my cup runneth over....

Wow...what a whirlwind of days and hours and I'm not even done yet.

Let's see...

-We now have 16 sponsored children!!! And hopefully more to come! (p.s. that means that we've almost doubled the number of children that were sponsored when I first got here)

-20 women in Bulumagi now have their first microfinance loan and in the month that I've been here they have significantly increased their profits.

-We have been giving out our clothes over the past few days and are kids are rocking some T-shirts with some of my favorite places and things. They get so excited that they just wear it over their uniform. Can't wait to show you pictures!

-Groundbreaking on "Sue Block" has begun and 4 new permanent classrooms will go up in the next two weeks.

-The clinic is completely stocked and the room is almost finished.

-Enoch is scheduled to see a Dr. during holiday to have hernia surgery (He has suffered a hernia from the strain that is placed on his little body by pushing Paul in the wheelchair and carrying him where he needs to go. And he never complains). We are working on funding to pay for his surgery.

-Impetigo has seen it's last at Hopeland Jr. School. HA! Outbreak is over and all our students are improving. Jiggers have also seen an end. If you don't know what a Jigger is...it's pretty gross. It's a bug that lodges into your feet, sets up it's home and lays eggs. Yeah, I told you it was gross. But we've sprayed the grounds, removed the little parasites, and treated the wounds. (Interesting Note: you treat the wounds with Methylated Spirits...also used as lighter fluid around here)

-School fees will be paid for all students thanks to several combined donations. No one goes home. No one goes hungry.

-Enoch and Paul have shoes.=) Paul and I wear the same size and he's sporting my TOMS now. Sweet.

-And the best news of all....Today I went to visit the Cherub Center in Mukono. Cherub performs surgeries on disabled children for free. I showed the nurse some pictures of Paul and referenced his case with other cases they have helped. Next Thursday he is going for a consultation with the Doctor!!!! There are certain that they can improve his condition at the very least and we have great hope that he may even be able to stand and walk! I weep every time I think about it. I met a lot of the patients today and spent some time talking with them. They have worked miracles at Cherub and I hope that can do the same for Paul. I wish I could be here for his consultation, but hopefully I will be able to come back for his surgery which will be during one of the school holidays if he proves to be a good candidate. Please pray for Paul. We haven't told him yet. We will tell his Grandmother tomorrow.

Thank you for all of your messages to Paul. I have told him and he thanks you too. As does his family.

I cannot describe the joy that I am feeling right now with everything that has happened and especially such great news about Paul...it's only balanced by the urgency of the tasks I have left for me here in the next 48 hours.

Here is my list for tomorrow:
-Take pictures of the rest of the students so that I can update the YOFAFO website through this blog to help with child sponsorship
-Paint the clinic
-Assign current sponsors
-Finish the medical handbook for future volunteers
-Cry...a lot...when I have to leave the kids.
-Take lots of pictures.
-Pack. Yeah, that would be good.
-Then head to Mukono for my last night with all the volunteers.

I will update you of what joy God brings me tomorrow soon.

nkwagala nyo,
kisa