Karibu! (Welcome in Swahili)

Yesterday was the most exhilirating moment of the Plenary Assembly here in Dar es Salaam so far. We got a day off to visit local churches and basic communities and see how they lived and prayed the Bible as groups. We left very early - 6.30am and my group of 16 were driven to Immaculate Conception Church in Upanga - surprise! it was manned by Franciscan friars (Capuchins). We concelebrated an early 7.30am Mass with a nice big crowd of locals and were treated to a lovely local breakfast (sweet potatoes, boiled eggs). There was the superior Fr Mario and two other friars working there. Tanzania has 150 Capuchin franciscans in all and many many franciscan sisters of various congregations. Even the bishop here is a Franciscan Capuchin.

Then we visited the museum of houses where we saw 23 different types of traditional houses used by the various tribes of Tanzania - very very interesting! Each type of hut tells of its culture and values. Very enlghtening!

Unfortunately 3 guys from my group fell sick and returned home after the museum trip. The rest of us continued to the arts and cratfts market where we saw people carving wooden statues. It was a very local scene. You could see the poverty of the people but also their joy! We then had a lovely lunch with the two basic community groups. Very very lovely simple people. They told us about their methods of prayer, their work in the community and Church. There were many youths and children in the group. You can see the Church in Dars as a vibrant young entity.

But my highlight was to see the Masai people. They were gathered in little groups under trees along the roads - tall slim people wrapped in striking red cloth. The men keep very long hair (corn-rowed) while the women are bald. And as warriors the guys carry sticks and of course are famous for their jumping (go check out a website to see what I'm talking about). Anyway its stuff you see in magazines and TV but yesterday I saw real life Masai! It was so exciting! But we could not stop the car to photograph them so I was a bit disappointed (I don't have a camera myself but ask the others to help me do it). Anyway it's become the joke of my group because every corner we turn I'll shout "Masai masai" and everyone starts taking photos! Our Thai Sister Chan is the really funny one! Anyway we stopped at a modern shopping Mall (like in the States or anywhere else in the world! Unbelievable!) to use the toilets and I found they sold Masai cloth. Jeannie Lee (Korean-American) bought it as a gift to me and I'm so happy I got a bit of Masai culture! I didn't buy the beaded necklaces though - they were expensive! Well at the end of the day as we were walking to the Church to say the rosary with the group and parishioners, I thought that was the end of my Masai adventure and I couldn't take a photo with one. Then right at the corner came a Masai warrior. I told our host to ask if he would take a photo with me but refused, After some coaxing he agreed. WOW! I'll show you the photo soon! It was so exciting and everyone in the group was so happy for me. Then as we walked on, chatting and laughing at this unexpected twist, another Masai warrior showed up! This time everyone else wanted their photos to be taken with him. It was really fun. Now the word among my group is "masai masai!"

We also ended the day by taking a walk along the shore of the Indian Ocean facing Zanzibar. Many guys in my group wanted to see and touch it and now they fulfilled their dream - and David Cotter from Scotland was overwhlemed because he saw a real life dhow (traditional sail boat - fantastic things!) sailing across the straits where we were. The other guys were also really excited and photos were taken like crazy! So everyone got what they wanted - David and his dhow, the ther guys touching the Indian Ocean, Jeanne and her gang with shopping (oh big time!) and I got my Masai. It was a really successful day and we all became so much closer after that. We're now known as the Upanga gang (sounds like "Survivors"!) and definitely we were the most successful field trip group among the 16 that was organised yesterday.

So I want to thank our wonderful hosts who made it all possible - Fr Mario and his friars, the Magdalene of Canossa group and the St Jude Thaddeus group for their wonderful organisation and hospitality and generosity - and God! for letting me see a real life Masai warrior! Asante ("Thank you" in swahili)

Jubilee Year of St. Paul

So I've been receiving tsunami of emails asking me if I'm dying ..... well I'm not, and I'm here to bother you for many more years! Sei bei nei tai! Well on one hand I thank your prayers for me but please don't get carried away. Those of you who saw me on video-conferencing classes probably saw me drawn .... yes I was pretty sick a couple of weeks back. But the new medicine has kicked in, and the sea breeze in Dar es Salaam (never got to see the sea though! Just smell the salty breeze ... besides the peroleum, smoke and other pollutants!!!), the change of environment, meeting up old friends, is a good break. So maybe the tsunami of emails can slowly fade out .... talking about that, the tsunami several years back hit Tanzania here too. The people are poor but very courteous and welcoming. And I can see so many young people eager to join religious congregations.

