For the past couple of weeks, everyday has had some sort of house hunting included in it.  If you have ever had this opportunity, it can be fun and depressing.  Not to mention it can also be frustrating, hopeless, and when it is all done, exciting.  (I can’t wait for that!)

I really want to settle on a house.  However, settling requires compromise.  Compromise requires acceptance of the status quo.  And that is really hard lately, for some reason.  Early in the process, we wanted to have our options left open, believing that we could find a couple we liked and make a choice.  As this week started, we had really narrowed down our houses we liked.  We had a plan… check out one last house, if it was no good, move on another.  So how did that work for us?  Well, that is a fun story…

Lets first say that our first two selections that we liked were picked off the market just as we made our choice.  That was a bit sad!  So this week, we had a realization that given the correct terms, we could improve our prospects.  So a house that was previously unavailable to us became available.  So when that was realized, we said that we would move on that house.  So the next day, I asked the broker to setup an arrangement to meet with the landlord.  Then he tells me that that too was taken.  The next day, we were taken to a lovely home.  One where the landlord already knew our budget and invited us for a viewing.  We were quite excited, because the house was perfect for us.  Then negotiations ensued and greed got the best of the landlord, taking that option off the table for us.  So we are at square one… again.

This whole process is confusing and frustrating.  But I have to say, without friends here who have helped us cope with the situation, it would be unbearable!  We really need prayers to find a new place, and quick!

On a really positive note, the kids are all doing great!  We had a bout with some fun tropical parasites that wiped them out pretty good.  But thankfully, by God’s grace they were healed and are crazy as ever!  If anything, they have gotten a little more energy.  There is no more dragging the kids out of bed in the morning to prepare for school.  They are up, at it, and ready to go.  That is really nice!

This coming week marks the 50th anniversary of Ugandan’s independence.  Yay Uganda!  I am really looking forward to the Jubilee party and celebrating such a momentous occasion in another country.  It is completely foreign to me, literally and figuratively.  It was funny… the other day the newspaper had an article of the president here, Museveni, who quoted that Uganda will soon be a first world country.  His claim was that by 2030 Uganda will be equal to Europe and USA.  That made me chuckle. The next page of the paper had a letter from some college professor that stated that Ugandans are looting their own country (referring to corruption).  Yet Museveni did not even mention corruption as an issue for the country.  Needless to say, one, the paper is quite entertaining to read.  Two, there are different perspectives everywhere we go.

I am happy to say that the last update I got, the block making machine will hit the coast of Kenya in ten days!  We expect it to get to Uganda a week or so later.  So we should have the machine in our hands, not literally as it is 2400 pounds, by the end of the month!  I am sooo stoked!  The prospect of this machine has expanded our ministry so much.  Actually having it can only do so much more!  So now, pray that we are able to utilize it as best possible and that there are no customs issues as it hits land!

And now… a funny story that you would only experience in Africa.

So this last trip to the village had us finishing the fencing project for the massive school build that is next.  In doing so, we had to clear the perimeter of the land so that the fence did not have obstruction as we stretched it.  Well in Uganda, especially in the village, properties boundaries are marked with a special type of tree.  It just so happens that when you cut this tree, it saps a very runny white glue type substance.  Speaking from experience, it is horrible cleaning it out of any sort of hair.  Well according to the locals, it is even worse, meaning actually harmful, if it is ingested or when it makes contact with bodily fluids, namely mouths or eyes.  Well one of the workers, Cyrus, was working very hard.  And it just so happened that he got some of that stuff in his eye.

So first of all, Ugandan men are just like any other men… they cannot show pain or fear.  Well Cyrus was trying his best at that.  From what I could tell, this situation was pretty bad.  The tears running down his face seemed uncontrolled, which only suggested that there was pain.  (typically a good indicator)  The fear was noticeable when he explained the extent of which he would go to ‘cure’ the issue.  So apparently, the village cure for this situation is to put breast milk in you eye.  Yes, I said breast milk.  So Cyrus ran off and sought after treatment.  Upon his return, he was remedied of the pain and uncontrolled tears.  His detail of the cure was entertaining… in that he had to get the freshest breast milk available.  So he found the nearest nursing mother and requested that she assist.  He then laid down and had her apply the antidote directly to his eye.  Enough said… no visual needed there!

I had to promise Lizzy that I would not fake this problem!

As an update, the fence is complete!  It is remarkable!  Now we are in the process of digging the 4600 square foot foundation for the primary school.  My hope is to start on pouring the foundation at the end of the month!  Pray for perseverance and wisdom!

Chad Neeley

Volunteer Construction Coordinator – WWCS USA/Uganda

I am pathetic!  I realized that today.  I just saw that my last blog entry was over a month ago.  I can’t believe I let myself fall behind like that!  Bad Chad, no biscuit! (I LOVE writing in third person!)

