Ukiah -- December 9, 2005

Maggie McNeill, stalwart member of Ukiah UMC, retired a year ago -- but not to the Sun Belt of the U.S. She went in June to Uganda in east Africa, one of the poorest countries of the world, to set up, in effect, a one-person ministry. She calls it Grannie Mc's Ministries.

It's just outside the capital of Kampala. "Grannie Mc" has practically adopted a family. She invited them to live in a room in the compound she rented. She appealed to Ukiah UMC folks and others to gather clothing, toys, and other supplies for them, and the church has sent several packages.

McNeill's daughter, Shanti Diephouse, and son-in-law, Chad Gamble, had been in Kampala since June 2003 with a ministry of their own. Gamble set up a branch office of Engineering Ministries International, as Diephouse teaches part-time at the school attended by their two children. EMI collects local volunteers to construct buildings to headquarter various local ministries in Uganda, the Sudan, Ethiopia, and Kenya, and McNeill assists in the office one day a month.

Grannie Mc's adopted Ugandan family are Peter, Debra, Stephen and Harriet. They consider their 10 x 12 foot room great accommodations, McNeill reports, because there are running water, a toilet and shower within 30 feet, a cement floor, a door that locks, a wall plug, and a light bulb. Peter's two children -- a baby boy, a two-year-old son and his seven-year-old sister may come later.

Peter works for her as a night guard. Also living in the compound are a day guard/handyman and a cook/housekeeper. In British terms (the United Kingdom ruled Uganda until 1962) they are servants, a term Grannie Mc doesn't like because it invokes memory of the U.S. once capturing slaves from Uganda. She pays them from retirement savings -- something she had not budgeted when she arrived, causing a stress that she nevertheless feels certain "God can fix." All had been employed by the previous compound occupant, and would have been out of jobs if McNeill had not kept them on. Farm animals, she hopes, can lead to income and food for them.

That Grannie Mc is a white person is continuing occasion in the village for much talk, many stares -- and celebration. Though there are many international folks in Kampala, they are a rarity in the outlying villages.

She has been joined by Ananda, her youngest daughter, a third-year Moody Bible Institute student who is taking online classes. McNeill provides all with occasional mending of clothes, child care, computer e-mail training, and books. In addition, she offers short-stay housing to missionaries.

There is no Methodist connection in the area, so "I bloom where I am planted," says Grannie Mc. "Heaven knows there is plenty of work to do here, and companions for the journey." For this time, she has settled into Kampala International Church, a lay-led ecumenical group comprised primarily of British missionaries and Ugandans. She hosts a weekly home study group. Many faith stories are shared.

She also volunteers one morning a week at Heritage International School, and is a consultant for a vocational training center. Some retirement!

"My dream is to establish an education fund to help those around me complete their training to have jobs they really want. If anyone knows of a funding source, I'd really like to hear about it," she says. "The work they are doing is just what is available, not what matches their gifts and talents -- or makes their hearts sing."

Grannie Mc went to Uganda to be with her children and grandchildren -- with no previous interest or knowledge about the country. Now she affirms: "Life here is exciting, stretches my sense of connectedness, challenges my stereotypes and cultural centeredness. God is so awesome -- all the variety in how we look and talk, and even eat -- with a core in each one of us that is truly like God...

"I look at my life and know that I am richly, undeservedly and bountifully blessed -- and know that God wants all His children to be blessed too. So how do I share the blessings in a way that makes a long term difference and not just food for today?"