---Happy Valentines Day -Again
Dear Friends
HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!!! This is also the one year anniversary of Diana and I landing at Entebbe Airport, Uganda , to start our 3 years as “Lay Mission Helpers”
Who would have believed a year ago that my Valentine Photo would be of me with my New Love-Baby Michael?
This photo was taken on our first excursion to Kisoro and I borrowed a front carrier from Edith, my friend who owns the Supermarket. It worked quite well and you can imagine that this mazunga ( me ), with her beautiful brown baby was quite the novelty. What made it even more fun was that I was accompanied by 3 young Ugandan men as we attempted to shop for two teenage AIDS Orphans who were just starting Boarding School.. It was indeed a true Ugandan experience!.
Speaking of the Boarding School, the first day at St. Paul’s School was quite memorable. . Justine thought I should go with her so as to experience the total effect and, boy, am I ever glad I did! Imagine your vehicle pulling up to the gate to find scads of boys with all their belonging scattered out, awaiting entry. Each boy had a metal trunk to hold his belongings and a rolled up mattress to sleep on. Inside the metal trunk were socks, underwear (I sure was glad to have the young men pick those out) and varied school items like a scientific calculator and a mechanical pencil box, a ½ a ream of lined paper for personal use(What the heck is a”ream” anyway?)
I was so proud of the purchases I had made for Godfrey and Gelvis, but was quickly put in my place by the Headmaster when he requested to see the “broom” each boy was to have brought ,as well as the package. of computer paper each boy is required to bring, not for their own use mind you, but for the office .In truth it didn’t have to be computer grade paper, copy paper would do as I didn’t see a single computer on the grounds.
The Head Master ask what US State I lived in and when I replied Arkansas, he informed me I was mispronouncing it and it was , indeed, pronounced,, R-Kansas.
So later that day when I returned with the brooms and copy paper he hailed me as “Ms. R-Kansas. “O, gosh yet another nickname but at least it is better than being called Mazunga all the time (smile).
Otherwise it has been a quiet week in Lake Wobegone ( opps another lifetime.)
With no further HIV Outreaches because we are out of the Test Kist from Dr. Kevin and , though we have tried to order them from the Minister of Health, we only received a package of 100 and that often doesn’t even cover a single village.
This may be the last you hear from me for a while as my “leave” starts next week and because Carol arrives in Entebbe Feb. 19th and Bill in Kigale, Rwanda March 7th, I have needed to break up my time off. Which is fine with me as I get some holiday time with Carol, then home time, then to Rwanda to pick up Bill and trek gorilla’s, then home again and a final safari for all of up to the noted Queen Elizabeth Park, before we drop Carol of at the airport .
Lots of fun things to anticipate as tourists but also here on St. Francis grounds. We (Bill, Carol and myself) have pooled our resources to give the AIDS Orphans a party on March 15th.. And Baby Michael is to be Baptized on Palm Sunday. Although it is the culture here to have one godparent, a woman for a girl and a man for a boy, Fr. John’s knowledge of Canon Law allows me to be his godmother and that way I can always be connected to him, no matter how his life plays out.
My friend Cynthia was able to track down the Christening Gown first worn by my sister Theresa ,given to her by her godmother, my cousin Peggy Neimeyer some 54 years ago and then worn by several other babies, including Theresa’s daughter Heather when I was her godmother some 32 years ago. .
I, also, will be equally adorned in a gorgeous Ugandan traditional lavender pink creation that my friend Immaculate had her tailor make especially for me.! What a truly festive Palm Sunday it will be with both Carol and Bill here to share this event .(keep your eye out for photos, it will be hard for your eyes to feast on such splendor –smile)
HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!!! This is also the one year anniversary of Diana and I landing at Entebbe Airport, Uganda , to start our 3 years as “Lay Mission Helpers”
Who would have believed a year ago that my Valentine Photo would be of me with my New Love-Baby Michael?
This photo was taken on our first excursion to Kisoro and I borrowed a front carrier from Edith, my friend who owns the Supermarket. It worked quite well and you can imagine that this mazunga ( me ), with her beautiful brown baby was quite the novelty. What made it even more fun was that I was accompanied by 3 young Ugandan men as we attempted to shop for two teenage AIDS Orphans who were just starting Boarding School.. It was indeed a true Ugandan experience!.
Speaking of the Boarding School, the first day at St. Paul’s School was quite memorable. . Justine thought I should go with her so as to experience the total effect and, boy, am I ever glad I did! Imagine your vehicle pulling up to the gate to find scads of boys with all their belonging scattered out, awaiting entry. Each boy had a metal trunk to hold his belongings and a rolled up mattress to sleep on. Inside the metal trunk were socks, underwear (I sure was glad to have the young men pick those out) and varied school items like a scientific calculator and a mechanical pencil box, a ½ a ream of lined paper for personal use(What the heck is a”ream” anyway?)