It has been so CRAZY busy since I last wrote.  Kids have started school.  The building project in Kayango started.  We had visitors/donors come to kick off the construction.  (ok, it doesn’t sound like a lot, but it seems like it to us!)

The transporting of kids to school seems like it consumes most of the day, every day (except Saturday and Sunday).  I really can’t wait to get moved to a house that is closer to the school.  Which reminds me, please pray for that.  We can spend as much as 45 minutes one way getting the kids to school.  Not to mention that this rainy season has been treacherous!  Just this week we have been stuck in the mud twice!  I don’t see why the mud baths are so inviting?  I have had two this week and didn’t appreciate them one bit!  Of course it doesn’t help when people are watching you and laughing, rather than helping.  That is the insult to the injury!

I have to admit, I have been having a bit of fun too.  Recently, Liz and I have started volunteering with the youth at Kampala International Church.  I can’t necessarily speak for Liz, though I know she enjoys it, but I am having a ton of fun!  Our ministry in most other facets requires my ‘serious face’.  But this opportunity lets me put my ‘fun face’ back on and enjoy the spirit of youthfulness.  So thanks Ian and KIC for letting us damage your kids in a good way!

Serious face again… The building project in Kayango had a rocky start.  We first started with purchasing additional land for the campus.  That wasn’t horribly painful, but nevertheless not easy.  Then we started with fencing the perimeter so that there is security for our building materials and tools, and the obvious security.  That included digging holes two feet deep in volcanic stone… not much fun!  Oh yeah, there were 240 holes!  Then the trekking of 160 lb cement posts to each of the holes, setting them with hand mixed concrete, and making sure they are plumb and straight.  Is that every easy?  Couple that with the pain of material purchase and the week was barely manageable.  But in the big picture, survivable and a lesson learned!

The big concern or issue that came up was the realization that this community seems a little more lost than what I expected.  Having had Christian aid for some years now I had expected the influence of that relationship to be more Christ centered.  But saw that without proper education and full time Christian support, the lost will remain lost.  I now see that my big project is more big than expected.  Not only are building a mini-village including education buildings from elementary to graduation, but now we need to really focus on the adults too!  I am not saying that the project needs more construction, I am saying the people need more construction.  I feel the need to help construct the foundation of Christ in their hearts.  Now it seems cheesy to say that, maybe even self righteous.  But I don’t plan on doing this alone!  By the grace of God, I have been networked into a group of pastors in that area who have some of the finest pastoral training to come to Uganda.  I plan to facilitate with them to work on these people.  I don’t know how, yet.  But I am praying that the Lord will provide a way.

My heart was a little broken during that week of fence construction.  I was deceived, taken advantage of, and provoked to be sinful myself.  So this will prove to be a tough project.  Thank God I am not doing it alone!

Fun face again… I love playing Rugby!  I know all of my American friends are going to mock me at home.  But if you could try it, you would like it.  If you are reading this and not in America, but Uganda, get your butt out to the Lugogo Rugby grounds on Mondays at 6.  This fat mzungu will be sweating and gasping for air right alongside you!

So… until next time.  (hopefully sooner than a month!)

Chad Neeley

Volunteer Construction Coordinator – Worldwide Christian Schools USA/Uganda

So recently I sent out our newsletter and it explained that we have decided on extending our stay here in Uganda.  I promised to give some explanation, details of why we made the decision the way we did… so here goes:

The block machine… the machine has still not left the Jersey port.  So if it comes as I estimate, it won’t hit Uganda until October.  If you knew Ugandans and their utter lack of technical ability (no offense, technology has not been a part of their culture as long as ours), you would realize that 3-4 months of training and supervision is not enough to feel comfortable leaving a $30,000 investment into the ministry.  So I really need to teach some individuals and assess whether or not they can do it for the long haul.  This gift has put perspective on so many things.  I am comfortable saying that the only two building materials that will be available for construction in the next year will be concrete blocks (crazy expensive) and earth blocks.  So there is a niche and a resource that won’t limit the work of the ministry.  All of this is because the Ugandan people have no idea about resource management, so they have cut a ton of their forests down.  Regardless, it is personally important to me to have it able to run in my absence.

Schooling… we realized a few months back that home schooling is not really an option anymore.  Grace’s subject matter is too vital for amateurs (i.e. learning to read).  We do not want to permanently damage our kids anymore than what we already have (seriously!).  That, and it has just been so stressful and easy to just say that “it can wait until tomorrow.”  So if the kids go to school here, they need to stay until June.  But now we have to pray heavily that the school will accept the measly amounts of money that we think we can raise (less than half their regular tuition).  And then they have to accept the children into the proper grade.  Because apparently Lydia’s grade is already full and there is a waiting list.  So a position has to open before we are even sure they can go.

