The day that the rain came down, mother earth smiled again! Remember that song? Well after last Wednesday mother earth should be smiling. It was ok first thing and I nonchalantly put my silver steering wheel cover and windscreen shield in place. About 11 it started to rain. I kept working, others had disappeared, I had lunch....the place is deserted, It is torrential rain by now, and in short sleeved t-shirt I was getting cold. So battling the elements I drove home....scary....hail at the same time. Was very glad to reach the house. Apo and I were soaked by the time we'd managed the gates and got inside. So had to don a jumper and I was very glad to snuggle into my duvet that night!
So now I'm ensconced in my large office at the cathedral and getting to grips with the remit. I've almost got the initial team in place, a couple of more people to contact, taking time as I need translations and people are also away. I've been working on the classes I'm teaching at the ordination retreat, very much having to be aware of the cultural differences!
Last Friday we had a fundraising dinner for the new project at the cathedral. A dinner at the Serena ***** Hotel, 100,000 francs, about £100 in real money. Naturally no alcohol! The food was good though. It was all in kinyawanda which wasn't too interesting and I left at 9.30 when the pledges began....anyway 64 million francs was raised....£64,000 a great result.
Monday, 25 September 2017
Thursday, 21 September 2017
The Wedding
Saturday 16th September
I was collected by Nelson, (you may remember I went to his wedding 2 years ago) at 10.30 in the company vehicle....a somewhat elderly and battered Land Cruiser, thankfully I got to sit in the front! It was rather difficult getting in as I was in heels and the dress whilst floaty on top was rather straight skirted beneath the float!
We headed south east picking up folk along the way, an hour's drive on tarmac to Nyamata, followed by another hour on rather rough unmade road, arriving at the parish church at 12.40. It is the most remote area I've driven through I think, but many coffee trees along the way, in flower (small and white) but also bearing coffee beans ranging from green to red in ripeness.
Much astonishment from the children at seeing their first white person in the flesh! By the end of the day I was having to seek cover in the vehicle as the hundreds of children were trying to touch me, it was a bit scary at one point.
We were shown into the 'vestry', flask of African tea and bread rolls offered. I'd had a hearty breakfast, organised as ever! so stuck to my bottle of water. As we waited we were joined by more and more clergy, over 30 I think, some I knew such as my friend Venuste from another remote parish near the border with Burundi. He came on an old motor bike the journey taking an hour on those rough roads. The rector from Jean Paul's college was present, and some of his fellow students, it was good to meet up again. Shows what esteem John Paul is held in.
The parish church typical here, dirt floor, benches, chairs for clergy in the front by a door....it was very warm. Lots of singing and dancing whilst waiting for the wedding party. Jean Paul and Solange were seated in the front on a sofa. Of course the couple had previously had the civil ceremony, and on Saturday morning the dowry ceremonial, but the service seemed quite abbreviated to me, although did last nearly 2 hours. Seemingly we had the declaration, the vows, rings exchanged but abbreviated words, and a blessing. Good sermon though but in Kinyawanda so I didn't understand it. It is a strange custom that the bride is veiled until after the rings are exchanged, then the groom lifts the veil. JP did this very elegantly a little at a time. Of course the church was packed, one of their own being married.
Then to have photos taken, in and out of the vehicle again! Photo site at the health centre, the only place at the end of the dry season with green foliage
I was collected by Nelson, (you may remember I went to his wedding 2 years ago) at 10.30 in the company vehicle....a somewhat elderly and battered Land Cruiser, thankfully I got to sit in the front! It was rather difficult getting in as I was in heels and the dress whilst floaty on top was rather straight skirted beneath the float!
We headed south east picking up folk along the way, an hour's drive on tarmac to Nyamata, followed by another hour on rather rough unmade road, arriving at the parish church at 12.40. It is the most remote area I've driven through I think, but many coffee trees along the way, in flower (small and white) but also bearing coffee beans ranging from green to red in ripeness.
