On being a peg

 No matter how many times I read the Bible, there are always new phrases that pop out. One day this week the lectionary assigned Ezra 9, and as the prophet laments the state of exile and failure he says in verse 8 says that for a little while grace has been shown to give us a peg in the holy place. A tent-peg, a pin that holds the temporary shelter anchored in a storm.  

That captures some picture of what we are here. Not super strong or beautiful or famous, but still a reliable little wedge that holds on in the muddy realities of life. 

This week back after the glories of the mountaintops (see previous post) has been a challenging pace of problems, not unexpected after a few weeks of deferred engagement. But in the middle of things falling apart we had two full days of celebration. On Thursday, Dr. Isaiah Kule married Masika Emily. Isaiah entered CSB as an orphan and graduated in Caleb and John's class, his determination and good will catching the eye of Dr. Travis back then who advocated we include him in the Dr. Jonah Kule scholarship fund for medical school. He came back after graduation and worked on the paediatric and neonatal wards with me here in Bundibugyo until he became convinced he needed to do a Paeds residency, which we also sponsored (along with some government help). He's just finishing his final thesis project to graduate with that master's degree (residency in Africa) and decided this was the time to marry Emily (whom he went to university with, she's a pharmacist) in the church. Isaiah gathered a wide net of support for this huge party, not just us but the CSB alumni, the hospital, the mission, his residency colleagues, his uncles, etc. His integrity shines, and his joyful face through the many hours of the ceremonies and celebration. We pray that he and Emily have a partnership to pour into the neediest places in this country with their lives and skills.

On Saturday, the Christ School candidates party pulled us into another day of music, dance, speeches, food, and hope. The Senior Four and Senior Six classes will begin intensive weeks of exams, sitting for 3-4 hour papers every day or two in many subjects. There is no "graduation" with a diploma, because everything about their future comes from the exam results which won't be released until early 2024. So before the gruelling testing period each year, the kids get a day to dress up and dream big. 

On both these occasions we are the only foreigners and probably among less than a handful of people over age 60. It's not our party. . . . and yet we sense that our presence brings that tent peg anchor of stability that the young people seek. We've been around their lives since their birth (longer) and so represent continuity and consistency, a steady foundation in a changing world. We also represent being seen by distant places in spite of living at the end of the road. And we try to represent the loving connecting community of God's family that transcends age and ethnicity. 

So here's to being old tent pegs! Prayers that we can stand firm.