Amuria

Amuria is a north eastern district of Uganda in the Teso Region. the area has suffered many hardships in recent years with much of the population being displaced by LRA aggression which was exacerbated by Karimojong raiding and the impact of the severe flooding in 2007. Many of the people of this area are barely returning to their homes to begin again to work their farms and find a way of making a living for their families.

It is a beautiful farming community with a variety of crops: Cassava, Sweet potatoes, Groundnuts, Sorghum, Millet, Peas, Simsim, Cotton, Sunflower, Rice, Maize, Beans, Soybeans, and oranges .

Along with the farming of crops there is the raising of cattle and goats. Seems prosperous enough but today they are struggling with a severe drought which the government now predicts will turn into a famine in a few months. Hard to believe since just south of Amuria is the wetlands where there is water in abundance.

Life is difficult - poverty is common. Seems like they just can't get a leg up before something else hits them to push them down.

Back in January we received a request from Minister Ecweru, Minister of Emergency, Disaster Relief and Refugees, to have a water project in Amuria. Easy enough request but a hard project to get organized and started as the area is very remote and

many of the roads are not roads but trails making it difficult to work in the areas. Homes are very spartan in that as soon as you leave the town proper everyone lives in a mud hut with a thatched roof.

Interesting sites with in the city limits - a view of a bygone street light and yes that is a little tiny light bulb dangling from the fixture.

A school bus loaded with children, Actually we have seen 50 children in the back of a truck just standing and hanging on to the sides so this bus at least has seats.

It is not unusual to see goats sitting in the median of main street or cows walking down the middle of the road downtown. (Whose cows are they anyway?)

Taxis in this area are a bit different also, after all we are out in the country.

Some taxis are more familiar looking but in Amuria they are always loaded and you never know what you will see riding on top, a goat, chickens.

Now you have a picture of Amuria. A little bit of contemporary but a whole lot of country.

Seems Amuria does things a little bit different on these water projects and instead of getting right down to business you have to have a FLAG OFF to get the project started. (Flag off? What is that?)

We printed a banner as requested and headed to the Flag Off celebration. But since the ceremony was suppose to start at 10:00 AM we decided to visit a few of the schools we are going to be working on.

Old latrines will be replaced with new latrines along with each of the 15 schools getting a rainwater catchment system.

As a mission farewell gesture we have decided to give each school a tree to commemorate the project. We planted a Mango tree at two schools this trip 

Senior girl Perfect (note the headband Ryan which we gave her for helping us plant the tree.)

and gave a soccer ball (oops, football) to the school just for fun since most children play with a ball made of plastic bags and string.

At the second school we visited we found all the girls crocheting.

With a safety pin! Who would have thought. They were quite adept at it too. They were using a very stiff thread and it made a very tight stitch but very pretty how they were doing the color weave.

Bright eyes full of hope and joy. African children are good at finding ways to be happy and joyful.

Well, it was12:00 pm and we decided it must be time for the 10:00 am Flag Off (Ugandan time)..

As we drove into the clearing in the village there was the banner and several people peering through the brush. As soon as they saw us coming they started to dance and sing.

We got out of the car and they led us in with singing and dancing, yelling and warbling.and the waving of leaf bouquets, a sign of good fortune and celebration.

We sat under a very large old hardwood tree

while we listened to the music and singing of the local band. The music was very good especially considering it was made on local homemade instruments.

Harriet asked if she could translate the ceremony for me as it was in the local language. Nearly every village in this area of Uganda has their own language. Most people end us speaking about 5 languages in Uganda including English and Lugandan

The man who donated the land for this borehole welcomed us and thanked the church for giving his community water to relieve their suffering.

He was dressed in his best suit and danced for us in celebrating the beginning of the drilling

It wasn't long till Betty our community Hygiene/Sanitation trainer was so into the celebration that she pulled us up to dance with the group

Then everyone was up dancing and celebrating including all the district officers who had come to speak at the Flag Off.

Each song that was sung reinforced the joy of getting clean water, improving the sanitation of the community and helping families to be healthy and avoid disease.

Another song was sung by the village group

" One day God will ask what you have done.

We will all be judged by what we have given.

We pray to God to take care of all the people.

Who can save the world?

The one who can save the children,

Who can save the women,

Who can save the men.

Everyone has to be accountable for what they do while living."

The Deputy Commissioner of Amuria guaranteed that Amuria will own this project. He said that the district had 61% clean water coverage and 58% sanitation coverage. The church's water project would improve these statistics considerably with the wells, latrines, family latrine slabs and hygiene and sanitation training.

Ssimbwa (project monitor), Robert (Minister Ecweru's brother and our community liason), Francis Kalema (drilling company), Hannington Kihuntu (Latrine construction ) Betty (Hygiene/Sanitation Training)

Elder Barlow introduced the team to the community. He explained that this was the team that would be working in their community to make the project happen. It was important for each community to work with the team for a successful project.

