These cute little rabbits were born a few days ago! It was particularly wonderful to see these little bunnies flourish in this world after the struggle for survival of our other furry friends. Amisadai had seven rabbits and over a few days we lost all but two of them to sickness. We tried treating them, and Amisadai tried all she could to save them, but in the end, one young one survived, along with this pregnant mother! So thankful this mother was able to birth all her babies and now we can start again! Amsiadai is still hoping to get a rabbit project going one day! Three rabbits have already been happily relocated on Kome Island, where Sele has started breeding for their nutritious meat.
We have had rather a sad time with our goats as well. We had two dairy goats (a male and female) and unfortunately the male (Toronto) died a few months ago, before the female (Victoria) could get pregnant. Then we had a visit from the Bishop's goat and Vancouver, Victoria and Felix all got pregnant. But sadly last week, Felix gave birth prematurely and the tiny little kid died after 24 hours. We are really hoping for full term safe deliveries for Vancouver and Victoria in the next few weeks.
I always enjoy coming to blog and reflecting on the good news we have to write about! And it truly is encouraging and uplifting to focus on the positive things. But at the same time we cannot deny the struggles and difficulties that are just as real! Things go pear-shaped. Life can be tough. We do suffer loss and we do get hurt. Things don't always sail smoothly and we can get tired and frustrated. We have just started reading through 1 Peter as a team each week and looking at the first chapter caused us to reflect on those people Peter was writing to, who were really struggling and suffering. Peter began his letter with the exhortation to "Praise God!" which could have been hard to take at the time! But Peter means it. Even when we struggle, when we are tired, upset, frustrated, sick, hurting, even persecuted … we have good reason to praise God in the midst of it and Peter does go on to tell us why! There is a living hope, there is great mercy, and in this there is joy.
It was a good reminder on this "back-to-school" week after losing all these animals and wondering if we will ever get a rabbit or goat project off the ground! After I succumbed to bed for a day on Sunday after fighting migraines. A good reminder when everything seemed to "go wrong" while Tim was away in Dar es Salaam at the funeral of Babu Enos Nkone, the father of our good friend, Huruma. Our
guard, Thaddeus was hit by a car on his way to our house for the night and ended up with stitches in his arm and a bad leg in hospital while I couldn't find another guard for the night. (Thankfully he is recovering well and should be back with us soon!) And when the shower wouldn't turn off in the bathroom for a day and then after the plumber left, we were left with a tap that let no water out! It was a good reminder when so many well-made plans for meeting people and building a mama's banda ran awry and just when stock control had slipped through the cracks, it came to dinner time and I realised Angel and the guard had eaten it for lunch. And on a deeper level, it was a good reminder at a time when I just don't know how best to help a struggling friend.
But even when things seem pear-shaped in overwhelming uncertainty, yet I know I have an inheritance that can never fade, spoil or fade! Faith worth more than gold! An inexpressible glorious joy! And this is reason to praise. And reason to persevere!
We have persevered this week and it has been good! Tim was up at 3:15am on Wednesday and flew back home from Dar es Salaam to go straight to the second day of Health Seminar at MICC with leaders from Kome and Kasarazi Islands. It was an opportunity for the church in Mwanza to encourage and support church leaders on the islands. Pastors Zakayo and Charles shared and our EI team (Simon, Victoria, Gertrude and Tim) encouraged them in their vison for reaching out to their communities through Health Education.
And on Friday, we went with John to meet with leaders at Pastor Wilfred's church in Ngudu, where we will be starting a new beekeeping group. We were so encouraged with the interest and enthusiasm and also their commitment as a church to run the project in their community.
And just before the health seminar, our teammate, Gertrude (making the most of her time in town back from Kome Island!) came with me to meet with the Upendo wa Mama group along with a second group of women (also with albinism), teaching a seminar on VICOBA. The groups are planning to work together to run this larger savings and loan scheme which we hope will help them to save for further business opportunities as well as create a social fund for people falling on hard times.
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| Good discussion time in groups |
