April News from Uganda

Dodiveco saying goodbuy to JT

JT giving testimony at church service his last Sunday

Hanging out with Pacific family during game/movie night
We showed the movie Swiss Family Robinson.

Nico's 1st birthday a few months late.

Dear Family and Friends,
Greetings from Uganda! We cannot believe that it has been over a month since we arrived (in early March). God has been good to us as our transition has gone smoothly. We are very thankful for the temporary house that has been provide and are anticipating the next move to our more “permanent” home in May.
Much has happened during the past few weeks and many things have moved quickly for us. We received our foster care order for Nicolas, so he is now able to stay with us full time. Praise the Lord! The process went rather speedily. Many of you may not know that things in Uganda usually take much longer than expected. We filled out many forms, created a portfolio of ourselves, met several times with the probation officer (social worker) and twice with the magistrate (judge) from Luwero. It was truly a blessing to get things processed and all of the paper work through.
Nico is doing very well…walking and talking (well, mimicking extremely efficiently… he doesn’t miss a syllable). We just had fun celebrating his “un-birthday” on March 17th as we missed his 1st birthday (January 17th). Needless to say the cake was a hit! He is very attached to mama (the name “mama” is a rare occurrence though, as he calls both Caleb and I “daddy”). Clingy is healthy however, in adoptive situations (it means he is bonding well and we haven’t had to “force” bonding- which would entail me wearing this 25 lb. boy on my back all day). But, clingy also means a tired mama who sounds like a parrot every time she sets him down-“no fuss Nico.” One of his favorite times during the day is wrestling with Caleb on the bed while I finish making lunch. I can hear laughter and squeals in the outdoor kitchen!
I am fully aware of God’s healing hand during this time as each remembrance of my mom that is often accompanied by tears of sadness has ended with tears of joy as I rejoice in the truth that she is residing in the presence of the Lord! Pray for both my dad and sister as they continue to adjust to this new reality.
Since we returned much has changed including Caleb’s role. He has been given the role of Special Projects/Fundraising. He has been working on several different aspects of fundraising and a wide range of projects to generate income, all that require research and a lot of footwork. The first week we arrived Uncle Jay asked if Caleb could research staring a mini biodiesel processing center. Shortly after starting the research for that, he was given the task of writing and submitting grants to the different embassies here in Uganda. There is money available it is just a matter of finding the right avenue to pursue. Caleb has already submitted two proposals for ten new bore holes (wells) to be dug. If we receive the money for this project, one bore hole will be on New Hope property and the other nine in surrounding communities. One grant was submitted to the US embassy and the other to the Italian embassy.
We are excited about another project that both Caleb and I are working on together. We just recently opened the official New Hope Gift shop. Many students, the New Hope’s Vocational Institute, staff members and local artists/craftsmen have sold their woven baskets, paintings, cards, jewelry etc. to short term teams that come to visit New Hope throughout the year. We have seasons of time that teams come virtually every week out of the year. With this new gift shop we hope to market local crafts, and promote craftsmanship. The gift shop was much needed as it will help organize small businesses on site, generate income for the ministry, and ensure quality and “fair trade” prices for both the individuals buying and selling. Caleb has already traveled to Kampala to negotiate and do business with some local wood carvers. We are excited to expand the merchandise we will have to offer and are extremely happy about the countless benefits a venture like the gift shop will create.
Another blessing has been reconnecting with our family group, reestablishing trusts and continuing to build relationships. It has been difficult, but a blessing to talk through the healing process God has faithfully begun in hearts that have been wounded. But we have also seen the joy brought by the addition of a family member, three year old Kiasu, whose smile can melt any heart in an instance. Kiasu’s lighthearted, playful spirit and contagious giggle has added warmth to the family.
Another much loved addition to Pacific and the greater Kasana family was J.T. King, (Caleb’s 21 year old cousin from Indiana) who has worked for three months with teams and New Hope staff welding water towers, swing sets, repairing almost anything that has been broken, and who has put much sweat equity into this place. The highlight of J.T.’s time here was a trip with young adults to work at Masana Camps (New Hope’s youth camp and some day retreat center). There God brought him to a place of full surrender and we are rejoicing with him because of God’s great mercy, grace, and relentless love ever drawing us to Himself.
We are thrilled to have another one of Caleb’s cousins Lydia Smith join us toward the end of May for three months. Pray for journey mercies as she travels with a short term team from Anderson University and for a strong sense of God’s presence as they serve in Kampala and throughout Lydia’s continued service here at New Hope.
We are also excited to see Steve and Nancy Longbrake from our Blackhawk family who will be visiting New Hope next week! We are thankful for the friendships we are building with staff members here at New Hope, and we are equally thankful for the encouragement that dear familiar faces bring!
Praising God for each of you as well,
Caleb, Alair & Nicolas

