Up in the mountains

Last Saturday (March 5) I got the opportunity to visit the villages that are located in the mountains outside of Dilla. There villages contain small pockets of Catholic worshippers so since they do not have any priests, the Fathers from the Salesian compound visit them twice a month to celebrate mass.  There are about 17 of these villages, or “outstations”, so the Fathers take turns visiting one every morning.

Tadibe chapel

The first village was Tadibe which is nestled on the crest of a hill with magnificent views of the surrounding areas. Even though it is a small village, this congregation has a nice church building made of cement blocks and wooden windows with stained glass as well as a small hall, a field and volleyball court.  The congregation has a dedicated choir and this weekend it was the women’s turn to sing as they alternate with the men.  Villagers streamed in as the singing started in order to celebrate their second mass of the month.

Tadibe chapel with field in front

V-ball court behind Tadibe chapel

Badesa chapel

Afterwards, we left for the village of Badesa, which was about 15 minutes away. This village was located further away from the main mountain road, but in an area where many avocado and banana trees grew.  This congregation was smaller and the church building was more modest than the one in Tadibe. Its walls were made of mud brick and the earthen ground made up the floor of the church but I really admired their strong faith to gather and worship under the poorest of circumstances. 

Playing with children of Badesa

Holding shy little girl

I could see that life in the mountain was not easy for these villagers.  We were able to access these remote villages from a dirt road that connected to the main highway that runs through Dilla.  This road is crucial for the villagers as this is the only way for them to bring their goods to the market in Dilla to sell.  What amazed me the most though was seeing the villagers walking along the dirt road carrying heavy stacks of produce, wood, or other items on their backs!  Talk about perseverance and survival, especially walking up and down on such hilly roads!  

Chiocho chapel

Inside Chiocho chapel

This Saturday (March 12), we made another trip to visit the villages of Bunawatepe and Chiocho, which were located even further in the mountainsides.  Tall, wavy pine trees lined the entrance to the village of Chiocho as if one were in the Austrian countryside. The only difference being that there are many mosquitos in the mountains at this time of the morning!  The chapel at Bunawatepe (means “light of coffee”) has an even more magnificent view of the hillside.  The church itself is also more rustic,  with mud brick walls and a red dirt floor, but it is my favorite chapel as it has a beautiful painting of the Last Supper.

The path to the chapel.

Bunawatepe chapel