Palm Sunday

I’ll have to tell you about Palm Sunday services here next year; today I went to preach at Mukono College (high school) at the request of my friend Rev. Christopher.  I did see people with palms around campus as we were leaving, however.  

We were originally to go two weeks ago, but the school had exams for the students, so we deferred until this week.  It rained overnight, so I was desperately praying for clear skies as we traveled this morning, because I suspected we’d be taking bodas, the small motorcycles that dart around.  There’s a lot not to like about them; one of my primary issues is that women generally sit sidesaddle.  This, to me, is just an invitation to fall.  We did indeed have clear skies, and we did take bodas to the school.  Rev. Christopher instructed the driver to be very, very careful, and he was.  He only went about 40 kilometers per hour – other bodas were flying by us.  I did NOT sit sidesaddle.  Getting on and off was not exactly graceful, and while an interesting experience, I do not care to replicate it.

Rev. Christopher gave a wonderful introduction – among other things, he had the students guess how to say my last name.  Those kids did better than some of my classmates!  They liked the sermon, and pleaded with me to come back.  I’m not quite sure how it happened, but I think the sermon ended up being way longer than the 12 minutes I had rehearsed (African sermons are generally at least 30 minutes).  Hallelujah!

Coming back, we took a taxi, which is a van licensed to carry 14 people.  At one point I’m sure it contained at least 16.  It dropped us off a little bit from the school, and Rev. Christopher asked if I would rather walk or take a boda.  Hmmm… I opted to walk.  Perhaps I should have taken the boda, because I managed to trip and sprain my ankle right nicely.

So, once again, the intrepid Joan has stepped up to the plate to take care of me.  I’m not quite sure how to tackle tomorrow.  I have to conquer steps to get out of the Honours College, and to get to all my classes and the DH.  Right now walking is a challenge.  I guess it’s just an opportunity for a miracle!