Good Morning from Jenja, Uganda or goodnight to some of you.
My activities this past week were very limited as the reins were handed over to Robert. He did an exceptional in his first week. Robert was able to find a place to move to and has started living in Katakwi, Uganda. It's an area very close to our carepoints, but gives him more safety than he would have living at the carepoints. It is close enough for him to spend his days monitoring the activities and keep track of who is showing up for work and who is not. They have begun the process of planting potato vines or heaping potatoes as thy say here in Uganda.
I awoke this morning to a power outage. So it looks like my idea of a hot shower is out. Its not the worst thing ever, but when its a daily cold shower, a hot one sure would be nice. Maybe the power will come back on soon.
In the grand scheme of things, everything has gone very well. I will leave here confident that the project will continue. There will be no uneasiness as to things left undone. the project is in great hands. I couldn't have wished for anyone better than Robert.
The only uneasiness about leaving will be in leaving the Elotu Household. They have been so good to me. As far as I am concerned, they were a wonderful example of the Love of Christ. I joked to them that if I stayed with them for just six months, I would meet everyone in Uganda. There was a constant trail of people always coming by. Some in need, some just wanting to visit. Those who came never left empty. I certainly won't. I have been in very good hands! I will never forget the love that they have shown me.
The trip here in Uganda is coming to a close. This week, on Thursday actually, Joseph and I will travel to Dubai for a last minute trip. I've wanted to visit Dubai and the plane ticket from here was very affordable. When we get back, we'll track back to the carepoints so that I can say goodbye for now.
Thank you all for your continued prayers. They have worked wonderfully as they always do. We serve a wonderful God!
Tom Cox
Monday, June 27, 2011
Monday, June 20, 2011
Monday Night, June 20th, 2011
Hello everyone. This is a follow-up to this mornings blog. Today was tough!
Richard was his name. He left behind a wife, who is in her twenty's, and seven kids.
The funeral was held at their home, which consist of about three huts. With friends and neighbors cooking food for everyone. They came together to celebrate his life and voice their frustrations as to how he died. The Karamojong waited outside his hut while others were stealing cattle. When he stepped outside, they shot him in the side. When he collapsed, they shot him again. He died. His battle is over, but the battle just became harder for his wife and kids.
I watched a young widow faint today. I watched a sister cry. I watched an orphaned son collapse under a tree from crying, missing his dad. I watched another orphaned son serve water to the guest who had come to mourn his father. I watched a community come together to pay for his funeral. I watched the very same people take up another collection to pay any outstanding bills and maybe, just maybe, there might be some left over for the family. Obligation before needs.
These are good people! These are God fearing people. These people, are my brothers and sisters. We share the same Heavenly Father.
I miss my family and friends back home. I truly do. I am, however, very thankful for the time I am getting to spend here. I know without any doubts that this is where I am supposed to be at this moment. We serve a wonderful and gracious God.
Keep me in your prayers. Today we have seven more orphans that need sponsored.
Hug your spouse and kids!
Goodnight.
Tom Cox
Richard was his name. He left behind a wife, who is in her twenty's, and seven kids.
The funeral was held at their home, which consist of about three huts. With friends and neighbors cooking food for everyone. They came together to celebrate his life and voice their frustrations as to how he died. The Karamojong waited outside his hut while others were stealing cattle. When he stepped outside, they shot him in the side. When he collapsed, they shot him again. He died. His battle is over, but the battle just became harder for his wife and kids.
I watched a young widow faint today. I watched a sister cry. I watched an orphaned son collapse under a tree from crying, missing his dad. I watched another orphaned son serve water to the guest who had come to mourn his father. I watched a community come together to pay for his funeral. I watched the very same people take up another collection to pay any outstanding bills and maybe, just maybe, there might be some left over for the family. Obligation before needs.
These are good people! These are God fearing people. These people, are my brothers and sisters. We share the same Heavenly Father.
I miss my family and friends back home. I truly do. I am, however, very thankful for the time I am getting to spend here. I know without any doubts that this is where I am supposed to be at this moment. We serve a wonderful and gracious God.
Keep me in your prayers. Today we have seven more orphans that need sponsored.
Hug your spouse and kids!
Goodnight.
Tom Cox
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Monday, June 20, 2011
Sunday was a great day. Two of us took a Boda Boda ride to a church on the other side of Soroti to attend services at a church called Life Line. It was a long but great sermon about God's purpose for our lives. It was a great, but somewhat ironic message for me to hear. I had just spent Saturday hiring 32 men and women (mostly men) in the villages around our carepoints. Something that I have and do feel that God has purposed for me to do.
