I only have 1 more week in Uganda. I am happy to see all of my friends and family back home. And I will be glad to partake of some of the comforts of home – sweet tea, cheeseburgers, and ice cream. Yet, I am also really sad because I will be leaving my new friends here in Uganda.
Last Friday, St. Cyprian Chavanod (the Secondary School where Tabitha and I worked) threw us a going away celebration. Tabitha was the lead teacher for Senior 2 and I was the lead teacher for Senior 1. Each class planned a special program for their lead teacher. My Senior 1 students planned a really nice celebration. They sang songs, prayed for me, read from the Bible, gave me letters they had written, presented some speeches, and danced for me. They wanted me to give a speech. I started crying in the middle of it. Then some of my students started crying. We all just cried together. Then, we took lots of pictures. I am going to print these pictures out and give each student a picture of me and the student. The headmistress had bought some fabric and last week Tabitha and I were measured for skirts. The students gave me my skirt and the headmistress had bought a yellow Tshirt to go with the skirt. So now whenever I will wear my skirt, I will think of my students.
On Saturday, I went with some of the boarding students from the primary school to a field where we harvested maize (corn). Picking corn is not bad. We sang songs and talked while we worked. We finished early so then we used hoes to start digging in the field to get ready for beans to be planted. It still makes me laugh that people here think that I am delicate and that I do not know how to do manual labor. I don’t dig as well or as fast as the primary school students, but I can do it. I may get tired and I may sweat A LOT, but that does not mean that I cannot work.
Then, yesterday (Monday), Tabitha and I went to Kampala to do some shopping. We were going with one of the priests, Father Bonny, and we were all going to take the taxi from Kasana to Kampala. When Father Joe found out our plan, he was worried about us in the taxi park so he had his driver take us to and from Kampala. (Since the bombings, public places in Kampala have stepped up the security or added security. They are now searching people and bags as people enter and leave the taxi park. I think Father Joe was nervous about us going through these extra security measures and running into trouble because we do not speak fluent Luganda.) The driver dropped Father Bonny off for his meeting and then he drove or walked Tabitha and I around Kampala as we did our shopping. He was so nice and so helpful. He never once complained that we took too long or bought too much stuff. He even helped us barter to get reasonable prices on our purchases. We treated him and Father Bonny to lunch at a Mexican restaurant in Kampala (Lotus Mexicana) to show our appreciation for them putting up with our female bazungu (white people) ways. I had chips with queso, a quesadilla, and a passion fruit margarita. Delicious! I have not had cheese all summer and I ate that cheese like it was going out of style. We made it back to the parish safe and sound.
The next few days will be busy. I am trying to spend as much time with the people here as I can in my remaining days. Especially my students. Saturday is the Silver Jubilee Celebration for Father Joe (he is celebrating 25 years as a priest) and that will be a big day with a long mass, a big lunch, and lots of entertainment!
I probably will not write again until next Tuesday after I have arrived in London. Know that you are in my thoughts and prayers as I prepare to head home. I am looking forward to seeing you soon!
Love y’all.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Bombings, a Wedding, and Power Outages... Oh my!
First of all, I am safe and sound. I know it is over a week after the bombings in Kampala and I am just now writing to tell you that I am okay. During the World Cup and during the time of the bombs, I was on the phone talking to Mom and Dad. They knew I was safe. So if you had not heard about me, sometimes no news is good news. :-)
The bombings occurred on Sunday, July 11th. Father Joe said that the date was another thing that Uganda has in common with America. I don’t think Ugandans will think of the World Cup or July 11th in the same way ever again. The bombings took place at a large public meeting space where people had paid an entry fee to watch the World Cup on large screens. People of all ages were there: families with young children, adults, and young people. The TV news and newspaper have been filled with images of the wounded, the deceased, the grieving, and the scene of the disaster. It is a tragedy when over 70 innocent people are killed. Funerals have been taking place all over the country. This past week was declared a week of mourning. Security has been tightened and increased in large public places in Kampala such as large shopping centers, taxi parks, and bus terminals. FBI officials are even here in the country to help with the investigation. Here in the small town of Kasana, things have not changed much. People are of course shocked and saddened by the tragedy and I suppose some people are scared, but life here continues on. I think that situations like this remind us that life is precious and that life can end at any moment. It has reminded me to pray for my safety and for the safety of Tabitha and those with whom I live and work. So please pray for the safety of Tabitha and I that we get home safely, but also pray for Uganda that this situation may be resolved quickly and peacefully.
