Lay Mission Helpers come a callin'

--------------Praise You Father-----

Dear Friends

Today is Friday, my usual day to go to Kisoro and shop , use the Internet Café and get things done. But since I just spent two days at a conference in Kisoro, I was able to accomplish those chores, in order to spend a leisurely day alone in my home. ---Ha that is pretty funny—alone? As it is only 11am and I have had at least 6 people in my home already and the day is young-smile.

Following Janice’s visit from Lay Mission Helpers, I went into a bit of a funk but am now “myself” again and anxious to share my adventures with all of you.

One of the highlights of Janice’s visit was an opportunity to see and spend time with friends: first Diana my fellow missionary who lives and works as a nurse-tutor some 5 hours away. We traveled together to Kampala enjoying two nights and a full day of taking tub baths in our hotel room , going to the movies twice in two days (first time I had been to the movies in 20 months.!) . I did have a real steak, which I have been hungering for, but it was only okay, not great , yet sharing a nice meal with Diana and Robina, my x-nursing student—now full time RN friend, made it a special dinner.

Despite the poor roads (more like pot holes with sporadic areas of paved road), we arrived safely , though traveling in this country is not an enjoyable thing for either my neck/back or my gut

Janice was able to see me “in action” giving immunizations in Public Health, as well as an HIV Outreach, which fortuitously happened to be close by. She also witnessed my interaction with the children on AIDS Orphans Day but was not able to see my work in the Pediatric Ward, which was a disappointment for me , as well as all the nursing students who were o so ready to sing my praises and have their photo taken-smile.

--------------Bless you Jesus----Holy Spirit Thank you for being Here

Other highlights were both mass on Saturday, the Feast of St. Francis as well as Sunday before we left for Kabale.. Saturday, was fun as I had taught the children (over 130 of them) the song and movements to “I believe in the Sun”, which I have been teaching children and adults for over 30 years. I also taught the choir the hymn of “The Prayer pf St. Francis” which very under 40years old knew but since it was in their hymnal and it was the feast of St. Francis, seemed most appropriate. Then on Sunday mass, I wore my first totally traditional African (Ugandan). Garb, which is toga-like and , of course, pink.

I had arranged two surprises for Janice, Diana, as well as the Caoila family (Jeff, Courtney and their absolutely adorable little ones Ellis, Marie and Gabby). First I had taught three beautiful Ugandan friends (Immaculate, Edwinah and Jennifer) the liturgical dance “Praise You Father, which they performed flawlessly using the skirts used by too may to count at Heartsong Retreats over the last 14 years. I have so so many memories of the performance of that beautiful “Praise” dance, but on Saturday my mind and heart recalled the very first times I danced it in Arizona at Christ the King Church with my dear friend Teresa Wilson, who recently entered the heavens.. Nothing was more beautiful than Teresa in a white floor length dress as she praised God!. I so wish I had access to some of those photos. Many years later I also danced it with Rebecca, Teresa’s daughter at a retreat (interestingly enough. they were both about 28 years old when we danced)

------------Holy Spirit-- thank you for being here--being here ---NOW !

The other, and seemingly more enjoyed surprise, was having the choir sing

“The Summons” the beautiful hymn sung by my dear friend Rob Delaney at our Commissioning, December 06,when we became missionaries . Now that I have lived this life for some 20 months, the words have even more meaning.

Thank you Diana for introducing this beautiful song to us and traveling this journey as Lay Missionaries with me.

----- Speaking of traveling with me, there is a strong possibility that Diana may join me here at St. Francis Hospital for the last 6 months or so of her 3 year commitment. No specifics as of yet, but when the Caiola family leave this Feb. she will be alone in Nychabale and be free to come here and share her considerable computer and Quality Assurance skills with us.. Praise God!

The Summons

Will you come and follow me
If I but call your name?
Will you go where you don’t know
And never be the same?
Will you let my love be shown,
Will you let my name be known,
Will you let my life be grown
in you and you in me?

Will you leave yourself behind
if I but call your name?
Will you care for cruel and kind
And never be the same?
Will you risk the hostile stare
Should your life attract or scare?
Will you let me answer prayer
In you and you in me?

Will you love the you you hide
If I but call your name?
Will you quell the fear inside
And never be the same?
Will you use the faith you’ve found
To reshape the world around,
Through my sight and touch and sound
In you and you in me?

Lord, your summons echoes true
When you but call my name.
Let me turn and follow you
And never be the same.
In your company I’ll go
Where your love and footsteps show.
Thus I’ll move and live and grow in you and you in me.

I was much too busy with all the visitors and work to take any photos, so will need to rely on Janice to send me whatever she can of this memorable time..

Marie