I met with my dissertation supervisor briefly this week; he had picayune changes (thanks be to God!), and now I can proceed with analyzing my data and writing my little fingers to the bone. This is the fabulous news. When I asked him if there was any chance I could finish this semester, he said I could if I deprived myself of sleep. This is the unfortunate news, but I’m still holding out hope, because hope does not disappoint us.
but we also rejoice in our sufferings [dissertations?], because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. Romans 5:3b-5.
Rev. Omona (my supervisor, lecturer, patron of the international theologians, and all around stand-up guy) said that I have until May to finish.
For me, hoping for the best does not preclude preparing for the worst. In the event that I do not finish my dissertation this semester, the school lets us register for another semester (at only 3/4 cost) and work away. Registration is 4 May. Therefore, my contingency plan is to purchase my ticket home for 4 May, arriving home 5 May. If I do indeed finish early, I’ll change the date and come home earlier. If I don’t, I’m set to register, take off, then have a minute to rest and unpack before resuming work on 9 May.
I’ve already made my reservation for “my room” with the Muhimas in Kampala, so that’s ready.
One uncontrollable outlier is that we must present our dissertations to the faculty. Rev. Omona and another lecturer are going to be traveling a bit (like I hoped he would be gone this week or next, but no, he’s around then). We can’t do a whole lot without them, so we’re essentially stuck. I have a couple friends who have been waiting for dates to present for several weeks now; please pray that all is aligned as God desires.
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