Life continues on. I taught at both the primary and secondary schools this past week. Last Friday, the Cathedral hosted a very large wedding. The headmaster from a secondary school in the diocese was getting married. Father Joe is good friends with the headmaster and he was the Chairman of the Organizing Committee for the wedding. The Bishop officiated the wedding and the celebratory mass. Over 20 priests were in attendance. Moreover, around 1,200 people attended the wedding mass and reception. It was by far the largest wedding I have ever attended. Here, weddings are a big deal. In America, couples are engaged for a period of time before the wedding. They may have an engagement party, but the wedding is the main event. American weddings can be large or small, expensive or reasonably priced. In Uganda, the woman and man introduce each other to their families. This event is known as the Introduction and it is a large party. After the Introduction, the man and woman live together and are essentially married without having an actual marriage ceremony. Years may go by without there being an actual wedding ceremony because the couple saves up their money to have the wedding. If people are going to get married and have a reception, then it will be a large, well-attended, expensive event. If it is not a big event, then it is not held. Since they are large celebrations, the husband and wife cannot be expected nor can their families alone be expected to pay for the wedding. An organizing committee for the wedding is formed to plan for all of the details as well as to fundraise for the event. People contribute money to either pay for a certain part of the wedding (like the drinks, the programs, the flowers, etc) or they give money to the wedding as a whole. Father Joe as the Chairman for this wedding’s organizing committee had a big job to do. Yesterday’s wedding was really nice. The mass was beautiful. The reception was fun – good fun, good music, and good dancing!
Life goes on. On Saturday morning, I was at the parish getting ready to come to the Internet Café when one of my students called out my name. This little girl wanted me to come help her carry water to her house. The majority of people here do not have running water at their homes. They carry water in yellow jerry cans from neighborhood pumps to their homes. These 2 little girls were instructed to carry water from the pump at the primary school back to their homes. Each girl had a jerry can about 2 feet tall – I am not sure how many liters each jerry can held. These girls are aged 8 and 9. They are each about 4 feet tall so the jerry cans were half their sizes. I walked with them back to their house with a jerry can in each arm. (At least I was balanced.) I had to stop a few times because the jerry cans are awkward to carry and they were slipping out of my hands. People tend to stare at me any time I am walking around, but this morning they really stared at this white girl carrying water. I am sure they had never seen that before. The girls’ aunt saw us a little ways down from her house. She came and carried the jerry cans the rest of the way. She thanked me for the good work of carrying water. I hope my assistance does not get the girls in trouble. I visited with the children and their parents welcomed me inside to eat – 1 hard boiled egg, some matooke (cooked banana), and a Mountain Dew. I visited for a bit and then I left.
I have tried for several days to come to the Internet Cafe to send y'all an update, but either my schedule or power outages have prevented me. Uganda loses power a lot. It is funny, but during the World Cup, we did not seem lose power on the days that soccer(football) games were held. When the power goes out, it can be out for a few minutes or all day. You never know. We also seem to lose power more during the day. With the natural sunlight, you do not need power to see. Also, most people do not have refrigerators or other appliances that have to run on power. People do not have AC so they are not suddenly hot. The biggest inconvenience is when you are trying to use the computer or the internet because that just does not happen when the power is out. So I am here on Tuesday morning trying to take care of the internet business while we have currently have power because you never know what this afternoon will hold. I am learning how to be patient and trying not to get too frustrated. However, you have permission to beat me if I ever complain about the internet or the internet speed once I get home.
