March 2010 Mission Update

Good news:

• Illustrated sign-language resources we have developed lead to requests for us to run a training workshop at the National Deaf Assocn.
• More volleyball and football coaches at Eruba.
• Kampala’s Bible School have asked us to co-develop illustrated signs for biblical vocabulary.
• Helen’s parents visit with water filter for us. So appreciated. They join our deaf drama. Their experience of dressmaking /business is valued by all
• Unexpected visitors. Work permits gained


This Month's Focus:

• Preparations for Alioce sign-language workshop
• Completion of a sign display in AruaTown library.
• Mixed deaf/hearing Team-trials at Eruba
• Meet AruaDistrict officials re needs of deaf.
• Helen’s brief Uk visit finalising children’s exams.
• Learning more about current developments in Sudan/Uganda. Elections will soon be held here
• Maintaining family health as exams approach
• Fund-raising for our 2010/11 flights to Uganda

More demand for signing resources and training

Illustrated sign-language resources we have developed have led to requests for us to run a training workshop at the National Deaf Association.

With the help of Temia and Mauster from Arua’s Deaf Association, we have developed 40 illustrated signs for technical terms for Temia’s vocational training course in Building and Concrete.

Kampala’s Bible School for the Deaf has also asked us to co-develop illustrated signs for biblical vocabulary.

Volleyball and football coaching at Eruba

We are grateful for five more volunteers; Isaac, Jerome), Elly, Ben (YWAM) and Ayub (deaf youth) who also coach now.

The school has approx. 700 pupils of whom 40 are deaf. They are taught together in 10 classrooms. This has meant that the students need to be timetabled, to give access and interaction for all. Two staff play too.

Initially teams are to be based on age rather than by preferred first language (sign/spoken). Matches against other schools are planned for next month.

Unexpected visitors

William, our gardener dealt with several unexpected visits this month.

Whilst digging out some rubble in our compound he disturbed a metre-long venomous snake, which he had to quickly terminate as slid off at high speed.

Later that week he had to act as translator for Helen whilst I was out when a lady paralysed from the waist down called with a startling accusation. She believed I, Adam, who was out at the time she called, had knocked her to the ground with my motorbike a few weeks ago. When I eventually met her for the first time she realised she was completely mistaken and apologised!

Gard, the pastor from the village where we’d first seen isolated deaf in 2007, called by to thank us for the resources and training we’d provided and to ask us to run a sign-workshop for the many other deaf nearby. He has agreed to register them.

Maria's news March 2010

This month has been a lot of fun.

During this time my grandparents came to stay with us and which certainly made life a bit different! The local people think they are absolutely hilarious what with there northern, Yorkshire accents, strange phrases and quirky ways like grandad’s singing and dancing! I think it just confirms their beliefs that we British are crazy people! Oh well :P

Last weekend we took Grandma and Grandad to Murchison Falls Safari park. It was a short but enjoyable visit, (during which I got burnt and locked like a lobster-typical) and I think they really enjoyed the boat ride. Personally I think the best parts were sitting on the roof of the truck during the safari and coming up really close to a bull elephant (-although it was a bit nervy) and trying to get out of the park after heavy rain turned the tracks into mud slides!

I ‘ve always wanted to go off-roading and I think that I have now truly experienced it after we went into ditches, through massive potholes and slid everywhere…awesome

Shrove Tuesday there was a ladies night at a friends’ where we ate lots of nice food, icecream, pancakes, cake, cookies etc YUM. I tried to play a card game while we were there; previously thinking I was reasonably good, but it has become clear I am rather inferior to the other missionaries here!

I have enjoyed taking them both to the prison where I help lead a children’s bible story group and the children loved seeing them.Temia, the deaf girl who was sharing with me has now left to go to a Vocational Training School nearby to do a building course which is great for her.

Jerome’s News March 2010

February has been mostly spent with my Grandma n Granddad. We visited Murchison falls national park with them which was a nice break.

I have started to help my Dad with his Deaf ministry I’m coaching a group of deaf boys a bit younger than I. It’s a weekly thing and soon we will arrange a game against the hearing.

We have had a bit of variety during home schooling in Feb. Granddad taught me about a Unit trust and helped me with some of my business work. Grandma also taught us public speaking.

I have just made a pigeon box for two pairs which I will soon buy. The hens are multiplying my second lot chicks will be hatching within a week and I’m in the process of making a chicken business. At the moment I’m just raising the chicken population.

Laurence's news March 2010

This month my Grandad and Grandma came for 3 weeks which was nice, especially the gorgeous Spanish steakhouse meal on their arrival.

Grandma helped me develop my public speaking skills. In our fortnightly youth group we had to create a 30sec TV advert for a new brand called ‘UNITY’(see right). It was good fun.

I’ve just heard about the mudslide near Mount Elgon in E Uganda. Rains can be very destuctive here!

This month I bought a pair of pigeons from my friends friend. They cost the equivalent of £1 each. My male is called Bubba and my female isn't named.

Keeping pigeons is popular here especially in villages, sometimes as pets but mostly to eat. I plan to breed mine and if the population exceeds ten I will begin to eat them.

My male is the biggest in our area, and when ever other pigeons fly to our compound he challenges them and they fly away. By March the seventh there should be at least 2 eggs in there house because they have been bringing grass and sticks to make a nest which means there going to lay. They live in metal hoses hanging under an over hanging roof, this is a good location because it supplies wind and rain shield.

Baby pigeons look really weird, they have yellow hair a very long beak and purple bulging out eyes I’m looking forward to having some of my own!