Second semester photos

I promise that I will eventually get around to creating another slideshow like I did for the first semester (and if I don't by mid-June, Heidi, please remind me!), and will change out some of the pictures on the sidebar.  Until then, however, please enjoy these pictures.  There are captions for each.

Sunny and stressed

Ah... the dry season.  This is when I conveniently forget the mud and slippery hills, and long for rain to cool down the days and [somewhat] remove the dust.  Fickle creatures, we humans.  We were cleaning the chapel this morning, and Henry asked me if Americans clean their shoes once a year.  I said no, we do it a bit more often than that, but not every day (looking at my dusty shoes, because in two semesters I've not learned to clean them every day).  Henry pointed out that they clean their shoes three times a day to keep the dust away.  There you go.  

Cleaning the chapel is much, MUCH better with the new tile laid and the carpet gone.  Someone asked if we have dust in the US.  Yes.  Do you sweep it?  Ummm... yes... I pointed out that I knew how to sweep when I got here.  :)  But it is indeed different.

Emmanuel noticed yesterday that I'm getting a tan, and commented that I look like I'm dirty.  I disagree; only my feet look dirty, because my toes are tanned, then there's a large white stripe where my shoes are, then the rest of my foot and ankle are tan.  My toes look dirty because of that (and often are, actually).  

I have to be careful when I go to to town or walk around with my hair up, because otherwise, Africa will turn me into a redneck.  Why is it that when I go anywhere, the sun is always at my back?  And if anyone has a good, polite definition of a redneck, please let me know.  I tried to explain it to someone, but saying that someone who spends time outside and has a Southern accent really doesn't translate into something negative.

This is a busy semester.  I enjoy being busy (though not this busy).  I enjoy having friends who like me and enjoy spending time with me.  I'm struggling with being sufficiently social so as to not be rude, but still find time to do my work and to sleep.  This is the downside to sharing a dorm with girls in their very early twenties; I'm old, and need to sleep.  I did my senior year of college on four hours of sleep a night, and now even the THOUGHT of that exhausts me.

Please pray for sleep, health (allergies are bad, and there's a cold/pink eye floating around), and stamina.  Henry told me the other day that I'm strong - he admitted that their schedule is grueling, and he's surprised that a muzungu is keeping up.  I told him it was 1. God's grace, and 2. sleeping during lunch that enables me to cope, not strength.

Second semester grades

Our results are finally out – the rest of UCU was informed on Monday.  We received our results today (Thursday); there were some personnel absences and apparently some confusion in the office.

Once again, God is so good!  I remember being incredibly stressed, especially since I had had malaria a couple weeks prior to exams, and spent a good chunk of reading week working on my proposal.  Exams are 50% of the grade, so if I know my coursework grades, I can calculate the exam result.  The grading scheme is here.  Results are as follows:

African Church History:  82 (this is hysterical.  The muzungu gets an A in African Church History?)

Worship II and Spirituality:  86

African Christian Theological Methods:  78

Research Methods:  78 (another miracle; all I could think about was that Dr. Cassidy, my Research professor from my M.A. would kill me if I did badly)

Introduction to the New Testament:  71 (I know.  I did well on the coursework.  The exam was hard (no excuse, just it was), with a wide berth for questions.  I think the highest grade in the class is a 75, so that’s comforting.

Pentateuch:  82 (I’m stunned.  We still don’t have our coursework, so I have no idea how I did on anything.  Yes, this is the lecturer that I complained about, and that I have for Greek.  At least it appears that she’s a gracious grader).

So, I think my GPA for the semester is 4.67 (the school calculated 4.42; I need to investigate this).  If I use my calculation, my cumulative GPA is 4.59.  To God be the glory!

I think this semester will be the most academically challenging to date – it certainly has the most work.  Onward, ever onward!

It's visa time again!

Ahhhh... one of my favorite times of the semester, getting my student visa.  Ha!

