A Note from Namitembo

The area of Namitembo Mission is in southern Malawi, about 90 minutes drive from the town of Zomba. Not that many people have cars -- especially if you're from Namitembo. Some have bikes, though even riding a bike down the rutted dirt road plateau from Zomba is a harrowing experience.

Fr. Owen O'Donnell is a Montfort missionary priest, who has established a sister parish relationship between us here at St. Bridget and the people of Namitembo. What follows is a note he sent us, upon his arrival back at Namitembo a short time ago. Philip and Frank are priests who serve with him; Philip is a native Malawian, and Frank is a 90+ year old Montfort priest who has served in Malawi for 65 years. Rex is the Malawian Administrator for the Agriculture and Trade School which St. Bridget is helping to build. There's plenty more information on our St. Bridget web site.

Dear Denny,
Yes I am back and just about back in charge of the situation but it wasn't easy. I was back for only an hour when we lost power and were without for four days; everything in the freezer had to be condemned. At around the same time we had torrential rain (six inches) and an awful wind and the report from the Secondary School here that its roof had been blown off (three classes). I also started to receive reports from Frank, Phillip and Rex that we were continually without water: turned out that the water tank had rusted through. And when finally we did get the power back we found that our freezer had frazzled its motor and was causing the main power switch in the house to trip. What a welcome back! Phillip was delighted that it all happened after my return.
Anyway, we now have the freezer repaired and a new tank up on the tower and everything just about back to normal. We have salvaged many of the roofing sheets from the school. Its amazing how good the tinsmiths are here. We have had the bishop for the weekend where he blessed (after waiting almost twenty years) the Church at Luwezi. It was another five hour service and incredibly hot and humid as the rains have started. The previous Sunday, I failed to reach Mlambe outstation due to the heavy rains and came back to Namitembo where I said Mass with a congregation of ten people.
And still we have no e mail facility at the mission. The Company phoned me yesterday: they were doing a customer survey. I don't think they were too impressed with my answers! They continue to tell me that "soon" we will have the best service in Malawi. But when "soon" is they were unable to say.
We again have visitors; we have Erin's parents and brother plus our Provincial superior from the U.K. And for Christmas we will be entertaining five of Brian's family. It has certainly been a year for visitors. By my reckoning we will have hosted more than sixty this year alone.
Denny, thanks for the funds. That were credited to our account on the 22nd Nov. Rex was delighted as he was operating on an overdraft. Happily this overdraft was with me and so there were no service charges involved.
Today we are celebrating Frank's 65th anniversary of his priestly ordination. I have bought in a few bottles of nice wine for the occasion and tomorrow we are all planning on having lunch up on the plateau. But what an example he is to us all.
Denny my regards to all. Take care and God Bless,
Owen