TWO TAMPLINS IN AFRICA

August, 2009 Issue 5 PO Box 705, Mbale, UGANDA www.tamplins.blogspot.com

Email: Natasha– nltamplin@gmail.com Ian– istamplin@gmail.com
Support us at: www.tear.org.au/projects/field-workers/ian-and-natasha-tamplin

Great things have happened in the past three months - the LAMPS project team has
completed all the trainings for the Fight Malaria Committees; Bethel Church has finally
purchased the land for road access; Prayers have been answered and miracles witnessed;
and There have been few reports of child sacrifice and beheadings. However, people are
still struggling with the unpredictable and inconsistent rains. Food prices remain high,
which have affected the cost of absolutely everything here — so as usual, its always the
poorest of the poor to suffer. Despite seeing great need all around us, we still feel each
step of outreach can bestow some kind of hope, little by little

AT THE OFFICE

Tash
So the battle continues on against Malaria, although it is
starting to feel like an endless fight. The LAMPS Project is
fighting not only against a physical sickness, but also
against generations of traditions and social misconcep-
tions. We have endured with patience when working with
these communities as they struggle with challenges of hun-
ger and poverty; of dependant attitudes and complete reli-
ance on expected handouts; and of people focusing on
treatment and not prevention. Malaria has been so embed-
ded in their culture, they struggle to fully comprehend that
they have some power to control malaria, even when there
are no drugs (Coartem) available. (This lack of drugs is another
whole issue, and maybe even linked to unjust corruption ). I pray that
somehow, in some way, the completion of all of the train-
ings of FMCs (51 FMCs = over 520 village health workers
fighting malaria in Bungokho Sub county!) has some im-
pact! (There are still 4 remaining villages to be trained after the End-of-Project
Evaluation in December 2009).
Moreover, we have distrib-
uted over 6,600 Long Lasting
Insecticide-treated Nets dis-
tributed to 38 willages in to-
tal (we are still waiting for the
arrival of more nets).
Although the Mid-Term Evaluation report showed promis-
ing effects in the 4 control villages, some of the FMCs are
struggling to keep up the hard work as the volunteers are
getting tired. We hope and pray that the recent training
done at UWCM (by the Ministry of Health) on how to
make skin repellents using local ingredients (Ctironella
Grass, Lemongrass and Eucalyptus) will prove to be effective
in protecting people from mosquito bites during the early
hours of the evening, before going to bed to use the net.
Maybe one day each FMC will be inspired to unite as a
group have start an IGA (Income Generating Activity) by
making these repellents for their community.
Many villages are still strug-
gling with stagnant waters /
swamps that can‘t be drained.
The District Vector Control
Officer recommended the use
of ‗Abate’ (an environmentally-
friendly chemical to kill the
mosquito larvae in the waters
and rice fields). The LAMPS
team encourages the commu-
nity to make some local contributions in order to purchase
this chemical.
Ian
The past 3 months have been quite hectic with constant IT
issues and with studying for an Advanced Diploma in Al-
ternative Energy (for which I have submitted my 2nd Mod-
ule). I have found that a majority of the IT problems are
viruses, and the rest are caused by simple user error. How-
ever, unstable power supply has causing major damage to
the computers and other electrical equipment from power
surges. At UWCM, for example, I identified that the
nearby local welders were drawing too much current from
power supply and causing these surges. With extreme per-
sistence I was able to make the local Power Supply Com-
pany run 150 meters of new cable to put UWCM on a dif-
ferent power phase. This brought about significant change
in stabilising the power supply at UWCM. However, there
is still a need for a better power back-up system (such as
solar or just an inverter). Moreover there is need a profes-
sional website design for the organisation and a new photo-
copier (these, of course, all require funds).
In addition to my work at UWCM I‘ve also been maintain-
ing the computers at Jenga, BRDC, and Joy Hospice, while
at times assisting at CURE hospital and Oasis Uganda. In
addition, I have worked on at least 10 other personal com-
“IAN” continued on page two
 Ian know that Bethel is growing quickly and has big visions for
