Nice Email Robo-Keen,

Good to hear the good word.

Me, still hustling the Ugandan cause here in Chicago. Added some staff myself - we are up to 6. Hope to make it back your way late summer/early fall.

Be well brutha,
jake

Crop to Cup Chicago

Hi Robby,
Thanks for a very interesting newsletter.
You and Senior Ps.
Vincent are in our prayers along with the Bethel fellowship.
Please pass on our greetings to them next Sunday.
My health situation is still good and I will send you an update in a
weeks time when I have some test results.
I hope the new Muslim converts are now OK especially Luke.
May God be your constant companion.
Is there any progress on purchasing the land for the roadway access?
Lovingly,

Yo Robby,

How are you doing? and who you call'n 'Civilisation'??? I live in the bush!

I was just wondering if you are around; I will be in Kampala for three weeks from 4th April and going to Mto-Moyoni to confess all my sins and get healed and all that around 8th April' don't suppose you will be around then?

Any how it would be good to meet up if you are around in Jinja or Kampala this month.

God bless, Sam

You are quite outrageous I'd like to say....

Lovely Mbale seems to be as exciting (and shocking) as lovely
Bujumbura...I had to pinch myself yesterday when sitting in a senior
management meeting talking about getting a metal detector to fend off anyone wishing to come in with granades and guns....I thought 'am I
working for a Christian NGO or the CIA'?

Anyway, life is more
crazy...and lately more discouraging...than ever. I've tried to keep
positive and hopeful, but what is happening here is so hard.
Embezzlement, theft, crisis after crisis, mass exodus of staff leaving (some which is an answer to prayer (!) but some we need to keep) and general tension, uncertainty and panic.

IN any case, I believe God is in control, that He has a greater plan and that He will discipline,but not entirely crush His children.

Man, I just get so sad when I read about those children. We have
similar cases happening here where children's heads are cut off for
witchcraft and recently several albino children have been killed for
their body parts. So hard to come to terms with.

Well, I'm thinking about the future and considering heading somewhere a little less stressful for a while (if I had considered Mbale, maybe I've just changed my mind!!..not that I could probably contribute much apart from more chaos...but if you need that, let me know!).

So, hope you are planning your next R&R to Burundi....we should catch up soon...and you can practice your sermons while I critique them with my amazing theology training. Bring one of the pointy hats just so I can look the part.

Okay, take heart and keep in touch.

Big hair

Hey Robby, good to get your updates.......I am also craz'd about the situation in Nigeria with the witches..... more and more people are getting burned and killed.....I am busy here shipping shoes... leaving for Haiti on the 13th then maybe Sri Lanka and back to Africa....there is a chance I will be near Lake Turkana in the fall...if so you know I am coming by to grab that cold beer and sit under a tree with you and visit...

be safe and take care...

blessings, Mona

Mona Purdy
Share Your Soles
Founder and Executive Director

Always great to hear your news.

Thought you might be please to know Edward is still very comitted to his faith. He's hoping to go to Delhi in the summer and work with the untouchables, who have really horrendous lives, and the Hindus are set against them understanding that all men are born equal in God's eyes. It's quite dangerous and lots who come to God are murdered, so it has quite a dangerous side, but what a wonderful thing to think of doing, I hope he gets there, everyone needs to know that in God's eyes they are wonderful.
Big hug, Liza

Ouss Rob,

Received with thanks my friend, you continue to inspire me in many ways.

Keep safe and God bless you.

Kevin

To be removed from your mailing list?? Have you lost your mind? Thank you so much for this update and I truly believe the world would be such a better place if you could be cloned... So many people need help and so few are ready to give it..

As you mentionned, people are pretty depressed in this part of the world being so scared of having their confort and privileges taken away.. What scares me most you see is that no African leader was present at the G in London... As much as people should feel blessed about living in our part of the world, they should also understand that this crisis will also have scary repercussions on the African continent.. It is more than time for a change of thought, I just do hope it isn't too late.