Project… I have a big project going out in a village called Kayango (also called Bugiri in some conversations).  It is a school/orphan community.  I am going out there tomorrow to start the fence, phase I.  But the next phase is a elementary school and ten orphan homes.  That should last until March, easily, assuming the money is there.  Phase III is a high school (actually two, because of the Ugandan education system) and 8 more orphan homes.  Phase IV is teacher housing.  So this project could easily last until July… of 2014!  I don’t want to leave these guys hanging.  They are the ones who are funding the shipping costs of the machine.  And I am really excited to do a project that has money and focus.  This project also has probability of teams coming to work on it.  So I am very hopeful, thankful, and determined to get this project as far as possible before we head home.

Teams… we heard through the grape vine that a team is thinking about coming here.  Liz’s sister, Amy, has come here already.  Now her church is interested in the country and wants to send their youth group here next summer.  They were thinking July.  Personally, I have a big problem leaving without having done what we came here to do, namely lead a team.  They may not want to do what we have to do, but helping set it all up would be the least we could do. Hence the likely mid to late July departure.

So now the sucky thing… life is expensive!  We need money for school (amount TBD), for the extra time here, and for more expensive of plane tickets.  Oh man I am a little worried (ok really a lot!).  But we did all of this (coming to Uganda) in faith, not thinking that it would be done by ourselves.  So we had to use the same ideology in this decision.  If the Lord wants us to stay, He will provide!  So please prayerfully consider helping us with this.  Please pray that we are able to see this to the end.

Chad Neeley

Volunteer Construction Coordinator – WWCS USA/Uganda

Just the title of this blog entry is provoking thoughts of how I have been inappropriate in the past.  Now everyone who is reading this is thinking of some experience where I was being annoying or doing something strange to another person.  Yup, I am a freak!

Actually, that makes me think of something totally different then what I was planning on writing about.  I saw some pretty strange things in South Africa.  Even more strange than in Uganda!  So while I was there, I was in a “slummy” type neighborhood.  We were there building a house for a person.  While we were there we saw some pretty strange, traditional happenings.  As we were driving through the area on our way to the house we were building, we randomly saw naked teenage girls running around, covered in white powder, swinging sticks at onlookers.  They typically covered their heads with some sort of hat or shirt sleeve so that only their eyes were showing.  Because if you are going to run naked through the streets trying to hit people with sticks, you should at least have good aim!

So after seeing that, one would want to know why in the world someone would be doing such a thing, right?  I know Scott and I could not go without finding out.  So as we were working on the building of the house, we started talking to the guys we were working with.  Apparently this was the “right” time to be in that neighborhood.  It was the time of their traditional ritual where the children come of age and partake in circumcision.  Fun!  Apparently the nude girls are supposed to chase the boys who are getting a little “taken off the top” and whip them with sticks.  You know, cause getting something cut off you is not bad enough!?!  Then the boys are sent to the hills where they are expected to camp for a week, alone and living off of what they can manage (typically eating monkey or whatever else they can forage).  Then they do the walk of pain and come back for their “trimming.”  The most surprising part of the ritual was that the boys were not the only ones to partake.  Not only were those girls supposed to run naked beating their peers, they were also going to get… well, mutilated would be an appropriate word.  They were also expected to get circumcised!  That obviously sparked other conversations and total confusion on our part.  I still don’t get it.  And for the record, that all sounds pretty gruesome to me!

Thankfully, that was not the only topic of conversation had with the guys we worked with.  I briefly mentioned one of the guys we interacted with in my latest newsletter, a man named Simon.  (He was also the foremost authority on the rituals going on while we were there.)  This guy was quite interesting!  He is a builder by trade, a pretty good one if you ask me.  He is trained and knowledgeable about the building technique using the blocks that we will be making.  He comes from Zimbabwe, but lives in South Africa.  So what else do you talk about with a guy you first meet, besides the strange rituals being performed around you?  I know… lets talk about faith!  It is seriously the ice breaker in Africa.  Its really convenient and different to what we are used to.  Can you imagine meeting someone in the states for the first time, at a new job for example, and the first thing you ask them is “Are you born again?” or “Do you know Jesus?”

Well come to find out, everyone but Simon knew Jesus.  But Simon had no idea what he was getting himself into with his response.  His response literally sparked the conversation for the next three days.  For 7 hours a day, three days straight, every conversation led to the same topic… FAITH.  Simon believed in only what he could see.  He does not understand how someone can believe in something they cannot see or touch.  My specific question was “What do you believe in right now?”  His immediate response was to start naming the things around him at the time that he saw and consequently believed in.  He said he believed in the bricks, the dirt, that tree, and other things around us.  So it was asked, “If that is all you believe in, can those things tell you anything?”  He immediately said “No”, that those things are just objects.  So I told them that my God made those things and he made them able to “speak.”  At that point, Simon thought I was nuts.  But I explained… the tree that he believed in, it was speaking to me.  I told him that God made it perfect and that even that simple object is made for a purpose.  I convinced him that that perfect creation was telling me that it was healthy, because the leaves were full and green.  It told me that it was windy, because those perfectly green leaves were moving.  That that ‘object’ could speak because of a perfect creation.  So that led to further discussion about a perfect creation… about a perfect Creator.

