YWAM Arua 2012 signed Discipleship Training School (DTS) starts. Katie, Hellen & Jonathan help with planning/signing

Mission update Feb 2011

Milestones in December and January

Taste and see that the Lord is good’ Ps 34:8  

• Key findings from Educational tour of deaf units in South Uganda
• Arua deaf use their acting/IT skills to produce a new USL resource.
• Former Deaf DTS student Sam gains employment as a carpenter.
• Deaf driver training course pilot
• Innovative 2011 deaf church programme co-planned
• Mixed hearing-deaf holiday club builds scriptural understanding; friendship & leads to deaf education partnership.
• Village Outreach: Paranga, Maracha

Arua deaf use their acting and IT skills to produce a a new USL resource.

The video-drama of the story of the birth of John the Baptist was originally performed by Arua deaf to sensitize members in Vurra sub-county to the needs and abilities of those with disabilties. Raphael,(centre), worked alongside me to learn the basics of video-editing/subtitling so we could later use the video in the joint hearing-deaf Christmas Service. It was well received.

Former deaf DTS student, Sam, gains employment as carpenter

We recommended Sam,(4th from left above), because his honest, thorough and hardworking character has impressed many.


He is pictured alongside Samuel, (3rd from left above), owner of the carpentry business and a fellow deaf connections partner

Mixed hearing-deaf holiday club, King’s Kids, builds scriptural understanding, friendship & leads to deaf education partnership.

Kings kids 17th– 21Jan 2011 Psalm34:8 ‘Taste and see that the Lord is good’


It was an absolute blessing to coordinate this new venture in Arua with a strong core of 4 staff and an additional 6 support staff 3 of whom were deaf. The enterprising support was just right.

In total we had 26 kids and 5 of them were deaf or hard of hearing. The aim of the week was to explore what it really means to be a Christian by doing lots of practical team building activities including our own special pilgrimage hike. Netty Hayes of All Saints Infant School Bedworth blessed events not only with her tremendous administrative support but with the wonderful parachute games which became a daily highlight. “What’s next?” Was the final request of kids/parents alike

At the end of the week we donated the parachute to the Eruba School Deaf Unit.


The Headteacher Sebastian was thrilled.

Laurence's news

Nothing amazing happened this month, but my dad and I had a meeting with the municipal engineer of Arua, about the plans to build a new market. The plans are colossal, it will cost two and a half million dollars. Vendors will have refrigeration and there will be toilets as we know them - conference facilities, banks ,etc. spread over 3 stories. A mighty leap in development!


Apart from that, my biggest pigeon was eaten by ants but eggs are being laid regularly.

Sudan is basically split now, but Egypt's on the brink of civil war. Uganda's elections are drawing close. Hope they go smoothly, and fairly.

Candidates have been in Arua recently campaigning.

Arua Mayor’s inclusive Fun-run brings fresh perceptions and ideas to Arua Town’s community

Local deaf /deaf advocates joined YWAM staff/students, local runners, many other development workers and council staff in Arua Mayor’s 1st Fun-run recently. They made up about 25% of the 40 + participants.

Mayor, Charles Asiki, warmly welcomed them. Partially deaf-blind pastor Alan Aviah also took part.

The local deaf /deaf advocates fitness impressed many, all finishing in the top half. Deaf DTS student, Sam (021) finished third, Jerome 4th.

August 2010 Mission Update

In full swing again!
• Settling back into Arua life ourselves.
• Staffing YWAM ARUA’s Discipleship Training School; 4 of 16 students are local deaf. (photos)

• Our base team experienced a major break-in and learnt some painful lessons from it.
• Job offer for Agnes, a skilled deaf lady.

• Review/draft preview of our programmes.
• Signs and Wonders
• Jerome returns with his friend, Mitch.

This Month’s Focus:
• Helping our base implement the lessons learnt from the major break-in. Please pray the money stolen (for extending sister base YWAM Yei’sschool buildings) & thief/thieves is/are found.
• Co-documenting and developing more biblical vocabulary in Ugandan Sign Language with Pastor Fred from Kampala Deaf Bible school
- Learning from each other’s deaf training programmes to further improve them.
• Clarifying our programme up until April 2011 when we return for the children’s next exams .

We have been thrust back in to base and Arua life ourselves.

Staffing our base’s Discipleship Training School (DTS) has been intensive but good. Four of the 16 students are local deaf. Concerns amongst both hearing and deaf about language barriers have been largely overcome. The atmosphere is now really inclusive.