So in the midst of tragedies, celebrations, and frustrations, we cannot forget that basic jobs such as carrying water must still be performed. We may take a break for a while to grieve, to celebrate, or to complain, but real life goes on and we need to go along with it.
I will be home the first week of August – a little over 2 weeks. I am preaching on August 8th at the FUMC of Auburndale. I will be sharing a little bit about my experiences in Uganda and how this summer has enriched my reading of the Bible and my understanding of God. I will be returning to Durham on August 15th. Then it is back to work and school. I look forward to seeing you all and catching up on all that is going on in your lives. May God bless you and keep you safe. With love and prayers, Emily.
The bombings occurred on Sunday, July 11th. Father Joe said that the date was another thing that Uganda has in common with America. I don’t think Ugandans will think of the World Cup or July 11th in the same way ever again. The bombings took place at a large public meeting space where people had paid an entry fee to watch the World Cup on large screens. People of all ages were there: families with young children, adults, and young people. The TV news and newspaper have been filled with images of the wounded, the deceased, the grieving, and the scene of the disaster. It is a tragedy when over 70 innocent people are killed. Funerals have been taking place all over the country. This past week was declared a week of mourning. Security has been tightened and increased in large public places in Kampala such as large shopping centers, taxi parks, and bus terminals. FBI officials are even here in the country to help with the investigation. Here in the small town of Kasana, things have not changed much. People are of course shocked and saddened by the tragedy and I suppose some people are scared, but life here continues on. I think that situations like this remind us that life is precious and that life can end at any moment. It has reminded me to pray for my safety and for the safety of Tabitha and those with whom I live and work. So please pray for the safety of Tabitha and I that we get home safely, but also pray for Uganda that this situation may be resolved quickly and peacefully.
Life continues on. I taught at both the primary and secondary schools this past week. Last Friday, the Cathedral hosted a very large wedding. The headmaster from a secondary school in the diocese was getting married. Father Joe is good friends with the headmaster and he was the Chairman of the Organizing Committee for the wedding. The Bishop officiated the wedding and the celebratory mass. Over 20 priests were in attendance. Moreover, around 1,200 people attended the wedding mass and reception. It was by far the largest wedding I have ever attended. Here, weddings are a big deal. In America, couples are engaged for a period of time before the wedding. They may have an engagement party, but the wedding is the main event. American weddings can be large or small, expensive or reasonably priced. In Uganda, the woman and man introduce each other to their families. This event is known as the Introduction and it is a large party. After the Introduction, the man and woman live together and are essentially married without having an actual marriage ceremony. Years may go by without there being an actual wedding ceremony because the couple saves up their money to have the wedding. If people are going to get married and have a reception, then it will be a large, well-attended, expensive event. If it is not a big event, then it is not held. Since they are large celebrations, the husband and wife cannot be expected nor can their families alone be expected to pay for the wedding. An organizing committee for the wedding is formed to plan for all of the details as well as to fundraise for the event. People contribute money to either pay for a certain part of the wedding (like the drinks, the programs, the flowers, etc) or they give money to the wedding as a whole. Father Joe as the Chairman for this wedding’s organizing committee had a big job to do. Yesterday’s wedding was really nice. The mass was beautiful. The reception was fun – good fun, good music, and good dancing!
