Serious rain and prayerful service, dogs, some picture explanations

We've had some pretty serious rain here these past few weeks. Walking around theses dirt roads after it rains is almost like walking on ice. We've even had to be a bit creative when it came to crossing overly flooded streams that we cross on a regular basis. We found successful strategies such as pole vaulting and also convincing local school boys to carry us across. Even the cars slide around pretty good. We were on a taxi the other day that was sliding at about a 45 degree angle. Yesterday we watched a boda man go down. I saw it coming. He had a pretty big load of matooke and he was preparing to go down a pretty big hill. Me and my companion just stopped and watched the inevitable. Then of course we went helped him back up and prepared him for round two. He eventually made it down. Then I realized my prayer that morning - to be able to render forth any service where it may be needed. My prayer was answered. We then continued on down to Nabutiti where we were able to help a member bucket out all the water in her house. That place gets seriously flooded. As we walked through seeing all the people cleaning up the damage of wet muddy everything inside and outside their house, I sensed a mood of "here we go again." Everyone seemed to know the procedure. I noticed quite a few people to stop and stare at me and my companion as we threw buckets of water out of Evelyn Jumbe's house. I like to think they did it because they were impressed.

Ever since I've been with Elder Soko, I've realized that he's very afraid of dogs. I, on the other hand, am pretty used to them. There are quite a few stray dogs here in Uganda. But the way they are mistreated, starved, and beaten by the public, they're pretty timid and shy. Either way, my companion keeps his distance. A few weeks ago we entered a compound and went to the open door of the house and were greeted by a dog that popped his head out from behind the curtain. I was still behind the railing of the porch while Soko was right up close. As I saw the look in the dog's face, I knew there might be problem. He had the look of, "I don't like you already, but I'm as curious to your strength as you are to mine." I told Soko with a smile, "Be cool, and back up slow." When the dog saw the retreat he knew he had the upper hand and attacked seriously! Luckily it was on a 15 inch chain connected to that door he was next to. I was still running with the question of how strong that chain was. As we got back to the main gate we saw a woman had come to the door with a welcoming smile. I approached her with the dog now being somewhat calm in the presence of its master. I told who we were and why we were there while Soko was still standing at the gate door ready to run. She then volunteered to us her phone number and asked us to come in. This was a problem. The only way to enter that house was to get past the dog. But she seemed to act like it was no big problem. What impressed me that day is that Elder Soko overcame his fear and we got past the dog (with a lot of help from the owner). We've been back a few times and realized that it's a very potential family. With a very protective dog!

Thanks for the DVD and the pictures on the site are great. Feel free to crop anything. I usually try to take pictures with that in mind. That little girl in the picture you like is awesome. She's very shy but will always come and greet you with a big smile. Just don't expect to have a conversation with her. I also liked that picture. One of my favorites is the one of Soko with all the clothes hanging around him. Or the one with me, Mabaso, and Kabambi just sitting and pondering. That's actually when we were waiting outside the house of Keny while he was getting interviewed for his baptism. Kind of an anxious moment considering he was supposed to be baptized that very day.

Let me know how and when we're going to get my application in for these schools. I'll try and write my essay this week. I don't know anything about these back doors or loop holes. I'll let you know when I find out.

No package yet. I don't where my bank statements go. Maybe still to California. I did eat that green stuff. Actually it was pretty good. They were mashed casava leaves (Congo dish). By the way, don't worry about my toe. It's cool.

Have a great week.

Elder Wright