The whole experience ministering to Simon, with Scott, some new friends from Malawi (Gracious and Alfred), with Adam the trainer from Dwell Earth, and even the local guys, was a memorable experience.  The climax to the experience was seeing Simon attend church with us.  According to the guys there that was Simon’s first time at church.  It almost brought a tear to my eye when he walked to the front of the sanctuary for the alter call.  That was a huge step in his faith building.  He is now aware of our sovereign Lord, His Son, and the Holy Spirit.  He is now looking to find where that God is in his life.  How Simon can come to know and love God.  Pray for this guy!  He is still a little confused, but he is now on the right track.  Pray that he can continue to strive to know the saving grace of Jesus Christ!

Chad Neeley

Volunteer Construction Coordinator – WWCS USA/Uganda

Its already July!  Can you believe that?  Happy Independence Day fellow Americans!!!

For those of you who are reading just to have an answer to our predicted return, I am going to write this early… we still do not know when we are coming home nor what we are doing as our next step.  So please be patient with us.  Please continue supporting us with prayer and encouragement!

Well I am sitting here in a bed and breakfast in Johannesburg, South Africa.  I am now on day 17 of my 15 day trip!  The airline of whom we booked our travel through apparently does not care to actually fly.  Surprising considering they own PLANES!  They have cancelled the last two flights getting out of Joburg.  And apparently it is not an option to put us on an alternative airline.  So instead they have paid for our extended stay at the Sun Rock guest house in Kempton Park, Johannesburg.  For the record, this place is really nice.  It has a B&B atmosphere, very friendly and family oriented.  However, being stranded in one place kind of requires some friendliness.  I am a big fan of the dogs.  I have come especially attached to Fatty.  He is a Jack Russel and Bulldog mix.  He is just a fat happy dog.  He is ADDICTED to chasing lights, like a cat.  If you have a reflection off of your watch on the floor he is in seventh heaven.  Similarly, I am just as intrigued by this fat dog running all around as funny as can be.  So we are peas in a pod!  I mean, come on, his name is Fatty!  Who doesn’t like a dog with that name?

The training here was really good.  I absolutely cannot wait to get the block making machine now!  It seems silly to be excited about making blocks.  Simply irrelevant to me two years ago!  But now, we are bringing the opportunity to build using eco-friendly building materials.  In Uganda, they are soon to ban ALL means of cutting trees down.  The government has had little control or restriction on deforestation.  So now the country is desperately trying to stop the last 3% of the remaining forests from being cut down.  And this is relevant because the method for strengthening the traditional brick is firing.  That means they build a kiln and burn wood for 24 straight hours to strengthen the bricks.  So not having wood is a bit of a problem.  Don’t you think?!?

So this gives us pretty good opportunity… though the blocks have an up front cost of production (cement is used to stabilize the blocks in lieu of burning), they are bigger and “green.”  So we will be able to produce them when no one else can.  And they will be cheaper because there is NOT limiting resources to produce them.  The main ingredient to these block is SOIL, a little bit of sand, a tiny bit of cement, and some water.  So even if we do not have funds to start constructing, we could sell these block to start raising funds.  The ONLY restriction is the startup money for production, but the Lord has provided and will continue to provide.  So I am not worried!!!

Not only did we learn how to make the blocks, we also learned how to build with them.  In fact, we build a small house in the slums for a faithful church goer in the neighborhood.  We experimented with different building techniques to see how best we can use the blocks and to see how versatile they are.  And when we were all said and done, a needy person had a house!  I would say that was a productive training, wouldn’t you?

So now my great anticipation is to get started on our first project with these blocks.  We have made a friend (well actually a group of friends) from Nebraska who are divinely determined to build an orphan village and school.  They are vigorously trying to raise funds for construction.  They have a very expedited hope of building before we depart.  Coincidentally, I am just as ambitious and hopeful!  So pray for these folks!!!  They are faithfully attempting to raise a bunch of money to get started building this village for the KINGDOM.  I am praying daily, and I am asking you to also pray for them.  The spearheading couple, James and Dianne, spent some time here in Uganda back in May.  They spent some time with us, even staying at our house a couple of days.  We have become friends and faithful servants together.  Praise God for this crazy coincidence and meeting even though we are 9,000 miles apart!!

Returning back to the topic of being in South Africa… Pray that we in fact get on a plane today.  Scott and I have been away from our family 28 of the past 34 days.  Needless to say we want to be back with our families and get back to familiarity.  Our families equally want us home as our children miss us horribly.  Praise God that they have been managing thus far, but it is exhausting for our wives, as most of you can imagine. 

Continue also praying for the last bit of money to come in for the finishing of the construction of the Palissa clinic.  Though I dread going back to living in the village, I am desperate to get this project finished.  This area badly needs this clinic so that healthcare is available to the people. 

