We have had an easygoing day today, but before I get into that, I need to mention something that I forgot to say about the day of the ordinations and closing Eucharist. The evening before, we gathered those to be ordained in front of the porch on the Bishop's house to present them with stoles from among the vestments that had been collected from churches around the Diocese of Iowa. There were so many stoles and chasubles that every priest in the Diocese also came up and selected something. The altar linens were used during the Ordination service. News travels fast here and it wasn't long after our service that a few priests from other Dioceses also came up to the Bishop and asked if they could have stoles too! What a joy to see all of the Archdeacons in matching stoles! Everybody was thrilled.
This morning we visited the Bishop's "gardens." I put gardens in quotes because what he showed us is more like farms. They have cleared two "fedans" (that's a plot of ground 70 x 65 meters) and are planting pineapples, which are a great cash crop here. Incredibly hard work to clear the land and bring the water, which is not exactly easy to do here. We visited another church where we were given two huge pineapples and three of the largest bananas I have ever seen! Then we returned to the Bishop's compound and then walked to the markets in "downtown" Nzara. Again, the market area is large with some stalls where people sell things and more mats on which they sit with their produce. We walked through the crowded market area. Mary purchased some dresses for Mary Scout and Leah and some fabric to make George and Milton shirts. The Bishop bought two new bicycles for the evangelist leaders. We actually found a place to purchase COLD water and sodas! What a treat!
This afternoon we have been lounging around. I tried taking a nap in our tukul, but it's just too hot, particularly when the electricity goes off and we don't have the fan. But sitting outdoors under the mango tree is delightful! As long as we don't move, or if we do move, we do so slowly!
Our hearts are full for these wonderful people. If they had running water, I think I might be content to stay. Someone please slap me, and slap me hard, if I ever, ever fail to appreciate the gift of water. We are so very lucky to have reliable running water, any temperature we want at any time, that is also potable! That is a remarkable gift and I am reminded many, many times each day of how often I do not appreciate it.
Bob North leaves tomorrow on a UN flight from Yambio to Juba. Suzanne, Mary and I are due to leave the following day on an MAF flight (or flights?) back to Entebbe, Uganda and thence to Amsterdam, Atlanta and Des Moines. A group of Rotary Club representatives were due to come in tomorrow to start the project of drilling the wells that are so desperately needed here, but something happened with their flights and they can't get in so have cancelled. This is a regular type of occurrence here. How difficult it must be for Bishop Samuel to live with this type of disappointment on a daily basis. He is truly an amazing man!
I'll try to write once more after our visit tomorrow to Yambio.
Love to you all!
Jeanie Smith
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