After church, it was a nice walk back to the home that I have been made to feel so welcome in. Joseph, Ann and everyone here have done so much to make me feel at home. I can never repay them for the hospitality they have shown me.
In preparation for Monday, a young man came over to work with Robert on his motorcycle skills. The knew mode of transportation is going to be a bit tricky, but I was assured that Robert would be fine. Its not that it is a motorcycle that concerned me. It was the fact that it was only Friday that we took Robert to get a drivers license of any kind. They are expensive, so having one is not a common thing here in Uganda.
Everything was ending well yesterday when Robert's phone rang. It was the leader of the group of men we had just hired in Ngariam Corner. He had bad news. One of our new employees had been murdered on Saturday night. We had just hired him that afternoon. It seems that some of the Karimojong had raid the cattle in Ngariam Corner and when this gentleman, Simon, came out of his hut to check, they shot him dead.
This is the reality they face every day. The Karimojong are real. These are IDP Camps not villages. For those who don't know, IDP stands for Internally Displaced Persons. They are refugees in their own country. It is illegal for them to have guns so they can't protect themselves. They rely on the army and staying in groups to protect themselves.
This is the reality in which our kids here are growing up. Its a hard life!
Keep praying! I have a funeral to go to now, so I have to go. Please keep praying!
Tom Cox
After church, it was a nice walk back to the home that I have been made to feel so welcome in. Joseph, Ann and everyone here have done so much to make me feel at home. I can never repay them for the hospitality they have shown me.
In preparation for Monday, a young man came over to work with Robert on his motorcycle skills. The knew mode of transportation is going to be a bit tricky, but I was assured that Robert would be fine. Its not that it is a motorcycle that concerned me. It was the fact that it was only Friday that we took Robert to get a drivers license of any kind. They are expensive, so having one is not a common thing here in Uganda.
Everything was ending well yesterday when Robert's phone rang. It was the leader of the group of men we had just hired in Ngariam Corner. He had bad news. One of our new employees had been murdered on Saturday night. We had just hired him that afternoon. It seems that some of the Karimojong had raid the cattle in Ngariam Corner and when this gentleman, Simon, came out of his hut to check, they shot him dead.
This is the reality they face every day. The Karimojong are real. These are IDP Camps not villages. For those who don't know, IDP stands for Internally Displaced Persons. They are refugees in their own country. It is illegal for them to have guns so they can't protect themselves. They rely on the army and staying in groups to protect themselves.
This is the reality in which our kids here are growing up. Its a hard life!
Keep praying! I have a funeral to go to now, so I have to go. Please keep praying!
Tom Cox
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Saturday, June 18th 2011
Hope everyone back home is having as good of a Saturday as I had today. God is so good!
Today I traveled to the Villages with both Joseph Elotu and Robert Enotu. Robert is the young man that has been hired to oversee the upcoming community projects. He has already been hard at work and was able to arrange meetings today with community leaders and potential workers. I am very happy to say that we now have a full staff!
We were able to hire thirty-two people today! That's thirty-two people that didn't have jobs this morning when they woke up. They will be working on community project that will benefit the entire community and they will all have a hand in picking what projects they work on. They will also have an advisory board made up of leaders in the community and all will be overseen by Robert.
Please continue to pray for this project and for the people working in it and on it. I am so thankful for the support that so many have given in making this happen. It is an amazing thing to watch God work. He is an awesome God!
Thank you all!
Tom Cox
Today I traveled to the Villages with both Joseph Elotu and Robert Enotu. Robert is the young man that has been hired to oversee the upcoming community projects. He has already been hard at work and was able to arrange meetings today with community leaders and potential workers. I am very happy to say that we now have a full staff!
We were able to hire thirty-two people today! That's thirty-two people that didn't have jobs this morning when they woke up. They will be working on community project that will benefit the entire community and they will all have a hand in picking what projects they work on. They will also have an advisory board made up of leaders in the community and all will be overseen by Robert.
Please continue to pray for this project and for the people working in it and on it. I am so thankful for the support that so many have given in making this happen. It is an amazing thing to watch God work. He is an awesome God!
Thank you all!
Tom Cox
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Thursday June 16th, 2011
Good Morning Everyone!
Today is going to be a lazy day. I should be able to get more photos and videos posted today. The problem is, I'm a little unfocused today. My younger sister, Tamara, is scheduled to go into the hospital today and have her baby. I won't be there obviously, but they have promised to have skype handy and let me know as soon as she is born. She is in my prayers today and I ask that if you are reading this, please pray for her as well.
