Hospice Mobile Unit Update and more

Michael and Sr. Teresa had the pleasure of spending a dey with Sr. Carla Simmonds who is Consultant for Hospice Mobile Home Care in masaka district and surrounds. Sr. carla supervises 21 mobile care teams who go daily to various centres. Sr carla also receives referrals from these mobile centres and the hospitals, whom she visits (in her medical capacity) in their own homes.

tjhe Hospice Mobile Home Care Team takes care of patients sufferring from terminal cancers and terminal HIV / AIDS.

During our experience we visited 4 patients covering a radius of 80-1-- kms in their own homes and had the privilege of meeting their families. thgs took us from 8 a.m. -7 p.m. on a very hot day. This was a very "touching" experience to see the wonderful work being carried out in the very basic humble conditions of the patients own homes. What was striking to both of us was the unlimited time given to each patient despite the long distances travelled by the teams and atrocious road conditions. The team consisted of a staff nurse (Rose) who was local to the area and Richard the driver. It is very difficult to put into words the full extent of the huge impact of this work on the patients and their families. The day was a real privilege forSr. Teresa and Michael to experience.

Later that evening Sr. Carla and a colleague Sr. Maura joined us at our acommodation to meet the whole team. Liz and Ruth following discussiona (and a quick visit to the hopsital earlier in the day) decided to give Sr, Carla The Catakysts money in support of the "Grannies in Masaka" pilot project (an offshoot of "Grannies in Africa). The money will go towards the many medical extingencies not covered by the pilot project.

Photo Gallery

Team Work - getting the patterns ready for those pots!

Getting started Volleyball

Patrick - the best bus driver in Uganda

Card Making

African Sunset

Snake charmer! -OK it was dead!

Why is he laughing? what will happen when his mother sees this?

Arriving with a basket full of delicious small sweet bananas! HM

Where's that massive tree stump? - lots of help from locals today -including the parents committee. But o boy it was hot!

Just add salt!

What's his handicap??

Remember those pots???
These pictures tell the story of how well the session wnt with the women - we are all relaxing with one another - and the presents are overwhelming. the women drift in and are dressed in the best dresses. Keith our F. of L. guide is invaluable as a interpreter and Rhoda the headmistress as an adviser.

Tomorrow one of the women is going to show us how to make baskets Ugandan style.

Our Spiritual Dimension

Fields of Life teams usually take the opportunity to share times of prayer and encouragement and ours is no exception - both as a team and in work with the children.

As an inter-church group we have a pastoral input fro Theresa - a Mercy Sister - and from Canon Liz a Church of ireland Rector. We start with prayer for our safety and our work on the bus and finish afte the team meet to discuss and de-brief with scripture, reflection and prayer.

Liz and Ruth take classes each morning with action choruses, Bible verses and quizzes. Please pray that God's Spirit will use these times to sow seeds of faith in these wonderful children. Liz also linked the pots craft work with a short input today with the women.

We know that New Wine begins in Sligo today and we especially ask for the Prayer Team to remember our team and its mission. We will pray that God's blessing will be on all the families in Yeats Village and all attending.

Weekend Update

Well the Golden girls were glad to welcome the gang back from kampala and to hear all the news. The weekend was greatly enjoyed. Those who went to Jinja had a ball on the quods - Emma gave David a good run for his money. They also had a slap up lunch and visited the source of the Nile. A mistimed photo opportunity let to some financial discussion with the authorities - but top guide Keith and driver, Patrick, got the fine reduced!

The others got a Taxi bus and headed north to the hospital where Ken Finch and his wife are based where they were treated like royalty. They were really impressed with the work being done by the hospital and by manner in hich so much is achieved with so little.

After church and lunch a visit to the Fields of Life Offices and the return to Masakea - with a stop at the drum shop to get a set for the school in Bajja - but no coffee at the Equator for Michael!

Meantime the Golden girls had "done" the markets, checked the cafes and zapped out as befitted their senior position!

There was a little tiredness this morning until we got going but all are well and safe - thanks for your prayers.

Preparation for the womens' group in Monday - the plan is to paint pots and decorate them. Rare craic was had on Friday when the women went potty ion the market bartering to see who could get the best price for 10 pots - most got them for 1,500 schillings each - 75cent!!

"Perfect Harmony" - The team now have their very own group. The girls have been a hit with the womens' group and the children. The rest of the team are also rather impressed!!

First Assembly in the newly painted part of the school

Keith and Charles in the Hardware store

Daddy buying melons for the gang!

IKEA - watch out

Bringing the shopping stall home!

Before the storm

Meat -Masaka style

"We don't need TV - this is MUCH more fun!"

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder!!

Well fed Rhode Island Reds

Spot the fake!!

A first photo from Liz!!! And the camera never lies!

Les 3 Amigos!!!