The well overdue update of joy!

Ok so what has been going on in the life of Le Tiff?! A lot... so sorry I haven’t written for so long!

The majority of this update is all about my foot, the accident and the progress of its healing. There are pictures so be warned!! The last two months have been a continuation of learning and adjusting to life here. Working in the office, doing admin, working on prayer updates, news updates, annual reports etc etc. I’ve kind of slipped into a secretarial type role knocking off all the little jobs that nobody else has time to do. I’m learning a lot- some things the hard way but it’s all been good. I’ve had more lessons in just learning to ‘be’ rather than everything working around what I ‘do’. I’ve had time and space to rest, read and to receive. Although it hasn’t always been in the way I would like, God has certainly answered every prayer I prayed before coming here about been taken to a point where I could only rely on him and not on my own strength and abilities. JENGA continues to be a really exciting organisation to work for with much promise for its future.

The View from our office!

Early in the month Amy and I begun the arduous process of visa applications in Kampala. This is an insanely stupid process that takes multiple trips to visit a window in the Immigration building to be greeted by an indignantly moody woman who takes it upon herself to make the process as difficult as possible. She decides what documents you need and depending on just how bad her day is going will throw in the demand for the odd random item that you didn’t expect and so didn’t bring. No kidding. You leave your documents there for them to process then you go back 10 days later to see if you’ve been accepted and then provided you’re successful (which we weren’t initially!)you take a piece of paper to a bank in town and then wait a day for them to fiddle about with a few things then return to pick up a receipt and take that back to the moody lady in the window at immigration where she will stamp it; If you’re lucky! We are pleased to report that eventually with the help of a JENGA director or two to sweet talk said moody lady we have been allowed to stay in the country until our return to the UK in August.
In the midst of all of that was Safari time. The group of us volunteers decided to go to for a ‘Big 5’ safari trip. You start in Kampala and then leave early Monday morning to drive 6 hours north to Murchison Mark. Simple. Well... not quite!! Sunday evening, with the Arrival of Anna’s friend Joy we decided it would be a good opportunity to take advantage of Kampala’s cuisine selection. Kampala is a lot bigger and further on than Mbale in terms of what’s available. Chinese was our choice given that none of us had had it in months and so off we went. As I’ve said before, the main way of getting around here is by motorbike taxi. In Mbale they go a lot slower and the roads are much much quieter but in Kampala it is a different story as the city is more developed and there are an insane number of cars about! So anyway off we went, leaving our hostel to go to Fang Fangs. Joy came on a picky with me and we followed in convoy. Then our picky had a minor disagreement with a pothole and swerved a bit over to the other side of the road. Oooops. Joy came off first but I managed to stay on a bit longer. The driver bless him did his best to try to slow down as much as possible but then I came off. And the bike landed on top of me. Nice! All I felt at the time was the heat of the exhaust on my toe. Little did I know!!

Amazingly there were no other cars coming the other way and ‘all’ that we came out with was Joy having a badly twisted ankle and a few cuts (her foot went into the wheel- thankfully she had shoes on so it wasn’t as bad as it could have been) and me.. well I had cut my right ankle pretty badly- what we now think happened was the metal foot-rest went into my foot thus resulting in a wound about 7cm long by 4cm wide and then pretty deep! WOOP! So what does one do in Africa with a hole in your foot?! Well our programme director Jo, previously a Nurse in the UK, was with us on the trip and she was quite frankly a saint that night-(and incidentally for the following 5 weeks!) We waited by the side of the road for a little while to put pressure on my foot and Jo kept everyone calm. Bizarrely I was pretty chirpy and not crying my eyes out; there was just an amazing sense of relief and thankfulness to God for his protection. I did have a minor freak-out when I saw the blood but because I hadn’t seen the wound and I didn’t really understand how there was that much blood everywhere!! Anyway...after a some reassurance from anna and jo, and again amazingly, a friend of ours from mbale called Ian was in Kampala that night and so came and picked us up and drove us to ‘The Surgery’ a 24hr clinic run by an English doctor dude. The doctor on duty managed to do a great job of pulling it all together and 6 internal and 13 external stitches later I was on my way back to the hostel. I never saw the wound in its original glory- think that was for the best! Just another war wound to add to the collection!