Yesterday was a big day. Robert Enotu has accepted the job to take over as an overseer to the work that has started here. Look for him on Facebook, he is now one of my friends. Robert is an incredible young man of God. Although he is young, you can see the light of God shining through him. A few years ago, Robert was involved in a very serious car accident in which the car rolled several times and ejected him from the vehicle. By medical standards anywhere, but especially here, he should have died. God has a plan for Robert and he knows that. I am blessed to have him on board. God is so good.
We traveled to our Carepoints yesterday and asked that they identify eight men and two women from each that would be responsible and willing to work. We will meet with them as a group on Saturday to explain the job opportunity. I am excited to see this plan progress. It has not been quick, but I believe that it has been in God's timing.
Please pray with us as we progress. When I leave here, there will be about six weeks worth of money here for the project to continue. My friends back home are already putting together a committee that will look into ways to raise more money for this project. As it is, it will require about $22,000.00 a year. Our hope is to raise more so that the projects we work on can be even bigger. The goal is to make it self-sustaining, but that will take time. Robert is the right man for the job. He sees the vision and believes that God can make it happen.
Thanks for the prayers!
Tom Cox
Today is going to be a lazy day. I should be able to get more photos and videos posted today. The problem is, I'm a little unfocused today. My younger sister, Tamara, is scheduled to go into the hospital today and have her baby. I won't be there obviously, but they have promised to have skype handy and let me know as soon as she is born. She is in my prayers today and I ask that if you are reading this, please pray for her as well.
Yesterday was a big day. Robert Enotu has accepted the job to take over as an overseer to the work that has started here. Look for him on Facebook, he is now one of my friends. Robert is an incredible young man of God. Although he is young, you can see the light of God shining through him. A few years ago, Robert was involved in a very serious car accident in which the car rolled several times and ejected him from the vehicle. By medical standards anywhere, but especially here, he should have died. God has a plan for Robert and he knows that. I am blessed to have him on board. God is so good.
We traveled to our Carepoints yesterday and asked that they identify eight men and two women from each that would be responsible and willing to work. We will meet with them as a group on Saturday to explain the job opportunity. I am excited to see this plan progress. It has not been quick, but I believe that it has been in God's timing.
Please pray with us as we progress. When I leave here, there will be about six weeks worth of money here for the project to continue. My friends back home are already putting together a committee that will look into ways to raise more money for this project. As it is, it will require about $22,000.00 a year. Our hope is to raise more so that the projects we work on can be even bigger. The goal is to make it self-sustaining, but that will take time. Robert is the right man for the job. He sees the vision and believes that God can make it happen.
Thanks for the prayers!
Tom Cox
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Sunday June 12th, 2011
It is about 11:16 in the morning here in Soroti, Uganda. We just arrived back home from church services. I went this morning with some of the young people that stay here with Joseph and Ann. It was about a 2 mile walk as best as I can tell, but they walk it every Sunday. It was a nice time a visiting along the way.
A lot has happened this past week. It included an overnight stay in Katakwi with Peter, the man who has been assigned to protect me, and a new friend, Becca, who was hired to drive me. After the first day of visiting our carepoints, we stopped at a cafe in Katakwi to eat a late lunch of rice, beans and posha. After lunch I noticed that they had a pool table, so I asked if either of them had played. Neither had, so we began what I would call the longest game of pool ever. It was so fun to watch them try something they had never done before. They began to talk smack to each other as to who was going to win. Becca won both games against Peter, but neither wanted to play me. It was fun to watch and they both enjoyed it.
On Friday morning we went to the market to check on purchasing some animals, but learned that they are still in a time of quarantine. So none were there for sale. You can however, still purchase chickens because one was shoved in my face as the man asked me to buy it. I graciously declined.
We headed back by the carepoints to visit with those we had missed. We bargained on chopping down two more trees that need to be cleared for the new soccer fields. That was interesting, but it got done. I had to get a little stern with the men. They think that because I am a white man, they can ask for prevailing wages. I don't mind a little, but over paying what the market bears is just charity. The money needs to be stretched over the entire villages not just to a few.
The plowing has began in one of the villages and is scheduled to start in the other two. As soon as they are done, we will begin planting potatoes that can be used to help feed the other kids that are not eligible to be sponsored. The parents have agreed to pitch in some money and to also provide a cook to help with feed the unsponsored kids. It is really coming together and the entire community is starting to work together to make it happen.
