The Sun is Shining

Yes! I am back in Monze, the place which I have adopted as my second home.

I arrived just over a week ago, but it feels like I have never been away. I have been greeted by many friends , but this year there is one huge exception. Jennipher is no longer here to welcome me. In the past I could step of the bus and she would appear with a big hug to tell me that I was back home. This year I am greeted with – “I am so sorry” - referring to Jennipher's tragic death. She is greatly missed by so many.

My surprise visit this year was prompted by the need to provide support for Mrs. Sianga who has endured a very stressful and extremely difficult year. We are trying to see how we can ensure the future of PIZZ School. The second major purpose is to try to locate and meet with Jennipher's children. I hope that they too can have a secure future.

It didn't take long for word to get around that I was back in Monze. I was contacted by Henna in Lusaka as well as many in Monze. Brian came over to the petrol station, where I was passing through, to say hallo, Obert beeped at me from his taxi as I wandered down the main road, Ireen greeted me with her customary hug, Teddy caught me after church, Angelina spotted me at the market, Diven expected me and popped along to Truckers, where I am lodging and many others have greeted me as I wander around Monze.

It is so good to feel welcomed. In Cheltenham I can often walk through town without a single person saying hallo. That never happens in Monze. Many people say “hallo Chris how are you?” often followed by “when did you come? - Long time!” A lady this morning just said “Hallo white man how are you?”

Yesterday, when I was on my way to church, a man told me off for not greeting him. I apologised and we chatted a little. My mind has been preoccupied of late, but that is no excuse. On the way back he asked me if I had prayed for him. We agreed that respect for each other was so important.

My main mission in Monze is to develop friendships with the local people, built on the basis of mutual respect. I have learnt so much over the past 20 years. The more I learn, the more I realise that I don't understand. I am with people who live a world apart from me and not just in distance. I should not expect my friends here to see the world as I see it. In the UKwe come from a world of paperwork, of documents going back hundreds of years. Zambia was no doubt introduced to the written word by their 'colonial masters' - until then their tradition was oral. I don't pretend to understand how a Zambian thinks, but I try to respect the cultural differences and accept that many practices will surprise and perhaps shock me. On the other hand I feel at home with people who are warm, friendly and great fun to be around.

It is the rainy season, however so far I have been fortunate. It rained heavily on my first night, though I slept through it, having been travelling for more than 24 hrs. We had a heavy storm lasting an hour or more and a heavy shower, but I have been safely at home. The past few days have been dry and sunny. Yesterday was hot – exceeding 30ºC.

My faith is an important part of my life. I find comfort in the knowledge that my God is always near by and I often receive reminders in nature. In the UK I regard magpies as my angels – messengers from God to remind me of His presence. Here they don't have magpies, but they have black and white butterflies which I have christened magpie butterflies. On my first visit to PIZZ School I was welcomed by such a butterfly.

On my first visit to Our Lady of the Wayside church I was greeted by a flock of swifts. These are amazing birds. Our European swifts fly to Africa for for the winter (our winter) and return in the spring. Even more remarkable is that they might do 3 or more round trips after leaving the nest without alighting from their flight. Yesterday when I went to church I was met by a dozen or more brown dragonflies – I don't ever remember seeing them in such numbers. The dragonfly is another incredible one of God's creations. It spends 4 or 5 years crawling around in the mud at the bottom of ponds as a grey non de script creature and then one day climbs a reed and undergoes an amazing transformation into a flying beauty. The story of this transformation is sometimes used to explain to children the concepts of death and heaven. I watched this transformation many years ago over several hours and it is one of the most remarkable things that I have witnessed.

 

With love and prayers,

Chris

Trinity Sunday

                                                                The Papal Nuncio

Sunday 22^nd May

Today in the Catholic Church we celebrate the Trinity. This is the belief that God, though one, takes the form of three persons. In essence the Trinity is about relationship and particularly about love. The complex theology isn't important, but it makes sense to me that relationship and love is at the centre of our being. I think we all know that it is here that we find real joy and inner peace.