All the student outreach teams are mixed deaf/hearing and thriving. They have been invited to the local hospital, prison, Eruba primary school and a Muslim secondary school.

Most of the DTS staff are shown above.

Thankfully Laurence’s arm has healed. H.

Job Offer for Agnes, an unemployed deaf tailoress!

Graham Dunn, brother of Helen, also has a heart for Uganda –focussing on challenging their business community to gain the trust of investors by operating their businesses more on biblical principles, and to compete on quality.

Whilst staying with us in Arua, Graham asked us to invite some deaf we thought would benefit from his two day seminar. Janet, bottom right photo, 2ndfrom left and Agnes, far right were invited because they both have vocational skills. Helen provided communication support.

During the seminar, local business woman, Eileen, bottom right, took up his invitation to consider employing deaf who have the skills they need. At Eileen and Agnes’ request we have provided some sign-language sheets to accelerate communication between them.

June/July 2010 Mission Update

An Eventful Couple of Months:
• Aliocesign-language workshops celebration.
• Review/draft preview of our programmes.
• Vuvuzelas: RNID calls for FIFA to provide free earplugs and monitor World Cup sound levels
• YWAM’s 50thBirthday celebrations.
• Briefly seeing UK friends and family. Others are visiting us.
• Recovering from a broken arm for Laurence and an amoeba for Adam .
• Partners support enabling us to book our 2010/11 return flights to Uganda
• Pastor Fred from Kampala Deaf Bible school has asked for my support to document biblical vocabulary in Ugandan Sign Language.

This Month’s Focus:
• Settling back in to base and Arualife ourselves
• Staffing YWAM ARUA’s DTS, our base’s Discipleship Training School. Four of the 16 students are local deaf.
• Clarifying our programme up until April 2011 when we return for the children’s next exams .

Celebration at the end of the Alioce workshops

Local partners, AliocePastor –Rev Solomon, Arua Association of the Deaf chairman -Godfrey Aguta, St Phillip’s Deaf church pastor –Allan Aviah, Peace Café IT manager -Bosco, and Head of ErubaDeaf Unit, Feta were involved throughout.

Illustrated USL booklets and a wall-board display were presented to the Alioce deaf and their community.

Thanks were expressed by all present to our UK partners too..

Review/draft preview of our various Deaf Connections programmes

THE NEED: Isolated deaf people in NW Uganda need tools to communicate, learn, earn and participate

OUR VISION: to bring isolated deaf people to see themselves as God's workmanship, beloved children and co-workers

OUR GOALS: Deaf people, formerly isolated who:·

• are safer, healthier, enjoy life more and achieve more.·
• participate more fully in their family and community·
• are able to spread hope themselves to others.

PROGRAMME: Sign-language workshops for 30+ isolated village deaf & a hearing relative/friend 20+hearing teachers/advocates of deaf/hearing students
Partners: St. Phillips Deaf ChurchArua District Deaf Association (ADAD) Eruba Primary School
Next steps: 5-day workshop for 25 deaf in Maracha

PROGRAMME: Development of 200 Illustrated Ugandan signsfor everyday use and specialist use, e.g.building vocabulary Donated Ugandan Sign-language books in daily use
Partners: Deaf adults(4) using new IT skills, Peace Internet Café, Arua Town Library
Next steps: Specialist signs for driving instructors /pupils, nurses, police, deaf bible students

PROGRAMME: Sports coaching and team-building sessions(10+) for 40 deaf and 40 hearing students at Eruba Primary
Partners: Eruba Primary, ADAD
Next steps: Competitive matches

PROGRAMME: Sourcing Vocational training opportunitiesfor deaf adults: Basic IT(4),building course(2) and driving course(1)
Partners: JBI Computers, Arua; West Nile Voc.Trg. Inst.
Next steps: Deaf driver training

PROGRAMME: Character building and Leadership training Using Biblical Drama Workshops
Partners: St. Phillips Deaf Church, ADAD, YWAM
Next steps: Ugandan Sign-song workshops

PROGRAMME: Documenting local deaf adults life stories/ hopes(x8)
Partners: ADAD
Next steps: To be continued

We hope you are encouraged. Prioritising our next steps is happening now...

