Well, after spending an unexpected month away from Gulu I’m back…. and busier than ever.
As some of you already know I went back to the U.S. when I received word that my mother was ill and did not have too many more days to live. I flew back to the States as quickly as I could and am very thankful that I had some time to spend with her and to say good-bye before the Lord took her home.
My mom was one of the strongest woman who I have known, conquering all kinds of adversity through her life. When she became determined to do something, nothing could stop her. She taught me well the meaning of perseverance. I will miss my mom.
While I was home I was able to visit with some family and friends but regret that I wasn’t able to visit with as many of you as I would have liked. Please, forgive me if I didn’t get a change to see you and say hello but as this trip was unplanned it wasn’t easy coordinating schedules and transportation. I am grateful though for the visits and get-togethers I was able to make and for some new friendships as well.
I appreciated all the care and pampering I was receiving while I there and for all the meals and attention given me. I never felt so spoiled and loved. I also filled a suitcase with the many gifts of sewing supplies that were graciously given and I am so thankful for all the other gifts provided. When I arrived in Gulu there was a big box of material that was delivered to me while I was in the States. It is all such a blessing!
A sold quilt!!!
When I was quickly packing for the States I threw in some quilts that the Te-got ladies had completed. I was thinking that I might get a chance to show these quilts to some of you. Since these were the first quilts that the ladies made there were some mistakes and the quality wasn’t quite what it should be so I really didn’t plan on selling these quilts. To my delight though, all the quilts did sell and I came back with a few new orders.
When I returned to Gulu and met with the ladies they were very excited to hear this news and are now more motivated than ever to complete more quilts. I am now very busy cutting material and trying to increase the projects.
One of the gifts that was given to me to bring back to the women was some reading/magnifying glasses. The ladies were especially happy with these and they had a great time with many laughs trying on different styles and strengths to find a pair that could help them in seeing to thread a needle. 
Word must have travelled through the village that the ladies quilts were selling because this week I’ve had about 30 new women come to class, wanting to join the project. I was also told that there are women in another village who would also like to join but distance is an issue.
Some ladies walk miles to come to the project.
A very busy day!
This week I had upwards of 50 ladies with 23 being new trainees. The others were working on 8 different projects in progress. On one recent day I was very busy moving from one project to the next, taking down names of the new ladies and trying to squeeze in some basic sewing training while helping the more experienced women with their projects. By the end of class we all agreed that I can not handle this many ladies at one time and give everyone the attention they need.
We decided that I’ll go to the village a couple of hours earlier and work with the new “Beginners” for the first couple of hours before the “Intermediate” group shows up, then my attention will shift to them.
Since I’ve been back I have spent a lot of my time just cutting out projects and the last couple of days cutting the “beginners” projects. My shears are starting to give me blisters!
Shortly after my return, the women, in order to show their respect and condolences at the lost of
A recently completed quilt
my mom, honored me by presenting me a goat, which was then taken away and prepared for our meal together for later in the afternoon. This is an Acholi custom as was the collection of money they presented to me for which I was truly humbled. They were truly showing their love and I am so blessed to have their friendship.
The meal was delicious and I was especially enjoying the goat meat. I’ve discovered that goat meat is one of my favorite meats. I was so disappointed that our dinner and time together was cut short when my boda-boda driver started insisting we leave. There was a serious storm approaching and if we didn’t leave ahead of it, we might not have been able to leave at all that evening. I was still chewing on goat’s meat when I was whisked away but I made it home before the first rain drop fell on me.
Current project
My last visit to the village resulted in getting caught in one of these storms on our way back to town. This was not a pleasant ride at all! It was very heavy rain with lightning and thunder the whole trip back. The road turned into a rushing stream..I think this is what’s called flash flooding… and it became very slippery. I am so fortunate to have an excellent boda driver as he did get me home safely, albeit soaking wet. The next time he looks at the sky and says it’s time to leave, he won’t have to tell me twice.
I have recently been talking with the headmaster of the primary school in Te-got about using the school library, at least on Saturdays, for the ladies quilting project. This would be an ideal room as it’s big and with lots of natural light. It also has a blackboard which will be helpful when I
School library
start to teach the women how to cut material for their projects. We may even be able to use the library on Wednesdays also. If not, I think I’ll need to look into purchasing a tent.
I already have had one table made and placed in the library and would like to have at least one more along with bench seats. In February I had contracted with a carpenter to have a table with two benches made and was arranging to have these moved to the village once they were completed. Unfortunately, I had to leave quickly for the States and never got to see the furniture before it was delivered. Well, the table came out very nice and I’m happy with it but the benches definitely were not what I had ordered…or paid for and I am now waiting for the carpenter to correct his mistake. Since I would like a duplicate table and benches made he would be smart to do so.
School library
In exchange for the use of the library I would like to be in the library one day a week to tutor.
I think this room has great potential for both tutoring and for the women’s project but it does need some work. Right now the library/school has more books and curriculum than it does bookcases so what I would like to see is for one of the walls, the back wall of the room, to have built-in bookshelves with maybe some storage space under the shelves. In having all the books, curriculum and musical instruments stored in one area this would open up the library, providing more organization and giving more room for the ladies group. I’m sure I could squeeze out some of the storage area for my sewing supplies too so I wouldn’t have to transport so much with each trip.
I thank each of you who are praying for me and ask that you continue to pray for this project, that the women will soon see the financial rewards of their hard work. I also ask for prayer for myself as I feel I’m under a spiritual attack and have been battling feelings of discouragement. I know though that if I fight this battle in the name of Jesus, I will win. Ephesians 6:10 – 17
Leave a Reply