elaine
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Dear Friends,
It is almost impossible to believe that the Closing Ceremonies for the Interfaith Pilgrimage of the Middle Passage will be happening this Saturday, June 12 at 11 am in Capetown, South Africa.
On Friday, the Gospel Requiem was performed for the last time on the Pilgrimage at St. George's Cathedral in Capetown.
On Saturday morning, the Pilgrimage will walk from St. George's to St. Cyprian School where Closing Ceremonies will begin at 11 am South African time, 5 am Eastern Daylight Savings Time. Saturday evening the Pilgrims will spend their last evening together as a full Pilgrimage.
After closing ceremonies, the Pilgrims will depart from one another: some returning directly back to the States, others staying on a bit in Johannesburg, still others going back to revisit in West Africa, and yet others will be going to the Peace Pagoda in Lusaka, Zambia! Saturday will be the last day for all to be together.
Needless to say, the depth of all that has been experienced in this last year will take many, many months to process. Right now, the Pilgrims are joyful and weary in the same breath. Emotions are mixed but Spirit is High.
In spite of most sincere intentions here at the home-base, it wasn't possible to post too much on the website until this time. After Accra, the Pilgrims' path was one of faith overcoming major logistical challenges. Two extra weeks were spent in Nigeria while the way to get to South Africa manifested itself. Once in South Africa, the change in climate and culture took it's toll. Four more people came down with malaria, many others suffered colds and flu, about half the Pilgrims experienced muggings (the mugging rate is 100% in Johannesburg). No one was hurt and not so much was taken. However, each experience carried its own trauma that had to be worked through.I am glad to say that folks survived it all in good spirit.
The days, weeks, months spent from Accra to Capetown will be duly recorded and eventually posted on the website. It will be a glorious capitulation of a most profound event.
It is awesome to contemplate Saturday, the 12th of June, as the last day of the Pilgrimage. Wasn't it just last month we were having Opening Ceremonies in Leverett? What a full year plus a month it has been for all involved !
We ask for your continued prayers for all the Pilgrims as they continue their individual journeys. We are most grateful for all that has been given. While it is the last day of the Pilgrimage, it will not be the last that you hear from all of us. There is Work ahead in great abundance.
From the home-base with love and blessings,
elaine
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