All Saints + All Saints = a lot of saints!

Well, here I am back in Rwanda, enjoyed a splendid 2 weeks in the UK and managed to see most of the family.  We had an early Christmas dinner on the 17th before Wil left for Mozambique the following day and Jack headed off to New York for Christmas.  Rhonwen travelled from Norwich to Hereford that day to spend just one night with me, it was great to have a good 'catch up', she left the next day, and after I'd had my hair seen to Sarah drove me to Bournemouth to see my sister and family. The next day we set off on the return trip to Hereford stopping at Tesco in Shaftsbury to buy another turkey etc ready for Christmas day dinner....we did contemplate having something different but the familiar won!
Wednesday we looked after the twins as Giv was working and took them to the garden centre, always popular as there are fish to look at.  Thursday  another splendid day; train to Birmingham, met up with Angela, potter around the German Market and a quick mulled wine.   Then to Purnells where we collected Kaye and Emily and enjoyed the most delicious and perfect lunch, well it does have a Michelin star .  When I said I enjoyed watching Glynn on Saturday Kitchen from the middle of Africa he just had to have his pic taken with us.

Left Kaye and Em in a bit of a rush as Angela, Sarah and I went to the Jersey Boys at the theatre, brilliant as ever....Sarah and I had seen it on Broadway, it's such a good show.  Friday I had a flu jab and then took the boys to see Santa, Max brave, Lincoln hid in mummy! 

Saturday we went to the Festival of Lessons and Carols at Hereford Cathedral, bliss.  So Christmas Eve we went to church 3 times!  Morning service, Blessing the Crib to which we took Max and Lincoln, Max quite interested until he discovered a toy corner!  The service lasted about 20 minutes which is perfect with little ones who are not used to church yet.  Then Sarah and I went to Midnight Mass

So to the big event, Christmas , which was reasonably chaotic as you'd expect, and little boys who wanted to unwrap everyone's pressies. The rest of the week was quite quiet thankfully as I prepared for my return to Kigali. 
You'll be glad to know that Tim and Tinker have settled in at Sarah's ok, although Tink still somewhat demented...they're not keen on Win the dog when he visits.

Kigali
So, a good trip back Bristol-Amsterdam, overnight in airside hotel, then to Kigali, and Bosco met me so soon arrived at the house. But oh dear a fuse had blown and the fridge was off, how long I don't know but I had to bin and clean it straight away.Being somewhat innovative I ran an extension in from the lounge and got fridge working again

Now I can fill you in on my new post.  I had to tell Sarah before going public.  The Bishop has put me in charge of the English service at a parish church across the city.   Naturally I shall work with the senior pastor who thankfully will handle all the legalities incurred when you are incumbent, as well as heading up the English service I shall be involved with the Kinyawanda service and anything else that crops up.

Must take a better pic, usually holds about 350 folk  with more chairs if needed.

Hence, the day after I arrived back we had the handover which lasted over 3 hours plus 1 hr travelling total and African timekeeping.  Sunday I went to Morning service at the cathedral, but stayed home in the evening when the watchnight service was on as I didn't fancy driving around Kigali in the early hours, also it was a filthy night with heavy rain for hours.
New Year's Day: English service at new parish, told to be there before 8....I was but no-one else!  Anyway eventually got started. and then archdeacon arrived and we had Kinyawanda service and Pastor Josias and I were inducted, glad to get home after 6 hours.

Tuesday, a meeting with the lay leadership of the church....4 hours! and all in Kinyawanda!
Then Wednesday a meeting with another group, or was that Thursday?  I have no idea!
Anyway the rest of the week I've been working at the cathedral on the Diakonia Ministry and nearly have that sorted. Tomorrow I'm preaching at the English service, assisting at the Kinyawanda, then we have a council meeting....how long I wonder!  Then to Cathedral for evening service and there is apparently a pastors' fellowship gathering to attend.  As it's the first Sunday in the month the main roads are closed from 7am so I shall have to leave the house at 6.30, I'll go to the Marriott for a coffee and Danish before heading to Rebero Church.

Marcie was supposed to arrive back tomorrow for a couple of weeks but her flight was cancelled due to the polar vortex, and she won't get here now till Wednesday.

Why the equation title of this post?  Well, having left All Saints in the Algarve, I find my new church is All Saints also.  Coincidence?