How to turn on a computer

Day two of being missionaries. We started the day with Diocesan staff devotions – quite delightful really – we were not asked to speak and rather enjoyed the singing and the discussion of Matthew 28. More staff slowly filtered in, and the Bishop came in as devotions were ending.

After introductions, the floor was open for us to begin computer training. We asked each person to tell us how much they knew and what programs they used. With that information in hand, we walked to the Childcare Building (outfitted with solar power and four desktops) for the training itself. We started with the power button. Now, most people in the Diocese are at least somewhat versed in computers, but the Bishop struggles and the Mission Coordinator had never used a computer in his life.

The morning was amazingly smooth, with Andy leading and me walking around from person to person. A midday break allowed us to walk around the Diocesan compound, and we experienced our first true northern meal. I started looking for the forks. Andy dug right in with his hand along with everybody else. The maize millet was pretty good, but the greens were delicious.

Afternoon went really well for me. I took the Bishop and the Mission Coordinator to the Guest House, where we went over the basics again. I even walked the Bishop through sending his first email. By first, I mean first. Apparently he’s dictated them in the past. Andy stayed with all of the field workers, who wanted to know about PowerPoint and Access. He was put through the wringer – they’re not programs that he uses often, and the students were really hungry for knowledge, knowing what the programs are capable of. Pray for him tomorrow if you have the chance. We plan to work with everyone on their new Kitgum.org email accounts, and then Excel with the accountants.

Once back at the hotel, we walked to the 'supermarket' for shampoo. There’s apparently lots of them around, but this one, one of the bigger ones, had three whole aisles. (not of shampoo - of everything...) Dinner at the hotel and a really bad American movie. We hope to move to the Guest House tomorrow, but the last few nights at the hotel have been good for us.