However, I'm fairly optimistic.  First, I've been through the drill, and know what to do.  Second, and most importantly, the Director of Student Affairs (DOSA) office has hired someone to deal with the international students.  This is fabulous for a number of obvious reasons.  I'm just thrilled that someone in the DOSA's office will finally pay attention to us.  We've met Edgar (our new DOSA friend), and I think he's going to do well.  HE's the one who gets to deal with Immigration, not me.  I did warn him that it's a bit more challenging for those of us who aren't from East Africa, and he appears to be up to the challenge.  Thanks be to God!

In other news, after about two weeks of being disconnected from the network, I'm finally connected.  It only took two trips to the computer guys, after someone told me we had to reregister our laptops.  *sigh*  This is Africa, I suppose.  But it's SO nice to be online on my own laptop, and not have to try to get a seat in the computer lab or bother Violet to borrow hers.  Boy, I am so, so spoiled.

Culinary delicacies

Today in Christian Communication, Preaching, and Homiletics, Dr. Kalengyo talked about going to Congo and eating a rat to get in good graces with the locals.  We all were equally appalled, which was nice that I wasn't the only one.  I shall not complain about matooke again (boiled, mashed, plain plantains - very blah).

Then he said that in Singapore, he was appalled when they served him fried crabs.  Oh, crabs!  Yum!  He described how difficult it was for him to eat, and I was clapping.  Can you imagine?  People were asking me if I really liked crabs and mussels (those, not as much, but just the thought!).  It seems strange that they don't have seafood, but they're appalled that we don't have matooke, so now we're even.

Proposals as proof of God's grace

We're still waiting for grades to be posted (all we know is that we all passed and are making "normal progress"), but we did get our proposal supervisor.

My placement supervisor (for my work in churches) is Dr. Olivia Banja, the dean.  My proposal/dissertation supervisor is Rev. Rebecca Nyegenye, the assistant chaplain.  Everyone is excited for me, because she's a great lady.  I've seen her preach, but haven't talked to her yet.  I'm her only student to supervise, so that's a great ratio.  My dissertation topic is related to the Alpha Course, and apparently Rev. Rebecca is the one who brought Alpha to UCU, so that's pretty cool.

And as evidence of God's grace, I received 44 out of 55 on my proposal.  I had to write that after I had malaria, was so tired, and trying to get ready for exams.  There weren't really any substantive comments; I just didn't have some headings I needed.  Woohoo!  Second highest score in the class - go God!

Sunday service and burial

So, I arrived at the Cathedral on Sunday for the first service (first and third services in Luganda), only to be reminded that I'd be "bored silly," and therefore they only want me to attend the English service.  On the one hand, this is a slight relief, but on the other, one service?  Really?  I don't feel like I'm doing anything.

But wait.  Rev. Joseph, my supervising priest, asked me to lead intercessions (Prayers of the People), which are not written.  So I composed something hastily, but I would have loved to have seen how they did things first.  So I got through it, but wasn't terribly enthusiastic about how it went.  Then it turns out that my supervisor, the Dean, was there.  Sigh. 

Rev. Joseph asked if I had ever seen an African burial (no), so he asked if I wanted to attend one that afternoon.  It was in a village nearby (I need clarification on the definition of a village, because this just seemed to be a part of Mukono to me).  Everything was in Luganda, so as far as I could tell, there were oodles of speeches (which happens at ANY function), some Scripture readings, some liturgy, then going to the graveside for interrment.

I was sitting with the clergy (which included former Archbishop Nkoyoyo), and most of the village was there.  Rev. Joseph said we needed to hurry to try to get in front of the casket.  It was so, SO crowded, so we failed in that endeavor, but made it to the graveside before most of the throngs.  That was good, because he said it would get crowded.  That was an understatement.  Think of Metro at rush hour, and add about 100 people.  That's crowded.  And they're all shoving, with no place to go.  Wow. 

