All change - Thursday 21 July

It was strange going to Bulawayo Airport with my friends from the Croydon Link group - as they were going off back to Heathrow via Johannesburg and planning what they were going to do to use the six hours that they had to wait between planes at the airport.

As I waved them through check in I was pleased to see Bishop Cleophas arrive with Bishop Christopher.   They had spent the morning together and now Bishop Christopher had come to go home, to spend a busy weekend in Southwark Diocese before joining the Diocesan Group who are going to Taize.  Bishop Cleophas had come to meet the group from the Kingston Episcopal Area Link who were about to arrive.

I gather that the members of the two Link groups met on the tarmac but were unable to do more than wave at each other as the airside security man wouldn’t let them actually get near to each other.  But briefly the two Link Groups were together in Zimbabwe!

The members of the Kingston Group who accompanied Bishop Richard are: Revd Alison Warner (Chair of the Kingston Area Link Group and from St John’s Waterloo), Revd Annie Kurk (Chaplain, St Cecilia School), Deirdre Munro (Mortlake and East Sheen), Jenny Tomlinson (Christ Church,  West Wimbledon)  and Revd Les Wells (Morden Team Ministry).

We were taken by mini bus to the Cathedral where the Diocesan Office is also situated.   Following a brief tour we were each greeted by our hosts for our stay and were taken to our respective homes to rest.

Bishop Cleophas hosted a welcome meal for us at his home.   Archbishop Alex Thomas Kaliyanil, the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Bulawayo was there, as was Bishop Cleophas Sibanda from the Methodist Church and his wife. Bishop Cleophas’ house was in darkness when we arrived, although the generator kicked in just as our hosts arrived with Deirdre and me.  There was a power cut.  I realise that power cuts are not something that I have spoken about a great deal but they are an ever present reality for people in Zimbabwe.   Most people that we have spoken to know when to expect the power cut in their homes and are surprised and pleased when the power cut doesn’t happen or is shorter than expected.

Despite the semi darkness there was a vibrant and excited atmosphere as people were looking forward to the coming few days.  More and more chairs arrived in the room to make sure that we all had a seat and members of the group began to learn about the Diocese.

Just as food was about to be served the electricity returned to great acclaim and an enjoyable meal was had by all.  After we had eaten the guests were introduced to each other and began to talk together.

Then, the visit to Matabeleland having really begun, it was home to bed - ready for the first day of visits.