"Making the invisible, visible in your hearts" or A perfect end to a great tri

I like to stop in New York and go see a Broadway play or a play and a Yankee game like last year. This year my flight was getting in at 730 pm, and with customs and all..... So when Ed Poth posed that I could spent the evening at his brother's parish, I was thinking sleep and free, yippee!!!!

It turned out to be much more than that. First, I had a short connection time in London (only an hour and five minutes), as the plane took longer and longer to get to the gate, I started to get nervous, not only would I miss my connection, but I would also not get my exit row seat on the next flight....OUCH. So I sweet talked the flight attendant, got to 2nd in line when the door came open and ran through Heathrow. They have individual walkways and we were at the end, so I literally ran half a mile, and then to Security Point B, where I had to almost strip and start running again, but then I got to the gate, and the gate agent said she was sorry. I said, "I missed it?" and she said, "No, sir, we have not begun boarding yet." So I was on the flight. Again the flight time from Entebbe to JFK was 5 hours less this year, but after back to back flights, I was very uncomfortable when I got to JFK. It was a real pleasure to see Fr. Tom and his deacon waiting for me. It is always these small favors at the right time that seem the best to me. They asked if I wanted food, and I said no, and we arrived at the rectory 5 minutes later, they are close to JFK. Soon Tom let me use his phone to contact Allison Chavanon and check in with home. While I was making those calls in his office, I jumped on Yahoo and again "saw" my Cardinals winning live. Both calls went great, and back to the living room, where I watched Baseball Tonight after they had gone to bed. It was great. I tried to stay asleep as long as possible and made it to 5 am NY time, so I feel good about tonight.

I had made plans to go with Father Tom to 845 mass the next morning. His parish, St. Mary's Gate of Heaven in Queens has Mass in a small chapel just like my dad and mom attend every morning in St. Louis at St. Dominic's. I think with the time zone change, both Masses might have been going on at the same time---spiritual mojo. Anyway, Father Tom was very gracious in introducing me and telling his parishioners what I was doing. It was a great Mass, Gate of Heaven is an old Italian neighborhood in Queens that now is bustling with many new immigrants and many new nationalities.

The reading was about the shepherd who chases the lost sheep out of 100, while the other 99 are safe. Father Tom honored me by tying in this reading with my work at Invisible Children. His line to close the sermon was we should all "Make the invisible, visible in our hearts." It was a wonderful way to put an epilogue on this trip.

Allison Chavanon and her boyfriend Jeff picked me up from Father Tom's from Jersey, and he suggested a Cuban restaurant down the street. We walked and it was fantastic, got to meet Jeff for the first time, and Allison and I renewed some 2008 Africa stories while talking about this year. It was funny during our conversations the night before, we got disconnected because her cell phone died. I tried to call her, but she just dialed me back on a different phone on the number I was calling from... Father Tom answered the phone, "Gates of Heaven", and then found me and handed me the phone. Allison was laughing and asked, "Did I just call heaven?"

Finally, got to JFK in plenty of time, when Michelle called my name, so know instead of thinking what am I going to do for more than an hour, I was able to write this.

My goal for the next month is to try to live by Father Tom's words, "I want to make all the invisibles (the poor, the hungry, the shy freshman, the forgotten), visible in my heart.

So thanks to Father Tom and all the kind parishioners and staff, Allison and Jeff, and to Michelle, it was a great Quinn Martin epilogue (don't worry youngsters you are not supposed to understand that last joke).

John

Time in Uganda OR Why Tom Magee's Head would explode.

Time in Africa is really kind of an elusive concept. I have pen pal letters from Atanga SS this year and I am trying to collect them for some of my students who wrote to Gulu SS last year. But..

On Thursday, I showed up to meet the Senior 3 students at 11:40 because their 10 o'clock exam would be over at noon, and I wanted to make sure I did not miss anyone.

I got there on time, but soon discovered that the exam had started at least an hour late, and it was not until 1250 or so before I actually got to talk to students. I told them, I could come again tomorrow, because many had forgotten their letters. I had talked to them about it last week, so that seemed reasonable, plus it is exam week.

So today, I was planning on showing up at 845 so I could catch them before their 9 o'clock scheduled final. I got there at 825, but they had all started their final.. more than 400 students 45 minutes early. I eventually got some letters to specific people Claire Meyer, Haley Hunter, Rachel Kuehnle, 2 for Libby Harbaugn, so get excited....

time is almost up gotta go

racing to post this before connection is lost\

John

4 New Pictures

I finally got a camera cord!   Check out the new photos.  Blogging might be limited, but I will be home Tuesday night and will write some more then or just tell you about it.

John

ALSO CLICK ON THE PICTURE OF ALLISON AND AMELIA TO SEE THEIR JEWELRY AND THE STORY OF THE WOMEN THEY ARE HELPING.

