sunday services

Hi, sorry the last one ws late but I had trouble posting and Steve had to do it eventually. Well today is Monday and I have been to two very different church services. Last week I went to an evangelical service held in the school. Lots of swaying and singing and a rousing sermon on the lamb turning into a lion. I followed most of it but sometimes he really got carried away and shouted. they were a friendly lot.

Yesterday I went to Mass in the seminary about five miles away. A very nice situation on the top of one of the hills that makes up Freetown. It was a special service to raise money for the choir and they went to town. A big set of drums and a shaker accompanied all the responses. It was quite exciting to start with but then I found myself wishing for a bit of peace. The service was a lot about collecting money for various causes. The name of each family was read out and they came and put in money. The Catholic community here are the rich ones but they have no concept of raising money for the poor, of which there are many. All the money goes to buy vestments and costumes for the choir etc.

Anyway, it went on for two and a half hours. I told the priest that I thought he should preach on the parable of the widow's mite next week. It took him a while to understand the implication of what I was saying but it really isn't part of their culture to give quietly, its all about showing how rich you are. Unfortunately, most of the rich here have got their money from corruption and foreign aid being siphoned off.

I probably won't get another chance to go to Mass as Miriam is going up country and then away for Christmas but I didn't find it a satisfying experience anyway.

Bye for now,

Pat