda: Some happy kids!

Wow! What a week! Hundreds of students absolutely delighted, laughing at stories, totally overwhelmed, as they looked at the thousands of books for their use. It has been hard as I watch their faces, not to be in tears. What you, as our supporters, have supplied is a miracle in their lives. In their imagination, they could never have dreamed of a time when they would have books. Even better, they get to take their books home to share with their families! To them that is unbelievable – a dream, for sure!

I thought I would share with you some comments on papers from students, when we were at our previous libraries last week.

-The most important reason why I like reading is because I want to become an authoress in the future.

- When I am bored at home, now I can read books. When I am lonely, I read books – and that is why reading is now important in my life.

- The Libraries of Love has made a wonderful library in our school. It has done a good job for me. I read books from this library to make summaries and tell others good stories.

- I read books and learn how to pronounce words, and the books give me wisdom.

- Reading from the library has helped me improve on my marks (grades).

- When I read, I become happy.

- When I read, I realize on my own hidden talent.

- I am now able to tell my siblings interesting stories.

- I have loved sharing our maps and globes donated by Herff-Jones. I have shown the students how Texas is so big, two Ugandas would fit inside easily. I, also, shared on the wall map, the route their books took to arrive in Uganda. They can hardly leave the library for staring at the books on display, the maps, and globes.

Tomorrow I will working in our third new library. Friday, I will be traveling between our ten libraries here in Mbale - just to drop in, check things, and say hello. I will return later for more extended visits.

I hear our team has arrived at home. They were a great group. Our friends here will miss them, as I do.

Thank you for your prayers and interest. Every day reinforces what I realize each year: The libraries/reading are worth every bit of time and effort, as they are making a huge impact.

My love and best wishes sent to you once again.

Trudy

School Visits, Reading Competition, and 'Mama' Melissa's Orphanage

School Visits:

Over a three day period, our LOL team visited many of our Ugandan libraries. They were impressed with the number of books borrowed from the libraries, as well as the large amount of students that had books with them in the classrooms and school yards. Questions from students were interesting, as their concept of America can be compared to those of American kids asking if lions and elephants wander through yards here. My library coordinator in Mbale grew up believing everyone in America carried guns. If someone bothered you - you popped them! She said she never wanted to go to America.

One of our memorable visits was at our first school - Namirembe Primary. It was track and field day. Two of our favorite events:

- ‘Are you ready for school?’ – 5-year-old students stripped down to their underwear, putting their clothes on a mat in the middle of the dirt courtyard/drive. They then went back to the start line. At the whistle, they raced for the mats, stopped to quickly put on clothes, shoes, and backpacks - and then raced like the wind to the finish line! Really cute.

- Older students had a small rubber tub full of water. They had to set a glass pop-bottle in the middle of the tub and fill it up by scooping with their hands. Each then balanced the bottle on his/her head and headed for the finish line! No bottles fell off heads! Wow!

At Kasubi Primary, chairs were arranged in small groups, and we were able to spend time visiting and eating with the teachers - which we love to do. Many of the schools had welcome ceremonies planned. New members of the teams are always shocked when they look out at the sea of 3,200 students at North Roads Primary. Walking in classrooms of 150 - 200 students is also surprising. It is hard to imagine without seeing.

The team left on Friday for a safari at Murchison Falls, with Scott Porter leading. I will travel on safari with the 2nd group.

Reading Competition:
Our Kampala schools held their second annual reading competition on the 24th. Each school had already held its own competition. Eleven (out of 12) of our schools sent competitors to the all-school competition.

The students were able to choose their area of competition. A few examples included:
- write a newspaper article in proper format, summarizing the book;
- read a nonfiction book about a country and write a letter to your parents describing what he/she saw on his/her travels;
- make a brochure advertising their book for readers.

The students were in first - seventh grade. I can’t say enough about their presentations. One seventh-grade student had read a book about angels on earth. She was dressed as an angel and had pictures, and her presentation was done on a large piece of colored paper. Books described ranged from Little Red Hen and Cinderella to War of the Worlds and Harry Potter. It was an amazing day.

Orphanage with Melissa and Mercy:
Yesterday evening, two of our team members who remained behind, Debbie White and her son, Caleb, and I accompanied Melissa (my nephew, Cody’s, wife) to the orphanage she has been helping, while waiting for Mercy‘s adoption to finalize. It was so sad to see the small bedroom with three triple-stack bunk beds - which is sleeping quarters for 16 girls. Five of the girls have to sleep on the concrete floor.

Melissa has arranged so many things for the kids thanks to supporters. The 69 orphans have new school uniforms and shoes, food, school fees paid, etc. I am so proud of Melissa! We laugh because we are so much alike - both totally at home in Uganda and busy doing good work, despite the difficulties. Sometimes we just look at each other, and say, “I know - you understand.” It has been a huge sacrifice for her to be away from Cody, Emma, and Avery, and we both wish she could leave for Kansas tomorrow - but the good she has accomplished for so many children here is simply beyond words!

A friend from Austin, Lynne Dobson, is in the process of doing her 2nd wheelchair mission to Uganda. She has once raised funding to provide approximately 500 wheelchairs for people here. I asked Lynne for four wheelchairs. Yesterday we took one to the orphanage for a 17-year-old girl, Rachel, who is crippled - with many other things wrong, including having HIV. She had been lying in bed, but after receiving the wheelchair, she was up and all smiles. She was able to move the wheelchair by herself and lock it in place when she stopped! What a blessing that chair will be! Many thanks to Lynne. Three more to be delivered!

I’m sorry this has been long - but every day has been packed and there is so much to share. Thank you for your continued prayers and support! I wish I could package the gratitude expressed by those here for the libraries and zip them to you through email. Together, we are making a difference on a daily basis.

My love and best wishes to you.

Madame Trudy :)