This past week..

Last Saturday Father Michael said he was saying a mass doe a family outside Kampala and he would ask if I could join. I told him that sounded great. He didn't say anything about getting a response until Sunday morning at 8:30 he shouted from the ground level of my building that we would be leaving at 9:00. So my only info for the adventure is a mass is being said. I leave with my water bottle.
We drove part way into town and picked up a Sister. We continued on our way and for stuck in a traffic jam. We sat for about an hour and a half. Our trip was about 3 hours. We got to the house, where tents were set up. Father greeted people and introduced me around. Everyone was so welcoming and the woman's house we were at gave me a big hug multiple times throughout the day. The mass was in local language, but I am 99% sure Father was making fun of me during the homily for enjoying the traffic jam because I could look around at everything and see so much.
The mass was being said as a memorial for the woman's husband who past away, as well as a baptism for her granddaughter. There was a lot going on during the mass, so when everyone got up singing and walking towards the backyard, I followed. That is where the small family grave yard was. It was interesting to see how all these ceremonies are done in different countries.
Then the rains came. Most people tucked under the tents, but Father Michael, the Sisters (2 were there), a few other people, and I were invited into the house. We sat in there chatting and a person brought us food. It was the biggest plate of food I have ever seen. Father smiles at me and said "see how much of it you can eat". There were 2 types of rice, potatoes, matooke, fruit, meat, chapati, and this purple and white marble colored thing. I was the only one had that purple thing on my plate... I didn't know what it was, but the sound of Martin saying "try everything, who knows if you will ever get a chance to again." So I tried it. Uhhhh... It was like eating a candle. It was waxy. Not sure what it was..
The way home was another adventure. Father said the jam almost killed him on the way there. When he saw a truck turn off onto a dirt road, he followed. We weaved in and around back dirt roads, now muddy and flooded from the rain. It took about an hour and a half of that to get back to Kampala, then about 30 min to get back to Ggaba. It was really interesting to see all the houses and small businesses.

A few days ago we had bitter greens with dinner. A few or the priests told me I should try them, so I did. Father Michael said to me "I am so impressed with your willingness to try whatever food we put in front of you. I never would have tried different foods like that in America." I just like food... Haha
Speaking of food... Thursday I learned how to make a cake over a fire.
First you start with a large, and small container of blue band (margarine). Scrape into a bowl, saving a tiny bit out to grease the pan. Then fill both those containers with sugar, and blend with the blue band until creamy. We used a "mingling stick". The mingling stick probably could have been used to paddle a canoe. It takes along time to cream by hand.... Next in a cup mix 6 eggs with 4 small blue band containers worth of milk. Blend then stir into the sugar/blue band mixture. Added to that is 2 large containers of blue band worth of wheat flour. Mix well. Finally add 2 spoons of baking powder. If you want more flavor vanilla can be added. If you want it to last longer, add lemon or whiskey. It is then covered and put on the fire. The cover is layered with ash and coals, and cooks for about an hour. We ate it yesterday, and it was really good. Very similar to yellow cake.
Yesterday was Saint Paul's day. Since that is the name of our school and the parish we are connected to, it was our feast day. We had big plans for football (soccer) and netball (similar to basketball). But, our balls were "spoiled". They had leaks :(. The teachers didn't think we would be able to have our day. I wanted my team to win...I also kept thinking about how even poor schools in America have a room filled with all kinds of balls and jump ropes, even those scooters that ALWAYS smashed fingers. It made me sad that this school didn't even have a ball. I gave one of the teachers 150,000 shillings, about $60 to go get balls. He has to go into town, and it started to rain. He got wet up to his shins, but got the balls. The football (soccer ball) was 70,000 shillings. That is about $30. At Walmart it would have been about $10. The netball was 55,000, about $20. It looks like a volley ball, but is the texture of a soccer ball. The teacher also bought an umbrella for 5,000 shillings, about $2. He said they were able to sell the umbrellas for more because it was raining hard as he was getting it. That gives you an idea of prices on things.
To add to prices, gas is about $15 a gallon. No more complaints from me on the price of gas in the states...
For the games, my house won at football (soccer) but we lost in netball. I got to present the awards. It was a really fun day!
A few nights ago I walked over to the main building in the compound to use the wireless. As it often is late at night, the building was gated closed, so I sat on a window ledge like usual. This is what happened...
Setting: seminary
Time: 8:43 pm
Person: old man with LARGE STICK
Comment: have no fear madam, I am the one who is watching!
Then he kept walking. I am not sure what he was watching for, but I assume it would not survive that stick.
A special thanks to Dad and Martin who repeatedly insisted that I lack a flashlight. It was never top on the list of things to remember, but this week it has been amazing. The power has been cutting out a lot. The generator is on occasionally.(always if a game is on, the Brother LOVES football matches. Wanted to say he watches them religiously, but with the lighting that is going on right now, I wasn't sure if God could/would strike me down.)
A group is coming from Omaha this week! I don't know them, but my mom went and met with one of the ladies. She said the lady was very nice. While the group is here I will go to Father Michael's village and see the school that many from Omaha help support. I will also go in a safari!
I am sure I have missed some stuff, but I have been VERY good at keeping a pen/paper journal. Mom calls dibs on reading first, then anyone else is welcome. There will be a slide show as well. Pop some popcorn for that one, because I have a 32gb memory card in my camera...