Today is 4th March 2010. My one weak stay in Mozambique is over. I came here on 24th February, Wednesday, 2010 at 9.30 pm. I heard about Africa in my childhood but never thought that I would come here. Fortunately or unfortunately I came here. But I would say as a Catholic Priest it is my good time to be with the people in this country. My motto says “I do not ask about your ability or inability but your availability”, and I am here with this motto. I think, I can do a lot of things here as a missionary.
When I came here in Mozambique, I got a warm welcome from Fr. Jacob the Regional Superior, Fr. Pedro and Fr. Tobias and from brothers and sisters of St. John the Baptist in Mozambique. All were waiting for the arrival of the flight at Nampula Airport.
On the second day I started to learn Portuguese, the language of Mozambique. By the grace of God I got a young man named Antonio from Portugal, who is working as a volunteer here in our School, as my teacher. He is about 18 years old man. He has been here for 2 months as working in our Secondary School. He took me around and explained the works we are doing in this Mission area called ‘Marrere’. This is under Nampula Archdiocese. Fr. Jacob is the director of this Mission. Under this Mission, there is a Secondary School for children, a Technical School, a Hospital, pastoral works, village works etc. Frs. Pedro and Tobias are helping Fr. Jacob to do all these works here.
In the evening I had Holy Mass with Fr. Jacob. That night I started to learn to wish others “Good Morning and Good Evening’’ in Portuguese, “Bom dia” and “Bom tarde”. On the third day, Fr. Jacob took me to see the Archbishop of Nampula. I had a short meeting with the Bishop. But the real problem of the story is my language. I know only English, but the people here do not speak English. So I decided to study Portuguese.
There comes the real experience. On Sunday I went to say Mass with Fr. Pedro in a remote village of Nampula, Nahaque. I am from a Catholic centre in Kerala, India, I was expecting a church. But I was surprised I could not see a church there but a shed. Fr. Pedro told me this is the place where we are going to say Holy Mass. I came to know that they are having Holy Mass once a month or twice. After the Holy Mass I had lunch with them.
On the fourth day Fr. Jacob took me to our new seminary, nearby Nampula Airport. He told me that this is your Seminary. I think I will be there with the seminarians in formation. I decided I would try my level best for the betterment of our Seminary.
This evening (04. 02.2010) I had a surprise gift from our school children. They arranged me a welcome programme in a traditional way. The programme started with a welcome dance by three boys and three girls. The head boy of the cultural programme gave a welcome speech in English.
When I came here in Mozambique, I got a warm welcome from Fr. Jacob the Regional Superior, Fr. Pedro and Fr. Tobias and from brothers and sisters of St. John the Baptist in Mozambique. All were waiting for the arrival of the flight at Nampula Airport.
On the second day I started to learn Portuguese, the language of Mozambique. By the grace of God I got a young man named Antonio from Portugal, who is working as a volunteer here in our School, as my teacher. He is about 18 years old man. He has been here for 2 months as working in our Secondary School. He took me around and explained the works we are doing in this Mission area called ‘Marrere’. This is under Nampula Archdiocese. Fr. Jacob is the director of this Mission. Under this Mission, there is a Secondary School for children, a Technical School, a Hospital, pastoral works, village works etc. Frs. Pedro and Tobias are helping Fr. Jacob to do all these works here.
In the evening I had Holy Mass with Fr. Jacob. That night I started to learn to wish others “Good Morning and Good Evening’’ in Portuguese, “Bom dia” and “Bom tarde”. On the third day, Fr. Jacob took me to see the Archbishop of Nampula. I had a short meeting with the Bishop. But the real problem of the story is my language. I know only English, but the people here do not speak English. So I decided to study Portuguese.
There comes the real experience. On Sunday I went to say Mass with Fr. Pedro in a remote village of Nampula, Nahaque. I am from a Catholic centre in Kerala, India, I was expecting a church. But I was surprised I could not see a church there but a shed. Fr. Pedro told me this is the place where we are going to say Holy Mass. I came to know that they are having Holy Mass once a month or twice. After the Holy Mass I had lunch with them.
On the fourth day Fr. Jacob took me to our new seminary, nearby Nampula Airport. He told me that this is your Seminary. I think I will be there with the seminarians in formation. I decided I would try my level best for the betterment of our Seminary.
This evening (04. 02.2010) I had a surprise gift from our school children. They arranged me a welcome programme in a traditional way. The programme started with a welcome dance by three boys and three girls. The head boy of the cultural programme gave a welcome speech in English.
THE WELCOME SPEECH
Welcome, Priest Majobi!
Welcome!
To the world of fame and grace
To the place where all people, have the same race
Welcome!
To enjoy with our traditions and customs
To learn our dances and know about our cultures
Welcome!
Don’t matter where, the place you’re from
Don’t matter if you’re not feeling at home
The only thing we care is that: you’re welcome
Because we all cause from the same Father
And we’ll belong together! And always together…………..
After this speech they played a drama play about the need of the education. This programme was about 45 minutes. Now I know how much they love me. So I am compelled to love them. Welcome!
To the world of fame and grace
To the place where all people, have the same race
Welcome!
To enjoy with our traditions and customs
To learn our dances and know about our cultures
Welcome!
Don’t matter where, the place you’re from
Don’t matter if you’re not feeling at home
The only thing we care is that: you’re welcome
Because we all cause from the same Father
And we’ll belong together! And always together…………..
May God bless me!
Continue his rest…………………