Please keep praying for me. I need your prayers. I feel them and they help.
With love!
Thomas Cox
A lot has happened this past week. It included an overnight stay in Katakwi with Peter, the man who has been assigned to protect me, and a new friend, Becca, who was hired to drive me. After the first day of visiting our carepoints, we stopped at a cafe in Katakwi to eat a late lunch of rice, beans and posha. After lunch I noticed that they had a pool table, so I asked if either of them had played. Neither had, so we began what I would call the longest game of pool ever. It was so fun to watch them try something they had never done before. They began to talk smack to each other as to who was going to win. Becca won both games against Peter, but neither wanted to play me. It was fun to watch and they both enjoyed it.
On Friday morning we went to the market to check on purchasing some animals, but learned that they are still in a time of quarantine. So none were there for sale. You can however, still purchase chickens because one was shoved in my face as the man asked me to buy it. I graciously declined.
We headed back by the carepoints to visit with those we had missed. We bargained on chopping down two more trees that need to be cleared for the new soccer fields. That was interesting, but it got done. I had to get a little stern with the men. They think that because I am a white man, they can ask for prevailing wages. I don't mind a little, but over paying what the market bears is just charity. The money needs to be stretched over the entire villages not just to a few.
The plowing has began in one of the villages and is scheduled to start in the other two. As soon as they are done, we will begin planting potatoes that can be used to help feed the other kids that are not eligible to be sponsored. The parents have agreed to pitch in some money and to also provide a cook to help with feed the unsponsored kids. It is really coming together and the entire community is starting to work together to make it happen.
Please keep praying for me. I need your prayers. I feel them and they help.
With love!
Thomas Cox
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Wednesday June 8th 2011
Its Tuesday morning here in Kampala, Uganda. It's 9:45 am local time and 1:45 am back home. Sometimes it's hard to balance the two times. Knowing when to call home and being able to are two different things. I do, however, enjoy the opportunities I get to talk to those of you back home.
We have spent the last two days taking Joe and Dylan back to the airport in Entebbe. They had a late night flight, as most of them are when heading back to the US. They are probably in Brussels as I type this. I'm going to miss them. They gave me some very good advice on how to proceed with the mission work I am trying to do. They left me a book to read called "When Helping Hurts". It is certainly a great book and one that I would highly recommend to anyone choosing to do any type of mission work.
The problem we run into here is creating an environment where people get used to getting handouts instead of working to develop their God given talents and climbing out of the mess they are in. It is hard to look at a grown man that is capable of working, when given the chance, asking you for a handout. As bad as that is, it is absolutely heart breaking to see a child doing the same thing. I don't want to be a part of teaching a child how to beg. I want to empower them to get an education and overcome the poverty in which they were born into.
How do we do that? It starts with a lot of prayer. Understanding that like them, I too am broken. It is only through Christ that I am complete. These are my brothers and sisters in Christ and it hurts our Heavenly Father to see them hurt.
Sustainable jobs is what is needed. We can start with doing things within the community, but long term we need sustainable jobs in which they can develop, control and increase. In the simplest form, a man needs to feel needed. He needs to provide for his family. He needs to understand his purpose and what God has planned for his life. That is no different here than it is at home. It is no different for you or me.
Please keep me in your prayers!
Tom Cox
We have spent the last two days taking Joe and Dylan back to the airport in Entebbe. They had a late night flight, as most of them are when heading back to the US. They are probably in Brussels as I type this. I'm going to miss them. They gave me some very good advice on how to proceed with the mission work I am trying to do. They left me a book to read called "When Helping Hurts". It is certainly a great book and one that I would highly recommend to anyone choosing to do any type of mission work.
The problem we run into here is creating an environment where people get used to getting handouts instead of working to develop their God given talents and climbing out of the mess they are in. It is hard to look at a grown man that is capable of working, when given the chance, asking you for a handout. As bad as that is, it is absolutely heart breaking to see a child doing the same thing. I don't want to be a part of teaching a child how to beg. I want to empower them to get an education and overcome the poverty in which they were born into.
How do we do that? It starts with a lot of prayer. Understanding that like them, I too am broken. It is only through Christ that I am complete. These are my brothers and sisters in Christ and it hurts our Heavenly Father to see them hurt.
Sustainable jobs is what is needed. We can start with doing things within the community, but long term we need sustainable jobs in which they can develop, control and increase. In the simplest form, a man needs to feel needed. He needs to provide for his family. He needs to understand his purpose and what God has planned for his life. That is no different here than it is at home. It is no different for you or me.
