Fri, 8 Sep 2006 14:11:58 -0500

Greetings to all,

Once more and for the last time we are back in Johannesburg waiting for 

our 11:35 p.m. flight to Amsterdam.  Can hardly believe we have been to six

communities and traveled all over southern Africa!

Our bus ride last Saturday to Dar from Chipole was long but uneventful.  

We left Chipole at 5:30 am, caught bus in Songea at 7 and arrived in Dar

at 8:30, then on to Bethania house, arrived there about 9:30 p.m.  And up

again the next morning to catch plane to Joburg and bus to 

Pietersburg/polokwane the next day, Monday.

The Benedictines in Polokwane were wonderful as all the communities 

have been. They are a small group, 24 I think.  16 were present for our meeting 

with them; the best percentage yet.  We met at the generalate offices near 

Polokwane, a very desert area.  It was cool so my flannel pjs from M. Agnes 

came in handy again.  Our bus to Polokwane was the first to break down, 

so we were delayed a couple of hours.  We met with the sisters Tues - Thurs 

am, then drove to Subiaco to see their motherhouse, where only 3 sisters live.  

We also went to the Subiaco Abbey there; only 7 African monks and 3 from 

Christ in the Desert.  We had a wonderful visit with Prior Joseph Gabriel 

of Christ in Desert.  The bishop of Polokwane arrived while we were there 

so got to meet him.  3 out of the 6 bishops; pretty good!

The sisters threw us a party last eve, 8:30 - 10:30; I was dead tired.  

But lots of fun; S. Bridget, who is blind, did a lot of singing and dancing. 

Lots of fun. Pray we make our connections.  Diana and Esther are more concerned 

about it than I am.  God has been with us for 39 days, so why not one more day.

I am really feeling tired now that we have finished; think I’m letting 

myself let down.  Will be good to get on the plane and sleep.

Love to all; see you all soon.  What a fantastic experience this has 

been.  I am most grateful to the federation and the community.  All the African 

sisters say to thank everyone for sending us.        

bye,

Rosie

Sun, 10 Sep 2006 16:31:17 -0500

Hi Esther,

We are back on US soil and does it ever feel good.  We had 20 minutes  

to make our connection in Amsterdam and we did along with about 10  

others; they were holding the plane but we got there soon enough that  

it took off on schedule.

Got some sleep on the first leg of the trip; not much from Amsterdam  

to US, getting too excited about getting home.  Have been up all  

day,  enjoying visiting with everyone, drinking real coffee, and  

downloading my pics on the computer.

I need to tell you every single community told us to thank our  

prioresses, to thank S. Esther, to thank the Federation, and to thank  

our communities for sending us over.   They really are grateful for  

the commitment of the American Benedictines.

It has been a fantastic experience;  I wouldn’t recommend that anyone  

try the 6 communities in one trip, but God was with us through  

everyone’s prayers.  Sr. Theresa, an elderly member of the Polokwane,  

commented the last evening that when she heard we were coming and we  

would visit them last, she was sure we would be so wiped out that it  

wouldn’t be a good for them, but she said she was pleasantly  

surprised and was most grateful for our time with them.  I do believe  

we were somehow given the strength to do it through the power of 

prayer.

Our luggage didn’t make it on the plane with us, but arrived here  

this morning, so no problem.  Actually was kind of nice not to have  

to lug it one last time.

Have a good meeting.  Greetings to all my African friends.  Safe  

travels...

Rosie