Life goes on. On Saturday morning, I was at the parish getting ready to come to the Internet Café when one of my students called out my name. This little girl wanted me to come help her carry water to her house. The majority of people here do not have running water at their homes. They carry water in yellow jerry cans from neighborhood pumps to their homes. These 2 little girls were instructed to carry water from the pump at the primary school back to their homes. Each girl had a jerry can about 2 feet tall – I am not sure how many liters each jerry can held. These girls are aged 8 and 9. They are each about 4 feet tall so the jerry cans were half their sizes. I walked with them back to their house with a jerry can in each arm. (At least I was balanced.) I had to stop a few times because the jerry cans are awkward to carry and they were slipping out of my hands. People tend to stare at me any time I am walking around, but this morning they really stared at this white girl carrying water. I am sure they had never seen that before. The girls’ aunt saw us a little ways down from her house. She came and carried the jerry cans the rest of the way. She thanked me for the good work of carrying water. I hope my assistance does not get the girls in trouble. I visited with the children and their parents welcomed me inside to eat – 1 hard boiled egg, some matooke (cooked banana), and a Mountain Dew. I visited for a bit and then I left.
I have tried for several days to come to the Internet Cafe to send y'all an update, but either my schedule or power outages have prevented me. Uganda loses power a lot. It is funny, but during the World Cup, we did not seem lose power on the days that soccer(football) games were held. When the power goes out, it can be out for a few minutes or all day. You never know. We also seem to lose power more during the day. With the natural sunlight, you do not need power to see. Also, most people do not have refrigerators or other appliances that have to run on power. People do not have AC so they are not suddenly hot. The biggest inconvenience is when you are trying to use the computer or the internet because that just does not happen when the power is out. So I am here on Tuesday morning trying to take care of the internet business while we have currently have power because you never know what this afternoon will hold. I am learning how to be patient and trying not to get too frustrated. However, you have permission to beat me if I ever complain about the internet or the internet speed once I get home.
So in the midst of tragedies, celebrations, and frustrations, we cannot forget that basic jobs such as carrying water must still be performed. We may take a break for a while to grieve, to celebrate, or to complain, but real life goes on and we need to go along with it.
I will be home the first week of August – a little over 2 weeks. I am preaching on August 8th at the FUMC of Auburndale. I will be sharing a little bit about my experiences in Uganda and how this summer has enriched my reading of the Bible and my understanding of God. I will be returning to Durham on August 15th. Then it is back to work and school. I look forward to seeing you all and catching up on all that is going on in your lives. May God bless you and keep you safe. With love and prayers, Emily.
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Shopping
On Mondays, vendors go into the "downtown" part of Luweero to sell produce, fabric, clothing, and pretty much any other item you can imagine. There are stores that are open 7 days a week, but this market is only open on Mondays. I guess it is the day when people from the villages can try to sell their wares in town. Suze and I went to the market! It was definitely an experience that I could not miss.
We took a motorcyle (Boda Boda) from the Cathedral parish to the market. Then, Suze led the way and I just followed her. We were looking for some dress shoes for me. I have bought a Gomas (traditional Ugandan dress) and I cannot wear my Chacos with the dress or I will look silly (according to Suze). So we are in search of some high heels that will match my Gomas. We walked through the market, but we did not find any shoes. I did find a couple of ladies selling fabric so I bought some material. Think wonderful African prints and that is what I bought. And when I say that I made purchases, I paid for them, but Suze did all of the negotiating. I would have been lost and afraid if it were not for Suze. Suze is truly a blessing from God. After I made my purchases, we had to buy the food that we needed for the parish. Suze had a list and she wandered around from vendor to vendor enquiring about their prices for the stuff we needed. We bought what we needed and we got ready to head back to the parish. We were going to take a motorcycle (Boda Boda) to go back to the parish. Suze flagged down a motorcyle/motorcycle driver. I thought, "How in the world are we going to get back home with all of this food?" (potatoes, tomatoes, lettuce, green peppers, onions, bread, flour, and eggs). The driver put the big bag of potatoes in front of him (between him and the motorcycle handlebars). Suze and I were to both ride behind him holding onto the other bags. The only way we fit was for me to ride behind the driver straddling the motorcyle while Suze sat "side-saddle" behind me. This would be perfectly fine if I were wearing jeans or pants. Instead, I was wearing one of my skirts made by the talented Jo Sterling. Thankfully the skirts are long and flowy or else I would have been a spectacle riding down the road. :-) We made it back to the parish alright and with all of our purchases. Success!