Grace in Gulu

On Monday night, while 6 of the teachers huddled around a laptop to watch a documentary about Idi Amin (really just film clips of his life),  another group was in the next room discussing religion and faith and why man chooses to do good.  After the movie was over,  I came into this room to listen.  It was a great intellectual conversation with many teachers and one of the IC staff debating and analyzing some pretty heavy thoughts.  It was the kind of conversation that a slightly younger John Magee would have battled to be a part of,  I would have tried my best to convince them of the wisdom of my thoughts.

Age is a funny thing,  most of the times on this trip,  I am like the Ugliest Dachsund, the Disney Classic.  I am an old man,  in a big great dane's body convinced I am still a dachsund and in my twenties.  I felt that way at Fort Patika,  as even Sweetie in her plastic shoes and dress was able to ascend higher on the mountain than this one.   And then there was the time when Bill's partner teacher and I were having this great conversation.  He told me I was more than a brother to him (ha! maybe he should have stopped there) ,  I was like a father to him. But there are also times, most times in fact, where I treasure my vast wealth of experiences the stories I know,  the friends I have made, and the friends I have lost.  

It was in this context that I just listened,  kind of reading an autobiography of Sam Cooke,  but mostly listening.   The concept of grace came up,  and the one teacher went looking for a dictionary because none of the participants had a real good definition of grace.  One said it was receiving something that you truly don't deserve.  One teacher got on her laptop and told us the Apple definition of grace.  I went to bed Monday night thinking about grace,  or really Grace.

Tuesday was a busy day,  with much to do.  I went into Gulu SS and tried to collect pen pal letters,  but there concentration is all on their finals.  (GOOD).   But one student had a letter for Maggie Herr,  and I pulled out my camera to show them pictures of Maggie and the rest of the Biloxi crew.  They were amazed at the interior construction pictures.  I then went to the internet cafe, see yesterday's post,  went to Kope Cafe and of course waited an hour for my food,  boda-ed to the IC office to save on a spreadsheet the survey results of 80 students and 14 faculty from Atanga SS.   Finishing just in time to go back,  grab batteries for the Awere Hip-Hop Club meeting.  

At Awere,  I was warmly greeted by the faculty and the head teacher, Matthew.  Blake,  a teacher of Awere in year 2,  joined me and we went to a concrete floor building to watch these students dance, rap,  and where they showed us the song they are working on writing that has equal parts English and Lwo.   It was great,  I have videos!!!!  Lauren, Abby, and Joanna I hope you are reading this,  you have a core group that is really running with your ideas.  Blake is trying to download beats for them to use in this group.  

I was meeting Henry, my Gulu SS partner at 7 pm,  so at 5:30 p.m.  it was into town with Odong Collins Otika to grab cold water and look for a wedding card,  as I think Henry is getting married on Saturday--- if the response from the bride's family comes in time!   I found a very ornamental card with sequins and glitter that I chose out of 5 similar cards (Henry loved the card and cherished it later that night as we parted ways).   Collins and I walked back to the IC house and I gave him the light up frisbee I had bought for the trip,  but not really used.   Now 25 minutes to dinner,  I was sweating and rushed.  Doreen's dinner looked good so I had some of the Chapati Chicken Burrito kind of thing.   Still sweating, still rushed,  and then I thought.....

I asked 2 of the teachers who were talking about Grace to follow me.  We walked out the front gate, took a left,  where a choir was practicing beyond the wall of St. Kizito counseling center. ("Free counseling all the time-you are welcome", reads their sign in front).  We walked past a few small huts with children yelling munu and asking us "How are you?!!".  I exchange Apwoyos with an old woman carrying some food.  Including an Apwoyo Bah as a sign of respect.   We passed by the barb-wired compound of some primary school where over 100 children were lining up for a dinner of posho.  Their smiles and calls to us were great.  One of the young boys, who did not fear, raised a fist in the air with an exaggerated walk.  I mimicked his style and we shared a great laugh.  ....

Through more huts,  exchanging smiles and greetings with everyone we met.  It was now past time to go,  but wait just a little bit more....slow down... this walk is good.   As we turned to walk back, there it was the Northern Uganda sunset peeking through the trees with bright and soft colors at the same time--oranges, and blues, and maybe a little bit of purple.  In the foreground, was a simple village.

I was not sure that I would be able to find it when I started the walk,  but I was pretty sure. 

It usually happens in these small villages on slow walks of this type. 

 Somewhere in this fifteen minutes,  was the Grace that was so elusive the night before.   It might have been in the laughter of the toddlers, running on uncertain legs to greet the white people.  It might have been in the gap toothed smile of the old woman,  smiling a little more after our exchange of greetings.  It might have been in the raised fists of the primary boys or their exaggerated kung fu moves,   or it may have been in the sunset.

Finding Grace in Gulu,

John 

Opiyo Charles and Oketayot John

I have now been sitting in an internet cafe for more than an hour....the pages load slow with two students that I taught last year at Gulu SS. John found me in the street last week and told me that he was sorry that he did not get a letter from a Nerinx student. So immediately thanks to the internet, I was able to track down that student send her an email, and she wrote a letter to me which I printed out for 500/= . John really liked the letter ---so thanks to Maureen O. and everyone who helped track her down. Charles is looking to hear again from Kate Scott, so if anyone can find her in the next day have her email me a letter.