puters (some of which I have repaired several times). the coming years (eg. church plants up in the mountain, a
clinic, etc). No decisions have been made, but we are very
One of the other big issues here is that piracy is rife and
touched by the words of our Pastor Vinnie ―what [can] we
genuine software is almost impossible to find. I have been
looking for suppliers that provide software and hardware do to make you stay longer here. I have already started having
to charities and non-profit organizations at a very low cost. fears that we might loose you for Australia. I hope not. At least
There are many groups that do offer this service, but none for another 10 years. May you become missionaries then, instead
that will support us here in Uganda, mainly for reasons of of working under an NGO you work independently under the
red tape and an unwillingness to find a work-around solu- church.‖ This is the first door that has placed in front of us.
tion to send it to Africa. Please join us as we pray for clarity in this area, and Gods
plans for us in the future.
BETHEL CHURCH Prayer Points
There have been some great things happening at Bethel
 Pray for all those children and unborn babies that
Church, and its growth of
needlessly die due to unavailable supplies of Coartem
new members continues to be
(the government-funded drug to treat malaria) or poor
rapid. Last week, we baptised
attendance at Maternity Care.
11 more new Believer‘s –
 Pray for a transformation in the community and appli-
many of them the Islamic
cation of the LAMPS key malaria messages, since many
wives of the husbands that
resist behaviour change, particularly when dealing with
were baptised last time! Pas-
their own health. Please pray for increased motivation
tor‘s Vinnie‘s daughter and
for the Fight Malaria Committees, as they struggle to
Nalumansi, a young girl who
keep up the exhausting voluntary work.
ran away from her father who
 Pray for the 3 remaining staff of the LAMPS Project
is a witchdoctor, were also baptised. Nalumansi had been
team as they fill the gap left behind when the Monitor-
‗dedicated to the Spirits‘ and given to demons by her fa-
ing & Evaluation Officer left.
ther, which meant she would never be permitted to marry
 Pray for guidance and direction for UWCM as they
or have an education. Pastor Vinnie explains, ―In some
plan for the future of LAMPS, since the District sadly
way this girl ended up in our bible clubs [on Saturdays]. She re-
cannot financially or physically take on or scale-up a
ceived Jesus as her Lord and Saviour; and somehow managed to
new programme like LAMPS.
run away from home. The good news is that, even when it took
 Pray for all new believer‘s at Bethel, particularly those
time [and lots of prayer], all the demonic attacks she was having
who have risked everything to convert from their Is-
are gone, she is a free girl. Although 13 years old, she is now
lamic faith, and those affected by the ever-present witch-
at school in Grade 3 ... thanks to Bethel! However, Bethel
craft and traditional religions.
Church continues to struggle with school/education fees
 Pray for those living in villages who struggle each day
for her and the others. A HUGE thanks to those who con-
for food. Recent inconsistencies in weather patterns
tributed for this upcoming term.
(delayed rains) has confused their planting and harvest-
ing routines.
We both desire to assist Bethel Church in establishing a
 Despite improved health and energy, Ian has developed
consistent system of networking/ communication be-
mild asthma and continues with back pain. Please pray
tween Bethel and our home church, New Peninsula,
for complete healing.
through exchanges of video clips, testimonies, prayer re-
 Pray for an increase in contributions to TEAR Austra-
quests, newsletters, etc. Tash also wants to one day equip
lia for our support, as we are raising less than 50% of
the members of Bethel with the education of malaria, and
what is needed
maybe even other health issues in the future. However,
 Lastly, please pray for guidance and revelation for us, as
this is time- and funding- dependent.
we continue to pray for doors to open and lead us to
where God wants us to serve after March next year.
Recently we‘ve been reflecting deeply on where God wants
us to serve next year and praying for doors to open. We
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 Phone: 03 9264 7000 or 1800244986(Free call)
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