January 7, 2016
There are only 12 days until the eve of the Acoli Cultural Gala. With 320 participants and an expected audience over 2,000 people, there is much mobilization going on all over Lamwo District (Padibe parish is the same geographical area as the political district). Although the Collaborative Drama I have been working on with them for four years is only one small part, Augustine and I worked on the script and props from 9-4.
Then is it was time for my daily walk around the town center. This young man greeted me with very such good english I had to engage him in a conversation. I am sure he has done very good in his studies, but do not know what his financial situation is as all education costs.
As I was continued on my walk I passed the catechist’s meeting and a stop to greet them was necessary. Padibe is geographically quite large compared to any parish in the US. It is nearly the size of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee and has one priest. There is a second young priest but he is away for the year studying in Kampala. As you can imagine, with only one priest or even two, it takes many trained catechists to attend to the many spiritual needs of all the people who are spread over 26 chapels in the six zones that make up the parish.
Geographically Padibe parish is very large. With one priest it requires many catechists from the 26 chapels in the six zones. This is was the day of their monthly meeting.
As I passed the local soccer field near Padibe Boys School, a herd of bulls was actively trimming the grass to the correct length for the match coming up in an hour or so.
One of the catechists caught up with me and we strolled through the two small streets chatting with the people and he was a very helpful translator! He helped me make a large transaction that could make for some interesting material in tomorrow’s blog. It is now a wait and see game.
Coming home I went over to the hut that the locals taught Professor DeAnna Leitzke and her three students, Caleb, Josh and Matthew to build. First of all I wanted to see if it was still standing and secondly was it being used. The picture answered everything.
The small hut built by Professor DeAnna Leitzke and her MSOE students 2014 June.
Then I passes a beautiful looking palm tree all by itself in the field.
A good looking palm tree and a tired OLDER gentleman after a long and wonderful productive and warm day.
Arriving home, Hellen demonstrates the local traditional way to wash ones foot by rubbing it on a large stone along with soap and water.
After a long hot day, the bath was particularly refreshing. Almost as refreshing as my drink from the source of the Nile.
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