The next day we went via the clinic for a quick check-up and then drove the long journey up to the safari camp. This was actually the best place to be post injury as I was able to have my foot elevated for hours!! We were up early for the safari and saw loads; Baboons, antelope type creatures, Ugandan Cobs, Elephants, Giraffes, Warthogs (yes we sung the tunes from the Lion King the whole way!) lions, hippos, crocs, buffalo etc! It was amazing! There was a boat trip in the afternoon where we saw even more. Absolute stonker of a trip and we loved every minute- despite the crippled-ness and crutches! Everyone was incredible at keeping my mind off things and were brilliant all week!

On the way back the others went rhino tracking. Which was definitely not an option for me- walking through tall grass trying to find whopping great rhinos was not something I could really partake in- I could barely move on the crutches at that point let alone run from a charging fatty mammal. They had fun though!

So we had a day or so again in Kampala to say goodbyes to teammate Emily, an overdue trip to Fang Fangs and to welcome a couple new visitors. Another trip or 2 to the surgery, a visit to the immigration window and a quick stop at the joyously stocked supermarket (well I watched while everyone else shopped!) and we were on our way back to Mbale!

So since all that palaver it has just been a case of recovering sloooowly. The wound has gone through various different shapes, colours and sizes as stitches came out, infections came and went etc. I still couldn’t walk after 16 days so I was referred to some orthopaedic doctor dude about an hour away in a hospital in Kumi. It was still painful to try and weight bear at all and so we needed his opinion. He seemed to know what he was saying so I was then given a back slab plaster cast thing for the next 12 days. Thankfully it was a half one coz flippin eck it was heavy!! I still had to have dressings changed on the wound every 2 days so it was regular trips to the local clinic in Mbale called J.O.Y hospice. They now know me well! Then back to Kumi for plaster slab removal and check up.
Now it’s looking a lot better, the wound is being dressed every day at the clinic and although there’s still a bit of a hole the healing is finally on track! The last week has all been about learning to walk again but that is coming along nicely and I no longer need crutches.
So all in all life has been pretty crazy.

Work has been limited as I couldn’t really get far. The steps to our office are really steep so once I got up I stayed up till the end of the day! As frustrating as it has been to not be able to walk, drive or carry anything for 4 weeks it has been a really good time. I don’t think I so much needed a lesson in slowing down as before the accident I really was managing to balance things and not to over-work, but it has given me space to think and pray more and to see what God was up to. I realised more and more how much I love it here and although there has been some raw character development in the process and some frustratingly slow adjustments to life in Africa, the time has confirmed I’m exactly where I’m meant to be. So after a month’s break in the UK in August, I am coming back longer term to Mbale. I have no idea what to do specifically but I know it’s where I’m called to ‘be’ – God will fill in the rest! There is just too much going on here to walk away from. I don’t mean the obvious practical world peace things that anyone would struggle to turn their back on but on a different level I feel so excited and expectant for everything here and not being a part of it wasn’t an option! God has stirred in me such a faith and desire to work here with the people and ministry. I am more reliant on God than I have been before and that is a really exciting place to be. I believe there must and can be change to the situations here and that I want to be a part of helping to make that change happen. I don’t really know what I personally can do but I know I want to try and I hope that God will use me in any way he can!

So that is me! Tiff Vale, international woman of calamity, expectancy, faith and hope!
Please keep praying for healing and for wisdom as I prepare for the next season! Thank you for your support on this journey!

Tiff x
For the not so regular updates.... http://tiffinuganda.blogspot.com/

To sponsor me financially if you can! www.justgiving.com/tiffinuganda.

Part deux

Hey all!

Thanks to everyone for hte positive comments from the last update! It's taken me a while to write again because my Internet's been too slow to load the site! but finally here it is. the next installment. i wrote this on Easter Sunday so it's a little out of date but it will still give a rough idea of what i've been doing..

