Breakfast conversation

This morning, I went to breakfast with my roommate, Joan, and our dormmate, Agrace.  I'm usually long gone before they get up, so this was a treat.

Except for some of the breakfast conversation.  I think it was prompted by the enormous dead rat we saw on the way to the Dining Hall.  So we (well, they) were discussing slaughtering chickens, and the best method for doing so.

I've been in those conversations before, but it's usually, "Jess-ca... do you know how to slaughter a chicken?"  "No."  "Why not?"  "I live in the city, and don't need to, I guess."  "You need to learn."  "Ah... no thanks."

Today's discussion was a bit more involved.  Good information to have, I reckon.

Halfway through the first draft of Numbers - woohoo!  And while it's slightly overcast, it's not raining, so I celebrated by doing wash.  Now to pray that the sheets and towel dry by sundown!

March madness (for real)

Where has the February gone?  For that matter, where has the semester gone?  Time, it is a-flyin'.

I've crossed four and two thirds assignments off my list, which feels great, but then realized yesterday that two of the biggest assignments are due next week, and I've done, um, next to nothing on them, thanks to the assignments above.  After that, there are two more big ones, plus the remaining third, all due at the end of March (she fervently hopes) then it will be time for exams.  Actually, we will have a test in African Church History at some point, and Rev. Moses said he was going to give us a small coursework.  I told him I would cry.  I do adore him, but he thinks that the circles under my eyes are the sign of a serious student.  No.  They're the sign of a stressed and sleepy student.  I've tried to tell him that, but to no avail.  He thinks the coursework will be fine.  Actually, his work is more application than academia, which I love.  But it's still another task.  *sigh*

OK... back to writing a twelve-week Adult Ed plan for the book of Numbers.  Tomorrow we're plowing through liberation theology, and its impact in the US.  And praying that both get reasonable marks.

And why, oh why, does it rain whenever I need to go into town?  Our morning lecturer couldn't come, so I seized the moment to decide to go to the ATM and supermarket.  Then walked out of the classroom to discover rain.  It wasn't bad, so we went anyhow, and I'm glad it's done, because one never knows what Mukono weather will be tomorrow.  But seriously.  I think I have a meteorological gift here - I can tell when it's going to do rain because that's when I decide to do laundry (which must be air dried) or go to town.

And we have a fan!

Joan, my intrepid roommate, went to Mukonotown yesterday in search for a fan... and got one!  She even negotiated down the price a bit (something I forget to try in a supermarket (store)).  WOOHOO!!!!  It's nice, it's quiet, and has a timer, so when I turn it on, it will turn itself off and I don't have to worry about missing my alarm through the white noise and earplugs.

Of course, it's been nice and cool the last couple nights, but hey.  I'm a happy, if tired, seminarian.  Actually, my friends ask me how I like the cold.  I love it.  Monday it monsooned, and was sufficiently cold that I wore my Polartec jacket to class (which here is called a jumper; a jumper is apparently heavier than a jacket).

But the fan!  O happy day!  And it's Friday!  I have to write two papers this weekend (!), but we have a fan!

I'm going into town myself tomorrow morning; praying for no rain.  I desperately need to get to the ATM, and since the supermarket is there, may need to get some drinking chocolate (hot chocolate - Cadbury's drinking chocolate is FABULOUS).

Prayer requests:
- Our dean, Dr. Olivia, had a baby who just turned 9 months old.  Baby Olivia was born prematurely and with severe jaundice, and has had more than her fair share of medical and developmental challenges.  She was taken to the hospital this week (don't know what's going on); please pray for her healing, and strength for Dr. Olivia and her husband.
- There's a possibility that I may be able to write a paper in lieu of an exam; Dr. Olivia told me about that last semester (after exams were over, though).  I'd love to do this for my African Theology class; I get things at the macro level, but am not the least bit confident that I'll remember enough micro things to do well on the exam.  I need permission from the Dean to do this, which requires me to have time to go to the office, and for her to be there (see above).
- We're all overwhelmed academically.  That's to be expected, I suppose.  My wise bishop pointed out that it's normal to pant at this point in the race... I'm panting.  :)  Please pray for strength and perseverance!  

Dodging

In the interest of full disclosure, I need to confess that I cut a class this week.  I repent.  I cut it because 1. I was exhausted, and 2. we really don't do a whole heck of a lot there.  We're all fairly miserable, and I couldn't justify torturing myself for two hours when I was already a zombie.

I'm telling you this because I received untold grief and agony from my class for this.  They all wanted my bishop's phone number and e-mail (I did put the church number on the board so they would see that I wasn't hiding anything, but it's so expensive to call I knew they wouldn't do it) so they could report me.  I won't give out his e-mail address. :)  Keep in mind that this grief and agony is coming from the very people who dodge class as well, sometimes on a regular basis.  There are people who have missed more classes than they've attended, but I miss ONCE and get abused?!  Where's the hospitality in that?!

Yeah, I know, they love me.  I feel it.  Really.

And we're back to wretchedly hot weather.  The tragedy here is that it's really hard for me to think big theological thoughts when it's oppressively hot.  And no A/C anywhere.  And then to sit at a laptop that generates heat... ugh.  Please pray for perseverance.  And that the ibuprofen does its job quickly when required.

Ash-less Wednesday

This was strange; an Ash Wednesday service without the imposition of ashes.  I'm confused by some conversations we've had in class, but it may be that the Anglican church here doesn't impose ashes today. 

We did have a nice service though, and apparently will also be having chapel on Wednesdays throughout Lent.  I do appreciate setting aside the time for reflection and introspection as the season requires, though I have to say that I really, really don't need something else to "do."  Sigh.

A time to mourn

It's been a tough week for the UCU community.  First, last Thursday, Bishop Patrick Kyaligonza was killed in an automobile accident. Then on Tuesday, on the way to the funeral, two bishops and one of the wives were in an accident, and the wife, Mama Perpetua Gimadu was killed.  Her funeral is Saturday.  Mama Perpetua's daughter Florence is a student here.

Please pray for healing for those injured in the accidents (Bp. Patrick's wife is especially hurt), and comfort for the families as they grieve.

Mission and ministry conference week

You know, because eight papers to finish by the end of March isn't enough... Sorry.  Let me stop with the snarkiness.  There's a mission/ministry conference every semester, and this is a good thing.  I just wish it came earlier in the semester when we were less busy.  I have one paper due this week, two the week after, two the week after, one the week after that, and two at the end of March.  Plus the "review questions" that are sure to appear on our exam.

And it's pretty bloody hot again, which makes it hard to sleep and/or study, depending on the time of day.  Joan, my intrepid roommate, has found a place that has reasonably sized fans, and will (hopefully) be getting one this week.

Back to the conference... for the All Saints' crowd, we were told that one of the speakers at the conference will be Uncle Ben.  I'll try to say hello to him and give greetings.  :)