May 2010 mission update

Good news...
• Alioce sign-language workshop attendance averages 50+. YWAM Aruasupports workshops providing base truck. Fellow staff also join.
• Passion of the Christ film watched by over 20 local deaf. We discussed their many questions the following day.
• AruaTown Library staff comment on how Ugandan Sign-language books are in daily use.
• ErubaFootball and volleyball squads are looking forward to matches against other local schools
• UK Friends and family letting us stay with them.

This Month’s Focus...
• Evaluation of Alioce Sign-language Workshops
• Helping to make our base’s next discipleship training school accessible and affordable for local deaf.
• Helping Maria, Jerome and Laurence prepare for their exams and settle in with their hosts
• Meeting family , friends and partners in the UK to exchange news and recharge ourselves.
• Organising our 2010/11 flights to Uganda

Upside down: Third Alioce sign-language workshop

I worked with a lovely young boy who had walked 2 miles to the session and he was alone because his mum was nursing. He like so many was a quick learner.

Then I was interrupted by a rather anxious Revd. Solomon who thrust the hand of a profoundly deaf and blind timid boy into mine. His head was bowed and he clearly felt very awkward. His mother trailed behind. She also had a hesitant air about her.

Suddenly I was out of my depth. I could see no way forward on my own with this pair. In a panic I turned to Revd Allen for a solution. He was teaching a deaf adult but I interrupted and he just signed…slowly, slowly, slowly. I relayed the sign back and received a knowing smile and nod.

Half an hour later the boy was accepting hand contact to his palms, hands and face and then I glimpsed him doing the sign for fish. I am still amazed and encouraged by his progress and that mum was getting involved.

Our visits to Alioce(pronounced Alioche), are something that I half dread doing but afterwards feel a great sense of purpose in what I have done. Today was no exception. Maria joined us today. As the 30 local deaf arrived from all directions with a family member over the first hour, the signing deaf youth from St Phillips then paired off with them and started teaching them.

Two deaf youth have even asked for copies of the sign sheets to share with their families.

AruaTown Library Sign-language books are in daily use.

When I called in today to see how much the sign-language books were being used the two guys staffing chuckled and answered "daily!".

They then pointed me to one deaf youth, Adam, (below) engrossed in one of the books. He was so grateful. His signing was clearer than a week ago! Amazing.

Passing children taught by local deaf, as they crowd around sign display (picture)

Then, as the staff helped me complete a window display, some passing school children rushed over to examine them. They enjoyed trying the signs and initial shyness quickly gave way to trying something new.

On what must have been a divine cue, Adam and another deaf adult, ,(right) appeared from no-where to give a fluent sign demonstration that transfixed the children. I have replayed that special moment in my mind many times.

We have now enabled Adam to learn to build two afternoons a week.

Come, visit us and see for yourself!

Good things are happening with the deaf here in Arua!

Today as Adam drove off with 24 deaf or hard of hearing and one hearing person on technical support I was praying not only for his and their protection in the laden truck but also for God to continue to inspire, guide and provide for all our partners and our work with the isolated deaf.




Over the past few months we have been encouraged as the numbers at St Philips Deaf church have increased. Pastor Alan (partially deaf and blind) has repeatedly encouraged us and thanked us in our ministry under him. Indeed Alan was on the back of the truck as they left for the village earlier.

What particularly delighted me was the increased sense of purpose amongst the deaf, especially the young deaf at church. They were and are all so keen to get involved.
God is transforming lives and we want to support this. Today an additional 2 Muslims, with whom we have become good friends, were wanting to join the group. Happy Easter

This Easter Saturday, we are showing ‘The Passion of the Christ’ here at the YWAM base. My concern is that there will be too many for us to accomm-odate. God knows and he will show us what to do. Jesus’ passion continues to brings us new life & fresh hope. H


Last week was the first of seven visits planned to the Aliochi village. All 27 deaf villagers arrived each with a hearing family member or close friend. They were then introduced to the deaf team and split into small groups for basic introductions and later for basic sign teaching. Many of the deaf were so very shy and timid, many cried and one boy just curled up on the floor shaking.

Adam explained that this was because many of the deaf had never met other deaf people before and so they were dealing with a whole host of emotions on this first meeting. I am pleased to say that at the end of the first session everyone was more relaxed and there were many happy faces.

At the end of the session each deaf person left reassured in the knowledge that they had someone, a hearing friend or relative, with whom they could practice signs for the following week.

February 2010 update

Update Nov. 2009: Family news, Setting-up home / home-schooling, Meeting Arua’s deaf again, Getting to know the YWAM Arua team.

