African Update 21 July 2009
Dear friends,
We are in Uganda for several days now. It is green compared to Kenya. Here are some highlights: *Heidi (Barb’s cousin who did the first video) arrived from New York and has already begun the scoping out of the video we are producing. *The Ugandan camera man can compete with Denzel Washington. He is gentle and excited about becoming a new father next February.
The trip to Masaka was long, with five of us packed in the truck together with the camera…we did take time to stop at the equator. Along the road, people were selling tilapia caught in Lake Victoria. Papyrus grow here…quite picturesque, and there are oodles of motorcycles traveling at major speeds with well-dressed ladies perched side saddle on the rear.
Finally, we arrived at Bishop John Baptist Kaggawa’s house five hours late. The Bishop came out to our pickup to greet us as we pulled in (can you imagine a bishop anywhere doing that?) He welcomed us with the warmth of family–beaming, delighted, respectful, honored, so so glad! He shared of his own soul as he showed us around and served us an incredible Ugandan meal. He told how his waiting area had been filled that morning with people who were coming to see him, not for spiritual questions but with worries over food and hospital bills and tangible survival. And because his heart for his hurting people is so compassionate, a gift of over 125 cows is so amazing–a gift for his people of life for body and soul. He said, “And our families love their cows!” Then together we sat down and planned the week. Again, the sense of collaboration, consultation, respect for needs and adjustments with everyone’s input was evident and unique when working with a Bishop. Today, we began the filming out on the one-acre farms. First we interviewed a young couple who have three children. I am very impressed with the thoroughness of the training. It includes growing gardens, so food can be sold to the social center where conferences are held and where we are staying. It includes building contour ditches to prevent erosion. The training also includes planting trees. Sanitation includes handmade mechanisms for washing hands and new toilet systems. They also plant fodder since these cows are zero-grazing.
Last of all they put up the structure for the cow. The men who work with Caritas Maddo, our partner here in Uganda, are very knowledgeable and supportive to a whole lifestyle change for the people who get cows. There is a solid and strong philosophy that a healthy body is needed for a healthy spirituality. The second farm we visited belonged to a widow who was so shy and quiet as she told her story of wanting to educate her children. She was part of a women’s group where each woman is moving toward getting a cow. The process is long and extended–for these families over three years until they pass each phase. They are all so excited about getting a cow. After the dust of the day–elephant dust they call it here–we went to a lake site to sit and cool off from the hot day, There is such hope as people learn and build their lives.
It is a very good thing to be part of. May all of you at home be full of the grace, passed through us, of the energy, gratitude, and hope here. We are thinking of you.
Mary Lou and Toni
Update from Africa: August 3, 2009
Dear Friends,
Mary Lou and I have safely made it back to St. Louis. We had a safe trip home. Mary ... Update from Africa: July 29, 2009
29, July 2009 African update (via poor phone connection to Uganda)
Greeting from Kampala! We are happy to know that Heidi ... 