Then we had lunch (at 4; the masses were eating when we arrived), and I was served the biggest plate of food I have ever seen.  I warned Rev. Joseph that I probably couldn't eat that much.  I felt much better when Rev. Enos (the vicar; Rev. Joseph is the assistant vicar) didn't finish his plate.  I did my level best, which Rev. Joseph recognized.  :)

One of the clergy wasn't feeling well, and took Rev. Enos' car.  They were concerned about getting me back to campus in time for our Eucharist service, which was nice.  Rev. Enos has noted that I keep time (rather proudly, it seemed), so I think things are getting on well there.

Going to supper (well, towards supper; I had just had lunch at 4), some of my friends were teasing me that I was the vicar of the Cathedral.  Not funny.

Saints Philip and Andrew's Parish - Mukono Cathedral

Whew - see why I just call it the Cathedral?  At the meeting last Friday when our placements were announced, there was much laughter when it was announced that I was going here... it took me seven minutes to walk there on Sunday.  I didn't even realize that one of my classmates, David, was placed there also (he had ulcer surgery last semester, and they probably don't want him traveling far either.

I was a little concerned that people would resent my being sent so close (someone has to go near Jinja, at least 75 kilometers away), but the feedback I've heard is that my friends are glad I don't have to travel.  I'm glad too!

It looks like our duties in the Cathedral this semester will be limited to leading intercessions (like the Prayers of th People in non-liturgical form) and preaching the occasional sermon.  The provost had wanted us to do readings as well (including in Luganda!  I am game, as long as I have plenty time to practice), but the schedule is already made through December.  Perhaps in the January semester.  We'll also be going on door-to-door evangelism missions.  Honestly, the thing I fear about that the most is the food - it's rude not to finish everything put in front of you, and I just can't eat the quantity of food that they want me to.

I don't know yet whether I'll be attending all three services each Sunday, as two are in Luganda.  Last week they asked me to just come for the English service, though when I offered to stay for the last service (in Luganda), Rev. Joseph, my supervisor, told me I'd "be bored silly."  They had a baptism, which was very nice... my favorite being the kid who kept his hand on the microphone while he was baptized.  And I'd call it more splashing than sprinkling here - they got wet!

In class with Onesimus

The All Saints' crowd may remember meeting Onesimus, Archbishop Orombi's chaplain when they came for Saints' Together a couple years ago.  Imagine my surprise when he came to my Systematic Theology class last week!  I've not asked whether he's taking the Masters of Divinity degree part-time; I think we're all still surprised he's there.

Obviously, he's well-known in Uganda due to his position, though apparently he taught one of my classmates in his previous professional life as a fine arts teacher.  The first session that he came, the class (and the professor, for that matter) treated him with the utmost respect.  The American, while respectful, was much more joyful and collegial... "Onesimus!  It's so good to see you!  How was Kentucky?"  He had been in Kentucky and Alabama during Holy Week this year.

And he told me Monday that I looked brilliant.  Gotta love a guy who says something like that.  :)

What was I thinking?!

Taking Greek, that is.  *sigh*

It's a full semester, which I reckon is a good thing.  Our Greek lecturer is the same one we had for Pentateuch last semester.  Ah, opportunities for personal growth!

We also start our Sunday placement this weekend, which means that I get to go to the Cathedral for services at 7, 9, and 11 (I think those are the times).  The English service is at 9; the others are in Luganda.  This has happened before; they've placed students at churches where they may not speak the local languages.  There are around 52 tribes in Uganda, each with their own language.  Some are more closely related than others.

Sunday night we have our Eucharist service in the chapel at 5, as usual.  I think I will enjoy my Saturdays as much as possible.  Oh wait - I'll have Greek to work on.  :)

On deck this semester

The timetable (schedule) is finally out.  We have a conflict with one of the Greek classes, so I'm not quite sure yet how that will be resolved.  Here's the rundown thus far:

Gospels and Acts

Introduction to Systematic Theology

Old Testament Prophets

Homiletics, Preaching, and Christian Communication

Biblical Interpretation

The funny thing is that we have the same lecturer for Homiletics and Biblical Interpretation, and we have those classes on the same days. 

