The Archbishop

Well what a weekend it has been.  It is only now on Monday night that I can post this, I have been too busy before.  This story goes all the way back to Saturday.

Saturday the priests and I awoke at 5:00 in the morning for departure to Lilongwe at 6:00.  We were going to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the sisters of the Medical Missionaries of Mary in Lilongwe.  So mass was at 10 and it takes 2 hours to get there.

So Father Stephen and Little E took one car and Big E and I took another one.  Well about 10 minutes out there were problems so we had to turn back and get another car.  Well this car worked and we were on our way. .......2 hours later we arrived at the sister's house where they had tea, bread and jam waiting for us.  This made me very happy.

This was a very big mass and was referred to as a jubilee.  I met all the sisters beforehand and they were just wonderful.  The mission started out of Ireland and a few of the sisters were Irish which was nice to see.  To say it was a big event is underplayed.  There were 12 priests, 2 bishops and the Archbishop to celebrate mass.  

After Mass had finished Big E and I left and went over to Teresa's house.  Teresa has four girls and she had declared that I am part of her family now.  I brought some different gifts for the girls and was somehow able to give them to them amiss the barrage of questions.

So here I am with the 4 girls.

We finished up at Teresa's house at 4 and headed home.  We got back at 6 and I was dead tired, so I ate and just went to sleep.

The next day we had to wake up early again because the Archbishop was making a visit out to Kalembe where the other parish is.  And since he was visiting on Sunday he was going to celebrate mass.

This time it was just Big E, Timeyo and I who went out there.  When we got there we toured the newly finished rectory which was very nice.  Then the Archbishop pulled up.

Well I was not prepped on the formalities beforehand......so when we went up to meet him people were bowing and kissing and saying all these different words.  Well when it was my turn to greet the Archbishop I just threw out my hand with a smile and shook his and we greeted each other.

The Archbishop then took a tour of the entire village including the rectory.  While walking around the village we got to talk a bit about who I was and what I did, he seemed to be interested.

We finally got around to mass and went to celebrate it.  Well 3 hours later we finished and it was time for lunch.  But we had to take a few pictures first.  So we finished that up and headed for lunch.

When we got there everyone let the Archbishop go first while I took a seat on the sidelines.  But as I was sitting there, Father Livinus told me to grab a plate and dish up.  Dish up behind the Archbishop.....well alright.

As I finished, Big E told me to take a seat next to the Archbishop.  So I sat down next to him and we proceeded to talk about all sorts of things for the next 45 minutes.

Here is another one of the Archbishop talking with Big E and Father Livinus

We finished up eating with speeches from both Big E and the Archbishop.  And then proceeded to say our goodbyes and as my turn came around the Archbishop came up to me and shook my hand and told me, "Please come out to my cottage by the lake so we can have some coffee and tea."  I told him that would not be a problem.

After the Archbishop left we hopped in the car and headed back to Bowe.  It was not a very fun ride but we made it and I had to sit back with a cold one for a while.

Now it is Monday night and we have been working on the clinic all day and running to different schools to check on sponsored children.

I am preparing for next week when a group is coming from the US to do health clinics.  We will spend 3 days out in the villages and 3 days in Bowe.