Minster Ecweru's representative, Moses recognized Ssimbwa as a good liason for the church as he has worked to establish the borehole sites with the district. He stated that the gift from the church far exceeded what the district had budgeted for the year. He acknowledge the impact such a project will have on the health of families. He also explained the uniqueness of the project in providing things that the District had never included in their budget but would now like to make standard for projects in the District such as the girls washroom in the latrine and the clothes washing stations at the water sites. He stated that the community should appreciate the practicality of the project and the thought that went into the planning to make the most of the project.

The District chairman Alumee LC5 talked about the history of suffering in the area with the wars and unrest along with the fluctuating flooding and drought. Much of the population have recently returned to the area and have started to reestablish their homes. The need for clean water is great and the project is very timely. He directed the new Disitrict Team to take advantage of this opportunity and work to gether to deliver the proper services to the community such as roads, well staffed health centers and additional water resources.

He declared the drilling officially launched.

2011 District Budget

9 school latrines

9 boreholes

Church project

15 school latrines with hand washing stations

15 school rainwater catchment systems

600 family latrine slabs

10 new boreholes

10 refurbished boreholes

10 clothes washing stations

20 communities Hygiene/Sanitation Training

15 schools Hygiene/Sanitation Training

They turned on the drilling machine and immediately there was water (staged a little but still an impressive site.

We planted trees to commemorate the Flag off and to leave the community a symbol of the growing change coming to their community.

The owner of the property for this first well obviously was suffering from cataracts as was his wife.

We had with us some glasses (magnifiers) so we gave them each a pair with a high power. They were elated as was all those around them who cheered their good fortune.

Time to leave we had a long ride home, 6 hours to Kampala.

Three stops on the way home. Farrell had to gas up at the TOTAL Station for our long trek home.

I had to visit the Thursday market and buy some baskets I couldn't live without

Ssimbwa had to stop and buy some newly harvested rice to feed his school children.

A great trip to Amuria.

The water project has begun.

A Flag Off!

That was a first for us.

What a mess we made in Masaka

When we first came to Masaka Eddie, our water contractor, had arranged 3 hotels for us to look at for our accommodations. We only looked at one and Farrell said that we would just stay at the Golf Lane Hotel. It wasn't perfect and maybe not even the best one in Masaka but he was adamant that we stay there.

Akera George

On that first trip we met George who recognized our name tags as he had been getting the missionary lessons when he lived in Kampala. He asked us if we could send him those nice young men to teach him about the gospel like the ones that had taught him in Kampala. We told him there were no missionaries in Masaka but did he have a Book of Mormon? We gave him a Book of Mormon, a Joseph Smith pamphlet and a Plan of Salvation pamphlet and told him someday the missionaries would come.

The Masaka water project finished in 4 months and we held the Turnover Ceremony" for the water project. Because we had so many inquiries about the church during the project we had the missionaries come to the ceremony to to be available to explain to the people what the church was about. The four elders had a great time as they talked to many people, handing out 100 Book of Mormon and 100s of pamphlets. They stayed two days in Masaka teaching and sharing the gospel. .

The other day Pres. Jackson informed us he was extending Elder Davis' and Elder Deal's mission for 6 weeks so he could send them down to Masaka to clean up the mess we made. Seems that since the Elders attended the ceremony and gave out the Book of Mormon that they were now getting several calls a day to return and teach more about the church. Pres. Jackson had not intended to send missionaries to Masaka at this time but now it seemed he had no choice.

Elders planning their strategy for a 2 day blitz in Masaka

Rehashing our experience at the turnover ceremony. What went well? What could have been improved?.

Elder Davis and Elder Deal spent the last weeks of their extended mission working in Masaka to see if there was enough people interested to start a branch. Their very first contact was George head of security at the Golf Lane Hotel George had told us that he was a member of the church but upon more conversation we learned that while in Kampala he and his family investigated the church and were about to be baptized when he lost his job and he got another job only in Masaka as head of security at the hotel. He left his family in Kampala and went to work in Masaka, 2 1/2 hours away. He never forgot about the church and prayed that somehow he would have another chance to learn more.

After a very short time the Elders told us they had a baptism scheduled and wanted us to come to Masaka to witness the occasion. On January 30th Akera George was baptised by Elder Deal and was given the priesthood by Elder Barlow and ordained a Priest.

