Well today has started well, I've just deleted what I had written....twice!!!
Very excited on Friday the 1st to receive an SMS saying my police clearance certificate was ready to collect on Monday morning. So off to the Dept of Public Prosecutions and after a bit of hassle about my passport I headed to Immigration clutching certificate safely. Only 17 people ahead of me but eventually it's my turn, I hand all my prepared docs over...oh, you don't need that says the man discarding my criminal clearance!!! So then to another room and another queue, no chairs and I'm flagging. photocopy all docs and pay for the visa with the Mobi Cash lady. But of course, as people keep chipping in when immigration men are dealing with you my man had left a zero of the amount I had to pay. So back to the computer...by this time I'd lost the will and was so tired I couldn't even enter my name! However MobiCash lady assisted and I eventually after a mere 3 hours dropped the application in the correct box. When will I get my passport back I asked....end of the week, come Friday says my man.
I'll fast forward now to Friday....I leave work early to get to immigration in good time for the visa collection session. 24 ahead of me. an hour or so later, yippee my turn, before I open my mouth the Friday man said...they're not ready come back Tuesday. Oh I can't do that I said I fly next week, the other man said I could have it today. Go and sit over there he says....thankfully a free seat and I had my kindle....3 hours later though my passport with further 2 year visa is handed over. Happiness.
Before I return to the weekend I must tell you that on Wednesday I drove south towards Huye, where Jean Paul was at University, all the pastors of the Anglican Province in Rwanda were in retreat in Shyogwe Diocese. Theo came with me to show the way. So, I had most of the pastors in Kigali Diocese in one place and was able to give everyone the letter I'd prepared about the Diakonia Ministry and what the plan is for 2018.
But now back to Friday and the beginning of what was billed as a Weekend of Carols, I arrived at the Cathedral in good time to ensure a parking space. I climbed the steps to the main doors and greeted a couple of friends, when......I glanced inside........dear readers, especially those of you who are Anglican church goers....can you imagine my reaction when I saw the Advent purple had been removed and replaced with Christmastide white and gold....and Christmas Trees!!! With astonishing restraint I uttered not a syllable. It does have to be said though that in the ensuing days I heard from a number of unhappy folk so it's not just me.
Anyway the initial carol evening was ok, not what I'm used to, rather like Songs of Praise big sing with different artistes. One young man absolutely mesmerizing, singing as he played a traditional instrument the name of which I don't know. Being more than tired I slipped out at the service was drawing to a close and drove very carefully home.
Decided to have a quiet day Saturday and not attend that night's carol event but of course went Sunday morning, taking Apo and Anastaze with me as the service was to be in both languages. It was quite good with readings and carols in both English and Kinyawanda projected so we could use which we preferred. Of course I carolled enthusiastically in English with the words I know, not those reworked by our chums across the Atlantic.
I was amused with the 3rd verse of O come all ye faithful.....the first line of which was Sing choirs of angles....well, as an Angle of many years I gave it my all!
Now I'm up to date with this blog, nearly got all my work done, I'm packed and ready to leave on Thursday night. Have a busy 2 weeks ahead so in case I don't post anything for a while I'll wish you a very Happy Christmas and a Blessed New Year.
Monday, 11 December 2017
Confirmations
Phew! We've had a lot of church the past 3 Sundays.
On the first Sunday there was a marathon being held to raise funds and awareness of diabetes and dialysis, unfortunately this meant we couldn't get out of our street after 7am. So ever resourceful we got up early and left the house at ten to seven, drove across town to the Marriott and had delicious lattes and danish,....yum. Should do this more often.
Then to Kanyinya for the 9 o'clock service start, it was a quick run and we arrived really early. Jen and Marina decked out in their new clothes. The archdeacons arrived, the Bishop arrived, but no sign of the car with Pastor Winnie and Dorcas (Pastor Cedric's wife) They had been held up with road works which had appeared after the rest of us passed through, eventually arriving at 10!
It was a joy to see the cross dedicated to Cynthia's brother Ron, on the wall of the pastor's house at present until we get walls on the church.
So the worship team kept going for an hour without flagging, they have stamina. The Bishop confirmed 19 folk including a number of teens which is such a blessing. A fter the service we were treated to lunch which was very good, we tried the cassava root which was a little like a parsnip. We then dashed back to the cathedral for a praise and worship concert due to start at 2.30, but the time had been changed to 3pm without notification, but not a problem, am used to this!