So until next time…

Chad Neeley

Volunteer Construction Coordinator – WWCS USA/Uganda

Just got back from the construction site…

I am getting pretty excited! We are getting close to the end of construction.  We have all of the brick almost up.  When I left, half of the roof was raised and deflecting lots of sunshine.  This coming Monday, the guys there should finish putting the remaining tin roof (aka iron sheets for Ugandans).  It was nice to see a beautifully planned design work out.  There was literally NO WASTE on the iron sheets.  We did not have to cut a single piece of metal!  It was pretty exciting considering that the trusses were made on the ground and then raised, at the site.

The remaining construction, besides that of the roof, is for us to go in and install the wood grid system in the ceiling for the support of the plaster that will be installed after the fact.  But before the plaster is put in place, we have to attach a metal grate (hammering upside down) to that grid.  Once the grate is in place, we apply a thick mortar/cement mix to the top side of the grate and force it through the holes.  When that dries that allows for the plaster ceiling to adhere even though it is applied and would otherwise just drip to the floor.  At that point, the plaster will be revealed to the wall to offer a nice finish.  It sounds simple, but it is actually time intensive.  For a clinic setting, you really want smooth finished walls.  That way any “matter” can be washed off with ease.  No one wants to go to a clinic that has blood stains all over!

The stinky part of my departure was that I left empty handed.  I have literally spent ALL of the money for the clinic.  It sucks when I still have things that need to be purchased for completion:  roof peak, fascia boards, and plaster sand.  I left 11 days ago hopeful that the money would last to purchase the remaining items.  However, my hope and prayer was not enough.  So now I am a little confused… what do I do with an 85% completed clinic?  I know at this point, I need to start thinking about how I can help to furnish the place.  This is going to take a bit of prayer.  Obviously I do not have the means to build surgical tools, lab equipment, and other miscellaneous medical supplies.  On the other hand, I have the ability to make beds, cabinets, and clinic furnishings.  But again, stuff that takes money…

I am not specifically asking anyone to contribute toward this effort.  Even until now, this clinic has been raised by funds and efforts lead by the Holy Spirit.  So I figure that I need to rely on the same means.  So Holy Spirit… do what you do best!

This trip was far less taxing than the previous!  The heat was reduced… God bless the rainy season!  The food was more what I would prefer.  Mostly because Scott and I chose to spend some time teaching the folks there how to properly fire roast meat after hours of marinading.  I am actually pretty impressed with the backwoods BBQ sauce that I was able to make for the beef marinade.  It was almost exactly like Open Pit… fricken awesome!!!  So we had some roasted meat skewers about every other night.  So we had proper nutrition for the most part.  I know last time that was part of the problem… the heat made our appetite low and the lack of food made our energy low.  So it was just EXHAUSTING!  So staying in the village was a bit easier this go around.

I can tell you, as I approached the clinic after about a 7 week break I had a pretty big smile on my face.  I was pretty sure that Jesus was smiling just as big as I was.  We are doing this for His glory.  The construction, just the mortar alone, is far above the Ugandan standard.  Typically you can run your nails across mortar here and flake it away.  Ours… lets just say your finger tips would be bleeding before you got a single bit of our mortar off the building!  We are really excited in how well the building is turning out.  I am a bit proud considering that it is my design also.  I will get some photos up soon, but I accidentally left my camera in Scott’s car as I exited late last evening.  One of my favorite photos is looking from the entrance down the corridor.  As you look in that direction, you see a MASSIVE cross high in the gable wall.  It is over four feet tall and over three feet wide!  Unfortunately, when the ceiling goes in you lose that view from the inside.  But from the outside it will still shine bright!

Someday, I may start to express the many challenges.  But I don’t want the focus of our work to be on what we had to overcome.  Instead I want it to be on what is the result of God’s love… a hope for the community of Chelekure Agule.  This clinic is going to be a legacy for the Kingdom!  I will do whatever I possibly can to get this thing up and running before I leave (if we leave… had to add the dramatic flair!).  So please pray for this HUGE endeavor!  Pray that we can find means to complete the construction, pursue supplies, and build furnishings.

Now in 6 days, I head off again!  I hope to post the pictures of the last trip.  I will make it my goal for the week!  But pray also for the traveling mercies to South Africa.  I am hoping to not allow the distraction of a developed country stop me from gaining knowledge about the block making machine and building practices.  Pray for the kids and Liz as they are handicapped without me (lets admit it, they are handicapped with me too!).  Pray that there are no car problems, no health issues, and now out of the ordinary challenges.

Even now, I just can’t wait to get some pics on.  So stay tuned!!!

