The Consecration of Bishop Moses

Sunday 4^th May

It was a big day for Monze yesterday. The Catholic Diocese of Monze celebrated to consecration of its new Bishop Moses Hamungole. I am sure that in the UK this would be a significant event purely for the Catholic church of that region, but here it is national news, broadcast on the national TV station.

I was told I should be at the ground where the event was being held at 9 hrs – an hour before the event was due to start. I suspected that as usual no one would arrive much before the start time and that we would br underway at 10.30 or 11 hrs.

Raymond called for me at about 8.30 and we sat drinking tea and coffee till about 9 hrs. The ground is very close to where I am living and we started to hear singing as buses and pick-ups passed by, while we were still in the house. When we emerged there was a steady flow of cars, buses, pick-ups etc. all heading for the ceremony. I haven't seen such traffic in Monze before!!

A large piece of ground was being used to stage the gathering. Several areas of seating were arranged – some under cover. I decided I needed to find shade since I expected the ceremony to be long. I therefore found myself a seat. Later it transpired that all the undercover seating was reserved, so I moved to the edge and stood where I could still get the benefit of some shelter from the sun.

It seemed that the organisers underestimated the crowd numbers – they catered for 4,000 wanting to receive the eucharist, but very many were disappointed. It's possible that there were close to 10,000 people attending the mass.

The consecration followed the form of a Catholic Mass with a few additional features – notably the ordination and consecration of the new bishop. The main celebrant for the mass was the outgoing Bishop of Monze Emilio Patriarca. He has been unwell during the past few months, having very recently returned from South Africa where he underwent surgery. He was not well enough to participate in the recent Easter services. It was therefore wonderful to see him take this major role – despite being a little unsteady.

In attendance were 11 bishops and the Apostilic Nuncio to Zambia and Malawi (who has the status of a cardinal) I couldn't count the number of priests!! Various dignatories attended including many politicians, though President Sata wasn't present.

There were a number of processions – starting with the priests, bishops and bishop elect. These were led by dancers in tradition fashion. I couldn't help comparing this entrance with what I would expect in the UK. The people of Monze certainly know how to give a rousing welcome. The drumming, singing, dancing and waving reaching a crescendo and then was raised to yet another level, this was repeated several times as the choir led the congregation in welcoming the new bishop.

The service included a brief history of the Diocese and the decree announcing the election of the bishop by Pope Francis, was read. I was moved by the fact that Pope Francis refers to himself as the servant of the servants of God and he spoke of the special place that Africa has in the heart of the church. I was also pleased that this document was also read in Chitonga, as were some of the other important texts of the service (including the homily!) even if it did add to the duration of the service.

The ordination and consecration were moving and dignified parts of the mass performed mainly by Bishop Emilio.

The service finished with words from several of the bishops, including a very moving speech from Bishop Emilio where he thanked the people of Monze for showing him their love. He has obviously become very attached to the people of this diocese and is much loved by them.

Bishop Moses thanked the people for the welcome and promised to work alongside the people to carry out God's work.

The final blessing was given at 15 hrs having started the service promplty promptly at 10 hrs. I think that for me this is a new record!

I decide not to stay to watch the presentation of gifts, but to retreat to my house with Jennipher who had joined us for this celebration, though like many others she does not attend the Catholic Church. It is always good to have the support of other denominations and faiths and this was acknowledged during the service.

I was glad to see Sr Christeta at the mass – she asked after Dilys who worked closely with her in 2011 and invited me to visit her where she now stays. I will have my work cut out to get everywhere that I have been invited, but I want to try!!

Jennipher left as Raymond joined me for a coffee and after he left Diven arrived in time for supper.

Sometimes people ask me whether I am lonely – as you can see I had almost consatnt company yesterday from 8.30 to 20.30! This might be rather more than usual, but it is rarer for me to have no visitors during a day!!

I did a bit of cleaning and washing before mass this morning. I usually wake at dawn 6 hrs! – possibly because Godfrey (night watchman) sweeps the yard at this time each morning!

After a short service (only 2 hrs!) Joseph caught me outside the church. He used to be the director of HHI in Monze and we met last year. He invited me to his village – Gwembe to look around and meet some of the people. It is a place where there is a significant group of people who have contracted leprosy – a disease that still is not entirely wiped out here in Zambia. Joseph has worked with HHI to establish some projects in this village, but says there is a lot more that needs to be done. I warned him that I was unlikely to be able to help but would be interested to vist what he describes as a forgotten part of Zambia.

