Sole Hope in Uganda

March 5
We are in Uganda! The warm welcome that has greeted us with is one that has changed my heart... A love that I thought could never exist. Our hosts (George, Christie, Zziwa, Moses, and Brian) have opened their home to us as if we were family.
I look forward to getting to know all of the children and villagers. Much to do today to prepare for teaching our new community how to make shoes. May God be with us as we venture into the city of Kampala to look for supplies.

Evening
Purchasing the sewing machines and materials today for our shoemaking in Uganda was not just another trip to Wal-Mart. It was quite scary to leave the safety of the public streets and walk into a market that felt more like a slum where people earned "turf" or the right to set up a small mat on a one lane alley and sell goods. It was total chaos. As you walked through the market, you were always brushing shoulders with someone. This very small street was bordered by 2 and 3 story buildings which accommodated many vendors who needed a permanent place to run their businesses. As we turned into one of these dark buildings, and raced upstairs, I saw nothing but the red shirt of my African friend in front of me. I only looked up when he finally stopped us in front of a table that held 15 or 20 sewing machines.  Hugh and I only felt safe with the knowing that our African friends who had dealt in this market many times before were with us... Always one in back of us and one in front. We were safe. I believe that.

I won't go into details about the negotiations. George and Paul handled that for us. We had only the money that was on us. Our friends knew our limits. And we were able to purchase two industrial machines for what we feel was a great price... All things considered. Our quest for machines and materials took the entire day (Saturday) which was not something we anticipated. Our dealings in the market were an adventure I will not soon forget.

Thankfully, we were able to get the machines and their tables back to our village safely. During negotiations George arranged for a technician to come out to our village tomorrow to build the tables, install the machines and motors and then calibrate the machines. Once the machines are built, they cannot be easily moved. If moved, they may need to be recalibrated. Let's hope they will work in the place we have selected.

Time to rest. You are all loved deeply.
Patrick