Much astonishment from the children at seeing their first white person in the flesh! By the end of the day I was having to seek cover in the vehicle as the hundreds of children were trying to touch me, it was a bit scary at one point.
We were shown into the 'vestry', flask of African tea and bread rolls offered. I'd had a hearty breakfast, organised as ever! so stuck to my bottle of water. As we waited we were joined by more and more clergy, over 30 I think, some I knew such as my friend Venuste from another remote parish near the border with Burundi. He came on an old motor bike the journey taking an hour on those rough roads. The rector from Jean Paul's college was present, and some of his fellow students, it was good to meet up again. Shows what esteem John Paul is held in.
The parish church typical here, dirt floor, benches, chairs for clergy in the front by a door....it was very warm. Lots of singing and dancing whilst waiting for the wedding party. Jean Paul and Solange were seated in the front on a sofa. Of course the couple had previously had the civil ceremony, and on Saturday morning the dowry ceremonial, but the service seemed quite abbreviated to me, although did last nearly 2 hours. Seemingly we had the declaration, the vows, rings exchanged but abbreviated words, and a blessing. Good sermon though but in Kinyawanda so I didn't understand it. It is a strange custom that the bride is veiled until after the rings are exchanged, then the groom lifts the veil. JP did this very elegantly a little at a time. Of course the church was packed, one of their own being married.
Then to have photos taken, in and out of the vehicle again! Photo site at the health centre, the only place at the end of the dry season with green foliage
Then we walked to the reception venue.
The couple had to walk to an arch and cut the ribbon to enter the reception area, which was outdoors.
The dais where the wedding group sit. The steps were a little dodgy!!!
Again I found myself in the front row.
At weddings here you hire an MC who manages everything, various speeches from representatives from both families, drinks exchanged,,,,non alcoholic, gifts of fruit to both families. A number of rituals to be observed , I especially liked Solange's father saying how great a daughter she was, but now he's giving her to JP......tears from the bride....it was very biblical!
Then the cake was cut and we all had a piece and a bottle of soda. There was no food which I think very sensible, why feed hundreds when you have very little money. By 6.15 when it was getting dark and we had no lights we set off home again. Jean Paul and Solange really enjoyed their wedding he told me yesterday.
Next we have the graduation which should have been tomorrow, but is now on 26 October, I don't know if I can attend then, but will do my best.
That's all for now. But lots more to tell so tune in after the weekend.
Friday, 15 September 2017
Busy week....the norm
Well here I am, back in Kigali. I enjoyed the weeks in Portugal and the UK, a fair number of days spent on the beach and sufficiently strong wifi to watch the Lycra! A strange journey back in that the plane from Gatwick to Kigali had only 19 passengers, yes, 19. Had my own loo! 7 folk in business, me in premium economy and 11 in economy, the latter were able to lie down properly as the seat arms went up....mine didn't but managed to get comfortable and slept a little. After deplaning only 2 of us ended flight in Kigali, the rest were in transit, When I saw the other passenger depart with his luggage I began to be concerned.....guess what, my cases left on plane, I imagine because in a separate area as not in business or transit. At Gatwick, as I had an overnight and several hours at the airport I put the luggage into Baggage Express, worth every penny not to struggle with heavy cases etc.
My friend Eric met me at Kigali and drove me home, then we went for a decent cooked breakfast at Java House, perfect after a night flight and I never want food when the crew wake you at an early hour. Spent the rest of the day unpacking and sorting and managed a snooze mid afternoon. Apollo came over and we went to the Japanese for dinner, he at last has his visa and leaves next week to begin studying for his PhD at a theological college in Belgium. The next day I had to shop for food of course, Bosco drove me as I wanted to go to the fresh veg and fruit market and it's awful parking there. We had no water at the house so Bosco set out with 5 jerrycans, he had to go 5K to find water....it's the end of the dry season. So there I was last weekend washing hair and self in a bucket, my 6 months in the convents taught me something. Thankfully after a day or so we got water again, also we have had heavy rain most afternoons this week. As happens in Portugal the grass is now greening almost instantly.
