The bishop is back!

With Bishop Samuel Enosa Peni!

Gentlemen playing the game mancala

After the Mothers Union Workshop

Some chickens who desperately wanted to attend the workshop

A football/soccer match at a pitch/field in town

On our way to visit the bishop's aunt

The bishop's wife cutting some Ugandan fabric, which she sells (quite successfully) to students

Friday, June 5

Reverend Emmanuel and I discussed possible ways to connect the youth of Nzara with the youth at St. Peter's in Fernandina Beach.

Saturday, June 6

I sang at an evening choir rehearsal, which few attended because of a rain storm that blew through the town.

Sunday, June 7

During the main church service, the parish's secretary allowed me to introduce myself to the congregation, Afterward, Reverend Emmanuel invited me to his home so that I could meet his family. Later, we walked through the town and watched a local football/soccer match.

Monday, June 8

After an eventful Sunday, I spent most of the day working in the parish office on my assigned projects.

Tuesday, June 9

Much like Monday, I used my time to work on the projects, though I did make some strides in speaking Arabic with members of the parish.

Wednesday, June 10

After seeing a number of solar panels on the diocese's compound and in the town, I discovered that for 200 South Sudanese Pounds (about $20-25) you can buy a small personal solar panel, whose power lasts about six hours. I also discovered that on Friday morning, I would be speaking to the Mothers Union (an organization of women from several parishes within the diocese) on income-generating activities.

Thursday, June 11

I hit the books, searching for academic resources that specifically broached the problem of how indigent female women in remote and rural Africa can increase their incomes.

Friday, June 12

After traveling about twenty minutes to another parish for the workshop, I spoke with the mothers but mainly listened: I asked each woman to introduce herself and briefly describe her main source of income these days. All the mothers rely heavily on cultivation-- a fact typical of people living in rural Africa. Research suggests that a person living in such conditions can provide more security for herself during difficult times if she can find a way to diversify her income, perhaps by processing the food that she cultivates or by developing other skills, such as tailoring and trading.

In the evening, Bishop Samuel returned from his three week-long regional travels, where he had been working on building unity within the country's churches, which have been somewhat fractured during recent months.

Saturday, June 13

I attended the second and final day of the Mothers Union workshop with the bishop, who also introduced me to his aunt, who lives near the parish but whose home is about a mile from any established road.

Sunday, June 14

A three-and-a-half hour service, which featured a sermon by Reverend John Kamunde of Juba as well as political updates from county officers, officially welcomed Bishop Samuel back to Nzara.