Learning how to upload photos

 

Left to right:  Archbishop Isingoma Henri, Primate of the Anglican Church in Congo,  Canon Jamie Calloway, Secretary General of the Council of Universities and Colleges of the Anglican Communion, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, Canon Sabiti, dean of the Anglican University of Congo.    

The Archbishop of Canterbury laid the first stone for the remodeling of the former Institut Superieur Theologique Anglicane, (ISThA) now the Anglican University of Congo.  

L-R:  Bp. Bahati, Abp. Rowan, Abp Isingoma, Bp. Molanga Jean, provincial secretary, praying at the grave of Apolo Kivebulaya, who was the first evangelist from Uganda to enter Congo in 1896.  His mission was to convert the Pygmies.   This is the birthplace of the Anglican Church in Congo.   

:-)

The Church's One Foundation is Jesus Christ her Lord

Habari, folks....

The last time I posted from Congo, we had just been so energized by the Archbishop of Canterbury and we were preparing for the visit of our very own Presiding Bishop Katherine Jefferts Schori.  I was asked to translate the history of the Anglican Church in Congo from French into English.  The only challenge was that my Mac did not have iWorks, which is comparable to a PC not having a Word program.  Problem solved:  translation done in email form, a week before Bishop Katherine was about to arrive.  I was invited to concelebrate the 10:00 mass with the Archbishop's secretary, a big deal since there are not many, if any women priests in the country.   If you can believe it, I left my vestments in the trunk of my car when  I came to DRC.  The Archbishop gave me a complete set of vestments and stoles as a gift from the Province of the Anglican Church in Congo.   Ready to concelebrate when the PB celebrated the following Sunday.
Arrangements were made for a grand accueil (welcome), for meetings with women traumatized by the war,  with the Mothers' Union, with parishioners.  I hear it was a terrific visit.   I returned to the US for the funeral of my son's father two days before her arrival in Congo.

 
Just a word about the welcome and hospitality of the people of the Anglican Church in Congo.  Amazing.  People come together, having made the most delicious food, to welcome visitors because there is a cultural imperative, founded in Scripture, to offer hospitality.  When the Archbishop of Canterbury arrived, everyone was at the airport ... hundreds of people.   When he arrived in Boga, the birthplace of Anglicanism in Congo, people lined the roads for miles, waiting in their best clothes and withering heat, to welcome him.  I'll try to upload some pics.

I am really looking forward to going back as soon as possible.  Please keep the Congolese people in your prayers.  Next post:  the fruits of peace.

Compassion and celebrations

July in Bunia, DR Congo

I arrived at Bunia, Congo on Weds, June 22, to be greeted by the driver and Jamie Calloway, now the Secretary General of the Colleges and Universities of the Anglican Communion.  Some of us know him from Trinity Wall Street.  What a surprise!  He was here for the laying of the cornerstone of the Anglican University of Congo!   the Archbishop of Canterbury arrived on Friday, 24th; it was the first visit of an ABC to the Congo ever.  There was a reception at which the governor of le Province Orientale spoke, as well as the UK ambassador, the Archbishops of Canterbury and DR Congo.  During his visit, the Archbishop met with women who have been the victims of violence.   He also met with young people who had been recruited into the militias and are now being integrated into public service in the Army or  Police force, to protect the people.  It was very powerful. 

The hospitality has been amazing!  Archbishop Isingoma and his family invited me to stay with them until we all move to Kinshasa, the capitol, on July 27th.  In the meantime, I have been blessed to hear stories about Congolese culture from many people.  I am so impressed by everyone's willingness to exchange greetings,  'Bonjour' elicits a 'bonjour', an 'Habari' (how are you) elicits a 'Nzuri' (fine).  Ca va, in French is responded to with a 'Oui, ca va.  Comment ca va?   ALL greetings come with a smile from both parties.  My French is coming along; I speak only in the present tense, but people have been very forgiving.  

We saw fields upon fields of cassava, a spinach-like vegetable which cooks up nicely with garlic, onion, red pepper, but then, doesn't everything?  The fish is fresh, from Kasenyi, on Lake Albert (Google!) and mangos, avocados, bananas, oh, my!   

My time at the computer lab at Shalom University is up.  I will post again from Kinshasa.  A bientot. 

love and peace,

PaminCongo

OH, MY! I got into my blog!!!!

Greetings, from Bunia, Congo, Africa.

I arrived on a Wednesday and the Archbishop of Canterbury and his companions arrived on the Friday!
There was a great and wonderful reception at the airport.  We then went to the Stadium where the Governor of Ituri province, the British Ambassador to Congo, representatives of other churches gathered to welcome his grace.  

The following day we flew (single engine Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF)) to Boga, the home of Anglicanism in Congo.  Apolo Kivebulaya came from Uganda in 1896 to bring the gospel to the Pygmies.

Will post pictures and continue the story next time!
a bientot.
Pam
ok pics will wait... ttfn

Getting ready part deux

Back in Greenwich.   Packing boxes. more boxes.  more and more boxes.  This time tomorrow on the flight to Africa, 1st leg 15 hours.  Can you say "snoozin'"?  It will get done.

Thanks for the good wishes and prayers.  You (and you know who you are) have held me up and I can feel it!

ttfn.   More from ... South Africa?
peace and blessings.
Moi

New Beginnings

I'm at the Mission Orientation in Toronto, Ontario.  I've learned a great deal and the people have been terrific.  Now if I can only figure out how to get back to this blog to post some more... :-)  Katie!  I did it! I think.
peace...
Pam