Now I have really arrived

Sunday 5^th May

I think that today was when I really arrived in Monze!

I started dropping off to sleep during the football – so I gave up at half time, had a shower and went to bed. I slept deeply until awoken by a call from Diven at 7hrs. I turned the phone off and went back to sleep. Breakfast was laid out and I helped myself.

After breakfast I went for stroll in the church grounds. It suddenly became very familiar and comfortable. Large Swallowtail butterflies flew around, as did the house sparrows, which are plentiful here. I think that our shortage in the UK is caused by the sparrows flying to Africa for a holiday and deciding they liked the place so much they stayed. The sky was cloudless blue and I again experienced the power of the African sun.(Just glancing at my arms now I see that already they have turned a few shades darker!) Some trees are in flower and I noticed some new banana plants in what is now the presbytery garden.

There is only one priest now serving Our Lady of the Wayside and today Fr. Clement was saying mass at a couple of “Out Stations” so instead of mass there was a Eucharistic Service. Although feeling a little guilty at not attending a mass on a Sunday I felt that I should join the community here for their service. The Deacon who presided over the service stays with Fr. Clement here at the presbytery.

Before, during and after mass parishioners greeted me. Everyone I meet here in Zambia tells me the same thing – people are struggling, they are hungry. It was good to see again some very well known faces.

Diven's early morning call - which I returned at a more decent hour – was to invite me to his place for lunch. So after my service I made my way to his home. I asked a parishioner the best way, but unfortunately – as well as other things - mentioned the crossroads. There is a place called “The Crossroads” so she took me by an interesting route through the compounds to “The Crossroads” - unfortunately this didn't help me reach the crossroads I needed to find! Those who know me are aware that my sense of direction is not the best. So not only did I not know where I was but I had no idea which way to go!! I headed off and found someone who seemed to know where I wanted to be – to be honest the person I asked passed me on to someone who spoke English who directed me back in the direction from where I had come.. I wish I could learn Chitonga and be able to converse with those around me. (Although to be honest here in Monze I would also need to learn, Nyanga, Bemba and Losi.) I can easily get by with English, but at least half the people I meet cannot speak English and there is a barrier between us. Anyway I found my bearings eventually and found Diven.

Since I last visited, Diven has a new baby – in fact now a small toddler called Ireen or her Chitonga name Lwendo – meaning more problems!! Paul is a big lad now but still very unsure of me. I tried to approach him and again he started crying. Lwendo on the other hand was happy to play games – we copied each other clapping and shaking our heads – I think we have hit it off. I hope Paul will come around eventually and realise I am not really very frightening.

Delia is not very well and is in a lot of pain walking. Diven has taken her to hospital both here and in Lusaka. He is now employing some help to clean and cook. Diven joined me in his house for a meal that had been prepared for me. We then both headed for Our Lady of the Wayside church and I passed on a few items that I had brought for him including a few photos.

Jennipher was due to meet me at 15hrs, but it was about 16hrs when she rang. I told her where I was but she misunderstood. It is easy to forget that Jennipher's first language is not English – it is probably her fifth or sixth!! and our accents are very different. Eventually we met. She had been both to the Curia and Cathedral before finding me here!

Her tale was similar to others and she admitted that sometimes she pretends she is out because she has nothing to offer the hungry people who knock at her door. I shall have to go to Pemba soon and hear first hand the challenges people are now facing.

After supper Fr.Clement took me, the Deacon and his brother to St. Kisito's where we were challenged by the local people to a pool competition. I think that the final score was Manugu 6 St. Kisito 4. We arrived back home just before midnight!

Best wishes,

 Chris