Elder Davis,Moreen, George, Elder Deal

What a choice experience this was for us. Also baptized was Tuhiriwe Moreen the Auditor from the hotel. Moreen took the lessons, never doubted and was ready for baptism. There are 15 more people in the missionaries teaching pool, many who want to be baptized but have not had the full teaching they need to make a commitment to baptism. One of these investigators is Santos. Note the shirt he is wearing is one of the Hygiene and Sanitation shirts given out to the trainers who helped in the water project. He is so excited about the church and wants to be baptized but everytime the missionaries would come to teach him he would have a group of people for them to teach and the missionaries have ended up teaching him the same lesson several times. He needs to have the full run of lessons so he can get baptised.

In attendance at the baptism were two great men, Matthew Kennedy and Kaden Tueller Comadena.

Bro. Kaden, Elder Barlow, Bro. Matthew, Elder Davis, Elder Deal, George, Santos, an Investigator

They are from Utah State University working in the Masaka area doing a micro finance project in a small village. They are returned missionaries and thought that the church was not available in Masaka but while having dinner one night they ran into Elder Davis and Elder Deal and learned of their new activities in the area. They started attending the Sunday group meeting trying to support the efforts being made. It was a great help to the Elders to have these two seasoned returned missionaries to help them in fellowshipping the investigators. At the first baptism in Masaka Kaden confirmed George and Matthew confirmed Moreen.

This was the last hurrah for Elder Davis and Elder Deal.

They went home last Tuesday and the small little group in Masaka was on it's own. Matthew and Kaden promised not to let the group stop meeting and were given permission to continue holding Sunday meeting and offering the Sacrament. They had George and Moreen to mentor and wanted to visit the investigators to make sure they didn't loose interest and would continue to come to Sunday Group Meeting.

Elder Davis

Elder Deal

When we went to the farewell dinner for Elder Davis and Elder Deal, Pres. Jackson asked Elder Barlow if he would be willing to be the group leader in Masaka and officiate over the Group Meeting every Sunday ubtill they was able to provide full time missionaries to the area. So for now we will spend our Sundays traveling to Masaka and Farrell will be the group leader. We will only be able to be there on Sundays as our humanitarian work will keep us busy during the week. Kaden and Matthew will continue to mentor the group.

Today was Sunday and we headed to Masaka. When we got to the hotel where the group meeting is held we found Matthew and George preparing the Sacrament and Kaden was arranging the agenda for the meeting. True to Uganda time we had just 5 people when we started the meeting but before long we had 21 in attendance.

Listening to George give the Sacrament prayer for the bread was an emotional experience. His voice was very clear and articulate with the sweetest spirit of supplication. It brought tears to our eyes. He bore his testimony today and told of when he came to Masaka, leaving his family in Kampala. He would spend every Sunday in his room at the hotel fasting and praying for the Lord to send him the gospel then one day he saw the Barlows with the familiar missionary tag and he felt his prayers were being answered. Now he is a member and he has the priesthood. Prayers truly are answered.

Matthew, Kaden, George and Elder Barlow

Elders in Kampala will be visiting and teaching George's family and another set of missionaries will be meeting with George's son in Gulu where he is going to school. George so wants to have all his family join the church. He wants all the blessings of membership including that eternal family that is promised if we do our part. George's prayers will continue in behalf of his family and we know that prayers are answered.

A few last memories on our Luputa trip

(Actually this is just things I need to put to writing - I don't want to forget them so read with that in mind or skip it if you have had too much Luputa news.)

You may want to scroll down to the CELEBRATION blog it is much more interesting.

Our fond farewell to Luputa was just "till we meet again."  We had said those farewells 2 years ago and thought that would be the end and here we were back celebrating so this time we just said, "Till we meet again."  who knows where or when that will be.



Before we left we visited the Luputa General Hospital.  We had done a large project there in 2009 and the hospital though not where it needs to be was better than it was.  We found the beds were still in tact but the vinyl mattresses were shredded due to the rough springs on the beds.  The ecography machine was not working due to the prob being cracked.  There was a new surgical building being built by another organization but they had no new equipment to put in it.  We hope that the next humanitarian couple that comes will think about how to help this hospital that is serving over 200,000 people as the only hospital in the area.

While we were touring Marie Josee showed up and invited us to visit her orphanage.  We hated to make this visit as it is always a tearjerker and there are so many needs at the orphanage.

When we arrived at the orphanage Marie put a baby into my arms and told us,

"Meet baby Barlow." 

They had named the baby after us as the baby came the same day as our last visit two years ago and we had given her a little money to buy vitamins and some food and so they named the baby, Barlow. 

The Christensens handed out baby clothes to the infants that they had brought from their home ward.  Marie said that they had many children who had been brought to her malnourished and many are so far into starvation that she has a very hard time nursing them back and often looses them before she can get any nutrition into them.   We asked her about Admet the supplement the church uses in areas where there is famine and she asked if we could get her any.  Sis. Christensen said she would work on sending her some when she got home to the states.  We wish there was more we could do to support her.