Chad Neeley

Volunteer Construction Coordinator – WWCS USA/Uganda

The time has come where I have to plan my trip back to Palissa.  Going back to finish the clinic that we started over a month ago.  (Don’t worry, the delayed construction is common here.)  I am really looking forward to the ridiculous temperatures, the bathing in a bowl, and traditional Ugandan food!  I am really looking forward to having a structure that is built in the name of Jesus Christ.  One that’s intention is to help with no strings attached.

At this point, all that is left, that is in my control, is the roof and plastering.  There are some miscellaneous features that still require resolve but those two items are the big ticket.

I am challenged by this project!  (yes, I know everyone reading this agrees that I am challenged in more ways than one!)  I have come here as a partner with Worldwide Christian Schools.  That seems a little strange considering that we are building a clinic.  It is even more strange that the place where we are building this clinic has the people already in place that could start a school.  My main contact, and his wife, are teachers by profession.  Their brother is familiar with running the finances of a school.  The property that they have has ample space for a school.  Now the problem… no money. 

My hope, when we got the gift for the clinic, was to separate a little bit to go toward the school. However, I am fixed on the idea that if we are going to build, we will do it in a way that glorifies God.  So we are putting the correct measure in everything we are doing, not cutting corners.  But this has caused the money donated to deplete completely with the clinic.

You may not recall the history of this place.  Agule, the village where we are building near Palissa, was the stomping grounds for the war with the Karamoja.  20 years ago soldiers ravaged this area and killed countless people.  There is still a lack of able young men because of the attacks.  Even now, people are just settling back into the area.  But now the area is worse off then 20 years ago.  The buildings that were there were damaged or destroyed.  The infrastructure of the community and local government was annihilated.  Now it is a place where there is no hope.  People die for no good reason.  The clinic will help that.  But it will not provide a future for the people.  A school is desperately needed.  The nearest school is 7 miles away.  It is also expensive because they know they can be.  So few are able to educate their young ones to supply any hope of getting out of the current situation they are in.  So instead, the kids fish, harvest rice, or work at their homes.  There is no focus on getting them out of the status quo.

So I really want to get them a school started.  I am not talking about some grand structure that is as nice as the clinic.  However, I also don’t want to limit my God.  I really want this place to be impacted by the Kingdom of Heaven.  I think that if we could raise some money, not a ton, but some.  We could raise up a structure to get a school started.  I can use some of the building scraps from the clinic construction.  But I would also need material for the roof.  I figure, with around $3,000 I could get them a decent sized open air building that can start holding classrooms next year.  I know that those people are praying for the same thing.  So pray with me that somehow the Lord provides.

I plan on leaving Sunday, May 27, right after church.  I will be spending a couple of weeks there.  My prayer is that no major hurdle slows our progress.  My prayer is also that somehow money can be raised for the school.  So please join with me in this prayer!

Chad Neeley

Volunteer Construction Coordinator – Worldwide Christian Schools USA/Uganda

It was thirteen and a half months ago when we boarded a plain and headed to Africa, specifically Uganda, with the plan of leading work teams for construction.  That was our main goal.  Second was the construction consulting and strategy planning for the many schools we would interact with.  Now, so much time after, we still have not completed our primary goal, receive a team.  Thankfully, we have not been content with sitting and waiting, which if you have read a single blog post before this you would know that.

But its funny… Liz and I are what I would call “social butterflies.”  Well Liz is the butterfly, I am the dumb moth circling the light.  But regardless, we really enjoy talking to those we interact with.  So lately, I have found it strange when asked “What do you do here?”  Because you cannot be white and be in Uganda without a specific plan.  So it is the topic of conversation at first meeting.  Taking into consideration the previous topic… what do we say?

Now we are trying to figure out what’s the next step.  We haven’t met the first/primary goal that we (?) set.  We have interacted with so many schools but have not really accomplished much building.  On the other hand, a path was made for us as soon as we touched ground in Uganda.  Not only do we visit schools and talk about what could be built, but we encourage and unveil how the Lord has gifted these places to do things on their own, without western aid.  We interact with our neighbors encouraging them to see the saving grace of Christ.  We volunteer/serve wherever we are lead… we assist in medical care for colleagues, manage the finances for Grassroots Empowerment Opportunities and their fleet of vehicles (two really, but fleet sounds cooler!), volunteer at HIV/AIDS events, and random other things where we are able.  Lately, we have been involved in the start-up of an orphan village.  One that will have schools and orphan homes.  We have been challenged with this and are hopeful to be of some assistance.  I even chauffeur for visitors!  It is a good way to save time having to meet and discuss at some random location.  Instead, we meet while getting from point A to point B.  Its actually quite effective!  And lastly, something we have been preparing for for some time, we will be block manufacturers.  We will turn an infant WWCS National Team into a group that is becoming able to support itself.  Being able to assist other schools without asking for western aid.

So when we do figure things out, regarding our future, can we say this mission was a success?  Can we convince people that we need to continue serving without having met the primary goals we had?  Its really tough… so when people ask “When are you coming home?”  What do you say?