It was a very special occasion for the church in Monze because the Papal Nuncio was visiting – something that people could not previously remember. The nuncios are bishops who represents the pope throughout the world. This particular nuncio covers Zambia and Malawi.

We had just a single mass for Monze covering both the Sacred Heart Cathedral and Our Lady of the Wayside. Naturally with such a large gathering the mass was held outside.

Fr. Clement had told me on Saturday that I should arrive early so I decided to aim to be at the cathedral by 9.30 for the 10 hrs mass. At 9.15 I heard loud music coming from nearby. In fact I suspect most of Monze heard it! So I headed off in case the crowds were already growing. The music was indeed hymns booming out from a serious set of speakers!! I was impressed and a bit surprised that the church had such a system. It turned out that Radio Chikuni had come with their kit for the occasion.

It was a wonderful mass! The fact that much was in English helped me, but the joy was evident – and the fun. Men danced wielding spears and ladies waved branches as the choir, with beautiful harmonies led the congregation.

The Nuncio in his address referred to Pope Francis extolling people not to wear faces of mourning, but to wear “sunny” faces. There were many very sunny faces at the mass on Sunday.




 

                   Serious Speakers

At 2 ½ hours the mass was long enough, but for such an occasion here in Monze not excessive. I enjoyed it immensely and felt spiritually uplifted. We were challenged at the end of mass not to keep our faith for the occasional celebration, but to show it also in our daily lives. Here it is easier to be Christian. In the UK we are often dismissed as somehow out of touch, but more difficult is the constant ridicule that our faith is subjected to, particularly by the media. My faith is very important to me and without the support I believe I get from God, I couldn't live the life I do.

                                                                   Free-range pigs

I promised myself a bit of relaxation and particularly I wanted to revisit the dam, which regular readers will know is my favourite place to relax around Monze.

I pass Diven's shop on the way, so I said a brief hallo. When I reached the dam I was surprised that the water level was so high. I had expected it to be low after the poor rains, though I had been told that very heavy rain during the final week had made a difference. There were a few people around the lake and a couple of girls braved the cool water and waded in beyond their waists.


                            Water Lilies           

                                                                  

I noticed some water lilies – something I have not seen here before. I settled with my binoculars on the far side of the lake. A few piglets were strolling around the water's edge – I assume that they would make their way home when they were ready. (obviously free-range pigs!). There is a strange dragonfly like insect which I only see at the lake which has patches of black on transparent wings which gives the impression of rotor blades hardly attached to the body. There were few birds today. An African Jacanda browsed on a far bank and eventually a wide billed stork came in to land. A small flock of crowned lapwing disturbed the peace with their raucous calls and just before I started back a pied kingfisher flew in. He hovered in typical fashion with his head down and long beak vertical, ready to pounce on any unsuspecting fish. The kingfishers are reasonably common at the lake – though still a joy to see – it's a pity my camera is not good enough to get a good photo. However, I have yet to see one make a successful catch. I compare this with the few occasions when I spotted kingfishers at Slimbridge – there they are very successful fishers! As I left a group of four wide billed storks flew over the lake. These are unmistakable and I have remarked before that they look almost prehistoric.

Diven had prepared me a meal while I was relaxing, so I joined him before continuing my journey back home.

I decide to finish reading my Agatha Christie novel – one I can't remember reading previously.

Raymond came to have a chat. He has the ambition of coming to England next year with his fiancée. When I told him the costs he recognised what a challenge it would be – not to mention to difficulty in obtaining a visa!!







                                                                                                             My Bathroom Spider

Before turning in, I thrashed the computer at backgammon! There seem to be certain situations where it cannot cope! In the end it lost the plot and allowed me to pick up a maximum 192 points!

I must confess a few human players also find my unorthodox tactics difficult to deal with!

With much love and prayers,

Chris

                                                               My Garden Cat