I’m learning what a big deal community is here, particularly when it comes to the major events of life. I still find the insistence on visiting the (temporarily) sick bemusing though. I’ve been fortunate enough to avoid any illnesses necessitating such a show of friendship and support but as soon as any of the teachers are off school, their colleagues rush round to see them – can’t imagine anything worse!
What I do think is lovely however is the support of the bereaved. Deo, our school bus driver recently lost his father and the whole community rallied round with visits, prayers and financial support to pay for the funeral, travel expenses etc.
It is the same for weddings, ordinations and other big life events. It’s not just left to the people concerned; these are real community affairs... A committee is formed which helps to organise everything and anyone who may be vaguely involved contributes what they can to the cost of the celebration.
This month we’ve been to both a wedding and an ordination. Both were beautiful and both demonstrated the strength and importance of community. With everyone so involved the sense of celebration and joy really permeates proceedings, and I’ve said many times how much these people like to party! 
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