Dear reader, you can imagine my surprise on entering the cathedral to find the seasonal church colours had changed from green to purple, a week before Advent. I wasn't too pleased about it, but managed to keep my mouth shut after my first startled comment!
Well we had a lot of singing and dancing, Theo said he video'd it but I said not to show it to anyone! The 'concert' lasted 3 and a half hours! I confess we didn't stay for tea after but headed to The Hut for dinner.
Jenny and Marina had just 3 full days before an early flight back to Europe on the Thursday, so just Melissa and me in the house. Very quiet.
Next weekend it was Baptisms on the Saturday and Confirmations Sunday. Apo and her son Anastaze were both baptized and confirmed.
So the first service started an hour late, Melissa and I left after the actual baptism, collected Catrin and went tothe Convention Centre for a big Christmas Fair featuring local artisans, it was very good. On the way to take Catrin home we diverted to see the church where I've been posted form January 1st. It looked very nice from the outside.
Melissa took me to dinner at the local top Indian restaurant, walkable distance which is very good and the food was absolutely delicious.
Sunday another early start as we had to divert due to the road closures for sport participation. Apo and Anastaze came with us and sat through the English service, 6 confirmed, then Melissa and I stayed for the Kinyawanda service....several more hours.
Melissa and I were going out for lunch, but the rain was so heavy we couldn't venture out.....so a late lunch after 3pm at The Hut. Melissa was on a late flight, 2am that night, so after falling asleep whilst watching a movie for about the 3rd night in a row, I stayed up to say good bye. House doubly quiet now!!
On the first Sunday there was a marathon being held to raise funds and awareness of diabetes and dialysis, unfortunately this meant we couldn't get out of our street after 7am. So ever resourceful we got up early and left the house at ten to seven, drove across town to the Marriott and had delicious lattes and danish,....yum. Should do this more often.
Then to Kanyinya for the 9 o'clock service start, it was a quick run and we arrived really early. Jen and Marina decked out in their new clothes. The archdeacons arrived, the Bishop arrived, but no sign of the car with Pastor Winnie and Dorcas (Pastor Cedric's wife) They had been held up with road works which had appeared after the rest of us passed through, eventually arriving at 10!
It was a joy to see the cross dedicated to Cynthia's brother Ron, on the wall of the pastor's house at present until we get walls on the church.
So the worship team kept going for an hour without flagging, they have stamina. The Bishop confirmed 19 folk including a number of teens which is such a blessing. A fter the service we were treated to lunch which was very good, we tried the cassava root which was a little like a parsnip. We then dashed back to the cathedral for a praise and worship concert due to start at 2.30, but the time had been changed to 3pm without notification, but not a problem, am used to this!
Dear reader, you can imagine my surprise on entering the cathedral to find the seasonal church colours had changed from green to purple, a week before Advent. I wasn't too pleased about it, but managed to keep my mouth shut after my first startled comment!
Well we had a lot of singing and dancing, Theo said he video'd it but I said not to show it to anyone! The 'concert' lasted 3 and a half hours! I confess we didn't stay for tea after but headed to The Hut for dinner.
Jenny and Marina had just 3 full days before an early flight back to Europe on the Thursday, so just Melissa and me in the house. Very quiet.
Next weekend it was Baptisms on the Saturday and Confirmations Sunday. Apo and her son Anastaze were both baptized and confirmed.
Apo being baptized
So the first service started an hour late, Melissa and I left after the actual baptism, collected Catrin and went tothe Convention Centre for a big Christmas Fair featuring local artisans, it was very good. On the way to take Catrin home we diverted to see the church where I've been posted form January 1st. It looked very nice from the outside.
Melissa took me to dinner at the local top Indian restaurant, walkable distance which is very good and the food was absolutely delicious.
Sunday another early start as we had to divert due to the road closures for sport participation. Apo and Anastaze came with us and sat through the English service, 6 confirmed, then Melissa and I stayed for the Kinyawanda service....several more hours.
Melissa and I were going out for lunch, but the rain was so heavy we couldn't venture out.....so a late lunch after 3pm at The Hut. Melissa was on a late flight, 2am that night, so after falling asleep whilst watching a movie for about the 3rd night in a row, I stayed up to say good bye. House doubly quiet now!!
Friday, 1 December 2017
Heading North
Monday 20th all feeling somewhat wan we took it easy, Eric arrived at 12 on the dot and we set off for Musanze. A very pleasant drive, stopping at what I call the blue place in Rulindo. Here there are restaurants, snack bars, and my favourite goat brochette....yes a little tough at times, and the best potatoes in their skins cooked over charcoal you'll ever taste.
