Six rivers to cross

Father Jean-Lambert Kalala parish priest at the Rookdale Mission is a long way from home.

Coming from  the Democratic Republic of Congo when Father Jean joined the order of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate he dedicated his life to being a missionary for Christ knowing that he would be sent to wherever he was needed.

With French as his home language when he came to our Archdiocese he spoke a little English and  no Zulu. But the people took him to their hearts and taught him. Now eight years later he’s as fluent in  Zulu as he is in his mother tongue.

Rookdale is a particularly demanding mission. Based in the foothills of the mighty Drakensberg mountains Father Jean must spread himself over 19 outstations managing only to say mass in each place once every two months. So you can imagine how precious this occasion is to these small rural communities .

To reach the outstations in one direction there are six rivers to cross – with no  bridges. In good weather his vehicle takes him through. But when the rains come down it’s too dangerous to risk the rushing waters. In another direction it’s only possible to drive till the road ends. Reaching the  other side of a mountainous ridge must be done on foot.

But life at Rookdale is not only about Church  matters it’s about reaching out to the people as Jesus in His mercy would do. See Father Jean’s story below ...

‘When I came upon this woman and her children I could feel my tears start. They were sheltering between a few crumbling walls holding up what could barely be called a roof. I couldn’t just leave them like that.  Thanks to God a Sister in Pietermaritzburg gave me a donation. And with the help of a traditional builder in the area we’ve made clay and straw bricks to build a small home which will soon be complete.’

Pictured top right is the 'house' in which the woman lived before and below is the new home which Father Jean-Lambert Kalala helped to build