Life here is great, i’m still totally loving it and apart from craving the odd caramel coffee frappaccino ..I’m not doing badly at adapting to life in Uganda. I’m working hard, making friends, baking loads and resting well!
I have kept myself busy in the office doing this and that. My major task at the moment is fundraising. As you can imagine, the list of needs is endless but rather than get discouraged by that I’m focussing on the bigger more practical things like project sponsorship, IT equipment and even a motorbike for our staff! if we manage to get them many many people will be wonderfully impacted so please pray for inspiration.
Other than work, life continues to be full of memory making adventures! The week before last we went to a retreat centre called Myto Moyoni. Set on the banks of the Nile we stayed in a little taste of paradise to take time out to build on our characters and our walk with God. The centre has beautiful grounds full of gorgeous flowers, plants and wildlife. If you are up early enough you get to see monkeys playing in the trees! If the surroundings weren’t enough of a treat, we were on a course called transformation of the heart which gently takes you on a journey of forgiveness, reflection, repentance and deliverance! Freedom from past hurts, issues and an opportunity to see how much there is to be grateful for. It was pretty epic and as you can imagine, still a lot to process!
Back to life in Mbale and we’ve been building up to Easter. Yesterday we had our Ugandan staff over for lunch and to watch Passion of the Christ. Flippin epic film- watch it if you haven’t! As you can imagine not many people here have seen it- so it was pretty impacting for our staff and fascinating to watch them watch it! Although apparently last year, in one of the slum churches they put on a special show of it but most of the audience were little kids (there’s a reason the film’s an 18!) and most were so traumatised that even the pastor wouldn’t watch the film yesterday. Because they don’t really watch films- something like The Passion really spaces them out- they just aren’t used to seeing things in that way.
Last night we went to a big bbq for all of the expat missionaries and then had a sunrise service with them this morning. Although it’s been raining all day today so there was no sunrise worth watching! Hey ho- and to disappoint those who think that Easter in Africa for me will mean scorching heat and dancing to tribal music next to a mud hut somewhere-sorry!! I’ve spent the morning in a half empty church service due to the wash out with everyone shouting to hear over the rain! (Still good stuff though!) I’m now back home in a hoody and joggers drinking tea to warm up! Lol! So life is full of the unexpected! Most Ugandans will be tucking into a big lunch today though as it’s Easter and they have a public holiday tomorrow too.
There’s lots I could write and there’s lots I don’t want to bore you all with but basically I’m absolutely loving it here. It’s hard to work out exactly why except that I know I’m where I’m meant to be- without doubt. Every day I’m meeting inspirational people whose main focus is to improve the quality of life for the disadvantaged and it gives life just to hear the stories of their perseverance and faith to believe that change is possible. I’m inspired how individuals have been obedient to God’s call and as a result are transforming many lives. Sometimes they’re only small gestures that build together to big changes and sometimes they have been huge projects that have started because one person said Yes to God- no matter how crazy and impossible it seemed at the conception of the idea. It has struck me that as one person we have an incredible choice; do we want to be history makers or are we happy to keep our head down and just keep doing what we’re doing because it’s easier, less hassle and safer? It just takes a Yes from us, a willingness to surrender to his plans and through little old us God can do so so much. Again I know not everyone is called to start an Ngo, but we can still change history for the better wherever we are. Most of the people I meet are just fighting for justice in their own communities and loving their neighbours sincerely!!
Jesus didn’t come so we could have a mediocre life, he came so we could live life to full! Don’t let fear stop you from dreaming BIG! Are you living life to the full? Are you happy in what you’re doing? Are you seeking God with ALL your heart so then all things will be added?! It isn’t a big deal and for most people it doesn’t mean moving continents, it just means stepping out of the comfort zone and into the realms of possibilities that are out there for us all to take hold of. This world needs you to join with God and to dream of what his world could be restored to!


Thanks for reading and for your support!! lots of love xx

i promise the next one will not be such an essay!!

Hello!!
I’m sorry it’s taken me so long to write an update on things since i arrived here in Mbale. There’s no excuse other than i haven’t been able to get my act together!! As a result this has turned out to be a bit of an essay- and as someone who has never been good at reading other people’s mission updates from abroad i have no problem if this is the last thing you want to read!! I do however promise that the updates after this won’t be so long!!

