Alcohol

So some fellow missionaries shared this video that gives a good look at the problem of alcoholism in Uganda. The language in the video isn't great but it is a pretty accurate portrayal of the issue.  My chief complaint about it is that he doesn't actually get very far out of the urban area. If he had he might have found that people use the booze as food instead of with food. And in Karamoja the kids are often fed the dredges of making the alcohol. I still recommend watching.

Video

The missionaries who posted this also discussed why chrisians don't drink at all here. Also worth the time. Their blog (also with the video)  here.

There, I said it.

God fixes thing right? I know He can. God intervenes in people's lives. He can. He has the power to do the miraculous. Sometimes He chooses to.  And it hurts so much when He chooses not to. I trust you Lord. You can fix and heal and mend and set right. But then you don't. And this erodes my hope and confidence. And it hurts. It becomes easier not to hope and just stop praying that He'll fix it.But then what?

Islands of Hope

Carrying clinic tables

Setting up. 

I spent the past three days on the islands in Lake Victoria helping another mission team with their medical outreaches. Here are just a few pictures. 

HIV testing

Several hour commute in this little boat on a very big lake. Notice the guy in the back right baling water....

More pictures

Drying fish

Earth has no sorrow that heaven can't heal

It's Sunday afternoon, trying to get ready for the coming week.... Truthfully, this past week wrung it out of me. Two miscarriages at the clinic due to malaria. Told two different ladies that they had cancer. Frustrated with the poor quality care at the hospital. Lots of home visits for the sick and in the village the hunger and food shortage is astounding. People are literally starving. Especially affected are the elderly and chronically ill. We visited an elderly couple who together might have tipped the scale at 100 pounds. We brought them rice and chicken broth and they literally licked the bowls. The rains should be started by now so there should at least be a few fresh things to eat and hope for the coming months but it is still stunningly hot and dry.

So, now just sitting quietly, asking for fresh joy for the week. I profess to having a hope that unbelievers don't have. So no matter how depressing, discouraging, frustrating or pointless the day feels I have something to share.

Found encouragement in this one tonight. Listen

Really, is that all?!

My eighth April in this country.....