From Father René Mihigo Marhegane:

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

This evening we will have been in TOGO and in the Diocese of SOKODE for a total of two weeks. Here are a few snippets of news. We are now connected to the internet (last night). Deo Gratias ! Finally we are able to communicate. And thank God, our journey here went smoothly. The welcome in Lomé, the capital, by Mr. and Mrs. Akpalo Venance, friends of the Assumption and in Sokodé by his Eminence Ambroise, by the Sisters of the Family of the Assumption, the Diocesan priests and others was indeed a source of encouragement and surely an acknowledgement that we have truly responded to a need of the Church. One hour after our arrival, the Bishop came to welcome us, «Bonne Arrivée», as one says in Togo.

The same day, a delegation from the Christian community came to see us… and thank God, Brother Antoine Miss, like an older brother, was waiting for us and had prepared everything to make us feel at home.

We are waiting for the arrival of Jean-Paul Sagadou, a.a, a Burkinabé priest, to reach our full complement this year. Bernard Jouanno and some other brothers will join us later because the harvest is great.

Since our arrival, we have formed ourselves into a fraternal and praying community, open to the life of the Diocese. From 25^th to 28^th September we participated in the launch of the pastoral year. The theme of the year is: «The challenge of the different religious sects and movements» This is a beautiful opportunity to become acquainted with other pastoral agents. The Bishop presents us to everyone with great joy just like a father who has waited for the Assumptionists ten long years; it is already an epic story of love, he says! In the nominations of the Diocese, we read: «The Assumptionists are here. They begin by learning about the life of the Diocese…with the intention of founding a new parish and to help us with our other activities».

All in all, I am happy to be part of this foundation on African soil. The community is gradually taking shape. We have the daily rhythm common to countries with hot climates: meditation and Lauds at 06h00 and prayer and the Eucharist in the evening at 18h30. Every Wednesday evening we have a community meeting. I believe that God has called me here to live a new dimension of my Assumptionist vocation.

Our greatest preoccupation at present is setting up the house and establishing different contacts with people. Not forgetting the cooking, the laundry and the shopping because we still do not have a cook. Therefore Roger Randriarinala (Madagascan) and John the Baptist Katembo Kataheruka(Congolais) and me take it in turns to cook.

Today we were greeted by the Chief Coutumier, a very open minded Moslem. Tomorrow the Bishop has invited us to lunch with the Diocesan College of Consulters. It is also Roger's birthday. Pray for us so that we live and witness our Charism. Everything else depends on this. We are all healthy… United in prayer, God is at work. The missionary impetus is a fire that must continue to burn! It is the Sign of new life in the Congregation.

A.R.T!

Father René Mihigo

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