Speaking of buying stuff, I had my eyes open for pretty jewelry. People in Uganda make beads out of paper and then varnishing the beads so that they are water resistent. I wanted some of these beads, but had not really seen very many. I was talking to Sister Goretti from the primary school and she told me that the primary school students can make these beads. So the students as well as some of the parents are making beads and making jewelry for me to buy. This is a way for the school to make some money and it helps me buy gifts for my loved ones back home. A "Win-Win." I have seen the women and children making the beads. They are so talented. They are teaching me how to make the beads too. Don't worry, my beads are going into a special bag so that Emily's beads don't get mixed up with the good beads made by the women and children. The beads are beautiful and will make beautiful jewelry. And they go to a good cause. Even better!
I am doing really well. I am treasuring my time here in Uganda as much as I can. The people here are really wonderful. I recommend that if you ever get a chance to visit Uganda, please do. The country is beautiful and the people are so nice. It will change your life. I hope you are all doing well. Stay safe and "out of trouble!" :-)
Love to you all.
We took a motorcyle (Boda Boda) from the Cathedral parish to the market. Then, Suze led the way and I just followed her. We were looking for some dress shoes for me. I have bought a Gomas (traditional Ugandan dress) and I cannot wear my Chacos with the dress or I will look silly (according to Suze). So we are in search of some high heels that will match my Gomas. We walked through the market, but we did not find any shoes. I did find a couple of ladies selling fabric so I bought some material. Think wonderful African prints and that is what I bought. And when I say that I made purchases, I paid for them, but Suze did all of the negotiating. I would have been lost and afraid if it were not for Suze. Suze is truly a blessing from God. After I made my purchases, we had to buy the food that we needed for the parish. Suze had a list and she wandered around from vendor to vendor enquiring about their prices for the stuff we needed. We bought what we needed and we got ready to head back to the parish. We were going to take a motorcycle (Boda Boda) to go back to the parish. Suze flagged down a motorcyle/motorcycle driver. I thought, "How in the world are we going to get back home with all of this food?" (potatoes, tomatoes, lettuce, green peppers, onions, bread, flour, and eggs). The driver put the big bag of potatoes in front of him (between him and the motorcycle handlebars). Suze and I were to both ride behind him holding onto the other bags. The only way we fit was for me to ride behind the driver straddling the motorcyle while Suze sat "side-saddle" behind me. This would be perfectly fine if I were wearing jeans or pants. Instead, I was wearing one of my skirts made by the talented Jo Sterling. Thankfully the skirts are long and flowy or else I would have been a spectacle riding down the road. :-) We made it back to the parish alright and with all of our purchases. Success!
Speaking of buying stuff, I had my eyes open for pretty jewelry. People in Uganda make beads out of paper and then varnishing the beads so that they are water resistent. I wanted some of these beads, but had not really seen very many. I was talking to Sister Goretti from the primary school and she told me that the primary school students can make these beads. So the students as well as some of the parents are making beads and making jewelry for me to buy. This is a way for the school to make some money and it helps me buy gifts for my loved ones back home. A "Win-Win." I have seen the women and children making the beads. They are so talented. They are teaching me how to make the beads too. Don't worry, my beads are going into a special bag so that Emily's beads don't get mixed up with the good beads made by the women and children. The beads are beautiful and will make beautiful jewelry. And they go to a good cause. Even better!
I am doing really well. I am treasuring my time here in Uganda as much as I can. The people here are really wonderful. I recommend that if you ever get a chance to visit Uganda, please do. The country is beautiful and the people are so nice. It will change your life. I hope you are all doing well. Stay safe and "out of trouble!" :-)
Love to you all.
