WEEK 10: Friday - March 12 (cont'd) I got through the report on the internet with only one little glitch that had to be re-typed, but finished in an hour. The energy expended today seemed enormous, because I fretted for an hour - our driver was that late. Then when I tied to pay for internet time, they didn't have change so had to trudge 2 blocks to "buy something" (re the boss a the internet) so I could get change - then I didn't have time to eat my lunch before my English class arrived raring to go - that class always takes alot of energy, but they are great. By the time I finished my SL class, I was pooped and did not feel like cooking in any way shape or form. We ate out - walked home - about a 45 minute walk, showered and fell into bed. Yeessss!!!!

Saturday - March 13: I don't know how to begin talking about today, except to say we were 1 1/2 hours late getting to Busowa, mainly because the electricity was off. Gasoline stations needed to be on generators. The price of gas has risen dramatically AND Leah came along to make her presentation on health, hygiene and nutrition. The intense part of the day stared when Leah introduce herself, and her Japadola name, Achieng, meaning sunshine. That got my students reved up o ghive me an African name. Thus Leah started her lecture with some difficulties. ll, or most of the Africans I have met, are naturally verbose. This works if you are NOT interpreting. Sometimes they don't really understand that an interpreter is merely a conduit with a special ability. They get carried away and editorialize and elaborate. When it comes to health issues this becomes a major challenge. Unfortunately, today we did not have an interpreter but a pastor who enjoyed himself immensely, by "filling in", often from what I could see of body language, erroneously. With health information this can be dangerous. Fortunately, there were enough people there who understood English, so they asked questions when they heard discrepancies, so the information could be clarified. When Leah finished I was "baptized" by prayer, with my new name, Kyakuwaire, pronounced Chakuwaire in the language of the Lusoga. It means "gift of God". WOW!!! I barely kept myself together. I ha chills and tears AND!! They danced and sang and all those beautiful women gave of themselves. Fortunately, Pastor Peter showed up so there were more formal greetings and speeches so I could be out of the spotlight. As we were getting ready to leave, Pastor Charles, his wife and oldest son presented me with a chicken, live with legs bound. I have been fearing someone gifting me with a live chicken - how to be gracious and voi tucking the future dinner under my arm.. I don't think I was very successful, nut Leah was next to me and took the chicken. It ended up in Pastor Peter's stew pot. What an emotional way. It has made me very fearful of the protracted good-byes. Hopefully, I will be able to figure something out to reduce he angst. The other outstanding this is I have 24 students with perfect attendance thus far.

Sunday - March 14: I went to church with Peter this morning in Paya. We had a flat tire on the way there and the spare had not yet been repaired. As it turned out, we were able to have long, intimate conversation re concerns here with various ministries while we waited for the buda-buda to bring back a tire. Peter preached on the golden calf story from Exodus, mainly regarding Moses' reaction to the idolatry of Aaron and the Isrealites. He related it to our responsibilities when we see flagrant wrongs being done by our fellow believers. Following church we went to Juba. My classes sraggled in but were enthusiastic, especially my Reading class. It is going to be so hard saying good-bye to all of these women. Leah cooked - how nice. What a treat for me!

Monday - March : Peter was over an hour late picking up Leah and me to go to Wikus. He ha been arrested because he had forgotten his permit at home. He is not feeling well. He has a sore throat an he seemed very tired to me. We got half way to Wikus when Peter remembered he was supposed to pick up Srah (his wife) in tororo to take her with us. He didn't have enough minutes left on his phone so he had to use mine to call he. Anyway, Leah's presentation wnet well. Peter interpreted so that worked much better than Saturday. They all leaned at least a few new things to that was good. Had an early evening.

Tuesday - March 16: Today I did my usual morning off routine of personal care, cooking, laundry and a bit of cleaning. Leah took my classes at Smile Africa for her presentation which worked well for me. I had time to give out the pillow case dresses made by women from McFarland Lutheran Church, and take photos AND it gave me time to have a nice long chat with Pastor Ruth. She is an exceptionally wise woman, a strong leader and a good delegator. Leah went to lean how to make chapati and how to butcher a chicken. I wasn't interest in the latter (chickens are not my favorite birds) so I had the evening to myself. It was VERY HOT today. We just had a bit of rain so hopefully it will cool off a bit as the fan is not working, as the electricity went off (of course) so it will be uncomfortable sleeping.

Wednesday - March 17 - St. Patrick's Day: Today makes me think of my Irish friends I met in the Netherlands. I didn't sleep well last night and it was HOT today and very little went right at True Vine. Time to go home, or get some sleep or both.

Thursday - March 18: I ha a conference with Pastor Wilber today. I told him of my observations about adult English problems, especially with writing and my observations in the classrooms. He was very receptive and particularly interest4ed in the teaching of vowel sounds "in the vernacular" as he put it, as a problem rather than the English vowel sounds. Also, he was interested in leaning more about Mwanganza and their teacher training program. He said that teaching the teachers more creative methods of teaching is something he would like to see happen. He said he doesn't want the students to be taught how to pass an exam without really understanding what the answers mean, the concepts. The rest of the day at True Vine was a bit of a bummer but that's okay. I will go back next Wednesday to say good-bye, take photos etc. Andrew (IT) sopped by for a visit so we played a game of Scrabble and he joined us for the dinner I had prepared. I think he enjoyed it - he had 3 huge helpings. Also, we had a bit of rain to cool the air. Thank Goodness. Next week will be my last full week here, so there will be just one more installment of Notes from Uganda. Thank all of you readers for your interest and your prayers. May God keep you in his care.