March 7, 2007: The festivities begin
Will Hocker, Gweveta Smith, and Liz White
Breakfast started around 6:30 a.m. and half of the pilgrims were up and ready to start the day! I think it had something to do with the time difference. As the day began the remaining of the pilgrims were up and very well rested. I was very interested to know what was on the agenda for today. Later during the day we got a chance to go to the mall, then we ate lunch as a group at RawHide, the food was kind of bland, but it was good. After lunch, we waited in the lobby for our transportation to arrive; it took forever! Well after waiting Bishop Marc Andrus informed us, we had more time than expected, so we could go to our rooms and rest. The day seemed like it was going to be very long and tiresome, but who knows what was going to take place throughout the day.
Tonight the festivities officially began with a Eucharist at All Souls Church in the township of Tsakane. With the church packed, we spilled out to tents set up around the parish yard and we celebrated a liturgy filled with the Holy Spirit. The air was thick with absolutely incredible music as the sun set in the background. Njonkongkulu Ndungane, Archbishop of Cape Town, celebrated over our holy meal and Archbishop Rowan Williams preached a sermon reminding us to not let one lamb stray.
Following Eucharist the good people of All Souls Parish welcomed us with open arms and a delicious home cooked dinner. We ate and drank in good cheer, sitting at tables with people from Malawi, Kenya, Namibia, Burundi, Pakistan, Japan, the Philippines, and with relative locals from Cape Town and Johannesburg. As women served us their families’ favorite recipes; fried fish, samp, mixed veg, and mealy-meal, they asked our blessings on them as well; “remember me with my beef stew.”
With a beginning like this, there is no telling how wonderful this week will be!
Comments
Hello all: Your blogs give me such pleasure. I am so excited to hear about your experiences and see your pictures. I send you love and prayers day and night, and I'm in awe that the amazing vision of taking the Daniels' M of A pilgrimage world-wide has become concrete and real. It as though a tidal wave of music has swept over us all.
Look after each other. Love and hugs. Zara