I just had time for a couple of sandwiches before going to join St. Veronica's Small Christian Community for prayers. I didn't get a chance to arrange for someone to meet me and managed to get hopelessly lost. A guy with another prayer group called me over. He said he worked with Maluti – the man with the scales. He wanted to talk to me! I let him have my number and no doubt he will be in touch before long – I will listen but I am unlikely to go beyond that. He said that he had been trying to meet up with me and felt the Lord must have sent me – it was certainly a strange route I on which I had been led and I was about to give up and go home. I turned around and was greeted by friends from St. Veronica's on the way to the prayer meeting. They guided me nearby where 'section prayers' were about to take place.

I was keen to see the wife of a friend who is serving some time in prison. I am going to Mazabuka tomorrow to extend my visitors permit and hoped that I could pay a vist to Mazabuka prison while I was there. She was at the prayer meeting. I discussed this proposition and she will go along with me tomorrow morning.

Tomorrow Jennipher should receive the news about her visa – please pray that, if it is right, she will be given the chance to pay us a visit in the UK.

With much love and prayers,

Chris

Out of Town

Friday 2^nd May

There have been clear blue cloudless skies for the past few days - unbroken sunshine from 6.10 when the sun rises to 5.50 when it sets!

When I am at the house I spend most of my time sitting under the covered veranda enjoying the fresh air and looking out into the garden. I have an electric socket so I can continue to use the laptop and the internet.

Yesterday afternoon Charles and Precious took me out to see the solar pump installed for a support group beyond Manungu, Mr & Mrs. Sianga joined us.. It was good to get away from the town for a while. Mrs. Sianga has told me that I need to visit a rural area to understand the real hardship of the people there – Jennipher and others tell me life is much harder in the 'villages'. Here a villlage is where the houses are far apart and people live off the land. Jennipher told me today that she was taken out to a 'village' and left to make her way back with a bike – cycling and walking it took her three days! A village is not a cluster of houses as we know it in the UK, but a remote area.. I have said that I will make time to pay a visit whenever Mrs. Sianga is free to take me.

We were invited to sit down - the people remembered me from previous visits, though of course I couldn't be sure who I had met previously. Warren, who runs the group, arrived a little later and gave us a tour of the plot. He is busy replacing some trees with fruit trees – including avacados. I told him about guacamole and promised a recipe! He will leave the existing trees until the new ones have grown sufficiently to take their place – he doesn't want to have bare land at any point. He has started growing some chinese mustard plants which he says are in much demand and fetch a good price. The solar pump is working OK, but the water level in the well is very low at a time of year when it should be high. He fears that by August or September this year it will dry up. He already has a plan to deepen the well.

The maize crop looks good. Unlike many other maize crops this year, his maize seeds are big and it looks like the harvest will be OK. A new brick storage silo has been built. Charles sounded incredulous when Warren assured him that it would hold the equivalent of 100 bags of maize. I think I would back Warren he seems to be on top of the business here.

After our tour we sat down to resume eating boiled groundnuts and talk. We heard about Mrs. Siangas grandfather who had 16 wifes and so many grandchildren that when his farm was inherited there was not a lot to go around! I met Deana – no not the volunteer who went out with Hands Around the World, but a little girl - her namesake!

I can't remember when I first visted this support group, but Jennipher brought me out some years back. I talked to Warren and it was clear that, unlike many, this had a good chance of becoming a self-sustaining group, if they could make better use of the water supply. They had a well and even a tank, but no means of getting the water to the tank. In 2012 Deana (this time the volunteer) visited with Jennipher and has since established a small charity – 'Friends of Monze' – and managed to obtain funding for a solar pump and the necssary associated piping.

On the way back we visited the Sianga's new house into which they are about to move. It is what is now the outskirts of Monze – when I arrived in 2003 it would have been green fields – well in fact more brown ground and bush - but in the midst of the country anyway. Monze has greatly expanded over the past few years. The Siangas have a bit of land with the house and it is being well used with a large number of ochra plants that are well advanced. I was told that the art is to time the crops for when there is a ready market – apparently when the ocra is ripe there will be no competition. It will then be replaced with tomatoes. There is a small building on the site which they said could be my house next year!

