WEEK 9

Friday - March 9

Boy, I am really tired tonight - not sure why. It was hot and rainless today - maybe that is part of it.

My ladies at Smile Africa are all very excited, concerned and have lots of questions about personal budgets and money management. It feels good that they are so involved - I just wish I could solve all their problems regarding income, but . . . . . .

Sorry, but I just can't think any more tonight soooooo lala salama. That means "good sleep" in Swahili. It is what one says instead of good night.

Saturday - March 10

Well, what a bust!!! A group called Youth Ablaze set up a generator, loud speakers, electronic music with singing and dancing right in the middle of my first class about 50 feet away. I couldn't hear myself think let alone talk and on top of it, how could phonics and money management compete with all that excitement?? They love to dance!!!! This is an organization that are proslytizing (spelling?) to gather youth into their fold to train them in their "disciple school" for the main purpose of combating the spread of Islam in Africa. They don't have the same amount of money the muslims are able to pump into sub-saharan Africa but they are fighting for the same souls. It just isn't my style. I get really turned off.

Kent and I were invited to dinner at the home of Pasto Alex. It was very nice: chicken, rice, potatoes, eggs and all with a lovely sauce. We had a nice visit. Alex shared how disappointed he is with his oldest son, who had an opportunity to be sponsored in Senior 1-4 and is frittering away this chance by hanging out with the wrong crowd and skipping school. Same problems with teen-agers the world over.

Sunday - March 11

We went to Wikus for church. Peter's sermon was on faith which needs to be based on Biblical facts and not on feelings and how we an expect to be cared for by God not according to our wants and needs but according to our faith: as Jesus said, "Your faith has made you whole." As I am listening and watching I am overwhelmed by these people and their faith responses. They are worshiping in a structure with no walls, a dirt floor, a thatched roof, they sit crowded on wooden benches or floor mats in the heat with joy on their faces. They clap and dance to the drums and "shakers" and spontaneously harmonize in their singing.

After the service, we distributed pillowcase dresses from Kent's church and then had a presentation on the Tyler Dirks Saving and Credit Cooperation (a micro-finance organization that was started with seed money as a gift to Tyler for his 21st birthday). The members were very excited to meet Kent, father of Tyler. The presentation was very thorough and very well done. Then we were served dinner: kalo, posho rice, pork, chicken and hard-boiled eggs. The pork was soooo good - the first "red" meat I have had since leaving home.

After dinner, one of my former students wanted a private conversation with me. As it turned out, it was a very personal conversation about her family planning and weight gain concerns. I was truly honored that she would seek my advice. The other occurrence that did me great honor today was all of the first time visitors to the church who were my students. Some came forward to express an interest in becoming a regular attendee. Also, all of these students very proudly came and greeted Kent with the greeting in English that they had learned in class.

What finally topped the day, was Peter came for an impromptu visit right at dinner time so he joined Kent and me with our beans and rice, plus some crackers and dried apricots. We had a long conversation about his vision of the mission of his churches, which is reaching out to the needy: widows, orphansm those who are sick and those who are in prison - many strangers. He truly believes in sharing/showing the love of Christ.

Monday - March 12

Went to True Vine where I happened upon Kent's sponsored boy, Pius, so was able to help Kent set up a meeting with him. Had a very long conversation with Pstr. Godfrey about his concerns for the future of his ministry.

Following that I met with Odongo, my dyslexic (?) non-reader. His friend, Francis, joined us and when I told him next week would be my last day, Francis promised to help Odongo continue learning as they are neighbors. Then Francis asked me if I would go into the hospital with him to pray for a patient there. I agreed. She was a young woman with a heart problem. Her heart beats very fast. The doctor told her she needs to go for a "scan", That could be anything from an X-ray to an EKG with everything in between. Their English vocabulary is smaller than ours, though sometimes more sophisticated; as for instance, instead of saying "school supplies" they say "scholastic materials". Anyway, I prayed for the woman and did what I could. Lastly, I promised the three men that next time I would bring my laptop and a map; my last time at True Vine.

Tuesday - March 13

I forgot to mention that on Sunday when we had lunch after church in Wikus, it was the first time I had eaten rice with my fingers.

Kent told me of a woman he had seen at the hospital with Pstr. Eric, maybe 19 or 20, who had very painful, bulging sores on her legs. It has been diagnosed as Kaposi Sarcoma, a cancer of the lymph glands and blood vessels. There is a strain that is peculiar to Africa. We don't know if that is what she has or if she has the kind associated with HIV. Eric had an appointment with the doctor today to get more information - no HIPPA laws here.

Kent and I went to Kisoko today to meet with a headmistress of a girls primary school to discuss the possibility of a mobile science lab. Our friend, Wendy, had given us this lead. We found it to be a bit different than what we had anticipated but nevertheless it was of value. While I was listening to the discussion, I started thinking about all of the remote villages where there is no school and a how a mobile classroom with teachers might be a solution for those areas. I am going to discuss this with Sue and Stevie, who are teachers and see what they think It could be the teacher's home and storage of materials. The teaching could be a month to a term (3 months long) in each location to teach reading, writiing and excite some imaginations.

Took Kent back to Tororo, then Pstr. Lawrence took me to Wikus. I told each of my classes how proud I was of them of how they greeted Kent on Sunday. I saw a lot of smiling faces looking at me.

I talked briefly to Jackline about her situation of weight gain and family planning. I told her I had discussed it with Pstr, Peter as she told me I could, and he agreed to speak with her husband, James.

I was exhausted by the time we got back to Tororo. Kent and I went to the Prime Hotel for dinner, The ladies declined to join us, Finally, had a badly needed shower about 9:30 and went to bed.

Wednesday - March 14

Kent left at 5:15 this morning to go to Pstr. Peter's brother's to join a hunt for small mammels. When he returned, he was full of hilarious stories of chasing mongoose with dogs and men waving spears and pangas (like a machete). They eventually got 3 mongoose which they cooked in the field and promptly ate.

Then we found out something really wierd. The woman we saw yesterday was the wrong headmistress Irene! No wonder it was different than we anticipated. So in the afternoon while I went to Smile Africa, Kent met with the right headmistress Irene and got the correct information, which made much more sense.

In the evening, the four of us were invited to Andrew Agassi's for dinner. We sat outside to eat and enjoyed the early stars. We could see Jupiter and Venus shining brightly close to the horizon, It was a very special way to end the day.

Thursday - March 15

It is hard for me in my observance of Lent not to have a community that is observant also. The Christians I am in contact with here are dedicated, loving, faithful Christians but their observance (even in the Catholic church) of the liturgical year is less than I find fills me, However, these are Christians who live their faith more intensely than any I have known previously. They truly feed the hungry clothe the poor, visit those who are ill and in prison and give unceasingly of all they have. They forgive horrific wrongs done them and are joyful, friendly, outgoing and always have time for a fellow.

It was a long HOT, DUSTY drive to Busowa. We need rain. My English class went well - we had fun. We had two new verbs - unimportant ones, but fun ones: blink and wink. I had someone there who could interpret so I told them how winking (in the USA) and flirting are connected. They all laughed and said it was the same here.

Tomorrow is Kent's last day.