We left the orphanage feeling sick that in this world of ours there truly are children who are starving.  Most of these children are deep in the bush and when their parent dies they are on their own until someone finds them and gets them help.

On our trip back to Mbuji Mayi we rode with the Ericksons, Eustache and Daniel.  It was eventful as we got a flat tire in the middle of no where.  Our driver was prepared and we were back on the road in no time.

But first some photo ops

 Passing by - doesn't look like any one here went to school today.

 Some school uniforms but most look like they have been in the field working.

 Daniel wanted to try out the machete.  it was very sharp.

We could have taken the truck taxi to Mbuji Mayi,

or hitched a ride with someone going to town.

We also had to stop for Daniel to try pushing one of those heavy laden bikes up the hill.

Easy, no sweat! (ha)

 Good by beautiful country.

 Good by grass mud huts and beautiful villages without safe water.

Good by beautiful women of the Congo and your bright, colorful, beautiful dresses.

We left Luputa with a new bag full of memories to take with us.  The best was memories of old and new friends.

 Mimi and Wivine, the vendors near the apartment in Kinshasa

 Dr. Arthur Ngoy, the NRT champion saving thousands of babies.

Bishop Hoboko, our bishop when we were in the DRC.

 Eustache, a friend, a mentor, a son.

 The Nguwa family looking beautiful with Jean Pierre on the phone, always.

 The new Kinshasa - where is the traffic?  Where are the potholes?

Elder and Sis. Renlund, South East Africa Area Presidency

 Marie and Van Christensen, our predecessors in the DRC - kindred spirits.

 Owner of property at water site with Elder Erickson

 Pres. and Sis.Tshisangas, always got us through the Mbuji Mayi airport safe and sound. 

 Daniel DeAlmada, head of Temporal Affairs in Kinshasa - a new friend, great travel companion.

 Pres. and Sis. Packer, Lubumbashi, DR Congo Mission President

 Sis. Moody, never did get a pic with her and her husband.  They were too busy running the show and taking care of all of us.  They followed us into the mission as humanitarian country directors. 

Elder Moody

 The Chiefs - warmed our hearts to see those smiles

Elder Kola, Area Seventy and a spiritual giant

Elder Erickson, Public Relations for Africa So. East Area

(sans his hat)

Sis. Christensen, Public Relations for Africa South East Area

 Nestor - site monitor for the cassava project.

Domoinique Sowa, ADIR water contractor

Pres. Willy Binene, District Pres. Luputa District of the church

Missing Daniel Kasadi, site monitor of the water project - can;t find one picture of him.

Did I miss any one else?

SPECIAL ON THE CHIEFS

I just have to document the amazing outfits of the Chiefs that attended the celebration.

Note the bandelo which looks like it is made totally out of beads.

This headdress was very colorful.

Not sure what it said on it but if was beads with  real horns and some feathers.

He was a big chief of something but we didn't know him and we only saw him at the ceremony. 

Chief of one of the 4 villages - many times we have seen the chiefs wear this white long dress.  He is usually carrying a wand of sorts that has a goats tail on it that he waves or points with.

This hat shows the beautiful red feathers with sisal finials and beads as decorations. No horns on this one unless you call the nobs horns but note the sheep's wool and what looks like a tail on the back.

This chief was also wearing the long white dress.  It had a flower on the crown and a cross of beads in front.

 This piece included shells and many glass beads and unique carved beads and metal beads.  In some areas of Africa the metal beads are used like money. 

 Chief Benini was the most regal.  His headdress was covered in glass beads.   Two horns stick out either side of the hat, and point forward.  I read that these are in imitation of buffalo horns and refer to the chief's authority - the chief is expected to be strong and powerful.

 Again the beautiful red feathers and looping and chevron patterns of the beads.

 The skirt of his costume was Kuba clothes.  Kuba clothes are unique to the Congo and are used for many things such as ceremonial skirts, burial clothes and just for decoration.  There is a real history to the art of making Kuba Cloth that you may want to read about.  this Kuba cloth seemed to have all the many decorative elements of the cloth and was so very  beautiful.  Note the cane he carried (and used) with the snake wrapped around it and some carvings.

The jacket was a site to behold with thousands of beads and shells sewn in beautiful patterns.  Part of the jacket was two bandelos that crossed the chest.  It looked very heavy and was quite a creation.

We complemented the Chief on his beautiful outfit.  He said it was very old and had been worn by the Chiefs of his clan for many years. . .  his father, his grandfather, his great grandfather - he wasn't sure how many generations it went back.

 When Chief Benini walked in to the celebration we were all craning our necks trying to take in the magnificent site

Ah, these are some wonderful memories we will bank and pull out again and again to remember the wonderful people of the DRC.  It was an honor to be a part of this experience and to know that life in Luputa is better now.