Sunday - Resting, Feasting, and Raising the Roof!

Retired Arch Bishop Nkoyoyo stopped by first thing this morning. Greeted by all except Mike who was still sleeping off his jet lag. We started the day by attending a rousing church service. The music was amazing. The choir sang, danced, and rocked the rafters. We sang and danced a bit too! The whole service was conducted by reading songs and prayers from a giant PowerPoint presentation at the front of the church - complete with appropriate animations. It was interesting to hear the celebrant spend a significant amount of time blessing and praising the election of Obama. After church we took a tour of the campus with the Vice Chancellor. The campus is being transformed with several new buildings and a huge new library planned. Susan initiated a mud surfing contest – she won the gold – face down. After the tour, Rev. Chris Ochaloi joined us for the afternoon. We presented the Priest’s stole Ellen bought for him and he was so thrilled. (see the picture!) Martha gave him the choir robes and other gifts for his ministry – including a number of wonderful things for his new baby Martha – named after our very own.

We had dinner at the home at home of Joyce and John Kateeba. It was amazing – mushroom soup (mushrooms grown by Joyce.) Next was Motoki (mashed and boiled green bananas), millet bread (soft, hand turned millet flour). Rich and Martha discovered the joy and enhanced flavor brought about by eating the traditional way – with their hands. The rest of the meal included pumpkin, fried fish, goat, peas and various salads. Desert – pineapple, papaya and watermelon.

On the way back I noticed the massive mango tree outside our cottage – about 200 feet high – wish I had one in my back yard!

Tomorrow we are off to Soroti to see the wells and the grounds for the new children's center– passing through Jinja, the source of the Nile, along the way