Good Shepherd's Fold, Jinja, Uganda

Well it is the morning of Good Friday.  So yesterday was my first full day here at the orphanage.  Let me just tell you it was a great day.  I got so much done, considering my day started at 4AM, not necessarily by choice.   So I guess my sleeping was a little out of sorts, considering I was flying for so long.  So yesterday morning I was wide awake at 4AM, so I figured I would get all my bags unpacked and get everything organized.  Of course by about 3:30pm I was totally exhausted, so I took a nap so I could spend time with the kids in the evening without be too tired.

Just so everyone knows I brought a variety of things here to the orphanage that they needed.  While I am in the states before I come, I send emails to the directors here at the orphanage, asking them what some things are that they need here and that they can’t get here.  I brought backpacks, under garments, shoes, duct tape (it can fix anything, even in Uganda), batteries, light bulbs (mom I am amazed, they all made it in one piece), zip lock bags, file folders and numerous other things.  So with the mind set of trying to round up all these things for the orphanage, getting my stuff together was pretty last minute.  Well once I got here and was opening the bags, I realized that I forgot to bring a few items.  Oops, oh well it is all about the kids anyway, right? 

After I got everything organized I got to hand out underwear (knickers), bras (for those who need them), and socks.  Then of course for the boys, I just handed out knickers and socks.  Some of the kids got some raincoats, shoes (for school or church), some of the little girls got dresses for Easter.  Well I handed out to the Primary school age girls which have school here on the compound, so ages 5- 9 or so.  Oh my word, I wish you could of seen there faces.  They came up to the guest house and when they walked in they were saying ‘oh, how lovely, how beautiful’.  They were so thrilled for a pair of knickers.  When I am here, I see kids that for the most part are so thankful for three new pairs of socks and underwear.  For most of us, if we need new clothes there's not much holding us back from running to Wal-Mart and getting what we need.  I did get some pictures so I’ll get them uploaded to this web site link https://akrohrer.tripod.com/. 

The one thing that I was bummed out about was that I wished I could have remembered all of the kids’ names.  I was impressed that I remembered as many as I did, considering I have been gone a year, but that is not good enough for these kids.  I had a few of the older kids come up to me and asked me if I remembered their names.  I was so bummed because I couldn’t remember.  I definitely remember the kids just not some of the names.  I didn’t want to tell them, that I had a hard time remembering their names last time.  But I can tell you this, the ones that asked me, I don’t think I’ll ever forget their names. 

I don’t know all of my plans while I am here.  I told Bob and Carolyn whatever they need me to do just ask.  So I know handing out and organizing the stuff for the kids was a big help to them.  It is one thing less that they have to do themselves.  I told them whatever they need, they just need to ask.  I do know this that God will use me while I am here, I may just not know exactly how. 

Thank you for so many emails that I have already gotten from people.  Thank you for caring about me and these kids here at the orphanage.

GOD IS GOOD

debbie

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