Please keep me in your prayers!
Tom Cox
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Sunday June 5, 2011
On Sunday we spent the day visiting briefly with all three of our carepoints. The deal with having a Vision Team over here is that you want them to see as many carepoints as possible, but you also want them to see how they work. The bonus there for the kids is that they were fed on a Sunday, and that's not supposed to happen. With Hopechest, it Monday through Saturday. So, they got a bonus feed.
So the guys from Iowa suggested that I read the book called "When Helping Hurts" by Steve Corbett and Brian Fikkert. They are letting me read the book that they brought and its a very good book. I really think that I should have read the book before I ever came over here. In fact, I think we all should. Sometimes the things we do might make us feel better, but in the long run, we are actually hurting the people we are trying to help. That was evidenced by the begging that we saw from one of the men.
Let me be clear about this. We do need to be here. I need to be here. We are making a difference. These kids are doing better because of what we are doing. The thing is, we can't just keep treating the symptoms here. We need to treat the problem. I'm not an expert, but its a great book.
On Monday, we will visit one more carepoint, than it is off to Jinja. Joe and Dylan head back home on Tuesday. I have really enjoyed visiting with the two of them. The task they are undertaking with their companies is impressive. In short, they said they feel like they can have a bigger influence on their employees if they can see them being the church. Not going to church, but being the church. That's impressive.
Thanks for your prayers!
Tom Cox
So the guys from Iowa suggested that I read the book called "When Helping Hurts" by Steve Corbett and Brian Fikkert. They are letting me read the book that they brought and its a very good book. I really think that I should have read the book before I ever came over here. In fact, I think we all should. Sometimes the things we do might make us feel better, but in the long run, we are actually hurting the people we are trying to help. That was evidenced by the begging that we saw from one of the men.
Let me be clear about this. We do need to be here. I need to be here. We are making a difference. These kids are doing better because of what we are doing. The thing is, we can't just keep treating the symptoms here. We need to treat the problem. I'm not an expert, but its a great book.
On Monday, we will visit one more carepoint, than it is off to Jinja. Joe and Dylan head back home on Tuesday. I have really enjoyed visiting with the two of them. The task they are undertaking with their companies is impressive. In short, they said they feel like they can have a bigger influence on their employees if they can see them being the church. Not going to church, but being the church. That's impressive.
Thanks for your prayers!
Tom Cox
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Saturday, June 4th 2011
Saturday was an incredible day! I have been fortunate enough to travel to different carepoints with the two gentlemen. Yesterday we visited a village called Ogoloi. It is very close to Soroti where we are staying. The kids there are in danger of losing their carepoint status simply because the funding is not there. That's the reality of this. It takes money to feed these kids. They can't take money away from where it is earmarked. That's not fair to those kids.
we spent all day in Ogoloi. The kids there were amazing. We had lots of fun playing. I was challenged to a race to the Mango Tree. I am happy to report that I won. The truth is, I think he was so amazed that someone my size was able to run in the first place that it may affected his timing. I was a bit surprised myself! Regardless, it was a very fun day. There were not that many kids there. It was a Saturday though, so there wasn't any school. In the end, it was a great day to play with kids!
After we arrived home last night it was great evening of visiting with Dylan and Joe. Somehow, we started talking about the price gouging with the bulls. They had a new perspective. Imagine not being able to feed your family and here comes this rich white guy looking to buy something from you. They both agreed that they would ask for more money. You know what? I would too.
Its a brand new day! Thank you again for all your prayers.
Tom Cox
we spent all day in Ogoloi. The kids there were amazing. We had lots of fun playing. I was challenged to a race to the Mango Tree. I am happy to report that I won. The truth is, I think he was so amazed that someone my size was able to run in the first place that it may affected his timing. I was a bit surprised myself! Regardless, it was a very fun day. There were not that many kids there. It was a Saturday though, so there wasn't any school. In the end, it was a great day to play with kids!
After we arrived home last night it was great evening of visiting with Dylan and Joe. Somehow, we started talking about the price gouging with the bulls. They had a new perspective. Imagine not being able to feed your family and here comes this rich white guy looking to buy something from you. They both agreed that they would ask for more money. You know what? I would too.
Its a brand new day! Thank you again for all your prayers.
Tom Cox
Friday June 3, 2011
Hello everyone! My spirits have been lifted. Thank you so much for all your prayers!
