Joy
It is so hard to try and convey our experiences in a short format. We are having a wifi pitstop on our way to today's visits. We will mostly visit schools of various sorts. Education is a high priority for the diocese, but there are challenges. One of the most significant is the lack of trained teachers. Yesterday was an exciting day. The service was a bit shorter than expected, perhaps 2.5 hours. Bishop Kamani commissioned a lay reader and then we proceeded with ordinations: Seven deacons and three priests, of whom I laid hands on three deacons and one priest. I did my best at reading the prayers in Zandi. There was great rejoicing when the newly ordained were presented. Later in the service, the bishop announced their appointments, and as each was announced, people from the parish rushed up to the person to embrace and rejoice with them. Again, space limits the ability to adequately describe the experience. Several times people expressed their gratitude for our visit. There is a heart-link. Yesterday was also the opportunity, because of the clergy gathered for the ordinations, for the bishop to distribute the stoles and clergy shirts we were able to bring. These, too, were real gifts to the recipients. The lack of infrastructure is striking to us westerners, but so is the ingenuity, hard work, faithfulness, and commitment we see. We are enjoying the joy and hospitality that surrounds us constantly. Please continue to pray for us as we continue our time here and for the people of Ibba.
P.S. Some have been worried for our safety. We are NOT in Sudan, where there is such violence, but in neighbouring South Sudan. We are safe.