Malaria and shots, with more...
Now it's time for exams, and not
just for schools. In the villages where I visit, we are preparing for
the sacraments and the various stages of the catechumenate (with their
journey towards Baptism).
Last Friday I left for Yoro, at 6 in the morning. It rained heavily, but the road was passable.
I
arrived shortly after 8 in Yoro, 74 km from Baoro. I unloaded the car,
and we started the exams right away, and continued them until 1 pm.
There were boys, girls, young people and adults from the villages of
Yoro and Sinaforo (where I plan to go on Sunday for the celebrations of
the sacraments). In the afternoon I celebrated Mass, which was a moment
of prayer for the catechumens, but also an occasion for a catechesis on
the Mass itself.
The next day, Saturday, I moved to Bayanga Didi,
6 km away (although it took almost half an hour by car!). Here too
there were numerous exams, and I ended the morning with the celebration
of the Eucharist.
But… I felt the first signs of malaria, and I hastened back to Yoro.
Here I rested for the whole afternoon, but the night became long… A little fever, nausea, etc.
Sunday morning I gave up walking to Sinaforo, and left for Baoro, where I arrived around 9.
Here I was able to rest a little better, and found the right medicines.
The
nights between Sunday and Monday, however, brought a nasty surprise.
Around one o'clock I was awakened by numerous gun shots. At first I
struggled to understand where I was, then I awoke completely. A group of
rebels attempted to attack the city, targeting in particular the
administrative structures and the base of Russian mercenaries, which was
located less than 200 meters from the Mission.
The response from the Russians was thunderous, and for more than twenty minutes there were gun shots and detonations.
Then the night becomes calm again, but the fear is palpable.
Monday
morning it was time to take stock: there was damage to some houses, and
at least 2 injured (fortunately nothing too serious).
This time the attack is not fatal. But... for how long?
On
Tuesday morning we welcomed to Baoro Fr. Federico Trinchero, a
missionary in Central Africa, elected a little over a month ago as
Provincial Superior of the Discalced Carmelites of the Province of Genoa
(which includes 7 convents in Italy, 2 in the Czech Republic and 5 here
in Central Africa).
It was nice to see him again, and to discuss and try to reflect together on the future of the Mission.
On Wednesdays I accompanoed him to Bouar, where he will continue his visit to the missions of St. Elie, Yolé and Bozoum.
Good work!
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| P.Federico a St Elie |
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| p.Federico e la comunità di st.Elia a Bouar Le p.Federico et la communauté de st.Elie à Bouar |
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| P.Federico a Baoro |
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