The missionary is going on a mission trip!

To me, this is simultaneously totally natural, and totally ironic.

I'm going to Soroti with Clark and Carol Smith, a delightful couple here on a SOMA trip, to teach two three-day workshops on the Holy Spirit.

This came about through a series of divine appointments; it also happened on Thursday!  I'm honored and thrilled to be going, and am very much looking forward to our week together.

I'll report back next week!

The bishops are coming, the bishops are coming! Oh, and the president, too.

This week, UCU is hosting the bi-annual Provincial Assembly, akin to General Convention, in which the bishops and leaders of the 34 dioceses of the Province of the Church of Uganda gather for legislative business.

Since this is the last Assembly for which the Archbishop will preside, the President was invited, and he accepted.

The morning services are open to all, so I attended.  Of course, I had to greet Archbishop Orombi (and the other bishops and people I knew), and he told me to go register for the Assembly.  Archbishop said... so I did.

No, it's not wrinkled; the light was poor when I took the photo.

Of course, since the president was coming, security was tight.  UCU security was out in good numbers, as were the army, and the Ugandan version of the Secret Service.  One of their agents asked me for my staff ID prior to the service.  Tragically, I don't yet have it; fortunately, another staff explained that I am new then took me to sit with him.

The Vice Chancellor, Dr. Senyonyi, preached on Acts 20:17-38, as the theme for the Assembly is leadership succession.  Canon Amos, who rescued me from the Secret Service-type, whispered to me after the reading from Acts, "can't you feel the tone?"  And indeed, it does feel that we're beginning the long good-bye to the Archbishop.  The Archbishop is beginning a three-month tour of the Province, saying good-bye.  He's coming to the Mukono cathedral on 9 September, and he made a plea for no long speeches or programs.  We'll see how that works out; he's rather beloved by all.

Archbishop Orombi led the morning session with humor and grace, as one would expect.  The president, while calling himself an "amateur Christian," gave a decent talk on the command to subdue the earth in Genesis 1:28 and Africa's need to master subduing the earth to better the people.

The president later noted that the Archbishop doesn't lecture him publicly, and that he returns the favor.  In an age of very public political rebukes flying around the media (yes, it's an international phenomenon!), I very much appreciate the grace with which the president spoke of the Archbishop's integrity.  I'm sure they don't necessarily agree on much, though to me, that kind of public statement is high praise indeed.  

A day of grief

Today is a day of grief:  before the service at the cathedral, I heard that one of the Masters of Divinity students died last night; apparently, he had been unwell during exams.  Then, during announcements, we learned that a seventh grader in the congregation had died too.

Please pray for the families of the students who have died, as well as the school communities affected.  A number of lecturers are attending the burial of the MDiv student.

Ahh... the smell of varnish in the air!

This can only mean that my furniture was just delivered.  Hallelujah!  Photos to come later; I need to finish my sermon for tomorrow, preferably at a reasonable hour.  :)

This also means that the flat is becoming more comfortable, and more mine.  I'm so very grateful.

End of semester - visual reminder

The altar in the chapel in the Bishop Tucker building has been stripped, since the semester is over.  Is it terrible that I love to see the altar without the frontal?  It just covers the beautiful carving.

Visa approved!

Peter called last night to tell me my visa had been approved.

He just came to get the visa fee and my passport; he'll deposit it for me, then take the passport to get its visa.

By next Tuesday, I should be done, and free to move about the continent!

View from my desk

See who I see as I sit at my desk at home?

Visa update

I have a file number with Immigration!  The review board meets once a week, on Wednesdays, to review applications.  I won't know until possibly Thursday whether they've 1. reviewed my file, and 2. granted the visa.  If so, they'll give Peter the bank slip (deposit slip), then he'll come to me, and I'll give him a lot of money, and he'll take it to the bank, then take my passport for that coveted sticker/stamp.

Amen.

Meteorology

These are the clouds that rolled in this morning. Wouldn't you think that we'd've gotten a boatload of rain? Nope. Just some sprinkles. 

I cannot tell a lie... I was invigilating again, and grateful that I didn't have to walk back to Bishop Tucker with exam books and a clock and an umbrella, but all the same, I'm a bit disappointed that the rain failed to make a showing.

But it's only early August... the rains are coming.  You may remind me of my disappointment when I write that I'm looking for the Ark.

Invigilating!

I invigilated my first exam today.  First, I prefer the word proctor.  Second, it was a fairly underwhelming experience, for which I'm grateful.  

One girl kept writing after I called time, and when I asked her to stop, she said she was numbering her pages (which must be done with your registration number and the question you are answering.  On each page.).  I laughed, told her she should have done that first.  

I'm grateful that I knew what she was going through, and that I wasn't the one writing!

I was subbing for a friend who was invigilating.  Maybe I should carry a book with me in case I get drafted again?

Impulse purchase

This morning, I went to Game (a bit like Target) to continue the nesting process:  ironing board, toaster, flatware, etc.  In the fitness section, was a clearance table.  I wish I had a picture of it.. a clearance table in front of treadmills, in Kampala.  But I digress.


Anyhow, on said table were these.

I wish the price tag was 1. right side up, and 2. not smudged.  It was only 30,000 shillings (about $12.50), originally 140,500 (about $56.20).


This has potential to be exciting.  I need to start jogging, but with the rainy season here, that's less likely to happen.   So, now there's really no excuse.


Lord, have mercy.

Domestic bliss

Tonight, Helen roasted a chicken with lemon, made french [green] beans and carrots, and smashed potatoes.  With no mixer save her arms.

She is indeed a living saint.