His medical college is in the diocese of Geita. You have to drive about 45 mins and then take a big ferry across lake Victoria and then drive another 45 mins. We are so glad Sr. Bene came because this turned into quite the adventure. We arrived at the ferry at sunset and actually only the driver can go in the car so we must get out and walk through the gates and get tickets and walk to the ferry. Again sister helped us navigate all this.
Apparently it is illegal to take photos inside the ferry gates and on the ferry. Probably because it's like government controlled area or something. So Sr. Bene advises us to go stand away from her. She says further! She says I'll pretend to look at my phone and take your picture. Act natural LOL! We now have a bunch of acting natural photos from the ferry. They are beautiful but also funny.
It was a beautiful ferry ride. It reminds me of the Halifax ferry. It's not too much longer actually. But all the driving gave us a chance to have good chats with Father. We learned from him about how he became interested in MH. I thought it was more from Fr Novatus but actually similar to Fr. Josephat he read our books in seminary.
He wrote a book about Liturgy recently but has been sent to become a medical doctor by his bishop. Not because they want him to be a doctor but so that he may be an administrator in a Catholic medical institution. .likely a hospital. Otherwise often the diocese must hire someone who isn't necessarily familiar with the Catholic faith and teachings. His diocese is very young and they are just beginning to develop their churches and institutions. More on that soon...
Father had great English so I took my chance to ask him more nuanced questions about the churah and culture. We talked about the last three Pope's and there focuses and perceived reputations. Father brought it up not me! I said he'll have to read Jeremiah s book. We also talked about what he sees as the Tanzanian bishops view and approach to passing on the faith. Also about how culture and faith intersect. He says there is a strong emphasis on preserving culture and tradition as a way of guarding against secularism. He said his bishop talked about how the faith was given to them by the German missionaries and White Father's from Canada and they were great Evangelists. The bishop said we must also look at them now and the loss of faith in Europe and learn from them and avoid the same mistakes.
We arrived in his place in the dark but he was still excited to show us his school and the hospital and the new Cathedral they are building in that diocese. It's pretty awesome even in the dark. Again Sr. Bene and Philo are a great pair both following behind Father and I as we chat away even tho neither of them can see very much at that dark hour. You know me I can see great in the dark. But by now it's almost 10pm and we haven't eaten and actually have no idea where we will stay LOL.
We then learn we are staying at the Convent of St Charles where Father says mass every morning. The sisters kindly waited up for us and we had dinner and went to sleep. But not before exchanging gifts and more talking.
So this post has less picture because it was mostly dark! In the morning we had mass at 6 then breakfast. The we headed back to the ferry. We were eager to get back because we were to spend time with Sr. Chrispina and Sr. Bene wanted to see the workers. We were actually quite delayed...but that is a drama story in itself!
Fr. Witness like Fr. Josephat would like to visit us someday soon. We pray Our Lady could take care of it. It's so wild that we are connected with these people in the far ends of Tanzania and they identify with our Spirit!
The rest of our time in Mwanza was quality time with the sisters. Again I love these ladies. They are pretty legit and totally themselves, kinda like how we at MH are so different from one another. Never a dull moment with them.
No comments:
Post a Comment