Back in the States

My apologies for leaving everyone hanging. I have arrived safely home after a very successful trip. The last few days I was disconnected from the internet, as I had left the wireless modem with the people in Ddwaniro and then I was thrown headlong back into other responsibilities once I got back home. So here's the final recap:

I spent my last few days in Uganda meeting with Paul Seruwagi, our Uganda Country Director. We reviewed all the meeting notes from my time with the sub-committees and made a final prioritized list of all the projects that were suggested. My assignment was to return home and do a final write-up and proposal for our board of directors and our donors. It's exciting to see the road map for the next several years. We've had drafts of project proposals and development plans in the past, but they lacked strategic vision or a framework for sustainability. I think now, we have a better, more coordinated plan for all the projects. For example, a vehicle was proposed separately by several of the committees. We can now see how one vehicle could be shared by all committees, being managed by the GOC Development Initiative, and used to generate income as a taxi to at least pay for its own maintenance. I've been chipping away at this project list and will present it to Paul and the board shortly.

Concerning land and water, we left with those projects in motion but with much yet to be done. It will be a great test of the growing administrative capacity of the people on the ground to keep the projects moving. They will need to gather the information, coordinate the community, make deals--all without the mzungus (white folk). This is something they are fully capable of and I'm excited to see their progress. Of course, it's OJM's job to be a helpful, supportive partner and to nudge them forward. As we left it, the new well was being pumped so that the direction of the water source could be determined. We are also waiting on the results of the water testing. Also, the bore hole we fixed in the village was still operating and being used regularly when we left.

Concerning land acquisition, GCCDI has determined that more land is needed for expansion and for projects like the demonstration farm which will help sustain the school. They had identified land and given us an initial price, which seemed high. Thankfully, Paul knows everyone in Kampala and his Aunt is the Land Manager for the government. She graciously met with us and gave us great advice on how to proceed with the price negotiations and explained the legal process to us. It gave us a much better understanding of the whole process. GCCDI now knows the information they must collect to move forward and we're confident we can acquire land at a much more reasonable price.

I was sad to leave my friends, but I was glad to return home and see my family. We have much to do here in the States and I'm excited to get moving. OJM has a bright future. We are only a small part of this greater work of God and of the development community, but this trip reminded me that we can succeed. Children in Ddwaniro can have a hope and a future in Christ's name. All it takes is the Body of Christ working together under the leadership and direction of the Holy Spirit, being wise and putting their shoulder to the plow.