I was given some groundnuts by Warren and had already forgotten to bring them twice by the time I had my lift home – I then left them in Mr. Sianga's car when they dropped me off! Today they were returned once more to me!!

I asked Mrs. Sianga if she would call briefly today to talk about the programme for the holiday club. I didn't realise that I had any ideas myself, but by the time she appeared with her husband, I had put together a few thoughts and we mulled them over and agreed an outline plan.

Apparently one of Mrs. Sainga's uncles (you might recall there were probably many!) owned this property at one time. They were interested in the changes that had been made since those days.

Jennipher arrived during our discussions and joined us. After they left she told me that she had a phone call asking her to go to Lusaka on Monday to pick up her documents. Apparently they tried to call her on Wednesday but couldn't contact her. I was surprised because I am meant to have been kept informed of progress. I was told that I would be sent an e-mail with details when the passport has been returned to Lusaka. It is a very quick turnaround and I am surprised ny the lack of a confirmatory e-mil.

Please keep up the prayers and lets hope that there is good news for us on Monday.

Tomorrow the new Bishop will be consecrated, please pray that he will be a good shepherd for the people of Monze Diocese.

With love and prayers.

Chris

Arrival of the New Bishop

Wednesday 30^th April

There was great excitement in Monze today with the arrival of the new bishop elect.

Yesterday I had arranged a couple of appointments. Precious and Charles were coming to see me to tell me a bit more about their groups. Charles works for the Danish Institute of Human Rights as the National adviser for Zambia. Precious is in charge of a small organisation that focuses on women's rights and together they are fighting to change some of the attitudes that have been present here in Zambia. If necessary they fight the cases in court.

In the afternoon I visited Buntolo where they provide support to orphaned children and try to support the guardians by selling goods they have made – bags, aprons, necklaces and baskets. I will add a photo or two – I usually bring a few goods home with me and am always interested if anyone is keen to buy them! They have a lot of problems finding a market.

On the way home from Buntolo I popped into the hospital and re-introduced myself to the doctor who has taken on the position as Director. He seems keen for me to revive the stores stock control system! I would need to be convinced that it would be properly maintained before I invested much more time on the project. However, I agreed to discuss it with Teddy and am happy to demonstrate the system – it just happens that I have a copy of the system with me!!

There is always plenty to do on the computer – checking through records and writing reports – but I am also going through a few books! I think it is a blessing that the telivision picture is so poor!

My landlady came around this morning while I was busy on the computer. She recognised me as having been around over the years, but hadn't put two and two together to realise who her tenant was. We chatted for a while and she said that she would bring a few extra chairs, more crockery and cutlery. She added that I should to let her know if there was anything I needed. As the day progressed the cleaner arrived with a succession of goodies.

I popped out to get some bread and managed also to pick up a large box of Boko cornflakes and more teabags – the two most essential items on my shopping list. Unfortunately I also need vast quantities of milk to go with them and all these items cost rather more than in the UK.Still the fruit and vegetables compensate. Last night I put together a guacomole dip using a lovely fresh and large avocardo bought a few yards from my house for equivalent of 25p.

At 15 hrs the new bishop (elect) was due in Monze. He was met at the stadium – at the far end of the high street – by a crowd, who escorted his car with dancing and drumming. Mounted police (the first I have seen in Monze) made sure the crowds around the cathedral kept in the right place. Eventually the procession reached the church and Fr. Moses entered with a large number of the local priests. He has spent the past few years in Rome, but he was brought up in Kafue – between Monze and Lusaka.

I thought that it was unlikely that a new bishop would receive a huge welcome as he came to a town in the UK. Fr. Moses will be consecrated as Bishop of Monze at a celebration on Saturday.

The church was full and I stayed just outside to listen to the addresses and prayers. For Zambia the ceremony was very short and before 16 hrs it was over and people were moving off after exchanging greetings. There were quite a number of people I knew including some from Our Lady of the Wayside and many of the local priests.

Chris

The joys of shopping

Monday 28^th April

Its good to be cooking again. To get the groceries I wander around the market and visit the small grocery shops and stalls. I meet a lot of people in this way. There are some here who have cars and then, as in the UK, tend to use them to go everywhere. With a little money you can employ a cook and a cleaner and they will sort out your food. They miss so much!!