More Pics

JT playing football (soccer)

Baby House expantion

Clinic expantion

Caleb and Nico holding camellian

Back To Uganda

We promised more so here’s just a bit of what’s going on with us here at NHU.

It was so good to see Nicholas the day we arrived- not sure if he recognized us or not, but when we picked him up for the weekend he started being a cuddle-bug right away and was even clingy with both of us when we were around other people.
Nico's not walking yet (J) - we're glad we will get to see him take his first steps. His right leg turns out a bit so we'll have to keep an eye out, do some stretching and turning for now.

We met with the social worker yesterday. It was pretty intense, but we were assured by Uncle Joseph (the head of the Child Care department here at Kasana) not to worry, and that all went well. We have an appointment with her on Monday to pick up the foster parenting forms from her office. Getting "fostership" could be relatively quick (about a month). For now we just get him on the weekends (three days) and visits during the week of course.

We're slowly getting settled into our one bedroom house until a two bedroom comes available (probably in May) - living out of bins at the moment. Friends had all the immediate necessities ready and waiting for us (i.e. a mattress to sleep on, borrowed couches and most importantly “Doom”- ant and roach spray). We’re planning to go into Kampala tomorrow to pick up a few things- cleaning supplies, standing shelves for organizing, and a bed for J.T. who will be sleeping in our “sitting room” for the next two months. Caleb’s cousin J.T. King has been a HUGE blessing to New Hope the past month. He has been busy welding playground equipment for the primary school, and a water tower for the Sparks who are hosting teams already at the camp property, just to mention a few things. J.T. has quickly won the hearts of EVERYONE he has met! Next on his “To Do List” is to help Caleb make some shelving unit for the outdoor kitchen- hurray!

So far we haven’t needed to use the kitchen (besides the need for multiple cups of coffeeJ) because of the “meal rota” that was organized providing lunch and dinners for us for over a week. This has truly been a blessing. Not only is it a huge help in transitioning back to life here, but it has provided many opportunities to catch up with friends over meals, share with many people all that God has done over the last few months of caring for Alair’s mom, and even getting to know some staff members better. Needless to say our welcome back has been very warm.

When we first arrived in Entebbe, besides the disappointment of not receiving our luggage, which, by the way, all arrived safely two days later, we we’re thrilled to see J.T. and Jay & Vikki Dangers waiting for us. Due to jet lag, my (Alair’s) brain was a bit like mush so I don’t remember much of our conversations the first day or so, but I do remember telling Vikki when she asked how I was feeling being back, that when the plane was landing, it felt like I was coming home. She wisely said- home is being where God wants you to be.
So, we are happy to be home.

We’ll update our blog and send an “official” update soon.

Much love,

Caleb & Alair

In Loving Memory Averill Brown

“I’ll love Thee in life and I’ll love Thee in death
And praise Thee as long as Thou lendest me breath.
And say when the death dew lies cold on my brow,
If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus tis now.”