I was so proud of the purchases I had made for Godfrey and Gelvis, but was quickly put in my place by the Headmaster when he requested to see the “broom” each boy was to have brought ,as well as the package. of computer paper each boy is required to bring, not for their own use mind you, but for the office .In truth it didn’t have to be computer grade paper, copy paper would do as I didn’t see a single computer on the grounds.
The Head Master ask what US State I lived in and when I replied Arkansas, he informed me I was mispronouncing it and it was , indeed, pronounced,, R-Kansas.
So later that day when I returned with the brooms and copy paper he hailed me as “Ms. R-Kansas. “O, gosh yet another nickname but at least it is better than being called Mazunga all the time (smile).
Otherwise it has been a quiet week in Lake Wobegone ( opps another lifetime.)
With no further HIV Outreaches because we are out of the Test Kist from Dr. Kevin and , though we have tried to order them from the Minister of Health, we only received a package of 100 and that often doesn’t even cover a single village.
This may be the last you hear from me for a while as my “leave” starts next week and because Carol arrives in Entebbe Feb. 19th and Bill in Kigale, Rwanda March 7th, I have needed to break up my time off. Which is fine with me as I get some holiday time with Carol, then home time, then to Rwanda to pick up Bill and trek gorilla’s, then home again and a final safari for all of up to the noted Queen Elizabeth Park, before we drop Carol of at the airport .
Lots of fun things to anticipate as tourists but also here on St. Francis grounds. We (Bill, Carol and myself) have pooled our resources to give the AIDS Orphans a party on March 15th.. And Baby Michael is to be Baptized on Palm Sunday. Although it is the culture here to have one godparent, a woman for a girl and a man for a boy, Fr. John’s knowledge of Canon Law allows me to be his godmother and that way I can always be connected to him, no matter how his life plays out.
My friend Cynthia was able to track down the Christening Gown first worn by my sister Theresa ,given to her by her godmother, my cousin Peggy Neimeyer some 54 years ago and then worn by several other babies, including Theresa’s daughter Heather when I was her godmother some 32 years ago. .
I, also, will be equally adorned in a gorgeous Ugandan traditional lavender pink creation that my friend Immaculate had her tailor make especially for me.! What a truly festive Palm Sunday it will be with both Carol and Bill here to share this event .(keep your eye out for photos, it will be hard for your eyes to feast on such splendor –smile)
Marie
posted by Marie McGee @ 11:40 AM
3 Comments:
At Mon Feb 25, 08:54:00 AM ,
Anonymous said...
Dear Marie,
What a wonderful update. We will be praying as your enjoy your first leave time with friends, relaxing and going on adventures.
Your account of your shopping excursion for the boys with baby Michael and companions forming a little entorage and then picturing their arrival at school was heartening. Then hearing of your return with brooms and paper made me smile because I could actually visualize you doing this, with a little bit of attitude. Maybe not.
What a wonderful Palm Sunday to look forward to and Jubilent Easter. How awesome to be forever Michaels "Godmother". That's a connection nothing can ever change. We will put our sunglasses on when the pictures pop up on the blog.
We pray you remain well, happy and full of joy and purpose. Thank you for blessing us, Marie by simply being who you are where you are and trusting God each step.
He gave you such a unique personality. It is a joy to see you continue to mature, transform and expand your spirit in understanding, love and service. This decade is certainly turning out to be a peak experience. It is a peacefilled place to be, isn't it?
We'll also pray that by the time you return full time, that somehow new test strips will have arrived for both the field work and the other testing done at the hospital.
Rejoicing with you, Marie. Oh, I wanted to include something discovered the other day that exemplifies YOU. LOVE's ABC's:
Love: Accepts, Believes, Considers, Delights, Encourages and Forgives; Guides, Honors, Inspires, Joins, Keeps, Labors, and Matures; Nurtures, Overlooks, Protects, Quiets, Respects and Stays; Trusts, Unites, Values, Waits, eXtends, Yields and when love is put into action it adds Zest to your life and the lives of others.
That just seemed to express how your love manifests in the lives of your friends and those you are connected to. Thank you. Love, mj
At Mon Feb 25, 04:36:00 PM ,
Anonymous said...
You continue to look radiaent. What a blessing it is for Carol and Bill to be able to join you for some African Culture. I know their cameras will continue to take picture after picture. I was watching T.V. today and it showed Elton John and the amazing work he is doing with HIV/AIDS. It showed him walking the dirt streets of the local villages and I couldn't help but look for you in the background. I will also pray that HIV test kits will arrive soon to your location. Again it is a delight to see you beaming in your photos. Thanks for sharing your life with us.
Love you always
Brian
At Fri Feb 29, 08:34:00 PM ,
Anonymous said...
Hi Marie (and Carol)! Just sending you love and kisses from RobbyeFA and DavidFA!
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