Rachel/Shabbat Muzungu

Shavua tov!
First, a bit more about my conversation with Rachel yesterday.  Rachel, as I mentioned, teaches Christian religious education, a compulsory subject in Ugandan schools (the Ugandan government and country is largely Christian).  The curriculum is split into three--Old Testament (the Torah), New Testament and Ethics.  She teaches OT and ethics, though of course this is all from a Christian perspective.  She said while it was a bit weird, she would just tell her students (Jewish, Christian and Muslim alike) that if they want to do well in her class, they need to "pretend they are Christian." Even the Old Testament curriculum is required to include many Jesus and Christian references which are part of the Christian reading of the Bible.  She also described her experience teaching in a Muslim school (she teaches both there and at SK) dispelling rumors about Judaism while her Muslim colleagues taught her about Islam.  An example she gave me was a query by a colleague wondering if Jews ate on Shabbat--they'd heard they just fast.  Rachel explained that no, Jews eat, they just cook before Shabbat!
Another fascinating aspect of Rachel is her musical talent, which you can experience if you listen to any of the Abayudaya C.D.s  She has stopped singing and songwriting as much as she used to, now that she's married with a child in Nasinye,  but still continues when she has time.  She says new tunes will sometimes come to her in a dream or through some other random conduit.
On another school note, I assigned my first homework-- a book report for five S4 volunteers.  It's totally fine, and I'm crossing my fingers that the kids turn in something recognizable.
This shabbat was certainly different.  The house was packed with muzungus, mainly American Jewish World Service Volunteer Summer participants.  It was interesting to meet this year's cohort (and re-meet a few of them, who I'd seen briefly on my trip to Ramogi) and have a chance to reminisce about my last summer in Uganda, and hear about what has changed.  Also entertaining were all the questions I got about my own experience from participants (and group leaders) looking for comparisons as well as advice.  Most striking, though, was seeing the difference between the brief experience and view I got of the community last year as opposed to what I've gotten this year--it made me realize how much I've learned and gained by spending an extended period of time here.  A few participants voiced an interest in coming back here, and I hope some of them end up doing so (I would say following in my footsteps, but I don't want to be haughty :-)).
In terms of experiences, this Shabbat had a couple of high points.  First was a visit to the grave of Semei Kakungulu, Abayudaya founder.  I had been there last year, but as a group of AJWSers were making the walk, I decided I might as well look again.  We were able to see his grave, marked by an inscribed stone (not so usual for Uganda) as well of those of some of his family members, both Jewish and Christian.  We also stood on the cliffside where he sat on his chair, looking over his fields and pontificating to some of his "subjects."
On a less historical note, tonight marked the second speaker-accompanied dance party experience of my time here, which was made unique by the pouring rain.  Short from stopping anyone, this merely egged on local and muzungu alike, though it only lasted a modest 3 hours.  Some visitors wondered "Do you guys have this every week??"  Sadly, the answer is no.
That's all for now.  Tomorrow will be a no-blog day, as I'll be taking the day off to go whitewater rafting on the Nile--in the tradition of Moses, of course!  Monday, however, should prove juicy--I'll be going to visit oldest living community elder (approx. 100-but still working in the field!) who knew Kakungulu, is supposed to have some amazing stories about him and possibly have one of the only remaining copies of the book K. wrote about his beliefs and theology.
Shavua tov and have a wonderful Sunday!