I know that repeating my previous topic is a bit inappropriate for maintaining interest from anyone calling by to see whats going on, but An 8 foot python is a story. See the photograph.

Im afraid that I wasnt there when it was killed, but called today to visit some guys in a local homestead, and they wanted to show me the snake that had eaten one of their calves the day before – they’d kept it to show me. They were then amused by the efforts of myself and Dr Steve at joining in their traditional dancing, and then tried to marry me off to one of their sisters but thats another story.

The rains havent really got started properly even yet which is a bit worrying as everyone here is a subsistence farmer. Even our nurses rely on their gardens to feed their children, so if we dont get rain soon, many will be hungry in the coming months.

The next few weeks here see a flurry of excitement as the various committees meet in anticipation of the hospital board which meets next week. Please do pray for these meetings which make decisions influencing the ongoing work of the hospital.

We have had quite a few cases of meningitis in the last month. Some very sick folk have got completely better, but sadly about 30% of people with such a condition die.

I had my 36th birthday this week, and it was a good one. Some of the team came round and we had a great cake. My presents included a watering can, bottle opener, and blue-peter style robot courtesy of Dr Rauls sons now proudly on top of my radio. I was discussing a book by John Piper this week with a visiting pastor from Vancouver called ‘Don’t waste your life’. What a privilege to be able to spend some years here at Kiwoko. The 36 that have passed have been good, but wont come back, and how many more hopefully lots, but however many, I certainly want to make the most of them. Not everyone has the freedom to choose to do what I have been able to do, but I have no regrets that I decided to leave Ballyholme General Practice two years ago. Let me encourage you to be bold enough to consider taking risky decisions to make the most of the life you have too.

Oh, and our two Ugandan doctors confirmed that they will be staying with us for the next few months at least just fantastic!

Thanks for reading. Bye for now Rory