The Journey
Emily, Amy and I left the UK on Tuesday 10th with BA arriving on Wednesday at about 10am. The flight was full of crazy American & English Christians all headed for their individual mission fields throughout Uganda. It was pretty surreal actually seeing so many open Bibles, cheesy t-shirts and sandals in such a confined space!!!
We got through with no problem and were met by a very smiley Pastor Sam (who works with JENGA). After a minor emergency ‘think i might be sick’ through Kampala stop ( Anti-malarials on an empty post 8 hour flight stomach- well done tiffany!) we arrived in Mbale at about 3:30
Although I didn’t celebrate my birthday as such as we were travelling it was one i will never forget.. the day marked the beginning of an adventure that is beginning to unfold and is already exceeding my hopes and expectations!!
The House
I’m living with Jo, one of the JENGA directors and Ollie & Beth, a couple working for Oasis. The house is nice. Us Muzungos (White People!) mainly all live in a similar area called Senior Quarters. It’s the nicer part of town where all the houses are in compounds with night security, a few guard dogs and a hefty iron gate! Our Security guy is called Peter, he’s from our church and carries a bow and arrow!!! Seriously! The dogs are called Eben, Tala, Bella and Daisy.. softest dogs in the world till they around anything edible which somehow means anyone/thing new that moves!
It’s a three bedroom, two bath house, all on one floor. Massive lounge/ dining area and a good kitchen. Power is here most days but not always.
We also have a girl called Martha who works mon, wed & fri doing our washing, cleaning, some cooking etc. This was really weird at first, in fact i felt really uncomfortable but its actually very normal and good job to have apparently. We pay ‘well’ and it’s only 8 till 4.
The neighbours have a range of animals so it’s often like Old macdonald’s farm at night thus making quality sleep pretty sporadic.
The other house is where Em and Amy are living with Robby, the exec director of JENGA. They have a chef/cook who comes three nights a week.(conveniently I manage to head over on those evenings!!) For £6.50 a month we get the most yummy food ever. Fred is a a Ugandan who learnt to cook from some Westerns years ago and is basically a legend. His speciality is Cinnamon Rolls!! So yeah, i’m not roughing it exactly!!
I may move over there in a bit because Jo’s leaving for UK for 6 weeks. Not sure yet! It’s been good for me to live in the slightly quieter house without the temptation to completely surround myself with people and cook the whole time!
Weather
It’s hot!! Rainy season is about to start but it’s high 20s every day!!
Food
Mainly the local food is starch starch and more starch with a few beans thown in for fun. There are plenty of supermarkets stocked with an interestingly random selection of tinned veg and other stuff. The main vegs are peppers, tomatoes, onions, matoke (somewhere in between a banana and a potato), pineapple, avocado, carrots, potatoes and local greens. The market is stocked full and i normally make it down on a sat afternoon.
There are a few restaurants and hotels about to get good meals ...for about £3-£4 for a main!Amazing Curry with all the trimmings for £4. The portions here are absurdly huge- especially if you go to someone’s house for a meal where they will give you about 5 options and you have to eat what they give you!!
I’m eating heaps.. at this rate.. BA will have to roll me back into the country in August!
The JENGA Team
The Jenga office is about a 10 minute walk or a quick Boda/picky ride. Boda’s are bicycle taxis and Pickie’s Motorbikes. It’s about 15p to get to work, 30p to town on a Pickie. Half that for a Boda!
There are 12 Ugandan staff working for Jenga and 7 UK volunteers including us 3. There’s a lovely couple, Anna & Dave here on short term till July. Jo and Robby, the Exec director are classed as volunteers even though they run everything.
I won’t go into details of all the projects.. check out www.jengauganda.org!
What I’ll be doing!
So as expected i’ll be doing lots of admin, personnel stuff and helping with general office organisation. It feels like JENGA is being prepared for even bigger things and so there are a few things to straighten out before we get there. Part of my job will be to get alongside the Ugandan managers to look at their working methods and to see what we can streamline, what ideas can be released, general forward planning and office communication. I’ll be helping out a couple of the others with computer skills and get them going with things like spreadsheets etc. Other than that i’ve been writing up protocols, creating personnel folders etc.
My fieldwork jobs will be helping out with community Youth, Alpha, conferences, and helping with planning trips for overseas teams. We have a couple of big conference in July which i’ll be getting my teeth into!