Right now, Thursdays are free, save the evening Eucharist.  Three classes Mondays and Wednesdays, and Wednesdays also have discipleship sandwiched between the last two, so Wednesday continues to be my least favorite day.

Monday morning, 8:30, here we come!

And the best part of the holiday...

I can't believe that I forgot to tell you that I drove!  Through Kampala!  It was last Sunday after church (they go to the 3pm service, so this would have been about 5:30).  Sara doesn't like driving at night, and it wasn't quite getting dark, and the boys were asking, so Sara agreed.

Driving on the left was fine.  Sitting on the right was fine.  Gearshift on the left was fine.  All went well until I tried to signal a turn, and turned on the windshield wipers.  Even those were reversed.  Goodness!  So I didn't do much signaling, but then again, neither does anyone else.

Traffic circles make SO much more sense when you drive on the left!  Wow.

There are (apparently) no traffic police out on Sundays, so the joke around the house became that I can only drive on Sundays.  I did it once, and that's enough.  If I have to do it for real, at least I'm mostly prepared.

What I did on holiday

1. Wore trousers every day unless we went to town.  Ahhhh...
2. Took hot showers!  Bliss!  It was cool this morning, so the cool shower certainly woke me up.
3. Read four books.  Two were James Patterson, so they took no time to read, but the Muhima kids think I'm a geek.  Here it just means someone who reads a lot.  
4. Removed the nail polish from my toes.  Yes, sadly, that was from the pedicure I had in January.  I removed the fingernail polish some time ago, but left the toes because the polish helps hide how dirty the toenails can be.
5. Helped Sara undo her plaits.  Wow.  It took both of us about 45 minutes to do, and her plaits were fairly wide.  If she'd had the tiny ones, I think we'd still be working on it.
6. Watched TV, both shows and movies.  Piracy is huge here; we watched "The Bounty Hunter" among other things.
7. Sang VeggieTales Silly Songs with the kids my last night; video to be posted (hopefully) in mid-May.  Who knew that VeggieTales were a hit in Africa?  The kids are all in their mid-twenties, so they're the right demographic to have grown up with them.
8. Only touched a computer ONCE.  Wow.
9. Went to the Cathedral for church; both times, saw someone I knew.  Goodness!
10. Went to visit a friend; took taxis to get there and come back.  This included a transfer to a different taxi.  I think I'm truly becoming African if I take taxis, right?  A taxi here is a van licensed to carry 14 passengers, plus the driver and the conductor (who takes the money and hollers for people to get on).  Three of the four conductors were fabulous, and took great care of me, ensuring that I knew my stop had arrived. 
11. Helped Sara with her driving.  She received her permit (license) a little while ago, but wasn't comfortable driving.  She said that driving with me was a tremendous help to her, for which I'm grateful.

Bishop Muhima told me that the room I was staying in is mine, so I guess I have a home in Kampala now.  :)

I'm back!

Back at UCU after a wonderful, albeit way too short, holiday.  Bishop Muhima told me that the room I was staying in is now mine, so I guess I have a home in Kampala now.  :)

I'm back in my same room, without a roommate this semester (there are fewer students in May).  I'm still getting settled, and am tired, so more will come later.  I have no idea why, but I didn't sleep terribly well on holiday.  One factor was the nearby mosque blasting first prayers at 5:30 every day.  I'm looking forward to getting some rest while everyone else returns to campus slowly, then classes start in earnest on Monday.

We have five courses scheduled to allow for research time for our proposals, though I really can't finish my literature review until I get home in August.  I think I'm going to take advantage of the lighter load and take Greek I as well.  The down side to that is that it will be the same lecturer as I had for Hebrew.  :)  We have another class with her too, but I don't want to wait until January because I'll be finishing my dissertation then, and want to save my "free" time for that.

A friend has borrowed my laptop for a couple weeks (due back 15 May), so I'll be checking e-mail once a day or so in the computer lab.  This is so strange, and makes me realize how spoiled I am.