Jo wanted our yardman, Obita Charles, to wash our vehicle. She approached him and attempted to ask him politely in Acholi.
“Itye gwok motorcar tin?”
Obita Charles looked at her very quizzically. So Jo repeated it more slowly.
Obita then said “I’m not getting you….”
Jo then said in English: “Would you wash the car today?” and Obita said “yes.”
At this point Jo asked him how she SHOULD have said it…
“Itwero lwok motorcar tin?” replied Obita.
So, what did Jo actually SAY to Obita???
“You are a dog in the car today?” (No, this isn’t a typographical error!)
The Best Laid Plans….
Marion enjoys being a part of the catechetical team that travels to the parishes to give workshops to catechists. They are invited to participate in a catechist association and receive practical and spiritual input. The latest journey was a little too exciting!
Plan A was to visit 3 parishes on the distant side of the diocese staying overnight along the way. One parish asked to reschedule. Then the second parish was getting a new pastor so they dropped out. On to Plan C: just do the third parish eaving the day before. But now the call comes to go ahead with the second parish—Plan D! So after totally confusing the driver with all the changes and very poor Acholi, the group set out an hour late and finally arrived at Patongo by noon with a short interlude at Opit where the driver changed a bad tire.
The 21 catechists enjoyed their workshop with Ventorino Okumu, the Catechist Desk [office] person who was already there. Cultural issues brought up included how to handle an African natural religious practice concerning worship of a mountain spirit. One catechist was fined after going to the garden that day. Another unusual practice was not to bury the remains of people who had been killed. Instead, the practice was to cover them with brush so that the evil spirit responsible for the death doesn’t bother the one who disturbs them. Bones are being discovered in the bush as people go back, so team member Elisabeth had urged the catechists to bury and not leave the people to resort to age-old animal sacrifice.
Two sisters at Patongo [Mary Immaculate of Gulu] offered accommodations to Elisabeth and Marion. Now Plan E: the third parish is not ready after all and there are no accommodations for the men to stay overnight. So the team headed home. The route this time goes past Atanga where Ventorino can be dropped off. Before dark once again there is an unscheduled stop to put the hardy little “donut” back on as the “new” tire shredded.
Resiliance: Elisabeth began to sing in a very sweet voice. Richard, the other team member, commented that one of the sacred songs she sang was one the LRA rebels would also sing so sweetly after doing dastardly deeds.
Night-gift: At one point Marion heard something unusual and asked, “What’s that?” ”Yingo Bells.” Yes, frogs that sounded just like jingle bells! They were along several stretches of the road. Ventorino remarked, “They own the night.” We made it home around 11 PM, thanks to our skillful driver. Hopefully, communication and planning will make for a calmer trip next time!
Love at First Sight
One day as Jo was walking into the clinic at St. Mauritz she noticed that several people were already sitting on the bench in the hallway waiting to be seen. But one man jumped up and came over to her and gave her a great big hug, saying “I found you! I have come here to see you!”
Then Jo realized that she recognized him. She had taken care of him during the time she was working at the clinic in Gulu Hospital (which closed). Jo had told the patients where they could find her in the future, but either this gentleman wasn’t there or he didn’t understand her explanation. Apparently, another patient told him where to find her. He was certainly overjoyed to see her again!
What a great way for Jo to begin her work day at St. Mauritz Health Center!
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