Final thoughts on Uganda

Today is my last day in Uganda. Tomorrow morning we leave and will be on vacation. I will 'go dark' and spare you vacation photos.

There are so many misconceptions about this country and the Church here. One recent web post referred to "Uganda as a garbage dump for extreme American christian (small “c” intentional) ideology".

I'm sure that there are some independent churches where some dangerous theology exists, but that has definitely not been the case in my experience with the Anglican Church of Uganda.

Epiphany's mission team served at the Chain Foundation--an Church sponsored
orphanage and school where sighted and blind children live and learn together. The blind children (one if whom we sponsor)


are particularly at risk.

Then we went to Bwindi in SW Uganda, the remotest place I have ever been to, where we assisted the COU (Church of Uganda) in its work with the Batwa Pygmies who were evicted from the forest without compensation or hope. It has been the Church, with the Diocese of Dallas assisting, who has been the party most responsible for the Batwa receiving medical care, health training, education--and hope for the future.


(Here is Melissa surrounded by curious Batwa women & children)

The COU is fiercely independent and committed to serving people's physical as well as spiritual needs. We should be proud and challenged by their example.

To be snarky, while one church spends its time and energy "reimagining" itself, suing fellow Christians and opining on Supreme Court decisions, this Church is actively involved serving the least fortunate in real ways.

I hope I will return to the US with a renewed focus on what is important--and what is not.


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The Wedding

The primary reason we traveled to Uganda was for me to be part of a wedding. On my first trip to this beautiful country two years ago, I met Denis Rubarema and his fiancée Evelyn. Denis & I hit it off, and on our last day, they invited me to officiate at their wedding. How could I say no?!

So two years later, I arrive. Denis and I first go to meet with Bishop Dan:


On the wedding day, the Rector, Canon Stephen, lends me his "American sized" Cassock (note the red buttons). Zack and Chris look very smart in their traditional garb:


At the wedding I am honored to preach, being translated by Rev. Hope, a very fine woman priest:


Then I participate in the Eucharist


At the end of the ceremony, with much pomp, came the signing of the registers:


I got to help Denis & Evelyn's beautiful daughter Jade watch the signing.


Then I got to sign too, assisted by Canon Stephen:


At the reception there was traditional dancing:


And like at receptions everywhere , the sharing of the wedding cake:


At the end of the reception, everyone came up, presented their gift, and greeted the couple. Here are Penny Lalanne and I thanking them for an amazing experience.


It was a great day!!


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Only We're not in Honduras!!

We began the second phase of our travels last Monday, traveling from DFW to London, meeting Alex who was on a different flight and Melissa's niece Rebecca, who just moved to the UK.

We spent a pleasant day in the town of Marlow:


And then got on another overnight flight (two red-eyes in two days...not recommended!) arriving in Uganda on Wednesday morning, very tired.

After a much appreciated nap, we met with the Epiphany Mission team who has already been serving in Uganda for a week.

We went to the Chain Foundation, an orphanage for blind and sighted children. The parish made lots of dresses for the children--here is one being proudly worn!!


The team painted a new pottery center building--a great medium that can be used by both blind and sighted children. Here is the pottery teacher giving Marissa Aten pointers.


We sponsor a young man named John, who Melissa met for the first time.


Then after a good night's sleep, we left early Thursday morning for Bwindi in southwest Uganda. We crossed the Equator, Melissa for the first time in the Southern Hemisphere:


And with the entire team:


Another long trip, but new adventures await!!

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El ultima dia

Well, our Honduran adventure is coming to an end. One more look at the beautiful place where we are staying, beginning with la Iglesia en la Plaza:



Copan is a city built along the side of a hill. Melissa, por seguro, won't miss trudging up the hills:



For the third time, I was blessed to be able to stay with the Alvarados--here we are with tiny Dona Rosita, el Padre Rodolfo y mi Amiga Cristian:



Rosa is a wonderful cook--we were treated to many wonderful Honduran dishes.

The point of the trip was to improve our Spanish, which I think we all did. Now to find opportunities to practice when I get home!!

But it was a great trip, and we are all ready to fly home tomorrow.

Hasta luego!

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Lunes

Back to the routine. Sunday was relaxed (no, Padre did not go to church this Sunday...). We read in the morning, then went to a small museum in a former prison where we identified a new Mayan King (named Mata Moscas--Kills Many Insects)



Then down the hill for some iced coffee.

Today (Monday) we returned to class. Alex is proud that he has almost caught up with me in our Spanish studies, but it continues to be enjoyable, and I am beginning to understand things I didn't before--por y para, past vs imperfect, etc.

This afternoon we all had mega naps, and then some wonderful comida tipico--empanadas:



Muy sobroso!!

The weather is warm, but it cools off in the evening, where we hang out at Twisted Tanya's (meeting Tanya tonite!!), who had named us the "Internet family":



Thanks for following us, and for keeping us in prayer. Thoughts are beginning to head homeward.

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El Parque de Los Aves

Everyone here in Copan told us we should go see the Bird Park just outside of town. We took a mototaxi to the park, a place where exotic birds are rescued, bred and when possible returned to the wild.