The First Few Days
The week we arrived happened to be the busiest for Jenga in the past 6 months. They had a group of 24 Ozies here helping out with various projects etc. At first this felt really awkward, that we were just in the way and really couldn’t have arrived at a worse time. But things panned out and it actually worked well for the three of us.. it meant rest and time to adjust to the environment, heat etc without being flung into craziness. The final 2 weeks before I left were just so insane that this rest was amazing and perhaps what saved me from the inevitable cold/ flu tha,t had i kept going at the pace I was, probably would have caught. It definitely prevented me from totally collapsing in a heap!
General Overview of the past 3 ½ weeks
So those first few days were restful, chilled out and just involved the odd prayer meeting... a great introduction to the start of this adventure. I’ll admit i hated feel quite so dependant on people- think i just hadn’t anticpated this so hadn’t prepared myself.
Work is generally 8:30 till 5. Mondays, Wednesday and Fridays all start with praise & worship, other than that it’s either in the office or out in one of the local communities that we work with. Every other Thursday we have Hospital ministry and we do various prayer walks through the slums.
The evenings are quieter here, dinner and chats and we’re normally in bed by 10 at the latest.
On Sunday nights we go to a Bible Study at some American Missionaries homes. There are up to about 30 people most Sunday nights for fellowship, study and then a good old bring and share meal!
Saturdays are amazing. No work, just chill out time to read, journal and relax! I normally pop to the Internet cafe if i can and then onto the market to get some food. I cant remember the time i had a day off each week where i literally did nothing but relax!
And so to finish
It has been a very mixed time so far. The pace of life is a heck of a lot slower which has been incredible. It has been challenging to adjust out of the headless chicken thing that i’ve been doing for so long but it’s been really good for me. i had prayed that i would be taken out of my comfort zone to a place where i couldn’t rely on my own strength but had to rely on God... and that’s exactly what happened. It’s good for me i just didn’t like it so much at first!! I have however had so much more time to read both the Bible and books, to journal and to finally process life!
It’s weird being one of the few white people in quite a big town; the kids generally shout ‘Muzungoi’ whenever they see you and point. Most people appreciate that we’re here to try and do good although often when the adults see us they see money. so you come out a a shop and about 5 picky drivers are begging you to use them, the market vendors all charge upped prices or try and sell the rough looking produce and then there are just those who beg. .
It’s hard to see such extreme poverty. It’s hard to see sick people in hospitals that are filthy and packed to the brim. It’s hard to get your head around the fact that many people here will never leave this town and that to travel to the nearest city or to the airport to show their kids the planes is a far fetched dream. it’s hard to digest it all but then you see the hearts, you get to know the people and everything that has been statistical in your head becomes a reality and the desire to be a part of the change just increases. The excitement that comes when you work for an organisation totally dedicated to improving the quality of life for people who have nothing is hard to express eloquently.
It’s not hopeless by any means. Yes there is corruption. Yes it’s the 21st century and child sacrifice is still one of their biggest challenges and where rather than working, parents will sell their children to make money;but there is also a lot to be thankful for . There are people who want to see their communites transformed and believe it’s possible. There are government hospitals where treatment is free, women can come and have babies safely, and patients that would have died a few years ago now have a chance to survive. There are steps towards change. Even just last week we saw 7 muslims give their lives to the Lord. God is on the move and it is an honour to be part of his work.
I left a lot of very special people who i miss a lot to come here and in so many ways i wish i could just bring you all out here. But i know that you’re also where God has called you, to your own mission field doing your individually planned callings! Keep going, and have fun while you’re doing it. Take time out to rest and to see just how many prayers have been answered in your own lives. It’s quite staggering to realise when God has just done what you once could only dream would be possible and more!!
Thank you all for the support and prayers. Thank you for keeping an eye on what i’m doing. It means so much.
Lots of love xxx