Christmas Carols.

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.