Happy Easter

Happy Easter!

The church had over a thousand plus people at the Good Friday Service, Holy Saturday Vigil and Sunday morning mass. It was raining Friday night and people stood outside under umbrellas looking through the window. All services were beautiful- no organ, no instruments - maybe an occasional guitar, but their voices harmonized well together and everyone sings from the heart.

There were around 76 baptisms during the Saturday night vigil. The majority were babies (so there was a delightful chorus of wailing going on up front) and 7 adults. After the Saturday night vigil mass, the Sisters were jubilant giving out Easter goodies, singing - very nice.

I walked to church on Sunday morning so I could put my Easter treats in Ron and Karen's fridge- didn't want them melting. The church was packed again, but somehow we were escorted right up front. The mass was wonderful again- the offering had dancing women escorting the gifts with Sister Benedict (Missionary Sisters of the Most Sacred Heart) leading the way with leaves and flowers adorning their outfits.

After mass, I had breakfast with Ron and Karen, then the Bishop picked us up and took us swimming in the ocean. It was a little ways outside of Kimbe where the sun was shining, but when we got to the Franciscan retreat center, rain was threatening and when we got to the ocean, we went in and watched as the rain approached. To get to and from the ocean, you walked a path through the jungle till it opens to the ocean. The water is warm and cold at the same time, depending on where you stood. If it's cold, walk a little ways and you are warm again. But the downpour started and we were soaked returning on the path through the jungle leading back to the retreat center.

We returned back to Kimbe, had a bowl of ice cream and the Bishop gave me a ride home. Marilyn, my neighbor and fellow teacher, and I were then invited to a student’s place for a BBQ. I wasn't going to pass on this opportunity to meet people from PNG. The BBQ was plentiful- chicken, 2-3 types of sausages, beef, 2 types of greens, cooked banana and a few foods I didn't know the names of. Delicious.  The families are originally from the Highlands (The Hagan) but were recruited to work in Kimbe. I noticed no one uses napkins- so wanted to see what they do with their hands after eating with them. Still not sure...

All in all, I enjoyed Holy Week and now it's Monday- Easter Boxing Day and a national holiday. It rained the whole day. Tomorrow I begin teaching... please pray for me.