THE PROFESSION

One of the biggest events that are held here are when Senior Novices move up to professed Brothers. This time there were 3...Brother Julius, Brother Antone and Brother Festus (my dear friend). They again go all out for this but cannot do so without the help and donations from the community. The celebration is akin to a HUGE wedding feast. I have to say, once again, I have never seen a bunch of men decorate the entire place so beautifully!

Sister Rose cleaning 

The cooks prepping a FEAST

Last minute signs 

carrying in the decor

wiping the red dust OFF the chairs 

The isle

many helpers make light work 

Senior Novice, Brother Gabriel 

The altar

Even Fr Henry is working 

The flowers were beautiful 

Carrying the sacred items out to the altar

The whole community is invited not only for the profession, but for the feast following as well. The Bishop, the Pope's representative (I forgot the exact title), the local priests in the area and of course Fr Henry and Fr Raymond all preside over Mass.

The guests are arriving 

The sisters 

The altar dancers 

The Bishop 

The Pope's representative 

Br Festus and his family 

Following Mass is the feast and then the celebration. The celebration is HUGE...dancing from the kids, from local dancers, musicians and comedians, skits and we can't forget cake!!!! Many speeches, lots of hugging, lots of smiling. Families are present to witness such a great event.

Crowds gathering for the entertainment

The cake cutting (Bro Antone cutting
Bro Julius to his L)

Bro John Reddy and a few brothers goofing
with the girl dancers

Henry (L) and Phillip (R) from Busega
singing one of their produced songs

Nurse Christine (teaches the brothers nursing) and I with Bro Festus
She is soon to save my life 

I was exhausted afterwards, I can't imagine how the newly professed Brothers felt! I was glad to have been there to experience this and I will continue to pray for my 3 dear friends who are now officially "Blue Shirts.

FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS!

We now move right into the championship football league for Busega that Fr Raymond sponsored. He made it a huge event, getting uniforms for the kids, trophies, prizes and of course a DJ! There was a food feast to go along with this. He went ALL OUT! He told me he didn't want the boys to miss out on fun boyhood things. He wanted them to feel they were part of a family and get to enjoy their childhood.

Team pictures 

nerves of steel 

Team Arsenal
Brian with arms outstretched
NOTE the shoes

I told them to look fierce!

They are all very serious

He certainly made this work. Everyone from the kids, including the disabled children and workers had great fun! Everyone had a team they cheered for and the boys all got their team pictures taken. They were all serious and nervous before the matches.

Team Arsenal (seniors) with coach Douglass

Team Manchester City (they won) 

They played ALL OUT!

Love this shot!

If I was only a little more to the left...RATS

There was even an award ceremony a few days later with cake and fireworks. Several of the boys entertained with their music and dance and friends of Busega were invited to join in on the celebration. Three of the Brothers had their profession that same weekend and family members came in from Kenya. They also joined us at Busega.

Douglass the defender playing with the Workers
against the Brothers 

Nice header by one of the brothers

The workers won because of the much larger cheering section! 

Support from above

including cheering and "happy dance" during goals 

Up in the air, junior birdman

 have to get an action shot with my son Brian the defender

They play all out in bare feet, mismatched slippers and mismatched shoes

I LOVE the fact they celebrate life and make good memories for the boys here. These moments are going to make them know that they are truly cared for and loved.

Fr Raymond making memories during the award ceremony 

again, fireworks and cake are a MUST! 

THE BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION CONTINUES!

What a day!! I got the tile! I thought nothing could top that! Truth be told, I kept my birthday a secret....the sisters and brothers have been asking in hopes to douse me with water. Unfortunately, Fr Henry (who processed my visa, knew my BD) told Fr Raymond to say Mass for me that morning. Ya...everyone knew after that. I wanted it secret for several reasons...I did not want anyone to go through any trouble or expense in the least for me...plus, I wanted to remain the support person in the background behind the scenes so to speak...not to mention stay dry.

A birthday wish made out of the local flowers here

Despite the last minute notice, I had homemade cards by the time breakfast was over. Many from my English class. I was arranging for the tile supplies to be purchased and was nearly late for a birthday feast that was prepared by Brother Sonny at Busega. I walked in to find  a huge spread of matoke, greens, sweet potatoes, beef, rice, soda and fried onion rings!! (no one knew what they were save for Bro Sonny and I....in fact Douglass and Sr Anna thought it was fish!)

Some of the kids after singing!

During lunch, I heard a whistle and then marching and then LOTS of singing form the kids...in marches a line of kids surrounding the table. They all sang happy birthday and then asked that I join them in the kids dining area. I had a chair pulled out and was serenaded with Ugandan birthday songs for 10 min. Then, as tradition here in Uganda, the kids that are closest to me got up and made short little speeches. It was DARLING! I was then presented with homemade drawings.

Artwork that brought tears to my eyes

I was overwhelmed. I couldn't stop the tears. I can't explain how touching it is for a child to take the time to write and draw pictures for you. Having never had children, I never thought I would experience this, but today...I had enough drawings to last me many nights of reading! The most touching was a letter I received from my affectionately called "son" Brian. He said that he saw me as his mother and that I was the best mother in the whole world. OK....that got me.

I particularly like the Carol-God comparison!
HAHAHA...

But I must have a split personality between
God and Batman

That evening, the sisters boofed me (yelled at me) for not telling them...we had a fun supper, but the dousing never happened as they were thankfully interrupted with a knock at the door. It was all the professed brothers carrying a cake and singing. WOW...how fun! When they left, the sisters and I were just goofing around for the rest of the evening. It was a rather fun birthday and amazing surprise despite having kept it quiet until that day.

Sooo...I'll take the angel comparison as a happy medium 

Goofing around with the Sisters! 

OHH...can't forget the BIG FISH! This was the birthday gift from friend Cathy, friend Robin and my sister....my absolute favorite meal....this place has the biggest fish ever. Out for cappuccino and pastries afterwards.

Now that is a FISH!

Patricia, Douglass and Juliette

ahhh real coffee

I feel blessed to be amongst such a wonderful loving group of people. They truly made me feel special.