This little light of mine

The song "This Little Light of Mine" has taken on new meaning for me in the last two weeks. I knew it as a children's song from Bible school many years ago. Now it is a joyful memory of Coralis, my mentor and friend, who left Mombasa today for another chapter in her life story.

After returning from the airport , I was doing a bit weeding-therapy in my shamba (garden), about which I will post on another day, and reflecting on some of the things I learned from Coralis about mission.

+ Sometimes people just need someone to listen.
+ Things take time. Don't rush them.
+ Be present.
+ We can come to know God more deeply in all we do.
+ Be one with the car.

I will add more as they come to me. It has been an incredible privilege to know and work with Coralis. She is a woman of deep faith, many versatile talents, and great hospitality. She will be greatly missed in Mombasa.

It's common for women to be called Mama here, usually followed by the name of the mother's first child. Coralis is fondly called Mama Paulo. For me, we decided that my new name would be Mama Bado ... or Mama Not-Yet.

Coralis with some of the children in the AIDS Orphans Project

Nenda salama - Go in peace. I know your light will continue to shine.

Moments of Life - Maisha

I was thinking tonight of several moments from the past days. I don't know of an equivalent phrase in Swahili, so I am sticking with just maisha, which means life.

• having a police officer help me move the car off the road by directing nearby men to Sukuma! (Push!)
• being told by a Kenyan "that's life!" and being humbled in realizing that my challenges are so small relative to those I serve
• drinking uji (porridge - like liquidy malt-o-meal) this afternoon in the support group for pre-teen kids that have all been HIV+ since they were born, laughing with them as we said "cheers" in as many languages as I could come up with
• singing songs I don't really know and somewhat out of tune with new friends
• making my new colleagues laugh
• being honored to hear someone's story

These have been some of the moments that give me hope. There have been challenging moments, too, especially realizing that there are not easy answers.

Photos of life in Mombasa:

Joyful faces of our kids, showing off the prizes of lollipops from the Education for Life workshop

Most days I take a matatu, or mini-bus like these to work. They conveniently stop anywhere on their route - which is hazardous for a new driver like me trying to avoid a collision.

Tuk-tuks are also available for a ride - 65 cents will get you most anywhere in town, & another group of vehicles to watch for while driving.
Behind the tuk-tuk, you see a hand cart, which men earn a living by transporting goods, an incredibly demanding line of work.

Most of our children live (with their guardians & families) in rental units that would be one room of these structures. If you look at the spacing of the windows, you could see how big one room might be. The clothes drying on the line made me think of everyday life.

Being on the coast, every once in awhile, there's a glimpse of incredible beauty and the wonder of creation.

Another image of life in Mombasa. Many people try to make a living selling items along the street. Here there are tomatoes on the bottom right and coconuts heaped in the bottom center.

My heart has been heavy this week as one of my cousins was laid to rest after a fight with cancer. My thoughts are with his mom, his siblings and his wife.

Life is so precious.

The Visitation

Yesterday we celebrated what we call in English, the Visitation, reading the story of a pregnant Mary going to visit her cousin, Elizabeth, who was also pregnant. This story is one that I find moving for a variety of reasons.

The idea of the two of them supporting one another. I imagine them drawing strength from each other. They both were facing unusual circumstances, one pregnant in her old age and the other out of wedlock. I find myself grateful for all those who have supported me in my transition here in Mombasa.

The second idea that really struck me yesterday was the time of expectation - the time in which change has already begun but also knowing that there is more to be - the time of preparation and of growth that happens during a pregnancy. So while there are many differences in their story and in mine, I saw those parallels. My work has begun, but I know it will be evolving. I am still preparing for more, learning my way around town, trying to improve my language skills, reading the family history of the many children in the project and hoping to remember their faces when they come to the office at the next term break. I know there will great life and growth in this experience for me.

A couple other moments to share accompanied by photos:

Tabitha

One of the joys of the project I am working on is seeing young people succeeding. Tabitha is one of the success stories of the project. She graduated from high school this past year, scored very well on the national exam, and is hoping to study Electronic and Electrical Engineering at Kenyatta University next year. The Archdiocese prepared a video about her and we visited her family home. As she told me on the way, it's a simple home, but it's theirs. I am so proud of her and hope she finds a way to reach her dreams.

At home with Tabitha and her family. Her nephew has a beautiful smile that the photo didn't capture.

A week ago, my new parish, the Holy Ghost Cathedral, celebrated Mass outside, as Pentecost is the feast day of the Holy Spirit. Three different groups of children danced.


After the service, the bishop invited us to the front to introduce ourselves. He told everyone that Coralis is leaving (and tried to make her commit to coming back!) and welcomed Susan & I to the archdiocese. I managed to give a speech that sounded like I know Swahili ...

Another lesson I've been shown here repeatedly is hospitality - Both Fr Kengah (far right) and Coralis have been taking foreigners under their wings and teaching with their gentle ways.

Eating Swahili style - on the floor with our hands

This photo shows my fellow missioners, Pat and Ilona, with our newpaper guy, Joseph. Joseph told me on Sunday that it makes him happy to see me. I didn't tell him that I got all emotional the week before that when he gave me the Swahili newspaper as a gift to help me learn more. He has been a patient Swahili instructor so I always chat with him when ever I am passing by his stand.

And by request, a photo of our backyard. The tree with the palm leaves is a coconut tree with the neighborhood crows who serve as my alarm clock. The large tree in the back right is a mango tree (laden with many large mangoes), and directly beneath it, with the thin straight trunk is a papaya tree. The bushes in front right are jasmine, which the owners harvest as buds to sell locally.

Wishing you a wonderful June!