Hello again from Northern Uganda!

As I enjoy the sunny days and rainy nights, I’m thinking of our friends and supporters in the US, as the cold weather moves in, the trees lose their color and leaves and the earth seems to go to sleep.  We now have sunflowers standing head high, sesame seed plants, kasava, yellow beans, soy beans and much more, thriving in the fertile ground.  Everywhere in the North, people are “cultivating” (gardening), working hard to realize a good harvest in the next month and a half.  I’m also seeing cattle everywhere that were few and far between in the North 2 or 3 years ago because the rebels had stolen and killed many of them, or people had moved them south to safer areas.   More rebuilding of family huts and small new brick walls going up in villages in the market areas,  are evidence that people believe the war is truly over and safety is returning.  Many still are afraid to actually move from the safety of town out to the villages deep in the bush, fearing the night attacks that devastated their families. 

Michelle Lee returned to the US this week.  It was a difficult farewell as she has been tireless in her efforts to provide help to people here through Rotary Club projects, and she has great compassion, especially for children and the poor.   The Bible says that “two are better than one because they have a good return for their work.  If one falls down, his (her) friend can help him (her) up.”   Ecclesiastes 4:9,10.  Michelle is a real lifter upper , and I’m grateful for the two weeks she was here.  She will continue to advise us with the latrine and well drilling project  in Acuru and the Adacar Primary School that was to begin this week.  More flooding in the area has pushed the project back at least a week or two. 

This was a week of continuing to learn the local Langi tribal language, planning the rest of our projects and visits through the end of our time here, and for the Hands Across Nations (HAN)Tailoring School’s relocation as they have outgrown their present location at Faith Mission Church. 

We also met with the pastors and elders of the Alito Church/Community Center to discuss completing some part of the church while we are here this time.  They were all in agreement that replacing the dirt and dung floor with concrete was the most important part, since the dust being inhaled from the floor due to all the dancing during the worship service was causing respiratory problems to the villagers.  This building is located in a very isolated village; in fact the very first village in which 14 people from Chewelah, Washington and Redmond Oregon visited on a medical mission trip in 2001. 

At that time there was just a brick outer foundation and a huge pile of home made bricks.  Our mission group brought funds for mortar for the walls and over the next several years, the walls were completed, a roof added and metal doors and window covers were put in place.  The rebel war and the church’s isolated location made completion difficult.  There is no road to the area, just a narrow path fit for walking, bicycles or motorcycles.   It’s hard enough to drive there with a Land Rover, but getting a dump truck there is a real challenge, and may not be possible until the end of the rainy season in December.   HAN will provide supplies, fuel and the skilled mason to oversee the project, and the village will provide the unskilled labor and the food for the workers.  Felix, our Ugandan host and advisor to HAN will provide his dump truck to make the multiple trips with the materials to complete the floor, the steps to the front doors and the ramp for the older people and disabled (as a PT I had to push for that) at the side door. 

Thank you to all who have given to these projects, prayed and believed in the importance of “Sharing the love of Christ in practical ways” the mission of Hands Across Nations.  Prayer continues to be immensely important as we desire to be completely guided by Him so that we don’t get off track in our efforts to help people.  Please use the ckurowski@handsacrossnations.com address for emails and remember to send a new email, rather than the “reply” button as we sometimes get back our own newsletter if you forget to delete it. 

With  joy in being here,

Carolyn Kurowski

Carolyn's Journal October 25, 2010