Whirlwind

When Araceli and I woke up yesterday we did not think we would be have lunch with all of the Bishop's of Malawi......but we did.

Yesterday (Saturday) was a quick morning.  We were invited to a parish to celebrate it's Diamond Jubilee, celebrating 75 years since the parish was established.  Although tired from the previous medical mission we decided we should go, and we were glad that we did. 

 

Arriving at Mass, the altar is in the distance

We carried a few people with us, a catechists, our cook and a villager.  When we got to the parish we strategically put the vehicle in the forest where it would be well out of any sunlight and then headed to the gathering.  We departed ways from the rest of our companions and started looking for a seat.  The only option we saw was for direct sunlight seating.  Being fair skinned I realized this would not be good for me so we looked for other options.  At this point we were grabbed by an usher and placed in covered seating about 10 feet from the altar to the East. 

As it so happened this is where the politicians were sitting along with all the priests.  So mass got underway, and it continued.....and continued.....and continued.....and finished.  But then there was fundraising afterwards.......and then speeches after that.....and then it really finished.  So 4 1/2 hours later we departed from our cramped seats all the too happy.  As we were going we wanted to greet Little E, Big E and a few other priests.  After greeting them all Little E grabbed us and told us we needed to eat something before we were on our way.

 

In our seats waiting for mass to start

So we went into the rectory and we ran into the Vicar there who was really surprised to see us and let out a big "Ahhhhhhhhhhh" when we saw us and we joked for a while.  he took us inside and showed us where the food was.  Once we dished up he led us into the living room and told us to sit.  We sat down and when I looked up I realized we were in a room filled with all of the Bishops and along with them was the Papal Representative (I am sure there is a more prestigious name).  So we sat and ate and chatted and then headed outside for a breather with Little E and chatted some more.

As we were leaving we ran into Father Mark whom took us to see Father Paul.  It was Father Paul's parish which we were celebrating at and we wanted to congratulate him and then be on our way.  Once we met him he pulled us into another room and we went and met the last of the Bishops who is quite a funny man and then met the representative of the President.  Wow, it was quite a day.

Once we finished that we headed back to home and once we reached here my plan was to have a cigar and then relax the rest of the day.  But my body had other ideas and I came inside and immediately fell asleep for some hours.  We spent the rest of the day chatting with Little E.

It is Sunday now and we celebrated morning mass in the Chapel and are now just cleaning.  I gave the dog a bath this morning and proceeded to remove a colony of fleas from it. 

 

Andrew running a day care

I write all of this in the aftermath of the medical mission which took place last week.  It was a small group which was here but we had a lot of fun and saw a lot of people.  Two of my childhood friends (Andrew & Maureen) came here on the mission which made it great.  We had a lot of fun together and it made me happy to see them. 

 

Andrew & Maureen being themselves

Andrew was kind enough to bring a box of cigars which we enjoyed after barbecuing a goat here.

All in all the last two weeks has been quite adventurous and tiresome.  We are looking forward to rest but will head back to work at Kasese tomorrow and hopefully we will be living there by tomorrow or Tuesday.