Hello from Gulu!
It is Monday, July 14 @ Noon. The internet is functioning again at St. Monica's. The things we take for granted
in America. Electricity is intermittent here. When the lights go out, everybody just sits around in the dark like it's standard operating procedure. The mosquitoes (pronounced MOSKWEETOES) are not too terribly bad here. They're out at night only. We've had a few bites each, but no fever yet. Using lots of DEET, permethrin treated clothes, and mosquito nets to protect ourselves as well as possible. We've seen some HUGE insects and critters here.
A praying mantis attached itself to the back of my pants one evening and scared the **** out of me. It was easily 6 inches long. Also saw an enormous snail one morning. The shell was about 5 inches. It was beautiful--we wanted to cook it with garlic butter. Just kidding! In front of our room, we have a mango tree, an avocado tree that is laden with delicious avocadoes, and eucalyptus trees. Very tropical, but we lucked out because the weather has been unseasonably cool. We think it's great, they're wearing down winter coats when the temperature dips below 70 F. They call it winter.
Yesterday morning Mass was outstanding! We all processed in to the hall with about 200 girls singing and about 10 doing traditional dance.
They sang and drummed throughout almost the entire Mass--the Gloria, the Sanctus, and a beautiful acapella song after communion in their native Acholi language. The tears were flowing--they are so inspirational. Chioki (the guy travelling with the midwives), was kind enough to get up and record the whole Mass for us with professional recording equipment. We heard a little last night-it sounds great. As it turns out, he's here doing a radio documentary about the midwives for NPR.
After Mass, we attended a seminar about membership in Undugu family. It is an organization created to promote peace and unity in Africa and the world, and to decrease intertribal and interreligious violence. It was founded by a Tanzanian Jesuit priest in 1996 after witnessing the mass genocide in Rwanda.
In Swahili, ndugu is the word for both brother and sister. When you put a U in front of it, undugu means the relationship between a brother and sister. The concept is that because we are all children of God the father, we should strive for unity and peace with all people, our brothers and sisters in Christ. A link will be forthcoming for more info.
As if the chicken was not enough, now Sr Rosemary has informed Stan that he will be expected to slaughter and roast a goat for dinner on Thursday. He is experiencing great anxiety over this matter and has been soliciting help from anyone willing to listen. The whole thing has been rather entertaining. They're slaughtering a bull for the St. Kizito dedication ceremonies on Sunday. If Stan succeeds with the goat it's on to the bull!! We'll keep you posted...
Love and prayers to all of you and thank you so much for your kind responses.
Stan and Monique
It is Monday, July 14 @ Noon. The internet is functioning again at St. Monica's. The things we take for granted
in America. Electricity is intermittent here. When the lights go out, everybody just sits around in the dark like it's standard operating procedure. The mosquitoes (pronounced MOSKWEETOES) are not too terribly bad here. They're out at night only. We've had a few bites each, but no fever yet. Using lots of DEET, permethrin treated clothes, and mosquito nets to protect ourselves as well as possible. We've seen some HUGE insects and critters here.
A praying mantis attached itself to the back of my pants one evening and scared the **** out of me. It was easily 6 inches long. Also saw an enormous snail one morning. The shell was about 5 inches. It was beautiful--we wanted to cook it with garlic butter. Just kidding! In front of our room, we have a mango tree, an avocado tree that is laden with delicious avocadoes, and eucalyptus trees. Very tropical, but we lucked out because the weather has been unseasonably cool. We think it's great, they're wearing down winter coats when the temperature dips below 70 F. They call it winter.Yesterday morning Mass was outstanding! We all processed in to the hall with about 200 girls singing and about 10 doing traditional dance.
They sang and drummed throughout almost the entire Mass--the Gloria, the Sanctus, and a beautiful acapella song after communion in their native Acholi language. The tears were flowing--they are so inspirational. Chioki (the guy travelling with the midwives), was kind enough to get up and record the whole Mass for us with professional recording equipment. We heard a little last night-it sounds great. As it turns out, he's here doing a radio documentary about the midwives for NPR.After Mass, we attended a seminar about membership in Undugu family. It is an organization created to promote peace and unity in Africa and the world, and to decrease intertribal and interreligious violence. It was founded by a Tanzanian Jesuit priest in 1996 after witnessing the mass genocide in Rwanda.
In Swahili, ndugu is the word for both brother and sister. When you put a U in front of it, undugu means the relationship between a brother and sister. The concept is that because we are all children of God the father, we should strive for unity and peace with all people, our brothers and sisters in Christ. A link will be forthcoming for more info.As if the chicken was not enough, now Sr Rosemary has informed Stan that he will be expected to slaughter and roast a goat for dinner on Thursday. He is experiencing great anxiety over this matter and has been soliciting help from anyone willing to listen. The whole thing has been rather entertaining. They're slaughtering a bull for the St. Kizito dedication ceremonies on Sunday. If Stan succeeds with the goat it's on to the bull!! We'll keep you posted...