Friday, July 2, 2010
Over 1 month down...
Friends,
I am sorry that I have been a derelict in updating you on life here in Uganda. I did not realize how much time had passed since my last update.
Life has been good here. I am really enjoying teaching the students. I teach religious education to P4 (4th grade) one day a week. I decided to teach them about Moses. After we learned about Moses and the Exodus, then I taught them the song "Pharoah, Pharoah." They love it! Especially the motions. Yesterday, Thursday, July 1st, Father Joe came to the primary school for an official visit. Hospitality is really important here and people love to make visitors feel welcome. Tabitha teaches religious education to P5. The headmistress, Sister Goretti, wanted Tabitha and I to have each of our classes present a song as part of the entertainment for Father Joe. So my P4 students (who just learned "Pharoah, Pharoah" on Monday) got up and sang for Father Joe. They did an amazing job! I am so proud of them. I have taught "Pharoah, Pharoah" to some of the boarding students and now other classes want to learn the song too. Hopefully before I leave I can take video of a bunch of the children here singing "Pharoah, Pharoah" to show you all (particularly my camp people) how I brought a part of camp here to Uganda. :-)
I am learning so much. Suzan and Natalia are the two women who work here at the parish. They are teaching me how they do different domestic duties here. Natalia does all of the cooking over a wood fire or a portable charcoal stove. Imagine cooking without a stove or oven. Suzan does all of the cleaning and laundry. I help Suze wash dishes and set the table for our meals. I have also helped Suze with the laundry. She washes all of the clothes for the 3 priests, 1 brother, 3 seminarians, and 2 Duke students here at the parish. And she does this laundry by hand. Imagine washing towels or jeans by hand. It is very difficult - trust me. I try to help Suze as much as I can because I know that the addition of 2 more people results in a lot more work for her. I have helped with the laundry a couple of times and I look forward to helping her some more before I leave. So I can now say that I have washed clothes by hand. I really admire how hard these women work. I don't think I will ever complain about doing laundry in America again.
Ugandans love to dance and they have many different traditional dances. I am in the process of learning these dances. Most of these dances involve butt shaking, hand motions, and different steps. The students at the primary and secondary schools are teaching me to dance. I am sure that I generate more laughs than anything else. Yesterday, for Father Joe's welcome at the primary school, I got to show off some of my dance moves. Some of the students were dancing during mass. Sister Goretti saw me dancing at my pew and she made me go up to the front with her and dance with the students. So I went. Then, after lunch, the school choir and dance group were entertaining Father Joe and the parents in attendance. Sister Goretti made me get up and go dance with the girls. Sister Goretti is one of those people that you do not say "No" to. So I got up and started dancing with the students. People in the crowd were shouting, but I was concentrating on the dancing so much that I did not know if they were shouting from pleasure or fear. Then, people from the audience (parents, Sister Goretti, and Father Joe) started coming up and giving the dancers money. Including me. Apparently, that is a custom here in Uganda to give dancers money in exchange for their good dancing. I gave some of the money I received to the other dancers, but I had received a bill of 10,000 Ugandan shillings (equivalent to $5). I could not split this money up among the dancers so later I bought some cookies (they are called biscuits here) to share with the boarding students. I had so much fun dancing and I think I surprised people with my talent. :-) Father Joe is celebrating his silver jubilee (25 years as a priest) on July 31st. I am supposed to dance at his celebration. I need to practice more. So when you think of me, know that I am here teaching the students, loving the people, working hard, dancing, and trying to soak up as much of Uganda as I can.
I will leave Uganda 1 month from tomorrow. Weird. In some ways it feels like I just arrived and in other ways it feels as though I have been here much longer. One thing is for certain ... I have never felt more welcomed than I do here. People here go out of their way to welcome you and make you feel at ease. I have received so much love and kindness from everyone. And while I try to love as many people as I can, I feel as though I am getting more out of this experience then I could ever give.