The Jubilee of St Paul started last night. As our Plenary Assembly here was too busy with its schedule to organise anything, I initiated or own celebrations in our subregional group of NE Asia. It was very nice: a reading of Colossians.

Well I have to go to visit a parish today now so I'll have to go. Happy Jubilee!

Much better thanks!

I've not had an attack of asthma this whole week, so the change of climate and medicine worked! I'm feeling much better and people here are saying I'm more energetic and colour has returned to my face. Well that's a good sign! Thanks for all your prayers. Still I have to come back to Hong Kong for my other tests, so I guess I'll see you guys around!

Don't forget the Jubilee of St Paul is this Sunday! Do something special - start reading up on Paul's letters; say a prayer to St Paul. Come join our classes at Duns Scotus Bible Centre! Or come on a pilgrimage to Greece in August - There's still some places left! Call Katie at 28902682 for more info!

Here in Dars es Salaam the conference and hectic and everyone is feeling tired - the talks go on till 9.30pm after dinner! But still we're enjoying much of it and there's lots of discussions, networking and sharing of ideas and materials. You meet with old friends and make new ones as well. I guess this change of atmosphere has helped me recover from my health; and the sea air (the conference centre is near the sea) is refreshing although we never get to see the beach - it's dangerous outisde and we have armed guards in our compound to protect us!


Stay well and don't forget the Bookfair that's coming up!

African adventure

What an adventure to come to Africa! Yesterday I was worried that I have to carry my luggage alone, up the hill to New Gate to wait for the taxi to bring me to the airport. But the Missionaries of Charity called me up to say they will come to help carry my stuff. Actually lots of people were worried - it's pretty hot and my asthma and heart is going to take all that stress! So Jadallah our janitor came in the morning to carry one luggage up to Casa Nova first; then Mahjed our porter offered to carry all my other stuff at 6pm but the sisters came at 5pm instead to carry my stuff. Lucky they did. It was hot and tiring. They were more out of breath than I! The sisters kept praying that my trip will not encounter any problems - and it didn't!

Flew out to Adis Ababa at 1am. Arrived at 5am and everyone at the airport was very nice. It's a small airport but very clean and quaint - Ethiopic atmosphere! From there I met several delegates to the Plenary Assembly - there was Fr Joseph (Indian Missionary) from Togo and the 2 Lebanese delegates, and several otehr African delegates. We flew out of Adis to Dar es Salaam at 10.30am and found out that many other passengers are also coming for the Assembly. Very multi national! And lucky for me - while all the rest needed to line up for visas, I didn't have to. SIngapore passports do not need visas so I went through Immingration in 32 seconds! And found my luggage all arrived! Miracle! So far so good!

Will keep you guys up to date. Need to rest now.

On the way

As you read this, I'll probably be somewhere between Israel and Ethiopia. Will keep you all updated - maybe even with a photo if I can take one! Meanwhile please don't forget we still need to raise funds for the Kassis family and sponsorship for Sr. Maria Jiang / Fr. Paul Sun. We're still pretty short off our target! Please help. Thx!

Axios axios axios

Today we have a new Patriarch of Jerusalem for the Latin Church - Msgr. Fouard Twal. Yesterday evening the retiring Patriarch Michel Sabbah celebrated his Thanksgiving Mass at the Basilica of Gethsemani, joined by crowds of local clergy, religious and faithful. He then officially ended his mandate as patriarch of Jerusalem and will move to live at the Bridgettine nuns' convent on the Mt. of Olives.