At this point, we are confident that the Holy Spirit will lead us where He wants.  God gave us free will, but he also incorporates our decisions into His plan.  So that is really comforting to think that we can’t screw things up either way!  I know we are praying and dialoguing about this constantly.  It is the topic most commonly discussed when talking alone.  I mean it was clear as day when we realized we needed to serve “away from home.”  Right now, that clarity is just not as obvious.

On a side note, I am a bit excited.  I have been assigned the task of planning a trip to South Africa.  There I will be trained on the operation and knowledge of the block machine gifted to our ministry.  I will be traveling with a colleague and we will be staying for two weeks.  We will be learning not only the operation, but also the all important information about the characteristics of soils and composition that will make superior blocks.  In addition, they will also teach advanced building techniques that will assist in making more efficient and effective structures.  And for those of you who do not know, South Africa is developed!  There are paved roads, fast food, and seafood (its on the coast)!  So I am pretty excited all around.  Poor Lizzy, the travel junky, is a bit jealous.  Sorry babe

Anyway, that is whats up right now.  Its been too long, sorry for not being better at keeping you up to date.

Chad Neeley

Volunteer Construction Coordinator/Chauffeur/Accountant/Counselor – Worldwide Christian Schools USA/Uganda

Its funny that I did not realize that that was the actual scenario until Tuesday the 17th.

This past Friday was spent in a familiar, but semi-distant place, Kasawo.  We were at an elementary school called Edusabu Junior School.  You may remember this place as where I spent my birthday last year making bricks.  We were at the school for two reasons:  to deliver bibles and to raise money for construction.  Let me explain…

Earlier this year, Worldwide Christian Schools USA ran a promotion for fundraising a few thousand miles from where we are residing.  They organized with another stateside school to raise money for bibles.  As I understand it, don’t quote me on this, but I believe that the children of a specific school raised money to give children at a school in Uganda bibles.  After the successful endeavor on their part, the WWCS Uganda team had some work to do.   I was tasked with the purchase of the bibles.  After doing some research and bargain shopping, we were able to purchase 199 bibles to give to the school.  The team here, WWCS Uganda, was tasked with the delivery.

A separate turn of events lead to the idea of the fundraiser.  Earlier in the year, Liz and I were approached about receiving a gift for our ministry.  It was a little open ended, but we thought it best that the money be used in a way that would stimulate construction.  So we suggested it go to a school for construction.  At some point, we had the idea that we could use the gift as a way to motivate athe community to increase the gift to be much more.  So we contacted the school in Kasawo to see if they would organize a fundraiser.  This would be a two fold opportunity… to raise money for the school’s construction and to hand out much deserved bibles.

Now let me include a little info about who these children are and what this school is all about.  Like I said, it is Edusabu Junior School.  To all of you reading this blog you probably have no idea who they are.  But let me tell you, they are some pretty special people here in the Buganda Kingdom in Uganda!  This is a private school with Christian values that was established roughly 5 years ago.  Currently, the school is held in three “temporary” classrooms and a papyrus thatched church.  It is the academic home for 393 students this year!  It is a little less than last year, where they had 428 students.  But the impressive part of the school is their drive for success.  Last year, after receiving the results of the Primary Level Examinations, this school was rated number 1 among all of the schools in TWO sub counties.  Now I am not sure how many schools that puts them up against, but it is not just a handful.  I would estimate that to be in the neighborhood of 40-50 schools!  That is extremely impressive considering the description of where the kids currently study!  The poor facility where these kids study requires that when it rains, they end their studies so that they can congregate in the middle of the church where water will not likely penetrate, keeping them dry.

Now you have an understanding of why we are so impressed with this school, these kids, and the academics there.  I firmly believe that with the appropriate tools, such as an actual classroom setting, this school could do so much more!

So this past Friday, we handed out 199 bibles to Edusabu Junior School!  That was a remarkable opportunity.  It was a beautiful reward for a job well done for these kids!  Among that celebration, we emphasized just what I have said above… if they can do, what they have done, with what they have, they can do so much more with adequate facilities.  So we held a fundraiser… the children made some crafts, and the community donated things that they had available (ex. chickens, crafts, and assorted foods).  From there a Ugandan auction ensued.  Doing so raised a pretty good chunk… 500,000 shillings!  For the sake of success, I am not going to convert that to dollars.  Just understand that that is a HUGE success for a fundraiser here in Uganda.  On top of that, 25 bags of cement were also pledged by the community.  That is enough cement to construct two classrooms worth of brick walls!  Praise God for a successful evening!

Now the task is simple… the school is going to continue making bricks.  When they give me the nod that they have enough, we will mobilize for construction.  All together, I estimate that we have enough funds raised to build at least 5 classrooms.  At this point, I am praying for a means to come along that will get them roofing materials.  I would love to go there and not only build walls, but also stop the rain from entering the rooms.  So pray alongside us so that this can happen!