The wordlwide crisis has hit us right in the face as Greg was made redundant after so many years. Being without a job (the both of us) with Jules and Eliot, we decided to go back home, to the north, to put a roof over their heads at least. It is not easier here but I least the people are a little more human and I feel home for once. We keep our heads up because we know how hard it is else where and we do cherish the gift of life (even though I still can't be convinced where it is coming from

We still miss you and admire the work you and your partners do.. The gift of yourself is the hardest thing to do and you have done it... Keep up with it, you are doing so well eventhough I am sure that not one day goes without you wondering how you could do more and more and more. You must have been chosen somehow by some higher power to be able to support, give without ever giving up (and I'm not talking about the tears you must shed at night in the dark..) I still cry when you write those words, those lifes taken.. Can't get over it and don't wanna. Want to stay the way I've always have been, revolted, on the verge of pucking when I have to listen to this (let alone seeing this).. Where are we going Rob? Do you really see a way out for our children? Isn't the human being just programmed to selfdestruction, no matter what we do, isn't it just a question of time? Saying that, I still do my part to make it a better place hein! But I do wonder daily.. Because I now have a family and that I can't make choices for them, I will never be able to do what your doing (I mean on such a large scale) but I am thankful you doing it.

Thanks for forgetting about yourself so we don't forget about them (but I never have).

I still don't know who to thank for all of this Robby so I do thank you for being the messenger you have learned to become. Please never give up, you are leading a real useful life, you are not just passing by.

Our house is still wide open like our hearts. If you ever feel like taking a rest to recharge the batteries, you should know that our house is your house. And I admit putting my kids in a private catholic school, I hope they will be able to accept the existence of the one leading your steps.

You will find attached a last year picture of the boys, Jules still remembers you! Luckily for them they still look like life can be made of little things, innocence hey.. Let's hope they keep it as long as they can, to have enough strengh for their adult life!

Love and hugs
Stef, Greg and the kidds

Hey Darling,

So good to hear from you, I’m glad you guys are going from strength to strength with you leading the team they could not fail, it’s good to see after all this time you are still using all your T/O training from white sands.

We are all well nothing to report really just getting on with it, Joshua and Bailey are getting bigger and ruder by the day (I see so much of you in them) !!!!!

Keep the good work going and the updates coming.

Love ya
Axx

Hi Robby

Great to hear from you again. I did know of course about the Archbishop of York and a very lovely man he is with his feet firmly on the ground with no pretensions of grandeur.

With lots of love and Gods Blessing on you all

Joanie xxx

My goodness...

What has happened with the screening process as far as Church “leadership” goes!!!!

Congrats Robby and all the best of luck and blessing for this privilege. May you reach the people you intend reaching...

It sounds like UG is still UG. Amazing the cruelty to each other.

I can vividly remember a sight which disturbed me for a long time and even resurfaces now from time to time...it was in the suburbs of Kampala en route to Fort Portal during one of the safaris I did.

We drove down the road early morn and heaps of people coming and going on their daily routines flanking the street. Suddenly sitting with legs stretched out straight in front of her, right next to the road was a youngish woman. She was completely naked and crying. Not a single person even acted as if they noticed her... Whether there was mentally something wrong with her is irrelevant and the thought of what she must have endured shook me to the bone. The lack of empathy from her “people” was disturbing and I wonder what drives a sentient species to that extent of indifference. Surely someone must know who she is and where she belongs? Surely someone cares? I guess that large urban environs cultivate such apathy and this would not really be seen in rural regions?

Yes, life is sooo different. OUR lives are sooo different to the norm, if you look at it statistically...

Anyway, good luck my friend and who knows, maybe we run a safari your way sometime in the near future...

Times are tough but we are surviving. Spending 2 months in Tanzania again this year. It is a real privilege and a joy as far as wildlife and bush experience is concerned.

However, logistically and administratively it is nightmarish!

Check out our website www.clearlyafrica.com for your perusal and distribution to relevant people if you wish.

I have again recently been deeply questioning the validity of the normal Western Capitalist way and came up with the same conclusion.

It sucks! It is great for those at the top but, like socialism, the majority of people are sheep/pawns/tools/toys etc. what is the purpose of “chasing” $$$?