Love and prayers to you all.
I am sorry that I have been a derelict in updating you on life here in Uganda. I did not realize how much time had passed since my last update.
Life has been good here. I am really enjoying teaching the students. I teach religious education to P4 (4th grade) one day a week. I decided to teach them about Moses. After we learned about Moses and the Exodus, then I taught them the song "Pharoah, Pharoah." They love it! Especially the motions. Yesterday, Thursday, July 1st, Father Joe came to the primary school for an official visit. Hospitality is really important here and people love to make visitors feel welcome. Tabitha teaches religious education to P5. The headmistress, Sister Goretti, wanted Tabitha and I to have each of our classes present a song as part of the entertainment for Father Joe. So my P4 students (who just learned "Pharoah, Pharoah" on Monday) got up and sang for Father Joe. They did an amazing job! I am so proud of them. I have taught "Pharoah, Pharoah" to some of the boarding students and now other classes want to learn the song too. Hopefully before I leave I can take video of a bunch of the children here singing "Pharoah, Pharoah" to show you all (particularly my camp people) how I brought a part of camp here to Uganda. :-)
I am learning so much. Suzan and Natalia are the two women who work here at the parish. They are teaching me how they do different domestic duties here. Natalia does all of the cooking over a wood fire or a portable charcoal stove. Imagine cooking without a stove or oven. Suzan does all of the cleaning and laundry. I help Suze wash dishes and set the table for our meals. I have also helped Suze with the laundry. She washes all of the clothes for the 3 priests, 1 brother, 3 seminarians, and 2 Duke students here at the parish. And she does this laundry by hand. Imagine washing towels or jeans by hand. It is very difficult - trust me. I try to help Suze as much as I can because I know that the addition of 2 more people results in a lot more work for her. I have helped with the laundry a couple of times and I look forward to helping her some more before I leave. So I can now say that I have washed clothes by hand. I really admire how hard these women work. I don't think I will ever complain about doing laundry in America again.
Ugandans love to dance and they have many different traditional dances. I am in the process of learning these dances. Most of these dances involve butt shaking, hand motions, and different steps. The students at the primary and secondary schools are teaching me to dance. I am sure that I generate more laughs than anything else. Yesterday, for Father Joe's welcome at the primary school, I got to show off some of my dance moves. Some of the students were dancing during mass. Sister Goretti saw me dancing at my pew and she made me go up to the front with her and dance with the students. So I went. Then, after lunch, the school choir and dance group were entertaining Father Joe and the parents in attendance. Sister Goretti made me get up and go dance with the girls. Sister Goretti is one of those people that you do not say "No" to. So I got up and started dancing with the students. People in the crowd were shouting, but I was concentrating on the dancing so much that I did not know if they were shouting from pleasure or fear. Then, people from the audience (parents, Sister Goretti, and Father Joe) started coming up and giving the dancers money. Including me. Apparently, that is a custom here in Uganda to give dancers money in exchange for their good dancing. I gave some of the money I received to the other dancers, but I had received a bill of 10,000 Ugandan shillings (equivalent to $5). I could not split this money up among the dancers so later I bought some cookies (they are called biscuits here) to share with the boarding students. I had so much fun dancing and I think I surprised people with my talent. :-) Father Joe is celebrating his silver jubilee (25 years as a priest) on July 31st. I am supposed to dance at his celebration. I need to practice more. So when you think of me, know that I am here teaching the students, loving the people, working hard, dancing, and trying to soak up as much of Uganda as I can.
I will leave Uganda 1 month from tomorrow. Weird. In some ways it feels like I just arrived and in other ways it feels as though I have been here much longer. One thing is for certain ... I have never felt more welcomed than I do here. People here go out of their way to welcome you and make you feel at ease. I have received so much love and kindness from everyone. And while I try to love as many people as I can, I feel as though I am getting more out of this experience then I could ever give.
Love and prayers to you all.
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