It has been good to welcome Mike Heylings this week, from Mitcheldean. Mike is here for 7 weeks to help with English teaching in the college, and will be living with us - and as you can see is well settled in already! I'm so pleased to be able to share the teaching load, so after an introductory day with me today he will be in full flow next week, giving me more time for my main subjects.
Earlier this week I accompanied colleagues to the funeral of a young pastor's wife who had died following child birth. A very sad day. I didn't know her but here support at such an occasion is important, regardless of whether you are acquainted. I've written about a local funeral before, but continue to be impressed and challenged by the way grief is dealt with. I was out for 7 hours! The first hour consisted of driving in various circles around town, progressively filling the landrover with people hoping for a lift... clergy, wives, babies..... and bumping over the village roads to the church. The basic service is perhaps similar to what we would expect in the West, though attended by upwards of 800 people. Then everyone came forward to give a gift of money to support the husband and his family - and as in this picture - to give a word of comfort. This took an hour or so but was very beautiful. After introductions of all the guests and more prayers, everyone came forward again to walk past the coffin, which was opened... again a reverent though emotional gesture. Then we walked to the burial site, where the men are traditionally responsible for the burial while the women sit quietly and prayerfully some distance away. It's strange for me as in much of the service, as a priest, I join with the men, but at the time of the burial realized I needed to stay with the women. While it was sad and very respectful there was much chatting and singing, and the day ended with a meal of rice and beans for everyone who had come.
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