Goin' to market

I went to the market today looking for mangos and bananas. I've never been to the Mukono market; it was impressive! I came away with this fabric; think it'll make a good skirt to go with my clerical shirts?

Belated Merry Christmas, and early happy new year!

I'm sorry for the silence; I've taken a bit if a break from my laptop, and it's been glorious. I am hoping to get caught up on posting in the next few days. Until then, the Lord bless you!

And the visitors keep coming!

Today was a VIP visit at UCU by a large number of the Westerner contingent from the enthronement. They were in a presentation in Principal's Hall, which is in the Bishop Tucker building, while I was upstairs in a liturgy committee meeting.  

Oh, what a joy it was to have my bishop, his wife, and my rector here at UCU!  I knew several others in the group, but these people are my history and my heart, and to have them at my home, even if not in my home proper, was such a delight!

I popped in their meeting several times to coordinate a potential tea with them, and at one point, the Vice Chancellor was talking as I was walking out, and he told me to stay for a bit as he mentioned that I graduated from UCU.  Then he allowed me to leave.  It was only slightly embarrassing, but I suppose I deserve it for disturbing his meeting.

Even though we were not able to have a separate tea time (and I baked cookies!), I did go with the group to direct them to a tailor, as one of the wives wanted to buy a dress.

I knew I would enjoy seeing Bp. John, Meg, and Dan, as well as meeting Rev. Canon John Macdonald of Trinity (and the SAMS board), but seeing these friends, and making a new one in John, really touched my heart.  I have friends here, and I am grateful for them.  But there's something about being around those who know you and love you from your own culture, and seeing them today really hit that home to me.

A weekend of purple

Yesterday was the installation and enthronement of the new Archbishop of the Province of the Church of Uganda, Stanley Ntagali. Of course, this means much pomp and circumstance, as well as many dignitaries visiting, including more bishops than you can shake a stick at.  And the police deployed 5,000 officers throughout the city for the occasion.  We are always given invitation cards for functions; this is the only one I have attended at which admittance was by card only.

All the archbishops, and many of the bishops, including my own, were staying at the Namirembe Guest House, so my friend Amos, his wife, and I went to meet them.

We had a wonderful time meeting with Bp John and Meg, as well Bp. Grant LeMarquand, Bp. Bill Thompson, Rev. Canon John Macdonald from Trinity (and on the SAMS board), and others.

Then Sunday was a wonderful (and only four hour) service.  Archbishop Bob Duncan preached, and the introductions of visiting bishops took quite a while.  I was stunned and honored at the number of bishops who had traveled so far to come for the installation. There were four from the US, at least two from the UK, one from India, I think one from Australia, and of course, several from Africa, to include the Archbishop of Burundi.  It was a beautiful picture of the body of Christ.

I heart these birds

I heart these birds; they eat grasshoppers. I only counted ten on various windows this morning.

Glorious Sunday!

The baptism this morning was wonderful and joyous celebration, with much rejoicing from the [mostly student] congregation when it was announced that the two young men had been Muslims!  They  both accepted Christ in secondary school, and wanted to make public proclamations of their faith now.  One has not told his family; I'm not very sure of the other.  Please continue to hold them in prayer.

Excitement for Sunday

I'm celebrating my first Eucharist tomorrow at UCU. As excited as I am about that, the big news is that two new converts from Islam will be baptized!

Please join me in praying for these new saints as they embark on this new life in Christ. I don't know either of their stories, or how their families have reacted to their conversion, though it is fairly certain that they could be cut off from their families for this. Please pray that the Lord protect and sustain them, and make them bold witnesses for Christ.

Bishop Tucker visitor

I've been working with the dean in her office for about a week on the impending curriculum review, and kept hearing scurrying and scratching in the ceiling. One of the friends finally showed himself!

Christmas programme

I just received the Christmas Break programme from the Chaplaincy, and I am preaching on Christmas Eve, 5pm in the Chapel.  Since it's in the Chapel, I'm inferring that this isn't a huge service, especially since the students aren't around, though there is Holy Communion.  Christmas Day service is in Nkoyoyo Hall, where church services are usually held.

I asked why I was given to preach on Christmas Eve, as that is a big deal in the US, and was told that it is tradition to have a muzungu (white man) preach at that service.  I'm not quite sure how long-standing of a tradition that is, but there you go.

So, I'm trying my best not to freak out that I land in country and am given the Christmas Eve service to preach.  I'm trying to see it that I've been given one one of the services in the holiday.  After all, the Vice Chancellor is preaching on Christmas Day.

But I am freaking out a little.  Just a little.  I know that Christmas and New Year's are a big deal here, sometimes with New Year's eclipsing Christmas; I guess I would have preferred to have experienced one before participating.  But this is Africa...