A big day at the Priory

A strange week!   As I wasn't expecting to teach the novices this week I'd arranged to go away Monday after the afternoon class and return Tuesday to teach again at 3pm.  All arrangements made, so I went and caught up with friends.  Wednesday both classes watched Jungle Book which they thoroughly enjoyed, I had the novices write a synopsis of the story and they did very well.  Happily I retrieved my bank card on Thursday.

Friday was a dreadful night and day, I awoke to my bedroom floor under water and a lot of things needing dying out!  It rained and rained,.  Bosco collected me and took me into Kigali to sort out some official stuff, we were wallowing in mud until we reached the tarmac,  I wasn't teaching as all the inmates were busy getting ready for Saturday's 'do'.
On the way back we followed this cycle taxi, the passenger was sitting atop his packages which were on the seat!

This is thePriory

Following the heavy rain of Friday, the entrance was awash so Florence one of the novices was set to bailing out the water before all the visitors arrived for the service.

So three novices were making their vows and one sister was making her perpetual vows.  There were about ten priests present, a jolly crew!  The folk at Busasamana insisted that Marilyn and I wore traditional dress, it was rather over the top, more suited to a wedding really with lots of sequins and bling. Dative tied me up so tight I thought I might swoon like a Victorian miss.

The tents set up ready for the service.

And we all process.  The children at the front danced at various points in the service.

Here are the four about to make their vows.

The presiding priest protected from the sun.  Reminded me of the Raj, I was very pleased his umbrella was pink, needed some gold fringing though I think.

Novices being given their  white veils.

We were entertained by the children at the school....in the background...this school is funded and staffed by the sisters and other teachers.

So a very good day, good food and good wine to finish.  Then Bosco took me to my friend's house and we had a pleasant evening with a mission team.

FB folk will have seen that I drove for the first time in Kigali today.  It was OK being Sunday except I couldn't open the windows of the little Toyota RAV which I am calling Sprout!  It's small and green!  I was rather hot!  Tomorrow I must sort out the buttons...and move it as Sr Therese says I'm under an avocado tree and the falling fruit will damage it.  The local folk were astonished to see a woman driving, and white at that!

Monday, the morning class of novices are fighting to have a ride in Sprout...I said it's very expensive!

Little Sprout

I drove right into the city yesterday!   I set the novices an essay entitled Places I would like to visit and why.   I said be innovative think of the whole world and what it offers....I do not want you to say you want to visit Kigali.  Oh, said Flo, I was going to say I want to go to Kigali with you in Little Sprout!!!!