FATHER HENRY'S BIRTHDAY!

Willy proudly displaying the sign

Celebrations are always HUGE here... Father Henry's birthday not withstanding. Though only given 24 hour notice to "plan something nice", we managed to pull off quite a party! Though I never got pictures from the party...was running around trying to get things set up, I did include pictures of the kids in the near completed PT room for your viewing pleasure!

Artists in the making!

My head went crazy with ideas as soon as we heard the news...the Sisters planned 2 songs (one in Luganda and one in Swahili) in 6 part harmony with dance...pretty amazing. The Brothers already know how to throw a feast and FEAST there was that night!

I gathered the boys in shifts in the PT room the day before to create Birthday cards for Father. I also video taped many of them singing in various states of movement (boys cannot sit still even when singing). ALL of them were soo very excited to participate... and here I thought I'd be pulling teeth.

They spent hours drawing and then lining up to have their "snap" taken with their picture. All wanted to come to the party but this was not a feasible thing. They kept asking me to be sure I was going to bring the cards to Father in time.

Seweady working hard at his creation

Father woke to the whole refectory decorated in balloons and birthday cards including the whole table and his chair, office door, railings on the stairs...there was not an inch of space that was without a card from one of the boys....we also created a beautiful French Pantum (poem) to be read during the party.

Sibiri is our amazing artist!

I managed to FINALLY figure out my power point program and created a montage of pictures and video's to some upbeat African drumming music! It came out FABULOUS! The video was set up to be viewed on a sheet hung outside for all to see along with HUGE speakers. THANK goodness the program of music, dance and skits lasted a couple hours as it took this long to figure out how to hook up a fairly new Apple computer to a very old Dell system.

I was losing hope...BUT Brother Sonny (young and smart) somehow...after going through 4 computers, having me download to a flash drive, then play off a DVD player with a connection to another more updated laptop, managed to get the program going and playing on the big screen for all to see.

"Sister Carol! Get ME! Get ME!"

Sweet Masoke getting ready to drive off!

It was heartwarming to see all of these Brothers celebrate with such camaraderie...They were laughing, dancing and acting silly! Even Father was up trying to dance with the young boys who were doing a hip hop dance for him to the claps and cheers of all around. Not only do they celebrate life in joyful service to the poor...they celebrate life with joy together!!

Happy Birthday Father Henry

(A French Pantum for you)

  

Walking in the footsteps of our Lord

Father Henry ever smiling, kind hearted and gracious

He is hard working and humble

With great reverence to God

Father Henry ever smiling, kind hearted and gracious

Approachable and open, holding both wisdom and humor

With great reverence to God

Presenter of thoughtful and inspiring lessons

Approachable and open, holding both wisdom and humor

He never seems to tire

Presenter of thoughtful and inspiring lessons

He leads through example

He never seems to tire

He is hard working and humble

He leads through example

Walking in the footsteps of our Lord