Greetings from a rather dry dusty and hot Uganda
It’s the season of running out of running water, boys carrying water from the surface well in the valley, just as people in the villages have to do every day of their lives. Malik asked me the other day “which is worst, being without water or electricity” I have to say as inconvenient our many power cuts are, it is much more difficult with out water.
This year, so far has been my most difficult financial time in Africa, schooling fees seem to have multiplied, the car engine failure, may medical interventions needed and Vodafone taking our money for Internet and failing to provide a service from 20th December until now. Yesterday they promised to restore within 48-hours, we will see.
My Work Permit was due for renewal on the 9th February, so we started the renewal process early in January expecting it to be easy like last time, but the system has completely changed. My Church had to apply for membership of the new Bureaux of NGO’s involving an application to our District level and then national. A process put in place, I’m told by security police because too many foreigners were involved negatively about the President during last year’s elections. This new process can take up to six months and is expensive on time and money. A work plan and budget for five years with approvals from every department and level of government imaginable. Everyone wanting nice copies of everything in a proper file, so frustrating, but I encouraged pastor Emmy from home whilst he did all the footing around on the front line. On the 8th February, one day before deadline for ‘illegal immigrant’ status, GBP£700 in the pocket of government instead of school fees and Village Missions we got the letter of approval for a permit to operate as an NGO in the FBO (Faith Based Organisation) sector. Now we have to do annual returns, not only to Companies House, but three levels of NGO Government.
By midnight on he 9th I had completed all the on-line requirement for my Work Permit to Uganda Immigration and received an acknowledgment. (Not one minute of being illegal, but nail biting last minute.) God is so good with His timing. Yesterday I got an email to say my application for a three year Work Permit had been approved and that I should attend the Immigration Office with original documents, which I will do on Monday. Please pray that my originals will be accepted without being ‘Certified’. Then I shall have to take my USD750 to the bank for he Work Permit to be processed.
Safari got his final (third) year, first semester results in his Bachelor Sustainable Agriculture and Extension - ‘FIRST CLASS’. Well done Safari. @Ndejje University
Kennedy started his final three month Work Placement with Eagle Air, in Entebbe, yesterday. Carolyn ( IRIS ) used all her influence, but it was Jesus who made it possible. Thank you Jesus, thank you Carolyn.
Anthony is in his second semester Nkumbe University doing Bachelor Social Sciences. I moved him from the campus accommodation to a private hostel, which is much more conducive to study.
Edward is coming home for the day today and bringing three friends so that they can pray together and have us pray for them before starting their exams in two weeks time. Edward is studying Bachelor of Medicine, second semester.
Stephen has started Diploma in Computer Science at Cavendish University and is living here at home.
Emma is in Year 13 at Vienna College doing Cambridge University International ‘A’ levels. (By another name)
Malik starts his final intensive practicals at the Cancer Unit laboratory, Mulago Referral Hospital on Monday. Malik will graduate with Bachelor Laboratory Science in December from IHSU.
We had Isaac Ena staying with us to rest for a month from life in the South Sudanese Refugee Settlement, @Invepi, Northern Uganda. Isaac has planted and is pastoring and discipling the youth in the Camp. He had messaged me to say that he was exhausted, so I sent him money to come for ministry. He went back last weekend.
Maybe next time I will try and identify the many others that we somehow support through schools.
Please pray that the Resources of Heaven will be opened, so that together we can continue to help the Godly senior aged young people of IRIS SS/U into higher education to change the future of these East African nations. Alongside this objective we have the fatherless Ugandans that Jesus continues to put in our path, the widows and not least the pastors captived in religion instead of Relationship!
PS 68:
5 Father to the fatherless, defender of widows—
this is God, whose dwelling is holy.
6 God places the lonely in families;
he sets the prisoners free and gives them joy.
And finally, just in case you have not seen the inside of a 24-year old engine recently.
Love & Blessings
David T Atkinson