This school is the model of the team here at WWCS Uganda:

Faith in Christ + Community involvement + Drive for academics = School Construction

Join us in congratulating Edusabu Junior School for this past year’s performance.  Join me in thanking the community for showing up and contributing so much to the cause.  Also join me in thanking everyone else who has had a role in this event’s success.

Chad Neeley

Volunteer Construction Coordinator – WWCS USA/Uganda

By now 90 percent of the world has heard about the viral game called Angry Birds.  It is a quirky game where you launch different types of birds at pigs that allegedly stole eggs and ate them.  I love the game.  If you ask Lizzy I am “semi-addicted” to it.  Thanks Facebook for adding it to the lineup of games for play on the biggest social media website in the world!

Anyway, I have been acting like those stupid little birds lately.  I get sooo frustrated with how the culture here in Uganda is to get as much money as possible for a service.  I really miss having a set price for something and not having to negotiate or get taken advantage of.  Oh Meijers… I miss you!  Sadly this is something that is common all over the world.  The US has had some distance from accepting what happens everywhere else and keeps its own way of doing things.  I guess in some ways that is good, in others… not so much.

As we are building the clinic in Pallisa/Agule we have had to acquire TONS of materials, literally.  I have had to negotiate for everything.  I swear I could have gotten a better price on toilet paper, just kidding!  Every piece of material had a starting price and after bickering for sometimes 30 minutes, a final price.  For example, one day I bought timber, a 2×6 for 16,000 shillings.  The next day, I found another person who ended selling me the pieces for 14,000 shillings each.  It is an annoying game of finding suitable vendors and beating them up in prices.  It was an hourly challenge to say the least.

However, sometimes it did not go the same way.  There is always someone who thinks the white man has unlimited supplies of money.  Those same people think they are due a portion of that unlimited supply.  So they intentionally hike up their prices in hopes of taking advantage.  One particular example comes to mind…

So Pallisa is a smaller town.  There is limited supply of different things.  One particular thing is Eucalyptus poles that are used for general construction.  We use them for holding concrete forms up, for scaffolding, even for making ladders.  They are pretty much needed at every job site.  Well Pallisa has a limited supply.  Typically they are pre-cut and for sale at some vendor, just like timber.  But Pallisa is not that way.  After using our limited contacts, we were told that they were only available if you went to the forest to get them yourselves, paying someone for the poles and cutting them down.  We found this out by some random guy and his two buddies who volunteered the information in hopes of selling them and benefiting as a third party salesperson and as the labor to cut them down.  So after having them hop in the bed of the truck and directing us to the forest, we approached the swampy land having the necessary wood available.  The “volunteer”, our random buddy who gave up this information, decided he would do us a “favor” and negotiate the price for the poles for us.  Lucky us!  After a good 5 minutes of discussion, he comes back to the truck to inform us of his “great” price he negotiated.  He quickly stated a price, but in the same breath said another, higher price.  Realizing that he did not raise the price first for negotiation.  Instantly I was perturbed, as you can imagine.  He said “the price is 5,000… 10,000.”  Obviously I do not go into situations like this deaf, dumb, and stupid.  I knew what the going rate for these poles was in Kampala, as a reference point.  So I knew that he was trying to pull a fast one.  So I called over the woman who tends the forest.  She was a very pleasant woman.  I asked her how much and she politely answered… “they are 3,000 each.”  By now, I was annoyed by our buddies who came to “help”, but first I arranged with the lady to get the necessary amounts I needed.  Once I was done figuring that out with her, I tended to our friends… I got out of the truck to talk to the guys.  Two of them were still in the bed of the truck.  I said to them that they are deceptive and cheats.  I was ashamed of their tactics of trying to take money.  So I rebuked them and ordered them to get out of the truck so I could leave.  That’s right… I left them several miles from the town, opposite where they met us!

Now I knew that I had to come back and get the poles.  I was just trying to get my point across.  When we came back, those guys had helped cut and haul the wood to where we could load.  So after loading, I gave them a lift back to town.  Now I did not pass up the opportunity to give them another piece of my mind.  I was very direct and told them that there should not one price for a Ugandan and another price for a white person.  That is called stealing.  I paid them a minimal amount for the 25 minutes of work they did.  And I felt pretty good that I could teach them a lesson about life.  I hope they tell others!

We are going back soon, to Pallisa.  They all know what we are doing.  They know where we are working.  They know why we are doing what we are doing.  I am excited to know that these people see the goodness of Christ.  Even though we have shenanigans in how we teach people to act honorably.  We are all quick to explain that we are just servants of the Kingdom.  That through the providence of our Lord Jesus Christ a blessing has been given to this area.  That this blessing will offer relief for people close to their home.  So now a seed has been planted!  I am praying for it to fall on fertile ground!

Chad Neeley

Volunteer Construction Coordinator – WWCS USA/Uganda