Arriving in Musanze we went directly to the fabric market where Eric bargained manfully for me to get a decent price. Jenny and Marina had bought fabric already, then a quick trip to the tailor to order garments....these would be ready for Wednesday afternoon. Then to see Eric's new house which is looking rather good and he's bought some snazzy furniture. I think he'll have to rent it out though to raise some more money. We met Janette his girlfriend, they're getting married in January.
Settled ourselves into the B and B, dinner at Mingano, huge portions, not licenced!
Early start the following morning as Jenny and Marina were trecking the Golden Monkeys which they thoroughly enjoyed, I sat in the car and got a considerable amount of notes onto the laptop.
Then to my favourite hotel in the area...the 5 Volcanoes for lunch.
And then to the cultural village where Marina was carried as a bride to be wed to her betrothed!
It's a good place to visit as I've mentioned before, the people involved are ex poachers and now very aware of teaching about the environment. And I have to say my visitors were worse at shooting with bow and arrows than I was on my visit.
Wednesday we went to Ros Carr's house, again the ladies enjoyed the tour. Then to Lake Kivu, lunch at Tam Tam's, a paddle, and boat trip to Congo border.
Collected our clothes from the tailor and had a fashion show!
So Thursday had a leisurely start, and after I took some left over fabric to the tailor to have another top made we went to Lake Ruhonda, another boat ride to the resort on an island where we enjoyed a nice cold Primus and a brochette and very good chips! We made it back to the mainland just in time. We'd been watching the black clouds approaching for some time. So a very wet drive south on tarmac, then 18 k on muddy roads, although we'd driven out of the rain and arrived at the Sorwathe Tea plantation and factory about 5 for a welcome cup of tea. We had a very nice dinner sitting outside with a fire pot blazing away to keep the chill at bay. The following morning after breakfast Jenny and Marina embarked on the tour of the tea factory, which again they found very interesting and enjoyable, sadly by the end it was tipping it down again so they didn't get good pics. Off to Kigali, stopping once more for brochette and potato.
Good to be home again and chill.
Arriving in Musanze we went directly to the fabric market where Eric bargained manfully for me to get a decent price. Jenny and Marina had bought fabric already, then a quick trip to the tailor to order garments....these would be ready for Wednesday afternoon. Then to see Eric's new house which is looking rather good and he's bought some snazzy furniture. I think he'll have to rent it out though to raise some more money. We met Janette his girlfriend, they're getting married in January.
Settled ourselves into the B and B, dinner at Mingano, huge portions, not licenced!
Early start the following morning as Jenny and Marina were trecking the Golden Monkeys which they thoroughly enjoyed, I sat in the car and got a considerable amount of notes onto the laptop.
Then to my favourite hotel in the area...the 5 Volcanoes for lunch.
And then to the cultural village where Marina was carried as a bride to be wed to her betrothed!
It's a good place to visit as I've mentioned before, the people involved are ex poachers and now very aware of teaching about the environment. And I have to say my visitors were worse at shooting with bow and arrows than I was on my visit.
Wednesday we went to Ros Carr's house, again the ladies enjoyed the tour. Then to Lake Kivu, lunch at Tam Tam's, a paddle, and boat trip to Congo border.
Eric and Janette
It seemed strange to us that Janette who had lived in Musanze for 3 years whilst at uni, hadn't thought of catching a bus and visiting Lake Kivu. This was her first visit beyond Musanze
Blue roof building in DR Congo
So Thursday had a leisurely start, and after I took some left over fabric to the tailor to have another top made we went to Lake Ruhonda, another boat ride to the resort on an island where we enjoyed a nice cold Primus and a brochette and very good chips! We made it back to the mainland just in time. We'd been watching the black clouds approaching for some time. So a very wet drive south on tarmac, then 18 k on muddy roads, although we'd driven out of the rain and arrived at the Sorwathe Tea plantation and factory about 5 for a welcome cup of tea. We had a very nice dinner sitting outside with a fire pot blazing away to keep the chill at bay. The following morning after breakfast Jenny and Marina embarked on the tour of the tea factory, which again they found very interesting and enjoyable, sadly by the end it was tipping it down again so they didn't get good pics. Off to Kigali, stopping once more for brochette and potato.
Good to be home again and chill.
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