Family news
Laurence: Hi everyone. Hope you’re all enjoying England. Uganda is okay. We’ve got a dog called Snowy, but she’s kind of small, which isn’t great as she’s supposed to be a guard dog. We won’t have her for long though as we will be giving her to our watchman called Nixon and getting one or two tiny Alsatian crossbreed puppies from next door. They are extremely cute at the min and can fit in one of my hands. (I’ll try to get photo’s on facebook within a few days).
When they grow they will be really good guard dogs as their dad is a mahoosive German Sheppard. Maria and Jerome have agreed on names - if we get two they can call them beauty and beast; but if we get one I get to call it Diesel. Okay, that’s about it on dog news goodbye.

Jerome: Hello people reading. I hope the weather in England isn’t too cold- here we are entering the dry season. I’m settling in and my room is starting to look a bit more homely. I have finally got some curtains.
I have been involved in the garden since we arrived and all our seeds have now germinated. We have a range of veg. and fruit, from small strawberries to rhubarb. We also have cucumber, watermelon, pineapple, sweet corn, mango tree, onions, tomatoes, roma beans, basil, broccoli, cherry tomatoes and passion fruit.

We will buy a few chickens soon and some new dogs which my brother mentioned. We have bought a bike which isn’t entirely reliable but I have got around ok on it with Laurence on the back. We found a tennis court in Arua but at present I can’t get in touch with the coach. The diet is ok as my mum is supplementing it quite a bit. We have also finally got solar! So I think that’s all. Bye!

Maria-Well…I’ve been kinda chuckin myself into things. I’ve gone along to the Ugandan sign language classes with mum and dad and have been to the deaf school. Learnt how to make chapatti and can now make them perfectly circular – oh yeah get me. Have been pleasantly surprised to find out that I am now an ‘Auntie’ to a load of Ugandan kids! The puppies are totally gorgeous, it’s really cool to see them cos we wouldn’t have gotten the chance to play with them back in England. There are 7 of them and I wish we could have them all!

My bedroom is cool. Not only do I have the best bedroom in the house, but I have a double bed, nice wardrobe, desk and a light that works! I SOO gotta better deal than the boys! Ha :P

Have made some friends and found a nice café in town and a place for picnics.
Weather is amazing, sun and blue skies most of the time and its warm enough for skirts n tees. I’m getting used to the skirts, they aren’t so bad if you wear shorts underneath lol :PMiss u, hope u don’t die of the cold :P Maria x


Setting-up home / home-schooling
In addition to ordering furniture from a local carpenter and buying utensils for the house and garden, locals Kevin and Nixon (see above) are working for us, assisting with domestic chores whilst we home-school, and with security of the compound at night. We use some of the local meal recipes but supplement it with imported food from the supermarket where the taste difference is too big a battle!

For the last month we have managed without light or power and intermittent water. Its pitch black from 7pm till 6am. But while I’ve always liked kerosene lamps six weeks nightly use was enough! Then, last friday THERE WAS LIGHT! This has made recharging the laptops for home-school and emailing much easier. Then, this week, guttering was fitted for water harvesting as the town supply will be even more intermittent in the dry season.


Meeting Arua’s deaf again
We are attending twice-weekly sign-language classes to improve our Ugandan Sign-language fluency. Lessons are free and they are hosted at Arua’s Disability Centre. This is fine for those living within walking/ commuting distance (4 mile radius) but this centre serves the whole region so sign classes are not accessible to most people.
We have made some good friendships in the local deaf community.

Temia, one of the young ladies that we helped attend the deaf conference in Kampala, has become my Ugandan sign language trainer. She’s great fun and has a rhythmic way in which she moves and signs. It’s almost as if she is constantly dancing.
At 7.00am last Sunday we joined our deaf and partially sighted Pastor Allan and a small team on outreach to a local village, Alioce. The pastor of Alioce church had a partially hearing and fully deaf child. It was both a challenging and rewarding day. Allan preached in sign to two intrigued congregations. The incidence of deafness is high and people are keen to receive guidance and support. After the service we met many deaf people and their families.

