after Bozoum, news from Bangassou: The "Conférence": large gathering of villages in Bayanga Didi

The "Conférence": large gathering of villages in Bayanga Didi

The Christian communities of the villages are, in general, very poor (like the other villages!). One of the concerns of the missionaries is to help the small village churches to manage themselves, and to have a minimum of means that allow them to live, to help the poor, and to support the catechist who guides them.

It is very difficult, especially in these areas where little money circulates, and where services (school, health care) are non-existent and/or very expensive.

Christians invented a formula of self-financing, which combined useful training with and an enjoyable activity (being together and celebrating).

On Thursday, April 21st I was able to leave Bangui, a bit injured due to a fall on the construction site… I arrived in Baoro in the evening, and I had some time to prepare to leave for Bayanga Didi the following day.

Friday morning I left around 5.30. There was, oddly enough, some fog, and no traffic (0 trucks, 0 cars, 0 motorcycles and 1 monkey!).

I arrived in Bayanga Didi around 9, after 80 km of road. I found everything ready: Christians from 10 villages more or less close to one another (between 5 and 30 km) arrived the day before, on foot. There were many: over 300, plus the Bayanga Didi community. The participants brought a small participation, which will cover part of the expenses for food and various services (hygiene, soap, amplification).

Let's get started right away! The morning was occupied by the presentation of the various villages, supported by the choral (unleashed!). At noon there was a break for lunch, prepared by the village (who bought a cow for the occasion. Slaughtered in the evening, the meat was in the room next to mine, and with the passing of the hours the smell progressively got stronger!).

In the afternoon we resumed with a catechesis on confession, followed by Mass. All outside the chapel, which was insufficient to accommodate everyone.

Saturday morning, after Mass was celebrated at 6:30, followed by coffee, we tackled the main theme: mabe na kusala (faith and work). It was interesting that it was the requested topic, and the interest was very high: how does faith affect my life?

In the afternoon a short rain cooled the air, and prepared us for the most awaited moment: the dance of offerings (dodo ti dimes). Each participant, village by village, danced and sang, bringing their own offering. The most generous village (the one that offers the most) will receive all the offers! Some villages manage to offer around 30 euros, but the village of Bayanga Didi won, offering almost 150 euros: these are large amounts, donated with joy and pride.

The total of the offers amounted to about 500 euros: this amount will be used by the community of Bayanga Didi for the needs of the church: sound systems, music, or other needs within. The total amount and the winner remain secret, until the next day. On Sunday, after a couple of hours dedicated to confessions, we celebrated Mass and I administered Baptism to 4 small children.

In the end, the winning village was announced, Bayanga Didi, and they will be the ones who will organize the next "Conférence": Sinaforo.

Even though I was still sore, I was happy, and in the afternoon I resumed the way back.

Un po' di pioggia, giusto per togliere la polvere
Un petit peu de pluie, juste pour enlever la poussière

Una batteria, una stampantina, e 2 giovani intraprendenti stampano sul posto le foto!
Une batterie, une petite imprimante, et 2 jeunes entreprenants impriment sur place les photos!