My Visit to New Life School in Rural Uganda in the Village of Kitofaali 3 1/2 Hours Southwest of Kampala

All the students lined up for a parade.  Their
happy faces will remain with me forever.

I presented Class 6 with pressed autumn
leaves from Illinois

Gretchen Deuble our long-time friend of over 40 years, invited me to travel to Uganda with her for two weeks to visit her dear friend Betty Kemirembe and also to meet the teenage orphan, Angella, for whom Gretchen pays tuition so she may attend St. Mary’s Boarding School, one of Uganda’s finest. 

Chileren play...no toys....no shouting....happy!!

Passing the collection plate to support NLS was my idea but our Church happily embraced NLS involvement.   We collected enough $$$ to become a partner with the NLS 6th grade class through December of 2012.  Hopefully our Church will decide to continue the partnership. 

When I contacted UUA via Eric Cherry to learn about NLS and Mark Kiyimba, he told me I probably would not be able to visit NLS.  To my surprise, I received an email from Mark August 29 to call him at 7 pm.  He was most gracious and said “when you visit my school you will stay with my Mama.”  Then he proceeded to say he was preaching in Kirkwood, Missouri and he would come to our Church that evening to give a talk, the evening of Sunday Oct 2.  So my husband and I heard Mark preach the 2nd sermon and then we whisked him off to our home, a three hour drive.  Approximately sixty heard his talk.  He stayed with us 5 nights – every day we enjoyed him and quite honestly, I felt as though he was my son!  Much of his time was spent using his laptop and cell phone. Mark wanted to go shopping – my husband Ed was exhausted after the experience – I met them to help Mark choose a larger suitcase.  We made him very comfortable during his stay.  He called when he arrived in NYC (Newark) to say he felt such love while with us. 

Michael Brown of the Peoria UU Church invited Mark to do a talk during the week he was here so Ed and I drove him to Peoria where about twenty people welcomed him.  Mark is scheduled to return to Peoria to preach on Sunday Nov 20.    Michael Brown and Mark met at General Assembly. 

Should She or Shouldn't She?

Roslyn 4 1/2   Liesl 2  1/2    Signy almost 7

When Carla and Neal were planning their wedding, they wanted Signy and Roslyn to be flower girls.  But what about Liesl?  At the last minute right before the processional which the girls were to lead,  Laurie said -- we're doin' it!  Liels's gonna follow her sisters down the aisle.  She did, head held high.  Our three granddaughters had a smashing time at the wedding as well as at the reception. 

Why No Posts This Summer

July 10, 2011 Temple Israel, Minneapolis, MN

Our son Neal married Carla Merkow in Minneapolis on his 40th birthday.  Oh what a wedding it was.  Neal would have been fine eloping but Carla wanted a wedding which happily happened.   As they were planning the wedding, Neal said, "it's going to be a blast!"

To see our granddaughters, Signy almost 7, Roslyn 4 1/2, and Liesl 2 1/2 walk down the aisle to help celebrate their Uncle Neal's wedding was a most joyful occasion. 

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Maggie Merkow, Carla's Mom 

Carla's mom, Maggie lost her husband when Carla was only 5 and Carla's sister Syarh was 8.  Dr. Robert Merkow was an orthopedic surgeon specializing in hand surgery.  He was in a private plane on his way to a small town north of Minneapolis to perform an operation.   The plane went down.  Ed and I can not imagine what this tragedy was like for Maggie and her two young girls.  We hold Rob in our hearts.  And ---- a talented cake decorator, Maggie made the Carla and Neal's wedding cake. 

Gorgeous couple, Maggie's cake.

A world-wide traveler, Maggie is an artist and has a keen interest in Reiki, the holistic Japanese healing process using hands to transfer life force energy. Recently she has completed workshops in California to study face reading.  Fascinating!  She has traveled throughout the world.  Maggie is devoted to Rob's parents, Riva and Dr. William Merkow who reside in Milwaukee, Carla's grandparents.   Ed and I so enjoyed meeting them. 

Hines's and Merkows (Riva and Dr. William Merkow on right)

Rev. Mark Kiyimba in Bloomington-Normal

Mark stayed with us for five memorable days.

Rev. Mark Kiyimba with me before his talk
Oct 2, 2011 at UUBN

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How proud I was to introduce Mark
to about 60 people who attended  his talk about the injustices to the LGBT community in Uganda. 

A tired man  relaxing at our house.

Mark showed me how to make matoke, steamed plantains

Breakfast

The Rev. Mark Kiyimba, Renowned UU Ugandan Minister

               The Rev. Mark Kiyimba,

Unitarian Universalist Minister from Kampala, Uganda

Mark traveled throughout the country this summer exposing the injustices to LGBT people in Uganda where they are imprisoned and sometimes killed.

Rev. Kiyimba founded the only Unitarian Universalist Church in Kampala, Uganda in 2004.  This church is the only congregation in Uganda that welcomes LGBT people.  

Mark is responsible for starting New Life School in a rural area located 3 1/2 hours southwest of Kampala as well as an orphanage.  The orphanage is presently being expanded.  He is well known for uniting countries throughout the world to remove a legislative agenda item in Uganda against the LGBT community.