To improve your personal comfort and assets! This only requires MORE resources and if EVERYONE who is striving towards this unrealistic life-style succeeds, the natural resources would last all but a few seconds! How does one stave the drive towards the glam and glitter of Tinseltown? As long as the goal is to ALL have a big house/s, lots of gas guzzling cars, excess food, wasteful demeanour, bling, Jacuzzis, etc etc the planet (read us) is doomed. When are we going to WAKE UP and realise that even though most of our lives are not as extravagant as depicted in the movies, it is ALREADY way beyond sustainability as well as necessity...

We ARE in a quandary!

It is difficult to forego even the meagre luxuries that we have. Where is the optimal balance between practical comfort and survival versus environmental impact and sustainability?

I would gladly make the shift. I do however NEED to be in the bush surrounded by wildlife and space...not too much to ask hey...

Have a good one mate and chat soon again!

Cheers.

Marius Swart

Thanks Robby for letting us know how you guys are doing and progressing, it really feels great your are taking teritories and conquering places... any way no one would stop you because the earth is the Lords and the fullness thereof, the Lord gave it to us already.
God is goodooo (this is the nigerian way of saying God is good)

My self am well, and reading as usual, no new stories at all, apart from people being laid off work and our council tax and rent bills rising up.. How sad??? plus the G20 summit which has been going on and people are protesting and demostarting against capitalist societies. people are not happy with the way politics is going with all the economic crisis that is imapacting on the majority....need some instant financial saviour!!!!

I will be coming over during July to spent my summer down there and see if i can start working on my project. I hope i get an opportunity to come and say hello to you guys.

Blessings in Christ Jesus

Robby,
Wonderful to hear your news, albeit in some parts very sad and quite harrowing. I pray that God will bless you and all your crowd of Jengarians. I pray that you will break through the hearts of the Ugandan people, so that they will open like a crocus to the sunshine - full of brightness and radiance that I envisage the people of Africa really are. Once broken open, I pray that hearts and minds will be ready to accept the love of God, see the love of Jesus and forget selfish desires - me too in that respect!
You truely are an inspiration Robby, and remain in my prayers each day.
Love & God bless,
will write again soon,
Jayne & the Gs xxxx

Robby,

Another great update, which keeps us all in touch with the real world and what it's all about, I pray that you continue to be the voice in the wilderness that gets us all to move out of our cosy corner.

It was great to meet Vincent, he certainly inspired David and I, sorry I messed up getting him to his next appointment. I suspect he was amused if not disappointed with the wealth that he experienced at our house, which I found challenging but extremely refreshing and helpful, we have definitely got it wrong over here I continue to pray for wisdom.

Phil Jo and Vincent were all amazing at St Andrews on Sunday, you have a fantastic team with you ( Philip was amazing his insights were jaw dropingly simple but so powerful, real prayer and giving first and not from our excess) not many sermons can I remember nearly a week later, same goes for Vincent's input beware of the evil one attacking our minds, hearts and mouths. Jo is clearly a true disciple, what a role model. You also have a great advocate in Peter Wynter, he led things amazingly well.

I look forward to hearing from Tim when the time is right.

I pray that the Lord gives you the strength and power to keep speaking out for the poor.

Paul

You wacky Brits! I understood most of your wonderful newsletter, the rest was a funny to guess at! You never gave me info on how David and I could help you-all! I love the work you're doing there!

Also been thinking and praying for you.........seems like you and Andy encountered spiritual warfare first hand in Florida..........was this your first introduction to it, like never had any teaching or training on it? Let us know, so we can help you win your battles............with less of your blood all over the battlefield!!

I'm sending my registration packet in for the Mozambique trip this weekend, I'm on my way to get my passport today! I'm so excited I can't stand it!

Loads of Blessings! Lorri

Ha ha ha ha. You are different Class Robby. I mean different class. We need to write a book "the amazing adventure of Arch Bishop Desmond Keeno.

Back soon

Love in Christ

Max K

Thanks alot for the touching message, hope you will enjoy this Easter season

Dear pope (zucc)keeny,

I wish you had sent us a true photo of you!

Thanx for you new update. I enjoy reading them. It's been 4 year since I was in Uganda, but I still feel connected. I agree that coming out there did have a big impact. I'm not sure I have brought people in Uganda anything, but they have certainly brought me a lot. Something I take with me where ever I go.

