Carol's In Uganda: THE FOUNDING FATHER ARRIVES

This is really a big deal...when a founder visits his or her mission, it is a historical event. The brothers and sisters joining the mission get the opportunity to be inspired and filled with passion from the founder. Father Ho Lung has been to Africa 3 x now, this being his third time. He has seen the Missionaries of the Poor grow and spread throughout the world and has seen the mission in Africa grow tremendously over the last several years.

The welcome was complete with a marching band!

Tumblers

And the Bethlehem Home girl dancers!

He arrived safely yesterday with the welcome deserving royalty. You could see in his now aged and wrinkled brow, the humility of the man who had the courage to follow his heart and the will of God. He looked at times as if he would shed a tear, then composing himself, offered his hand and hugs to all who came to greet him.

Father arriving

Smiling and greeting everyone!

I kept my distance to allow the brothers and sisters to have their moment with Father. Some may never get the chance to see him again as he is growing in years. Even the professed brothers who know Father from years of being some of the first to struggle through the early phases of the Mission, were approaching him as if approaching their own Father with joy and reverence.

Greeting ALL the brothers and sisters

Overcome with the immensity of his welcome
As Father says, " I am just a simple man"

The welcoming Mass also included the induction of 12 of my English class senior Aspirants to Postulants, 3 of my prior English students from Postulants to Novices and my dear friend, Sister Rose from senior Aspirant to Postulant. What a wonderful opportunity to have this done by Father Ho Lung himself!

My class anxiously awaiting their move to Postulants

My prior class of now Novices

Father Ho Lung blessing the new clothes of the brothers

Sister Rose receiving her veil

Sister Rose, the first African Postulant of
Missionaries of the Poor

The feast and celebration afterwards was the usual fun and lively non stop singing, dancing and speeches. The children from both homes were there to perform for a weary Father Ho Lung. Brother John Reddy also was celebrated as he turned 40 yesterday AND celebrated his 20th year with the Missionaries of the Poor. I had given him a large slice of coconut cake from one of the only stores that I know that makes such a cake. Brother John shared it with the 30 brothers who stayed up late cleaning up after the celelbration. He did tell me he even had 2 candles in the cake! This is so typical of the brothers...sharing EVERYTHING!