Huge Thanks!

The final day in Uganda was a great celebration of all that we and the Mydel team have achieved.

I followed Matt and the rugby boys up to the dusty field and sat in awe as Mr Matt's Rugby Team began warming up, moving up and down the field in one line with huge smiles on their faces as they hopped, clapped and stretched together in perfect timing.

The other boys from the home, who had not been trained my Matt, decided that they knew enough through watching rugby to be able to play against Mr Matt's Rugby Team. They were dressed in black and green stripes whilst Mr Matt's Rugby Team (sorry, I quite like writing that, it amuses me!)  were kitted out in canary yellow. As soon as Matt blew his refs whistle to start, his team where positioned in their line and communicating amazingly well - 'left left left, right right right' as they side stepped in defence, shouting each other's name when they wanted the ball and passing very well to each other. I was amazed at how far they had come in so little time and was so happy so see how well they were working together as a team. I told Matt originally that the main purpose of teaching rugby to them was less about the physical and more about using rugby to teach team work, discipline and communication. This was exactly what they had learnt and therefore, not surprisingly, they stood out a mile from the other team, who didn't have a clue about the rules and squabbled far too much to be a valid team! Mr Matt's Rugby Team won the game and I was very proud of the boys and of Matt.

We then sped to the dance performance venue and started to set up for the afternoon fundraising performance. As I expected, it started on African time but gradually around 150 people gathered as an audience for the dancers and they performed extremely well. I felt a sense of relief as I looked around to see the place full of people smiling and clapping for the dancers, who cut their best shapes and danced their heart out. The dancers performed a dramatic dance to an Emmanuel Jail song called 'Shadow of Death', which was written by a child soldier in Sudan who then became a Christian. The dance left the audience with goosebumps because it was so touching. I was very proud of the dancers. They even dragged me up for an African group dance too - I will try and get some videos up for you this week! The show raised enough money to invest in another performance, which they are going to carry out at the end of August. I am hoping that with this capital and publicity, plus their developed dance routines and new traditional African drums, they will be able to sustain the dance crew themselves.

Video Links:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oLrkpDdGrXs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xx4xDuzwoc4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yib6I0DgB4Y

Pascal did a great job in inviting important people in the community to the performance and just at the end a man in a very snazzy suit walked in. I was told that he was the head of the district and wanted to see some of our dances so I organised the dancers to perform the Emmanuel Jail song plus the African group dance again. The man was so impressed that he got up on the mic afterwards and said that he now realises how important the youth are and he will organise a meeting with his committee to see how they can help Mydel more. Everyone whooped and clapped as his support meant so much. I hope he does keep his word.

Pascal and the Mydel staff also called Matt and myself up, in front of the whole audience, to express their thanks to Brislington Fellowship, members of the Bridge Pastorate, Matt's parents and my parents and they gave us certificates to show their appreciation for all the support. They are fully aware that it is not just me supporting Mydel and I really can't express enough just how grateful they are to all of you for your support. Thank you!

After the performance, we walked back to the Mydel Boys Home through the dark and busy streets where street sellers sat with their stoves and one small candle, cooking chicken, maize and chapatis for passers by. It was strange to think that would be our last walk through chaotic Kampala for a while. When we arrived at the Home we were greeted by all the boys, the Mydel staff and the neighbours! I couldn't believe how grateful even the neighbours were! They came to join our circle and presented us with boxes upon boxes of hand made gifts! It was a very humbling experience! I don't go out there to be praised like that. Anyone can do what I do. I wish I could do more.

Every one of the boys stood up and spoke a word of thanks to Matt and myself . This was very moving and is a miracle in itself, as when I first met the boys they couldn't speak English very well at all but now that they are all at school their English has really developed! Matt and I were amazed at how much effort they put in to thank us and the words they used who so lovely. They even cooked us porridge and bought bread as a thank you treat! One of the boys stood up and thanked Mr Matt 'for teaching us how to be a family'. I really touched me and I knew it was right for Matt to have come. He has been a great example to the boys. As we left they became quiet and each boy gave me a long lasting hug and some whispered 'goodbye mum' to me. I told them I will definitely see them soon but it is so hard to leave them.

We flew back the next day and it all now feels very surreal as so much has happened and so much has changed in the past 3 weeks. It just proves how much can be done if you really commit yourself to something. The one thing which really touched by heart was how well the boys get on now. When I first set up the home, almost 4 years ago, these boys where the same as those I wrote about from the slums; lost, lonely and emotionally ripped to shreds. Now these boys laugh, they have plans for their future and they can see a way of getting there, they rely on each other and work together like brothers. They see the Mydel Boys Home as more than a small, run-down building on the outskirts of the slums -it's their home and somewhere that gives them hope and security, both physically and emotionally.

I am so grateful to all the staff at Mydel for working with the boys day in day out. I am blessed to have a group of Ugandans I can trust to look after the boys well.

I would like to thank my family for all their support, particularly spiritually, as I could not have done any of this without your prayers and encouragement. Thank you Dad and Mum for teaching me strong morals and helping me to develop my own character - the lessons I have learnt from you, I have passed on to the children in Uganda. Thank you.

Joy and Martin, your support means a huge amount and I am so impressed by the amount you helped to fundraise before our trip. Your support has enabled a lot of the changes in the home to happen during this trip, Thank You!

Brislington Christian Fellowship, your endless support over these 4 years have blown me away! You are the ones who keep this project going and I cannot thank you enough for that. The boys and the Mydel staff always ask after you and always express their thanks to you. Please know that you have many more members of the family out in Uganda.

Matt, well done for coping with me throwing you in the deep end! You did brilliantly and I'm so glad the boys responded fantastically to you - I knew they would! You will be remembered forever in their hearts. Thank you for supporting me in every way possible, it means a lot.

To all those who have given donations in clothes, money and/or sponsorship for the boys education, Thank You! I could not have done this without you. You have given the boys a future they can look forward to.

Please keep an eye on the blog this week as I am now busy with paperwork and sponsorships. I will be highlighting the future needs of the boys and the home, which I would love to communicate with you all. More pictures to come too!

Biiiig Love! xxx