Sorry that I have been so late in my blogs. Last week I was teaching a one week intensive course at St Francis Counsellor (No, I haven't misspelled this. It is the English spelling. The Director of the Institute is Irish so demands this spelling.  I was teaching a foundation course in Integrated theory. The emphasis is the blending of ancient eastern thought with the awareness of modern thought. It all about matter, body, mind, soul and spirit thinking. I had a class of 20 students who were either just beginning their studies or who were in the process of getting a Bachelor degree.
So I am back at the Novitiate in Kakoba for the week and return next week for another intensive week giving the faculty an intensive week in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in substance abuse treatment.  I will try to post some pictures through the week, Until then ODE  peace

Yoweri Museveni

This smiling man was the first face I saw stepping out of the airport in Entebbe, Uganda. Every free space was plastered with his picture. He is Yoweri Museveni the current President of Uganda and is running for re-election. President Museveni has had a long and colorful history in the politics in Uganda. He has overthrown two presidents, one being Idi Amin. When I saw his picture I said to myself, “Wearing that hat, he must be confident of being elected.” Indeed it seems that he will be re-elected as evidenced by the huge crowds he gathers where ever he goes. Much larger than any of the other seven candidates for president.

There is a presidential debate on Friday January 15, 2015 . It is the first time that such and event has occurred in Uganda. So this is an historic day for the country. There is some doubt that President Museveni will attend as he might have previous commitments. The hope here is that the election itself will be conflict free. It is scheduled for February 18, 2016. While the campaign goes on, children throughout the country are on holiday until after the election.  

Kakoba, Uganda

Greetings! Sorry about the delay in communicating. I am in Mbarara, Uganda (actually Kakoba which is a village just outside of Mbarara), which is the site of the the Province's Novitiate.This may be my permanent assignment.  I haven't been able to write because of no internet access. Well that was remedied yesterday. So here I am. The weather in Uganda is pleasant. It has been overcast much of the time which keeps the temperature down. The Novitiate is a working farm. They grow maize (corn), beans, okra and a variety of fruits (mangoes, papaya, avocado, banana). We have three goats, two cows and 6 pigs and 10 piglets (soon to be sold). Life here is simple and centered around prayer, work and study.  Here is a picture of the area.  The friary sits on a hill so the view looks down. Sorry about the clarity but things are very hazy here. Wood fires are a main way of cooking food. 

 The tree is the foreground is a papaya tree.

Breakfast time at the friary.