We were led by Carlos, an excellent guide:



Who showed us a great place with beautiful flowers:





And beautiful birds, including Toucans, the national bird of Belize:






And Macaws, the national bird of Honduras:






At the end, we were able to be with the birds up close and personal. At first, I was uncertain:



But in a moment they became fast friends:


Melissa had a similar experience:









Even Alex got into the act:


What a great, tranquil day. Now enjoying a relaxing lunch at Alex's favorite place, Twisted Tanya's.

Have I made you jealous yet??

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El fin de semana!!

Yay! The weekend has arrived. A break is appreciated, as learning Spanish is hard work.

Here is the school, Ixbalanque:



It is a pleasant, peaceful place with lots of beautiful flowers. Alex has his class on the second floor, lurking through the roses:



Melissa is here with her maestra Ada:



After three intense hours, classes end at noon. We walk home, up several hills, this being the one closest to the house:



We are ready for lunch after this climb!

We are all working on different things--Melissa is working on verbs, Alex on verbs in the past tense (preterito, for there are two past tenses), and I am working on the mysterious difference between por y para. Lots to remember, but it is amazing how some of it is actually sinking in!!

After our siesta, we head out for a walk where we catch up on what is happening in the outside world. Wifi access is good and easy to find, so we feel connected.

We are half way through our adventure here. Alex is ready to come home now, I think we all will be when we get on the plane next Saturday!

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Into a routine

We are settling into an enjoyable routine. We begin the day with a light desayuno (breakfast) and then head down the hill for class, which goes from 8:30 until mediodia--noon.   Then almuerzo, then a siesta.

Then we go for a walk, heading to one of the many nice, wifi equipped spots in Copan. Today we went to the wonderfully named cantina Twisted Tanya's:

It is a great place that I have never been to before in my previous visits. Very funky, with a "Backpacker's Special" every day. Not a bad place to relax:

In the small world department, we met Scott, Lynn and Valerie who are from Incarnation, practicing Spanish at the school prior to their mission trip which will begin on Friday.

We did learn something new about Alex that we did not know before, but you will have to ask him!

All in all, a good day. Tonight everyone here is excited about the Honduras--US soccer match. We'll be watching, with very divided loyalties!!

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Domingo

Yes, el Padre does go to church when he is away!! There is a little Episcopal community in Copan, led by a layman, Carlos. He is a kindred spirit who plays the guitar :



There is no priest in this area, so they had Morning Prayer. They meet in a parishioner's home. There were about 20 people there, obviously hard working folks and of course, beautiful children. Here is Carlos' daughter:



After the service, Carlos drove me to the site of their new church building. Right now, it is only a foundation, but the dream for them is to build a two story church and rectory like the one we at Epiphany worked on at Santiago in Siguatepeque.

The announcements at church centered on how they had bloques, pero no cemento. They are doing small things to raise money to keep building. Seems like building programs are part of every church!

This afternoon is rest time before classes resume tomorrow.

The weather is fairly hot and humid, exacerbated by no A/C. I feel like I always have a glaze on me!!

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Copan Ruinas

Today we took a tour of the Mayan ruins of Copan. Their civilization flourished from 400-800 AD, and were skilled builders and stone carvers. They had a written hieroglyphic language and a base 20 numbering system which included a zero long before we in the west developed it.

Maya means people of maize, of corn. So much of our Southwest cuisine--tortillas, tamales, cocoa, etc.--come from these people who disappeared 1200 years ago.

Interesting morning. Then we piled into a mototaxi:



And then stopped in a nice cafe for lunch and rest:



Very relaxing!! I hope everyone's summer will be as good.

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Day One in Copan

Thursday was a long travel day. We arrived in Copan about 7pm, with the three of us and all our luggage crammed into a tiny mototaxi--it must have been a hilarious sight!!

It was a treat to return to la Casa Alvarado, where I stayed in prior visits to Copan. They are a lovely family, with tiny Dona Rosa and padre Don Rudolfo, Karla y Gilda and mi amigo Cristian, who is six and finishes school today.

We will have clases this afternoon, so right now we are enjoying a cup of coffee and catching up.


Life is good!! (Note the attempt at growing a goatee--right now it's lincolnesque...)

Bill


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Week Two--Siguatepeque

On Wednesday I said goodbye to my wonderful Epiphany friends and welcomed the mission team from Good Shepherd, Dallas, and St Anne's, DeSoto. There was an abrupt change in clergy at Good Shepherd, they needed a priest to serve as Chaplain, and as it all worked out smoothly, here I am.

Here is our worksite:


It is la Iglesia San Matias, high up in the mountains above Siguatepeque. As you can see, we are replacing the roof, doing other small construction projects (which mostly involve moving dirt!) and Christian Ed.


It is interesting to be part of this group, especially not bring in charge!! It has given me an interesting perspective on trips as well as a head start on my sabbatical project.

This week, i have the title: "Doing Short Term Mission Trips with Humility and Grace". Lots of ideas, lots still to learn. But I'm enjoying this week and looking forward to the months ahead.

I'll keep you posted!

Bill

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