I went into town with a spring in my step. The lady with a beatifully set up stall sold me some kapenta (small dried fish). I remarked that her stall was as beautiful as ever. She sells mainly beans and kapenta. The beans as well as being insmall containers measuring the different quantities are laid according to colour on the table and make a very effective display – I must ask if I can take a photo.

I needed some chitenges for the bag tidies and found a stall with a good variety. I chose a few traditional patterns – though knowing the material would not be manufactured anywhere remotely local!!

My next task was to buy some mayonnaise – essential for egg mayonaise sandwiches – a favourite with Jennipher. I have great problems with Nestle products. I haven't forgiven them for persuading poor and vulnerable people from giving up breast milk for their powdered variety many years ago. I have no reason to believe that their ethics have improved . So if at all possible I avoid their products. Cross and Blackwell is now owned by Nestle and it is very difficult to buy any other mayonaise in Monze. I had tried at least ten shops and was about to give up when I spotted some Nigo mayonaise – the main thing is it isn't Nestle – so they get my custom! I thanked the other shopkeepers with Twalumba to varying degrees of amusement. I bought a few boiled eggs from some young lads – as always I have mixed feelings. They should be at school not seeling eggs – but if no one buys their eggs they and their families will probably go hungry.

A few bananas, nachas (like a green skinned tangerine, but ripe inside) and an avocado pear – I already picked up some peanut butter – so I am fully equipped – well would have been if I remembered the bread!

As I passed a stall a couple of guys called me over. I went to see what they wanted. They asked me what I was doing and I said I had been shopping. It was interesting for them to know that I cooked for myself - “what about your wife”. I explained that for many years I did most of the cooking at home as well. One of the lads told me he was called Dugo, the other I am afraid had a name I cannot recall. I enjoy the banter with the local people. They are good fun and we almost always part with broad smiles on our faces.

Of course I am approached every day by people who want money. A guy yesterday said his house was broken into and everything stolen, he begged for a little and had a few items. He needed food for his family. My inclination is to put my hand in my pocket and help out. However, this happens everyday and often several times a day. The stories are harrowing and probably most are perfectly true. However, I cannot feed the whole of Monze and if I start giving to complete strangers I suspect word will quickly spread. It will also become worse for other visitors. Of course I could do less walking and shopping, but that isn't my choice. It is very rare that I give to complete strangers, but it is very painful to say no.

Yesterday was mainly a day of rest. I arrived an hour late for mass and the sermon had just began! I suspect that because there was a baptism they combined the children and adult masses. I spent much of the day sitting in the garden or in the conservatory. I also did some washing and a little cleaning. It was very good just to enjoy this place.

Chris

Relaxing

Saturday 26^th April

I now have a couple of meals under my belt and feel at home!! The cooker is OK, the shower turns off if I make sure the hot tap, which doesn't appear to work, is also switched off! A cold shower is no penance here!

Today I started to relax in what is a lovely peaceful place. I have got to know Godfrey the night watchman and Eunice the cleaner. She says she is very busy with the landlord's main house so she will probably be pleased if there is very little for her to do here. I quite enjoy a bit of sweeping and mopping!

Today I sat for a while in the conservatory / veranda.. It is probably 2 metres by 6 metres and has a tiled floor - as do all the rooms in this house. It has wire mosquito netting instead of windows but I found that when I use my binoculars it is as though I have nothing in front of me. Hence the space acts as a pleasant hide where I can spot the bird life.

Last night, as I chatted to the night watchman, what I assumed was a small owl flew past several times. I wondered whether it roosts in one of the trees in the garden. There are a number of tall trees – a large palm, a few tall Jacarandas and some Paw Paw trees. There are other trees that I can't identify. One of the tallest Jacarandas has what I assume is a variety of bourganvillia (though I am surprised that it has thorns) which has climbed to the top of the tree at least 20 metres high and its flowers can be seen displayed above it.

Friends are already finding my new abode. Diven, Obert and Raymond have visited and today Jennipher arrived with Selina nd Anna. Anna is a young girl who lost both parents and now her grandmother has also died. She has been able to attend school just outside Pemba town but has being staying with Jennipher during the holidays. Today was her first ever visit to Monze, the first time she had been inside a big house like this, certainly the first time she had spoken to people in England over Skype and, oh yes, the first time to have spring onion and tomato sandwiches!! Understandably I think she was a bit bewildered by all the new experiences!

