Over the last week, I was busily involved in three big projects – the celebration and procession for the Immaculate Conception of Mary, Christmas carols around the villages of our parish, and a Salesian Summer Camp for the local children. Though it has been by far the most demanding and tiring week, each night I went to bed feeling proud and fulfilled.
Last Saturday was the Feast of the Immaculate Conception of Mary, and for it we planned a beautiful procession of Mary after Mass in the evening. Though the turnout for Mass was low, many people joined the procession as we moved through the village, and by the final blessing the number grew to a few hundred people. In a culture that does not hold women in high regard, it was a great ceremony to show love to Our Mother.
Two weeks ago we began traveling to our satellite parishes to sing carols and spreading the Christmas message. It is certainly a different Christmastime here than the ones I experienced in the US over the years. People here do not even know who or what Santa is, and most people do not speak English so they had no idea what we were even singing about. However, all the villages welcomed us and walked around with us as we sang, because they were there to welcome the Baby Jesus we carried. I got to dress up as Santa for a few days and give the kids sweets. While some of the children had fun dancing and playing, others were scared of the crazy foreign man. Unfortunately, there was no snow on the ground, but instead temperatures reaching triple digits.
The first Salesian Summer Camp began in Gumbo on Monday. Fr. David thought it was necessary to keep the children of the parish occupied, educated, and active during the summer. We had 80 kids registered the first day, but after word of the camp spread, the camp grew to nearly 300 on Wednesday. It shows how important the camp is to the children. I had such a fun week teaching the youngest group (6-8) basic English such as numbers, letters, body parts, and colors. Throughout the week, children would come up to me and sing “Yes Lord,” a song that I taught them this week. Last night, a couple kids enthusiastically asked (in Arabic) if they had school on Monday. It was one of my happiest moments not only because they were excited to learn, but also I was able to understand and respond in Arabic that we would in fact be learning and singing songs on Monday. It’s the little victories! I cannot wait for what this next busy week will have in store.
I have posted many snaps from these events in the “Pictures” section of the site. Enjoy!
Ps If you have any interest in supporting my mission here, we are looking for donations for the camp. God Bless.
Last Saturday was the Feast of the Immaculate Conception of Mary, and for it we planned a beautiful procession of Mary after Mass in the evening. Though the turnout for Mass was low, many people joined the procession as we moved through the village, and by the final blessing the number grew to a few hundred people. In a culture that does not hold women in high regard, it was a great ceremony to show love to Our Mother.
Two weeks ago we began traveling to our satellite parishes to sing carols and spreading the Christmas message. It is certainly a different Christmastime here than the ones I experienced in the US over the years. People here do not even know who or what Santa is, and most people do not speak English so they had no idea what we were even singing about. However, all the villages welcomed us and walked around with us as we sang, because they were there to welcome the Baby Jesus we carried. I got to dress up as Santa for a few days and give the kids sweets. While some of the children had fun dancing and playing, others were scared of the crazy foreign man. Unfortunately, there was no snow on the ground, but instead temperatures reaching triple digits.
The first Salesian Summer Camp began in Gumbo on Monday. Fr. David thought it was necessary to keep the children of the parish occupied, educated, and active during the summer. We had 80 kids registered the first day, but after word of the camp spread, the camp grew to nearly 300 on Wednesday. It shows how important the camp is to the children. I had such a fun week teaching the youngest group (6-8) basic English such as numbers, letters, body parts, and colors. Throughout the week, children would come up to me and sing “Yes Lord,” a song that I taught them this week. Last night, a couple kids enthusiastically asked (in Arabic) if they had school on Monday. It was one of my happiest moments not only because they were excited to learn, but also I was able to understand and respond in Arabic that we would in fact be learning and singing songs on Monday. It’s the little victories! I cannot wait for what this next busy week will have in store.
I have posted many snaps from these events in the “Pictures” section of the site. Enjoy!
Ps If you have any interest in supporting my mission here, we are looking for donations for the camp. God Bless.
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