On February 10th, 2009 at 6:35am Averill Brown’s faith became sight. After a bout with breast cancer in 1994 and a painful battle with bone cancer for the past 5 years, the Lord called her home to rest. She endured faithfully until the end and the entire family was able to be there by her bedside when she passed on to glory.
We’ve spent the last few months taking care of Averill as the cancer left her bedridden and unable to move. As a family we’ve experienced many ups and downs during this time, but a constant theme resonated—TRUST THE LORD! James--trust the Lord to provide. You are the man and provider, but I can provide for your family’s every need better than you. Caleb, Alair---trust the Lord with Nicholas. I am the father to the fatherless. (Nicholas is the adorable little boy Caleb and Alair are adopting and had to leave in Uganda). Janea--you won’t find security anywhere but in me. Trust the Lord with your future.
We are thankful for all of the love and support so many have shown us these last few years and especially these last few months. We have seen the hand of the Lord throughout it all. We write this letter, not as those who mourn without hope, but as those who have a glorious hope realized in Christ Jesus. And we trust that you will rejoice with us as we celebrate the home-going of a vessel of God’s glory.
James, Caleb and Alair, and Janea

A memorial service will be held at Grace Community Church
13248 Roscoe Blvd. Sun Valley, CA 91352 on
Friday, February 20 at 5:00 pm. in the chapel

A

February News

Dear family and friends,

It’s hard to believe our last update was back in November. As most of you know, we returned to the U.S. in mid November to help care for Alair’s mom who is suffering from terminal bone cancer. We are still in Connecticut with Alair’s dad and sister, walking through this journey together.

There have been many ups and downs in this process but we are constantly reminded of Christ’s suffering for us--He promises to never leave us or forsake us. The Lord continues to sustain Averill’s life and we’ve seen spiritual victory--peace and freedom. We are learning to lay aside our needs and wants, which is difficult as we desire and long to be back in Uganda, continue the work we began, and most of all to complete the process of adopting Nicholas. The separation process has not been easy.

New Hope is extremely supportive of us staying in the states until Alair’s mom goes home to be with the Lord. We are tentatively scheduled to return to Uganda on February 19, but it appears we may have to change our plane tickets again. Please pray for us as we make these important decisions.

Even though we are in America, the work at the camp site in Uganda continues. The first staff house (which will be our house temporarily) is complete along with the store house and pit latrines. It’s exciting to see pictures of the development as we keep in contact with our partners Syd and Andrea Sparks.

Today (February 4th) is a big day for a couple of reasons! The first short-term team dedicated specifically to working at the camp site left for Uganda today. The team will clear bush, work on perimeter fencing, and clear the fresh water spring (which will be our water source). Also Caleb’s cousin, J.T., left for Uganda today. He will be serving at New Hope for three months. We are so excited J.T. has this opportunity and we can’t wait to join him in Africa.

Thank you for the emails, love, support, and encouragement you’ve shown. We’ve been overwhelmed as we’ve watched the body of Christ work during this time.

Blessings,

Caleb and Alair

-Psalm 27:13-14
“I would have despaired unless I had believed I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and let your heart take courage; yes wait for the Lord.”

Camp Housing

Here is the latest update on the building progress at the camp. The structure above will be staff housing. This is where we will temporarily live.

Camp Site Construction in Progress

We are so excited to see all the work that is being done on the camp land even though we are not in Uganda. This post is from our friends and partners Syd and Andrea Sparks.

Construction Site/Camp Land
Construction continues and we are making some good progress. It is exciting to see things go up. Here are a few pictures of what is happening. The photo above is the house in progress on the left hand side of the photo, the nearly completed bathing shelters which are a little hard to see but are right in the middle, and then the nearly completed pit toilets. The photos below are of our store room. The first one is before they roofed it and the second one after.


Storage Room

Pit Latrine
Construction has finally begun. Last week we broke ground and began working on the foundation for our first building. One thing that is quite different about the construction process over here is that there are no big machines to do the work for you. So everything that you see dug out in the photo was dug by hand. All of the rocks that are being used in our concrete mixture are broken by the man in the picture below. He has used a hammer to break most of it. How would you like to sit and break rock with a hammer and have to fill a dump truck full. Not my idea of fun but it is a job and he is earning money. The bottom picture is a 12’ long x 8’ wide hole that will eventually be a 10’ deep holding tank to collect rainwater (cistern). As you can see they ran into a big problem as they were digging. There is a very large boulder that they couldn’t just dig out. So they brought in the rock crusher and he went to work.