Thu, 3 Aug 2006 03:09:19 -0500

Hi all.

We arrived safely right on the dot, at 9 pm last eve. Got through customs etc without a hitch.  Imelda, a friend 

of the sisters in Twasana picked us up and took us to her home.  She was just lovely.  We crashed and headed 

back to the airport first thing and are now heading to Namibia; the sisters will meet us there.  It is in the 30s; 

they actually had a little sleet last eve, the first time in 20 years.

Hope to be able to write more from Namibia, but don't know yet. Must go so S. Michael can use this
machine and get to our plane.

Love all,

Rosie

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Fri, 4 Aug 2006 08:04:04 -0500

Greetings from Namibia,

It is cool here; everyone is going around in heavy sweaters or coats since the houses are not heated.
However, I am comfortable with a turtleneck and vest on; they are not used to the cool weather as we are 

(in our winters, that is). We arrived in Namibia, flying from Johannesburg yesterday morning, just a 2 hr flight.  

We crossed the Kalahari desert; I had a window seat so could see the desert, very very dry and nothing but

dry land to see, an occasional road, and a house or building here and there.  Here in Windhoek it is still desert 

land, not sure how these people survive.  The community here is very poor; very simple living, but S. Michael 

and I share a nice room. They provide enough blankets so I kept warm at night in my winter PJs and socks. 
Food is very simple, lots of vegetables, chicken or fish. They also eat a lot of "porridge", a type of mush, not
very tasty, so I take very little. We began our meeting with the sisters this morning.  Some do better with the 

English than others, so Mother Irmgard has to do some interpreting, but mostly for them when they want to 

respond.  They understand better than they can speak.  We are having an hour rest time and then back to 

work at 3:00. Today after Mass at 5:30 Mother Irmgard, Michael and I are having supper with the Archbishop.  

That should be interesting, since the Archbishop doesn't do much to help the sisters here, very little pay for 

any who work in diocese. This community does not have many paid wage earners, lots of sisters in formation 

and being educated, some elderly, and some who work in their garden and farm which is at another location 

so we have not seen it.  We have not seen very much yet; did go to Mass last eve with the Poor Clare Sisters 

down the street.  They have much nicer property and a lovely chapel with zebra skin on their doors; very nice 

art. And the liturgy was great; singing, dancing in the offertory procession, and drums.  The community prays 

in English, too, so that is nice for us. When we arrived we were welcomed by the group meeting us at their 

front gate with singing and clapping.  They continued singing "welcome..." as each came up dancing and 

greeted us individually.  Very nice. 
I better stop so Mother Irmgard can use her office.

Love to all,
Rosie

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Sun, 6 Aug 2006 09:54:30 -0500

Greetings to all,

It is Sunday afternoon, another gorgeous warm, but not hot, day.  Temps have been great, cool at night 

but I have just enough warm clothes (did wear my hooded sweater as my jacket when I went to have 

supper with the Archbishop, but oh well, he has to take us as we are).  We had an absolutely beautiful 
liturgy  this morning with the Archbishop as the presider.  The sisters here did it up big, lots of singing, 

dancing, drums and other music, really very beautiful.  Today we are not meeting with the whole group 

but just with the bursar to help her put their financial info together in usual forms.  We will bring 
these back to the group to work with tomorrow.  I'm at this computer and they think I'm working on 

creating forms, so don't tell them otherwise.  I hear Johannesburg weather made the news, I didn't see 

any snow when I was there...and yes, I am staying warm.  I keep taking my sweatshirt off and the
African sisters look at me and say "Why?"  surely you aren't warm enough without that. They are just 

not used to this kind of weather.  Food has been good, though I stay away from the mush.  - better get 

to my work; great to hear from all of you and love to all,

Rosie