John and Patti are Living in the Pearl

Dear All, Who follow this blog,

Trish and Newman are allowing us (John and Patti) to share their blog this summer in order to give updates of our activities during our two month stay in Africa.

We are here in Masindi for 8 weeks for me (John) to complete a parish internship at St. Matthews, the Cathedral for the  Masindi-Katara Diocese of the Anglican Church. Such an internship is a requirement of my seminary studies at Nashotah House, and also fulfills our parental desire to be with Trish and Newman during their time here with PMI. So I will be working under Bishop George Kasangaki and Rev. Francis Kajura, getting experience in the life of parish ministry through teaching, preaching, prayer, visitation and all else that goes on within that context. We have spent our 3rd night in Africa and I can see that, as Dorothy said, "We are not in Kansas anymore."

Our trip over was uneventful until we were 163 miles out of Amsterdam, and a stewardess' voice on the intercom said, "Ladies and Gentlemen, there has been a report of a smoke-like smell, please let us know of any warm spots you detect along the bulk head." The power of suggestion being pretty much intact, Patti and I thought maybe we smelled smoke. We prayed against all fire and causes of fire. In a few minutes the stewardess said, "We have determined the cause of the  smell and it seems to be a lotion called "Tiger Essence" being worn by one of the passengers." It must be a Hot fragrance.

The immediate difference I recognized as we flew over the country into Entebbe was the lack of lights visible on the ground. This is due to hugely unpopulated areas and a lack of electrified lighting except in the city. This definitely is the Dark Continent.

At the market yesterday in Masindi, there was produce, tilapia fish, Nile perch, whole goat skinned and hanging, and beef, fresh and for sale in the 80 degree temp. It was all fresh and not the least effervescent. We bought produce but passed on the meat. While the girls were busy there Newman, and Wilson (their Ugandan employee) and I went to look at the bows and arrows. These are sold not as tourist trinkets but to locals for use in self defense (by house guards) and for hunting. These are simple bows which have about a 30 lb. pull, arrows with no feathers tipped by a sharpened steel non retractable head. I was informed that the locals have no difficulty shooting these arrows very straight and with effect.

The goat fajitas I had for lunch probably came from that market, and so far I have tolerated the food well.

We were visited yesterday afternoon by 6 neighbor children ages 6 -7 years. They were happy to show us some dance moves and to sing some school songs for us Muzungus (white people).

Our intention is to report occurrences of interest and to share God's Incarnational revelation of Himself in our midst as we are stretched for His purposes. We are so very grateful for your prayers in our behalf.

In His Grip, By His Grace, and For His Glory we are,

John and Patti