Monday morning, 7/27/09
Dear Friends,
Today we leave Masaka, the site of our filming of the cow project and our meeting with many new friends. It has been a rich and joy filled time of new learning. Last night, we had our wrap up with the Bishop and a dinner party complete with a cake decorated with cows. We laughed until our sides ached. The Caritas Maddo staff who have accompanied us all week for the filming were with us to celebrate. The Bishop is grateful for our gift and so gracious in being with us to meet his people…it is a program of hope, there is no question.
Yesterday, Sunday, our break day, had a slower pace. Toni and I ended up at the end of two Masses (long story) with a sense of the power of Africa’s future. One of the Masses was with a high school. These many young people being educated holds such promise for Uganda! Then we went to visit our cameraman’s uncle who lives nearby. He had lived in the States for a number of years but has come back home to Uganda. He’s invested in a number of businesses: a huge poultry operation, rental houses, etc. His insights were very interesting and his draw to return home to his people very powerful. In the afternoon, we drove through roads under construction to Lake Victoria and took a small boat across to the islands. It was a gift to let nature speak to our souls and to enjoy the water and beauty of the biggest lake in Africa.
On Saturday, Heidi and Abu did some of the filming that was still needed, and Toni and I met with some of her priest friends from here. Fr. Denis had studied in the States and now pastors a church and school in northern Uganda. Water is a huge issue in the north; he will have to cancel his school this week because there is not enough water. He was also very excited about the cow project and saw how it would enrich the lives of his people. He imagined having his boarding school students get involved with the project. Then we drove north to visit Fr. George’s parents and to meet their pastor. Fr. George, who first introduced Toni to his Bishop, continues his studies at Washington University in St. Louis. His parents greeted us like we were bringing home Fr. George’s presence from St. Louis. It was such a wonderful energy of love and welcome. Their parish has a very young priest, Fr. Herman, ordained three years ago, who ministers there with another priest. Fr. Herman went with us to Fr. George’s parents. He shared how their water was saline when they dug their well and how new processes would have to be designed. He talked about the huge expanse of his parish with 15 outposts. He said it is usual there to have someone in his parish die everyday. Yet his spirit was very alive and full of faith and joy! Visiting here has given us a wonderful opportunity to sense the strength of Uganda’s people. We have been greatly blessed, and our “cow project” is an incredible partnership.
Today, we will return Abu and all his camera equipment to Kampala, and then early tomorrow morning, Heidi will fly back to New York. Her rare talents are such a gift to MPA. Getting to know her has been a grace. This week, we will be with our St. Louis Sisters of St. Joseph who are in Kampala, having come there for retreat from their mission in Gulu in northern Uganda.
Keep the home fires burning.
We miss you and will be home soon.
–Mary Lou, Toni, Heidi and Abu.
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 ... 
