Landing, not very soft!

 

Partenza da Nizza
Au depart de Nice

 

Landing, not very soft!

Here I am in Bozoum.

The last days before I left Italy were full of friendship, affection, and many greetings. I was able to spend some time with my parents, but goodbye’s with friends, and especially A mother and family, are always difficult (despite the fact that I have been leaving since 1974: either for the seminary, or for Africa).

Monday morning I was greeted by the Parish of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in Cuneo, which always reserves me great affection and much prayer. In the afternoon I went down to Arenzano and then to Nice with my dear sister Marisa and her husband, Flavio. Since the plane to Paris will leaves Tuesday morning at 6.20, we were able to spend some time together.

Tuesday we left. The flights were regular, and from Paris I reach Bangui at 3.10pm. There were a lot of people on the plane, and a lot of confusion in Bangui, at the airport, despite the Coronavirus problem ...

After the night with the Carmel brothers in Bangui, I left for Bozoum on Wednesday. Unfortunately, after 250 km, I lost control of the car, which went off the road and flipped over. The damage to the car was massive, but thank God we had no injuries and we did not hit anyone. We get out of the car from the windows because it was on its side.  We can only thank God that we are safe and sound. Aside from the car!

I managed to call our community in Baoro, 140 km away. They have a mechanics school, and they sent me mechanics and a car. In the meantime, thanks to a passing truck, we were able to put the car right side up and move it on the road. The mechanic arrived after 3 hours, and managed to restart the car (the only fairly undamaged area is that of the engine).

We left, and I managed to get to Bozoum at 11pm.

Word here in Africa spreads rapidly: both that evening and the next day I received calls from many concerned people who asked me how I was and were generally worried.

Thursday the 13th is the 60th anniversary of the independence of Central Africa: an important date. On the one hand, there is no lack of bitterness for a rich and blessed country, which lives in extreme poverty.

On the other hand, love and hope are needed for this country to change and take off. And tomorrow's feast, August 15 (Maria Assunta into heaven), reminds us that every man and woman are worthy of the greatest things. Because God loves us. And because we are capable of loving.

Cuneo, Viale Angeli

Bozoum