Today Patriarch Fouard will solemnly enter the Holy Sepulchre (Tomb of Christ) in the traditional way: a procession from Jaffa Gate led by our kawas (the guys clad in Turkish costumes and carry heavy maces to open the way of the procession) and the Franciscan friars. Our Custos Fr. Pierbattista will be at the Stone of the Unction (where Christ's body was placed after the Crucifixion to be anointed with myrrh, aloes and incense) to welcome the new Patriarch while the rest of the friars will be singing the Te Deum. All the other Christian leaders will be at hand to welcome the new Patriarch as well, including the Orthodox patriarchs. Church bells will be ringing throughout. Actually the traditional installation/election of the patriarch is confirmed through the consensus of the people who shout "Axios axios axios" meaning "He is worthy" (3 times in Greek). I think the Orthodox still do this at the ordination of priests. Anyway these ancient traditions and customs are still so very alive here in the Holy City; it's like walking back in time. That makes this place so special!

So today Jerusalem is rejoicing because we have a new Patriarch. I shall be leaving for Adis Ababa transit for Dar es Salaam soon. It will be an 8 hr flight in all. And after that the Plenary Assembly of the Catholic Biblical Federation will start its hectic schedule. I've been invited to be a moderator at one of the sessions so I have an extra responsibility. It will be hard work all through the next 10 days.

Todays' readings is all about suffering and how Christ comes to redeem us from the ultimate suffering - death. If you are registered with "Under the Fig Tree" you would have lots of material to get you reflecting and praying. If not, write me for an invitation! We're down to the last 35 places left. Anyone just one quick thought - what would life be like without suffering? What if Adam and Eve didn't sin? I really don't know the answer; but here in the Holy City, we have a beautiful symbol of the passion of Christ. its the crown of thorns, but always the crown of thorns that blooms flowers. There is something hopeful, beautiful, precious and worthy in suffering. Perhaps to one who suffers, we should also say "Axios axios axios".

God's will

An extremely listless day - yesterday. The weather again was unrelenting. Nevertheless I made the Way of the Cross. It was a smaller group than usual - one group of Spaniards and another American I think. But I did meet a Mainland Chinese friend who's studying at the Hebrew University; he brought a few friends from Macau to visit the Muslim Quarter just as the Way of the Cross started. And I think the Bishop of Quwait was also present. There were no incidents yesterday - we had a heavy military presence escorting us.

Started packing my luggage for Dar es Salaam. Nothing much to carry but because of the new liquid restriction law for carryon luggage, it means I have to bring two luggage with me - one to be checked-in and the other hand hand-carry. What a bother. Today the 3 Lebanese seminarians are coming to help me clear up my room (they don't know that yet!). We had dinner at the Legacy yesterday - as usual it was superb food and service. You guys ought to come and experience the Legacy. It was previously the YMCA but is now renovated and newly managed by Nazarene Tours. Great job they did!

Anyway at dinner were the 3 Lebanese seminarians whom I will not longer see, as they have to move to Rome for their studies. They're William, Jihad and Ziad. They're all in their 1st year of Theology. We chatted alot and laughed alot. But none of us remembered to bring a camera so today they're coming over for photos.

Yesterday and today's readings deal with the terrible fate of kingship in ancient Judea. Athaliah the queen mother tried to usurp power and the rebellion led by Jehoida the Priest ended her rule (she was the only woman who actually ruled Judea). Then Joash the next king kills Zechariah the son of Jehoida the Priest (who had died) because he was criticised for idolatry; in effect it was another call for rebellion against the new king. Here we see religion and politics clashing. I think several things comes to mind when we read these passages: 1. The kingship was a bad idea, Samuel had already warned the people of the tragedy of having a king "like the other nations", and rejecting God as their only king. 2. Religion offers a system of check-and-balance for an otherwise all-powerful kingship in the ancient world. Be that as it may, our reflection comes back to ourselves: sometimes we find this struggle within our very selves - the desire to aggrandize, overlording others, exerting oneself; and the spiritual instinct to holdback, be humble, serve. No one can say which side of the balance is better for you. Only doing God's will is the best.