Just as in England (how was Vincent and Grace's visit?) and in Uganda,
time flies in Holland. In a few months time there will come and ending to nine years (what an appropriate number!) of being a student and I will continue life as a medical doctor (please consider this when
addressing me)!

Please send my love to the Mooni people, especially Vincent, Grace and Christine (tell her her daughter looks beautiful and very much like her!)

Take care! and stay close to who your are!
(I thought you woudn't mind a little wise lesson from a Dutch heathen...)

x 9

Hi Robby

Thanks for the update - keep socking it to us. It's ammunition that I can use in my sermons [and a plug for JENGA on the way!] when I remind people just how easy we have it compared to 2/3rds of the world.

Have a blessed Holy Week.

John

Your Holiness

It was good of you to take the time to communicate with us mere mortals and to tell us of all the wonderful things that are taking place in Uganda. I was quite taken with the new growth of hair and the beautiful outfit you were wearing, glad to see that you have stuck with the old red & white, it looks very fetching.

Seriously I was quite shocked to hear of all the bad things that are happening around you, I had not realised that it was quite that bad. Thank God that at least some of those who were injured made a full recovery. It's quite frightening and it makes us worry about your safety. You can get quite used to these sort of thing happening around you and begin to think it will never happen to you, just be careful.

We shall be watching the Gooners tonight against Villareal. Hopefully a good result. At least they have more of the big guns back and they did well at the weekend. Guess what Chelsea are going to appoint a new manager for next season. The fifth in as many years!!

Take care and God Bless

June and George xx

Hi Robby,

Thanks for your news. I’ve given the letter to Margaret Armitstead and some of it is now on our missions notice board at church. It was terrible to read some of the news and we prayed for you all at our prayer meeting on Saturday.

Regarding Mary’s wedding, I am sure you will have had a lot of feedback from various people. It was the most wonderful wedding that we have been to. A video is being made and I’m so looking forward to seeing it. Mary actually made the promise with the ring she gave to Yo in Korean, unknown to him. Everyone clapped. She looked beautiful and so happy. Yo’s speech to her at the reception was one of the highlights. It was a fantastic speech and had Mary in tears and all the women wondering why they didn’t have such a speech at their wedding! It was lovely to meet all her family and friends, and to see Pastor Vincent and Grace again. They came talking to us and we enjoyed fellowship with them. It was lovely for us to see Michael, our old pastor again and he gave the message at the service. I will try to send you a few photos when I manage to get them onto the computer but we’re off away again on Monday so it might be a few weeks!

At the wedding I spoke to Jo Purle and said that any news I would forward to Margaret until she got her new computer and bring it to the notice of our church. I enjoyed talking with Jo. She’s a lovely person.

Take care. God bless you all.

Margaret Valentine

Melembe! Makwa? Kasira?

More power to you Robby!

I admire your work and persistence!

A big BONGA and allot of Love from Sweden!

Bless you!/
Emre Gürler aka
The Swedish/Turkish Mzungo,

I just got Robby’s update for this month and it made me think of you guys. No matter what I am going through here it pales in comparison with the food crisis that I heard is continuing in Uganda. I am so sorry that food is still going up. That really put a strain on us last year. Something I totally didn’t plan for.

I have been thinking that here in the US, no matter how poor I get I can always get on the Public role call and get some food. At least we wont starve to death. I have been looking for employment, and I was at the Workforce solutions place. They provide everything you need: internet, fax, printing, even cotton resume paper…WOW is all I can say. I had forgotten how prosperous America was.

I will be praying for you guys. My heart is with you both and all of my friends there. I got teary eyed when I saw the pics. Oh how I love Uganda!

God bless!

Scott

Hi Robby,

thanks you for you email and news letter. Congratulations and my best wishes for continued success in all you do. I am sure it is very hard work under extremely difficult circumstances, nothing more satisfying than see the fruits of your hard labour. God bless you all and give you strength to continue.

Your helpers must have arrived and all hand to the pumps. It is so good of these selfless people to give their time to help less fortunate people.

The weather has been up and down le last few weeks, after a very cold weather, the sun is a big bonus. Rain is predicted for the weekend. Aneeta popped in with the kids, they are so talkative that we didn't manage to chat.

I wish you all the best may god bless you and your team.

Irene