A number of other deaf had not come to the church service because of personal beliefs and other reasons so I suggested that we go and meet the deaf. It was a long afternoon! We ended the afternoon in an Elders house because he had adopted his orphaned niece who was one of the people we wanted to find. We chatted about educational, vocational, and social opportunities for the deaf of this large parish and agreed another meeting was needed, before leaving. Helen

I recently re-visited the local Deaf Unit to handover a volleyball net funded by partners back home. The deaf students and staff gave a really warm welcome and then enthusiastically helped their head-teacher and I mark out a court on which they can train and eventually compete. Helen, Maria and I have been again since, scoring or umpiring bench/ volley ball as needed. Good fun. Adam


Getting to know the YWAM ARUA team.
We are gradually getting to know the YWAM team here. There are about 20 adult staff here, half with families generally younger than our own. There are also about 10 single staff, mostly in their late teens/early 20’s whom Maria and Jerome are enjoying getting to know too.

Staff are mainly from Uganda, with some from Sudan, DR Congoand Ruanda too. All have some fascinating and challenging stories. We and the base co-leader, John, are from the UK whilst his wife is American. Sharon, another base co-founder is from Australia.

Staff meet altogether at the beginning and end of each week to bring our focus back to our Maker, to learn more about Him and exchange insights, developments and challenges we are experiencing and pray about them.

Between us we are supporting the base catering and maintenance needs one afternoon each/week, and have started a base kids club on a third. (Picured)


Several staff are taking more of an interest in sign-language, having known deaf people in the villages they grew up in, but being unaware of sign-langage until recently.

Numerous local staff are employed to slash the base (no mechanical mowing here) and to build, plumb and wire up more accomodation for staff, students and vocational trainees. Watchmen and the base guard dogs maintain security.

We are thankful for:

Wisdom:
- unity of mind/spirit in our family as we plan home-schooling (h/s)
- offers of additional h/s resources
Friendship:
- opportunities for us all to exchange blessings, insights and challenges our Maker is taking us through, with other development workers and their families
Health/Travel Protection:
-Laurence’s speedier recovery from a second bout of malaria thanks to more specialised advice.
Finance Received:
- for a motorbike for cheap/quick travel

A Vocational Training Opportunity:
- emerging for a deaf unemployed youth
Local Passion:
from the leadership of St. Phillips Deaf church to develop more creative and interactive services

If you plan to financially support our vision please get in touch now. We can help you set it up. Thanks. A&H

Entebbe to YWAM ARUA 2009

Was an eventful trip beginning in narrowly escaping a riot in Kampala which began just as we returned to our car from a bureau de change (£1= 3000 Ugandan Shillings (UgSh).

The riot appears to be a tribal dispute over some land, which led to several deaths and considerable shop looting in and around Kampala. We got out just ahead of an approaching mob thanks to our quick-witted YWAM Arua base driver, Yolam, who had come down to collect us and our belongings.



We ran over a huge rat in the dark, upcountry, before arriving about 36 hours after taking off from Birmingham airport.

























Our good friends and co-founders, Sam & Agnes Abuku gave us a lovely welcome and have let us stay with them for the next fortnight until the house we are renting is complete and furnished with essentials.

FAMILY NEWS
The night after we arrived the base staff and their families made a welcome cake for us and gave thanks for our safe arrival, willingness to join them and prayed that we would each settle quickly into family life, base life and our mission there .







Yesterday I reacquainted myself with one of many kinds of frequent visitors to rooms we’ve stayed in in E Africa…









Maria has been taking an interest in learning the guitar from someone on the base. We also celebrated Jerome’s birthday with a visit to the only swimming pool we know of in the region - at a hotel, followed by some more familiar food and a very heavy downpour. At Jerome’s request we are going to buy him some chickens to keep for his birthday.

Laurence and I now hold Ugandan green chillies in great respect! My consolation for a fiery mouth was watching Laurence’s expression change when he tried them for himself, having just accused me of over-reacting!


Laurence has been ill with malaria and needed a drip for 24hours because he was too weak to eat. Thankfully he is making a speedy recovery and is eating normally again. Getting him up early, is still difficult however!!



We are currently juggling home-schooling, and Helen is liasing with the builders completing our home and a carpenter who is making some beds and shelving units. Setting up our internet connection has also taken a week. Hence updating our blog has not been possible till now.




Our appreciation of clean water on tap, hygienic waste disposal and electricity (in town only) have increased again here as all three are very intermittent here.
Supply cuts extend the time needed to do the most basic of tasks, clarify priorities pretty quickly and limit the amount of refrigerated goods shops will stock. No-one here has electricity. A few on the outskirts have solar. We are considering investing too but now manage with oil-lanterns and a torch. till mosquitoes or tiredness force us to retreat behind our bed-nets.