Love and prayers to all of you and thank you so much for your kind responses.
Stan and Monique
11 comments:
I absolutely love reading your updates. I go through a range of emotions from teary eyed to laughing uncontrollably thinking of Dr Stan trying to get help to slaughter the goat! Ha! I can't stop laughing. I can actually picture this...and hear you laughing at him! Just think how better of a man you will be Dr. Stan!!I look forward to your next update but can't wait for you to be back!! To bad about that weightloss thing...lol!! Continued prayers to you both! Love, Diana
Thanks so much for sharing these experiences. I wake up every morning and go to bed each evening thinking about you with admiration and prayers for you, those you are touching, and those who will help you when it is time for the bull.
Love, Aunt Lyda
hi sounds like things are good I have been thinking about Stans dilemma. Maybe he needs to sit down with whomever and explain that he is in the buisness of keeping things alive and is trying really hard not to do the killing part. Maybe they would give him a pass. Bad for buisness and all. Well I have to let you know that your dear cat Thunder has been voted off the island. Not really his fault. He was very good He stayed downstairs (next to the food bowl) for the most part and domino stayed upstairs. The only problem and I give credit to Thunder for being smart. The food bowl was downstairs and domino quit eating. He really did not adjust to our house guest. So I have made the proper calls and Thunder is being cared for in his home.I'll check on him. Well that is it from AL good luck with the goat maybe you could be like the president and pardon it and let it live happy ever after. talk to you soon peg
Sounds like some interesting culture your experiencing there. Stan I know you got it in you to slaughter the goat and even the bull you big ole bear you! Thoughts and prayers are with you both and all the great work your doing there.
Christine
Stan and Monique,
Finally had a chance to check your blog. This sounds like a truly amazing and life-changing experience you two are having.
Can't wait to read more and hear more stories when you return safely from your trip. In the meantime, looking forward to your next entries.
Know that you are in my daily prayers, and having read your blog, those that you are serving will now also be in my daily prayers. Take care of yourselves, the rug-cutting nuns (they are such a crazy lot, those rascally nuns), and the precious children who have experienced horrors most of us can't even imagine. I love you both very much and can't wait to see you again.
steve
p.s. Stan, the fishing at Pymatuning is very good - I found out over the Fourth weekend. We'll have to make fishing plans sometime.
Keep the sories coming!!! They are a blast!!Glad to know your well.
Stan as for the goat, Good Luck!!!
God Bless!!
Tonya
Brave the biting critters for a moment and look at that really dark sky. Wednesday after sunset look to the northwest for conjunction of crescent moon, Venus and Saturn. On thursday, Venus will have moved to conjunction with Regulus the star at the bottom of Leo's backward question mark. Wish I could have some goat. It's especially good if basted with acid like vinegar with italian seasoning. Yum
Stan you plan on slaughtering that bull like that half a sheet of pizza the night before you left? We miss you both very much and look forward to a Bull Burger upon your return.
God Bless - Tony C
Dear Stan and Monique,
Hello from south Texas. I'm so sorry I haven't written yet, but we are unable to do so at work and I have been having technical problems at home. We are so much enjoying your blogs and keeping up with your incredible journey. What a life changing experience it must be. Sounds like the people are just beautiful and really appreciate the simple things of life. The things we take for granted....
I think what you are doing is so awesome. To be able to help these people in a way only a doctor can. I don't suppose they are in need of any financial planning help?? Nora has been in Wyoming the past couple of weeks but I have been keeping her abreast of your travels and she sends her love.
We are looking forward to your safe return and to see your many pics. Try not to gain to much weight.
You are loved,
Paul
Tell Stan not to worry, I can give him pointers on the proper preparation of the goat, although I haven't sacrificed a bull in awhile. It is good to know you are doing well and I hope to see you both soon.
Michael A
Jambo Monique and Stan! Habari? When Stan is butchering the goat, tell him to say to the Sisters "Nina Kiu. Tafadhali nataka bia biridi." It will make his task much easier. Also, goat is best roasted slowly. Sounds like your mission is progressing well. The impact you are having on the lives of the children you are helping will live in their hearts and minds forever. Truly God's work. I am so proud of both of you. Mom and dad are both well and busy with the new house. Mom misses Wednesday lunches but made a call to the bullpen (moi) for some relief. God bless you both. Brian
P.S. Tell Patrick the stupid gene only passes to the 4th born son!
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