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.

New Hope Uganda Promo Video

Letter From The Director

Jay Dangers (New Hope Uganda Ministries Director)

Dear Family and Friends of the Mitchells,

Greetings from New Hope Uganda! I trust you are all well! On behalf of the New Hope family, I would like to thank you for your support of Caleb and Alair. By faithfully supporting and caring for them, you are supporting the work and the children here, and we are so grateful for that!

Caleb and Alair have come to help with a new and very special project- developing a camp facility that will be used by children from New Hope Uganda and many others from around the country. In preparation for this, not long after they arrived, Caleb and Alair began attending the New Hope Institute of Childcare and Family. NHICF is a five-month training course conducted here at New Hope that offers intensive training on caring for fatherless and abandoned children, on serving in a foreign culture, on counseling, worldview, and so much more. In addition to attending NHICF, Caleb and Alair have spent their time investing in the children in Pacific family- spending evenings with them, working in the gardens with them, and more. They have also begun working hard to learn Luganda, and Caleb has made many Ugandan’s days by using every Luganda word he has learned as he visits with them! On the weekends, the Mitchells have been an immense help to the Baby House staff by caring for baby Nicholas. Rumor has it he might be with them more than just weekends in the future!

Thank you for your faithful support of Caleb and Alair! Faithful and sufficient funds are an immense blessing to anyone out on the “field,” and do much towards alleviating stress. Please do pray that the Lord will continue to provide the remaining monthly and start up funds they need. We pray that the Lord will bless you all richly for the sacrifices you make that enable the Mitchells to serve with us here!

Life can be very difficult out here- with constant challenges, cultural differences, uncertainties, and the never-ending work of raising children. Please do continue to pray for Caleb and Alair, that God will give them strength and wisdom for all that they will encounter as they continue the work with the camp. As you are able, I know the occasional email, letter, package, or even phone call would be a great encouragement as well! As you also know, Caleb and Alair came back to the U.S. recently, as Alair’s mom has been very ill. Please do lift them up in prayer during this very difficult time.

As a way to better care for our foreign staff we have held two Foreign Staff Retreats in the last two years. We would like to continue this as an annual event. Although we would love to pay for each member’s time, New Hope Uganda does not have the funds available, so we have asked each individual or family to pay for their own way. If you are looking for an extra way to bless the Mitchells, please consider contributing towards this annual retreat for them. Thank you!

Indeed we believe that the part you play as you serve by sending the Mitchells is vitally important- and is of equal value to that of those of us on foreign soil’s “front lines.” As David told his men in 1 Samuel 30:24,“…as his part is who goes down to the battle, so shall his part be who stays by the supplies; they shall share alike.” I Samuel 30:24 Also, as the writer of Hebrews writes, we are confident on your behalf that “God is not unjust; He will not forget your work and the love you have shown Him as you have helped His people and continue to help them.” Hebrews 6:10

As the Lord notices your service in this way, we too say thank you for the role you have played here at New Hope through your continued support for and care of Caleb and Alair. They are a blessing, and we are thankful to have them as part of the Kasana family. May the Lord bless each of you richly!

In Christ,

Jay Dangers
New Hope Uganda, Director