OOC- People are still free to turn up
Isiobodo hadn't welcomed a foreign group within the memory of anyone living there. It was the capital of the Confederation, the home of its Senate and HQ's of various businesses and the like. It was the component parts of the Confederation that often were more developed but that would need to change. He was not a Christian himself but Dr. Adebola Kamau, the Consul of the Confederation had felt it his duty to be present, he was after all the representative of nearly 45million people united under one flag regardless of origin or religion. Today members of his nation would be celebrating and he felt it only right that he show respect to that celebration. He had arrived at the capitals airport along with Emeka Abiodun, the capitals Archbishop and the Confederations most significant Catholic Priest.
"Good morning Ade" the Archbishop greeted his Consul rather informally. The two might be of different faiths but both enjoyed watching the football and found themselves at Isiobodo Capitals matches often enough that they had become friends.
"Good morning Emeka" the Consul embraced the man. "You've got a good day for it." the Consul gestured to the cloudless sky in which just the coolest of breezes hung. It was a day that a man could get away without sweater or jacket and wouldn't be sweltering like so many days in Kermah could be. "Is everything prepared? Do you need anything from me?"
"A quick baptism could be done" Emeka joked as they watched a coach pull up and in bright colours of every part of the rainbow people emerged and were ushered into a set up tier of seating close to the gate that the dignitaries would exit. Already some private jets had been lined up along the usually quiet airports standing areas where wealthier Kermahites had flown in for the occasion. 25% of the nation professed some form of Christianity and Emeka had heard of days long bus journeys having been undertaken to get the faithful here. As each aircraft of the visitors touched down a similar routine took place. Dr.Abiodun welcomed them to Kermah and made some small talk about their homeland before wishing them a happy visit and offering his services if they required anything. He then politely handed them over to the Archbishop.
Emeka was, in contrast to the Consul, a small man with a shiny bald head and a permanent beaming smile. Rather than offering a hand he embraced each of those attending in a brotherly hug. "I am so grateful you have come to see us today" he told each of them. "The Lord has certainly sent us a day to remember." He took them over to the seating area where the assembled mixture of brightly dressed men, women and children cheered and waved excitedly at each guest before striking up in song. There would be three or four minutes of some gospel hymn and then the ever recognisable
Baba Yetu. The Archbishop beamed even brighter the first time each of the guests heard it and took great pride in explaining. "While we have our official national anthem, and then our tribal one I am very very proud that this is song almost daily and with such passion by 1/4 of our population." Emeka believed pride was a sin but he honestly believed the joyous nature of his people's music mixed with their love of the Lord produced a sound even God would find incredible. When it seemed no one was looking he even found himself clapping and singing along with it.
Once everyone was gathered a large coach arrived and they were invited to climb aboard. "The ride to the new Basillica is not far but as you'll see it may be a little tricky" As the bus pulled out through the airport gate a long straight road led into the capital itself and a phalanx of police outriders on white motorbikes took up position. As they began to enter the outskirts of the city floods of people dressed in reds, blacks, yellows, greens where heading in one direction and several sirens from the motorcycles were needed to create a passage. "We have estimated that around two million people have made the trip to the city." The Archbishop said with pride, "The Consul here had to hastily find large screens for the parks and every cinema will be showing a feed of the day." As the crowds parted some were seen with drums and horns and songs filled the air as different groups began singing and then would without a word settle on one song and join in together. A river flowed down one side of the Basilica and a bridge had to be crossed to gain access to the Basillica and its gardens which were in full bloom. A large metallic fence that would have not looked out of place at a music festival surrounded the complex and soldiers in dress uniform manned entrances where tickets were being checked. As the coach crossed the bridge a large group could be seen at a waters edge apparently carrying out baptisms. "That is Father Abraham Okache, a raising star in our Church family." The Archbishop explained. "He's only been a fully fledged Priest two years now and has quiet a following, he's done a great deal of work spreading our message and today he hopes to baptise 500 people."
Once over the river the coach stopped and allowed everyone to exit. "Please fell free to explore. We've some time before the official part of the day begins." The Archbishop was last off and waved the coach driver goodbye as he joined the group again. The Consul had come with them and made his way into the garden. The Church had little interest for him except for it being a beautiful building. Several young Priests were busying themselves placing orders of service on chairs that had been set out on some of the lawns for those not lucky enough to have a seat inside to still be able to take part.