I took the opportunity to sit in the garden and enjoy the fresh air and watch a few birds fly by. The pied crows take the place of the carrion crows we have in the UK and they have a similar call. A small bird of prey – probably a blach shouldered kite - flew over the garden and early this evening some swallows chased the insects as dusk approached. I suspect that the european swallows have left for the UK now – they probably have arrived there by now. The night sky is beautiful – a little away from the main road and therefore fewer lights. It is good to see the Southern Cross sitting high in the sky and the milky way is clearly visible. I might have another look later, trying not to disturb Godfrey.

I have certainly been blest this year finding such a lovely place.

With love and prayers

Chris

Settling in at Fairview

Friday 25^th April

Despite my lack of faith I have now moved into Fairview Road.

The house actually turns out to be even bigger than I had imagined. I have a room with en-suite facilities, lounge and kitchen. I am told that there is not likely to be anyone else staying here while I am here.

It seems that there is a major refurbishment programme going on. There is what looks like a two storey extension which seem to be designed as futher en-suite rooms to a reasonably high spec. These appear to be in addition to the four rooms in the main house. There are also builidings in the grounds which I believe are also en-suite rooms. The main building has also a couple of veranda / conservatories and there are good sized gardens all around.

I think that I will be able to relax here. I expect a fair amount of building work and last night a craftsman from Lusaka stayed overnight with his wife in one of the spare rooms. My main concern at the moment is that there is doubt whether the hotplates on the cooker are hot enough to cook properly. I would rather not have to use a brazier, but I will manage somehow!!

I was hoping that I would be able to secure this place for the volunteers. At the moment I have agreed to rent it for two months in the hope that when I leave there will be a chance to extend the tenure for those following me.

I keep getting accosted by old friends – some I recognise, others I don't, and some I have difficulty in recalling at all even when they tell me who they are!! I am sure that I have had meaningful interactions with all of them, but this is true of many. A few people who will always find me and will always tell me they are struggling, get their small annual bonus!!

On Wednesday I met Mrs Sianga and Killian again. I caught up in a slightly more structured way. It is amazing what PIZZ School is achieving – despite paying a very small fraction of the current government teachers salaries, their exam success rate in the final year is far superior and compares very well with the top private schools. Not surprisingly however retaining teachers is very difficult.

I was delighted to be called over by Irene yesterday. She has not moved despite the guy at MTN (next door) apparently having no knowledge of where she was working. As usual I received a big hug and was shown off to her friends as her best friend. I will seek out some chitenge material for another shirt.

Now that I am settled I have plenty of work to get on with. I also hope that I will also make full use of the opportunity to enjoy the environment and relax.

Chris

A Nice Place

Wednesday 23^rd April

It is a privilege to be able to live with the priests and seminarian here at the parish house. Few people manage to meet priests and religious other than in a formal manner. Here I get to know them as ordinary people with a special calling in their lives. Last night I watched the last half of Chelsea versus Althletico Madrid with Fr. Clement who is a Chelsea supporter. Over meals we talk about a variety of topics in a very open way. At supper Harrison (the seminarian) told us that a man he had been visiting in the hospital had just died. This man had mental problems and was termed 'mad' by many. A couple of days ago Harrison found him in the church grounds collapsed on the floor. He complained about his legs which were swollen. He was taken to Monze Hospital and Harrison visited, taking him bottles of coke and other items he requested. It appeared that the man talked to Harrison but few others. On Monday he said he felt much better, yet he died yesterday.

I went again along the railway line on Monday and after a couple of failures found a nice place with trees and some scrub. I sat for a while watching and reading. It did me good to be back in the countryside. On the way I passed grass and meadows teaming with numerous varieties of beautiful butterflies. I will return and explore some more.

On Tuesday Raymond took me to see the owner of a house that might be suitable to rent. Unfortunately someone else is interested. The house has a separate building with a further two self - contained units, which used to be servants quarters. Raymond told me that his was where the white people used to live in colonial times. It is now home to the more affluent in Monze. The other party is interested in renting both buildings. It looks therefore that I will lose it. This is a shame because it seemed ideal for me and the following volunteers to have as a wonderful retreat, where we could relax – it would also be somewhere my friends could come to see me. I hope to confirm the position today and deside where I will spend the remainder of my stay in Monze.

Chris