To the cathedral Sunday morning, Apollo came, bringing a friend with him, after the service we went to a local coffee shop with some of the young church folk and spent a very pleasant time chatting. Lent Apollo my umbrella to keep him cool, it was passed around. Pastoral care!!
The beginning of this week Eric and I spent reserving flights and travel insurance for him, photocopying what seemed like hundreds of documents etc for him to apply for a Schengen visa. Of course, my computer decided to play up, once again Apollo to the rescue and after a further 3 hours we had everything done. So Tuesday to the Belgium Embassy, there by 6.45 and Eric was 4th in line, everything appeared to be in order except I had put copies after each original.....they wanted originals in one pile and copies in another. Anyway we are hopeful the visa will be granted.
Then we drove to Musanze in my car to give it a decent run, visiting Eric's mum who's not well and enjoying dinner at my favourite place, 5 Volcanoes, it was quite chilly but soon became very pleasant with the charcoal burners alongside.
I stayed at Volcanoes View B and B which is run by a lady from Yorkshire and is very reasonable. We always find plenty to talk about! Am now in Kigali again, had a long meeting with the Bishop and Pastor Winnie yesterday to decide how to go about starting the Diakonia Ministry, so begin next Monday with an office at the cathedral, must get new notebook and sharpen my pencils!
Tomorrow to a far flung parish from Bugasera to attend Jean Paul's wedding, looking forward to that.
NB My car is looking great thanks to Kenneth and Apollo. Apollo has cared for me wonderfully I shall miss him.....I've been handed over to his brother David!
My friend Eric met me at Kigali and drove me home, then we went for a decent cooked breakfast at Java House, perfect after a night flight and I never want food when the crew wake you at an early hour. Spent the rest of the day unpacking and sorting and managed a snooze mid afternoon. Apollo came over and we went to the Japanese for dinner, he at last has his visa and leaves next week to begin studying for his PhD at a theological college in Belgium. The next day I had to shop for food of course, Bosco drove me as I wanted to go to the fresh veg and fruit market and it's awful parking there. We had no water at the house so Bosco set out with 5 jerrycans, he had to go 5K to find water....it's the end of the dry season. So there I was last weekend washing hair and self in a bucket, my 6 months in the convents taught me something. Thankfully after a day or so we got water again, also we have had heavy rain most afternoons this week. As happens in Portugal the grass is now greening almost instantly.
To the cathedral Sunday morning, Apollo came, bringing a friend with him, after the service we went to a local coffee shop with some of the young church folk and spent a very pleasant time chatting. Lent Apollo my umbrella to keep him cool, it was passed around. Pastoral care!!
The beginning of this week Eric and I spent reserving flights and travel insurance for him, photocopying what seemed like hundreds of documents etc for him to apply for a Schengen visa. Of course, my computer decided to play up, once again Apollo to the rescue and after a further 3 hours we had everything done. So Tuesday to the Belgium Embassy, there by 6.45 and Eric was 4th in line, everything appeared to be in order except I had put copies after each original.....they wanted originals in one pile and copies in another. Anyway we are hopeful the visa will be granted.
Then we drove to Musanze in my car to give it a decent run, visiting Eric's mum who's not well and enjoying dinner at my favourite place, 5 Volcanoes, it was quite chilly but soon became very pleasant with the charcoal burners alongside.
I stayed at Volcanoes View B and B which is run by a lady from Yorkshire and is very reasonable. We always find plenty to talk about! Am now in Kigali again, had a long meeting with the Bishop and Pastor Winnie yesterday to decide how to go about starting the Diakonia Ministry, so begin next Monday with an office at the cathedral, must get new notebook and sharpen my pencils!
Tomorrow to a far flung parish from Bugasera to attend Jean Paul's wedding, looking forward to that.
NB My car is looking great thanks to Kenneth and Apollo. Apollo has cared for me wonderfully I shall miss him.....I've been handed over to his brother David!
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