Because the basic "mechanics" of the parish mission were more or less in place, I was able to head out into the neighborhoods of Nimule with one of the small groups to invite local residents to attend the program in the evening. We quickly attracted a flock of children who followed us (I felt a little like the pied piper) and crowded around as we explained the purpose of our visit to the people we met. The children picked up the basic information after a few of these explanations and soon were able to help spread the word. As we made our way we sent them to huts off the route of our main path to invite their inhabitants. They became "auxiliary missionaries" if you will. On our way we encountered people in the midst of their daily activities, including these two men below who were constructing a roof.
The early crowd that braved the hot afternoon sun was a little larger than the day before (click on panoramic shot below to enlarge), perhaps because of our efforts and the word that had spread from the night before.
After a time of praise and worship Dennis Kiyimba (above) of Uganda spoke about "Following Jesus," and hit on a number of things that can compromise and dilute our following of Christ. He was followed by Mario Dance, who spoke on conversion, confession and mercy. The crowd (below) was very attentive.
It was a lively, diverse and colorful crowd made up of men and women, young and old, including some young people hovering around the water tank on the periphery.
After the talks we had an hour of Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament which included a healing procession. People seemed a little timid and reserved at first to touch the "hem" of the garment of Jesus (the humoral veil hanging from the monstrance) when I was carrying Him through the crowd, but as I was returning to the stage and they realized this was their last chance, a large number rushed to the stairs and reached out for the veil. It was a little overwhelming, but must have been something like the response Jesus experienced from the crowds He ministered to in the Holy Land.
We ended the evening with a video on the Uganda Martyrs. Although it was in English (with a live translation/commentary in Madi), people remained glued to the screen throughout. By the time we concluded 700-800 people were in attendance.
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1 comment:
Nice!!!! I did not know, that a mission team went to Sudan, for a mission trip. You are doing a great work up there father, you are so special for them(Sudanis?) and the Hondurian as well You are in my prayers and you mission too. God bless you.
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