TPU's Jinja Style

We here a CCJinja have gotten to be kindred spirits with the apostle Paul. He was a tentmaker(TM)but we are tent putter uppers(TPU's). Everytime there is a celebration or a Christian holiday the TPU's leap into action. This week it is Goeffrey Bagalya's graduation party. 500 guests anticipated.

Just to acquaint you with what is considered a tent here in Jinja, it is pretty much any canvas or plastic piece that is attached to a pole. The TM takes pride in his craftsmanship making seams straight and corners square, sides the same length and the like. However the TPU's take pride in getting the most dilapidated piece of swiss cheese-like cloth up into place on whatever straight piece of lumber, steel, bamboo, pipe or pole is available. Anybody can set up a ten foot by ten foot canopy that comes with all parts included plus directions but there is a real talent to get in place a forty by fifty foot patchwork piece of reinforced plastic that last saw square in 1999 and has more holes in it than the Titanic. And then a twenty by one hundred foot piece right along side. In less than three hours. That's what the TPU team here at Calvary does.

Each of us has our area of expertise.
JB Toolit-"BaBa" the big man Expert at finding anything a TPU might need to use.
Martin Onen-"three fingered Metz"-layout man. Maps location of poles expert digger.
Moro Steven-"knotty Steve" Ties off rope faster than a calf roper at a rodeo.
Ssemanda Joseph-"little Joe"-the man with the plan, big ideas in a 5'3" body.
Jacob Opio-"Opie"-troubleshooter- always in the wrong spot at the right time.
Faisal Kigongo-"Thumper"-specializes in tamping the poles into position.
Mulehdu Rogers-"Mule" Nothing is too heavy for him to lift or hold over his head.
Isaac from Moyo-"Izzy"-He does it all "Izzy for real?"
John Muyeyero-"Big John" The man who keeps them all laughing.
Davis-"Tall"- reaches those difficult high spots and never uses a ladder.
Jesse Rich-the "Yesman" Leadership frontman. "Yes fine" "Yes whatever" "Yes..."

The tents were put up during the heat of the day. Incentive to get it done fast. Now the night comes and the Tpu's rest peacefully knowing that their work is done for the day. They dream, perhaps of meters of new tarps and people basking in the shade of their skillful work. Both of which they will likely never see. Because you can't get good tarps here and no matter how hot it is here people will still stand in the sun. But the comraderie of the TPU's lives on. For tomorrow it all has to come down in 15 minutes.