Two holy weeks!

 

 

Two holy weeks!

 

I return to Bangassou after two weeks of fine missionary work in the East of the diocese.

The distances are enormous, and they are magnified tenfold by the poor state of the tracks. I thought a 20-hour drive to Obo (500 km from Bangassou) was a lot, but I found myself regretting it as I drove the road to Derbissaka: 10 hours for 95 km!

The roads pass through dense forests, where fallen trees require detours and, more often than not, axes, machetes and chainsaws to continue.

Magnificent nature: forests, and roads on which I crossed a few hundred monkeys, 2 warthogs, storks, pangolins, guinea fowl in quantity.

And where villages are few, isolated, and often terrorized by rebels, more or less regular military, Russian mercenaries and simple bandits....

And this makes life very difficult: a kilo of sugar, which in Bangassou costs just under 2 euros, costs 5 euros in Derbissaka!

I left on the Wednesday of Holy Week, April 16, to return to Bangassou on Tuesday, the 29th.

Roughly, to simplify, this has been the program:

Living conditions are spartan, but we get used to showering with a bucket of water and a cup, sleeping on a cot or bed, and eating what's there. Although I always manage to bring a stove and make myself a good cup of coffee ...

The liturgical celebrations were very beautiful everywhere, especially in the most isolated villages, where the priest rarely arrives.

In Derbissaka, it's Father himself who, twice a year, opens the road, cutting down fallen plants. And the whole village is very grateful!

The celebration of confirmations is normally preceded by a catechesis and an explanation of the rite by myself to the candidates.

On Monday morning, April 21, I received the news that Pope Francis had died. And throughout the trip, we pray for him and for the next pope. Pope Francis was very important for the Central African Republic. His visit to Bangui in 2015, with the opening of the first Holy Door of the Jubilee of Mercy, was a miracle of faith and courage, which had a very positive impact on a country at war.

 

Madabazouma

Rafai

Derbissaka

Dembia - Derbissaka

Mboki

Obo