Jonathan Rendell writes:-
News from Masasi:
- The House of Bishops met last week for a briefing on COVID-19 amongst other business
- All the necessary hygiene matters have been clearly explained to all Bishops who will take these instructions back to their Dioceses: +James was meeting with the Rural Deans yesterday who will intern give the messages to their congregations today
- Churches must only meet in small numbers from this week: two services or more each Sunday if that is necessary
- There are at present 6 people infected with COVID-19 in Tanzania: only one is a Tanzanian; the others have entered the country from abroad.
- Schools and Universities are closing across the nation
- Farah is remaining at home and not going to Mbeya now for her pre-Form 5 three months education
- Hugo is coming home today from University
- Farajah is working still at Mtwara: at the Mkapa Foundation – a three months contract
- Veronica came home from her English course in Mombassa this week
- Rondo: students have all gone home
- Revd Vincent Masimoysa returns home today from Kampala Christian University
- +James diary is somewhat curtailed due to CORVID-19 but will travel to parishes on Sundays, Maundy Thursday and Easter Day
- Saturday, 25th April: the Commissioning Service for the 18 Catechist Graduates from Kwitonji Bible School
- The harvest this year will be a reduced one: some people have managed to plant but many have not been able to do so ….. it was still raining in Masasi on Friday
- The flood relief continues to bring real help to the people of Kilwa District. There is still much lying water but people are planting for the harvest. The Diocese has given many bags of seed to the Regional Commissioner for distribution: they met at Lindi. Hope is being restored through the clothes, the food and the seeds from the Diocese. +James was able to meet with the Regional Commissioner with these gifts and to pray with them.
- +Oscar is back home in Newala; he is working as Bishop again so clearly is recovered from his illnesses. Good news. No other news from Newala just now