SORRY ABOUT THE LAST POST, I DID NOT INCLUDE THE STORY ABOUT THE 2 LITTLE CHILDREN, BUT THAT WILL HAVE TO WAIT.

So today, let me introduce all of you to Opiyo Charles, who is an S.3. student at Gulu SS. Charles is a prefect which is a combination of STUCO officer and Dean of Students. His official title is Assistant Information. His jobs include sending and receiving information from the students to the students and teachers. His favorite subject at Gulu SS is Biology. At Gulu SS, this is Charles 3rd year of Biology. Charles would like to hear from more American students. If you would like to write to him, you can give me a lettter or email him at charlesopiyo31@yahoo.com. Like all students here the internet is expensive and Charles will have limited access to his account.

Secondly, sitting to my left is Oketayot John, who is also an S.3. student at Gulu SS. He is not ready to tell you anything right now, because I have just put him on the spot. But his favorite subject in school is Chemistry. Both John and Charles are taking their third year of Chemistry this year, they just finished a 2nd trimester examination on Geography. John's email address is johnaug14@yahoo.com.

Not much else to say, I was told I looked smart today when I visited Gulu. I have a brand new hand made tie that I got in the market. BTW, smart means handsome or good-looking.....

See you all soon,

John

2 small children and photocopying

Just trying to wrap up a few loose ends. One of them I had to xerox 4 sheets of paper. It took me about 2 hours and 3 different photocopying shops and still do not have what I would consider fair qualities. In this bustling metropolis known as Gulu, I think most of the people, business wise, who need computers and xeroxes have great machines, while the photocopying shops deal with those that may only need a copy or two. Including it always seems people applying for some job or university application. Aha! There is a great idea, I think for a new NGO, just a place with modern computers, good printers, and good xerox machines to help those that are trying to help themselves.

I also went to the post office for the first time in 3 years, I have picked up 100,000/= in stamps to help facilitate the pen pal program, that although it has many kinks, I think is getting better every year.

Went to dinner with Eric, Kelly, Morgan, and Katie last night. We went to the new Chinese place some of the IC people have discovered. Their onion rings were great and I had to try the Obama mixed fried rice special. They also had some kind of hot sauce with peppers that I tried on my onion rings. It knocked me out !!! Not since, the cajun sauce at JC's insurance man party 10 ?? years ago has my mouth been on this much of a fire. I had to act tough, kind of, because of the three women. Kelly M. has actually shot and killed a bear in her life--so we know she is tough. Although, she did let on to some of the teachers that the bear was actually smaller than John Magee.

Big rainstorm last night, and the power kept going in and out, but I read a little bit from a book on Sam Cooke and tried to tackle a 16 x 16 Sudoku from the Kampala paper. This is my third weekly attempt, and after 4+ hours each time, I realized I had a fatal error, so I am trying again, some 3 or 4 hours in to finish this one,.....but I really want to know if anyone in the whole country of Uganda is completing these puzzles.

Should have got pictures up today, but I am at the mercy of others with camera cords and so forth, and it did not happen today.

John

Lazy Saturday in Gulu

I met my teaching partner from the first year Nyeko Alfred at the bus park in Gulu.I was going there to pick up a few papers from Atanga SS. At first, I did not know if I was looking for a bus or a mutatu (van taxi), but the barkers from the bus lines did their best to get me on a bus somewhere. Even with Alfred there, they were very persistent in getting me on a vehicle, even though I did not want to go anywhere. The one actually said I should wait for my package inside his vehicle. Don't know where it was going, but he thought it would be a good place to wait. I declined his generous offer, I did not want to go to some strange city.

Alfred and I waited, got the package, and then went to Hotel Roma for some water. It was a great visit. Alfred told me his plans for the future, and we discussed his further studies. I am now at the Acholi Inn, because the power has been out in town for almost a day, and I figured this western style hotel would have a way to get on the internet. They also have a pool which I might be coming back to later today. This has been a long trip and I am ready to come home, I have I think all of my gifts bought, and just a few details to sew up. I have probably never wanted to sit in the bleachers at a Cards game more.....

I am going to take care of some business for Alfred, so I am going to sign off.

John

Last full saturday in Gulu

After a night of Beer Olympics organized by Darren and Michelle, I have come to Gulu to check the internet (nice victory last night Cardinals), return a case of beer for 30,000 /=, and go pick up the gifts I had made for the 11 returning Biloxi veterans. Nyeko Alfred, I believe is probably riding his bike 4 hours to see me as I type this.

So no big drama, no boda crashes or anything like that. It was a great night spent with my new friends last night. A lot of laughter and so forth. I just realize, I have nothing to say so I guess you will all have to wait until tomorrow. I will be getting up early for Mass with the students at Gulu High, a fantastic way to end my final week. I cannot wait to see all of you.

John