Let me tell you about yesterday first. Joseph and I headed out early to Entebbe, Uganda to pick up a couple of gentleman from Iowa. On the way...... Joseph received a call from someone within the Village. It seems that they had decided to lower their prices on the bulls. He told them it was to late, and that we were going a different route. Joseph has found a source for the bulls. YEA!!!!!!
So let me tell you about the gentlemen we picked up. As I said, they are from Iowa. Their names are Joe and Dylan. The two of them are business partners and have a real estate business in Iowa. From talking to them, I have learned that they have a very successful business. They have come, not as a church, but as men who want to get their workers involved with doing what God has called all of us to do. To become the church and go out into the world and be the Church. To be Christ followers!
In talking to them, I learned that one of the contributing factors of their journey here was in reading a book from Francis Chan called "Crazy Love". I can't tell you how amazing that is to me. That is the same book that I read that has inspired the journey that I am on. Its about falling madly in love with God. Its about not being a "luke warm" christian, but becoming the Christ Followers that God wants us to be.
It has stirred up some very good conversations already. I know that God has placed me in this place for such a time as this.
I look forward to learning where this new found relationship goes. It has been very uplifting so far.
Thank you for your prayers!
Tom Cox
Let me tell you about yesterday first. Joseph and I headed out early to Entebbe, Uganda to pick up a couple of gentleman from Iowa. On the way...... Joseph received a call from someone within the Village. It seems that they had decided to lower their prices on the bulls. He told them it was to late, and that we were going a different route. Joseph has found a source for the bulls. YEA!!!!!!
So let me tell you about the gentlemen we picked up. As I said, they are from Iowa. Their names are Joe and Dylan. The two of them are business partners and have a real estate business in Iowa. From talking to them, I have learned that they have a very successful business. They have come, not as a church, but as men who want to get their workers involved with doing what God has called all of us to do. To become the church and go out into the world and be the Church. To be Christ followers!
In talking to them, I learned that one of the contributing factors of their journey here was in reading a book from Francis Chan called "Crazy Love". I can't tell you how amazing that is to me. That is the same book that I read that has inspired the journey that I am on. Its about falling madly in love with God. Its about not being a "luke warm" christian, but becoming the Christ Followers that God wants us to be.
It has stirred up some very good conversations already. I know that God has placed me in this place for such a time as this.
I look forward to learning where this new found relationship goes. It has been very uplifting so far.
Thank you for your prayers!
Tom Cox
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Wednesday June 1, 2011
It is now10:47 pm on Wednesday night. It has been a very long and frustrating day here. I'm ready to go to bed!!!!!!!!
We spent today looking to buy bulls for each of our Carepoints. We need them to be able to effectively plow the fields to grow food to feed the unsponsored kids. It will take another three months for food to produce, so we are in a bit of a hurry to get the plows and bulls purchased.
Unfortunately, the people in the village see an opportunity. They are of the understanding that a white man will come in and pay whatever is asked, regardless of what the market really is. The weird thing is though, that if I indeed gave them what they were asking in public, they may not last the night. Someone might decide that they need the money worse than they do.
These are desperate times. It looks as if we are going to hold off on buying the bulls and plows for now and just hire it done. That will be money that could have gone into their pockets, but will instead travel outside of our villages. Hopefully, we can raise money to buy a tractor to use instead of the bulls. The tractor would be much less likely to be stolen.
I'm rambling now, but I'm very tired and just wanted to get this written before I went to bed.
Today, I was defeated! I will fight another day and in another way!
Pray for me.
Tom Cox
We spent today looking to buy bulls for each of our Carepoints. We need them to be able to effectively plow the fields to grow food to feed the unsponsored kids. It will take another three months for food to produce, so we are in a bit of a hurry to get the plows and bulls purchased.
Unfortunately, the people in the village see an opportunity. They are of the understanding that a white man will come in and pay whatever is asked, regardless of what the market really is. The weird thing is though, that if I indeed gave them what they were asking in public, they may not last the night. Someone might decide that they need the money worse than they do.
These are desperate times. It looks as if we are going to hold off on buying the bulls and plows for now and just hire it done. That will be money that could have gone into their pockets, but will instead travel outside of our villages. Hopefully, we can raise money to buy a tractor to use instead of the bulls. The tractor would be much less likely to be stolen.
I'm rambling now, but I'm very tired and just wanted to get this written before I went to bed.
Today, I was defeated! I will fight another day and in another way!
Pray for me.
Tom Cox
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