Happy 35th to Maryknoll Lay Missioners!

Today is the 35th Anniversary to the foundation of the Maryknoll Lay Missioners! My co-missioner Susan and I went to Mass together this morning and then out to a delightful lunch to give thanks for the organization that has given us the journey we are on.

I was just reading a note from our Executive Director Sam Stanton & wanted to share with you some of his thoughts.

"As missioners, we carry a great deal of responsibility, especially to those who make our ministry possible. As our original vision statement said, “Mission is a sacred challenge and gift from God.” Let us take the opportunity of our 35^th anniversary to profoundly ponder the sacredness of our calling and of this moment while we thank our creator God for our many blessings. We especially thank God for our brothers and sisters in the Congregation [Maryknoll Sisters] and Society [, for our current staff, for our alumni and former staff, for our board members, for the Affiliates, and for all our partners in mission throughout the country that support us in so many ways.

For all these blessings, oh God, we thank you with grateful hearts."

We are also giving thanks in Kenya for a very peaceful vote on the constitution. It was so quiet and the peacefulness of the vote gave so much hope for a brighter future.

I am also grateful for good health and beautiful weather in Mombasa right now. I had to take it easy a few days this week when a bug (possibly a malaria-carrying mosquito) got the best of me. Feeling good again seems bittersweet when hearing of the plight of those dealing with the loss of varying degrees now in Iowa and in Pakistan.

My final and most profound gratitude today is for those who have gone before me in Maryknoll, those who encouraged me to follow my heart in deciding to come, and those who have accompanied me along the way.

I found a few photos of faces of missioners to share, but I wish I could put all of your faces that come to mind today.

My MKLM Class back in December - now in Kenya, China, Bolivia, Tanzania, Panama, Cambodia and El Salvador

Two amazing women who inspired me with their joy and their stories of life in Kenya!

And my fellow missioners in Kenya: Pat, Russ, Ilona, me, Susan ...
and Kathy, Cindy and John.

Happy Anniversary MKLM!

With gratitude,
Mary

Praying for Peace in Kenya - Tunaombea Amani katika Kenya

Today is a historic day for Kenya. It is now just before dawn. There is a symphony of birds outside my window proclaiming the new day. Today is the day of a national referendum on a constitution. It might be the first constitution since Kenya gained independence from England in 1963.

The Constitution has been the predominant headline since I arrived in Kenya early this year. When I was in Nairobi, I was asking Kenyans that I was getting to know what they hoped for. Moses, the day security guard at our hostel who also served as our Swahili tutor and friend, told me that his hope was for a new constitution - a new beginning for Kenya.

Since then, the wording was finalized, the draft published, rallies held on both the sides, questions raised, highly publicized arguments and insults thrown, articles written, sermons preached, alliances made, and campaigns full of both innuendo and promise run. Although most agree a new constitution is needed, key issues have hotly contested. Almost three years ago, violence erupted in hot spots around Kenya when the last presidential election results were disputed. The memory of loss, frustration, and unresolved conflicts still remains. The tide seemed to turn in the last two days from heated battling to requests for peace and reconciliation between the two sides whatever the result may be.

After work yesterday, I went to the ocean and it was still. Even the ocean breeze seemed to be holding its breath.

Please join us in praying for peace in Kenya.

July - Mwezi wa Saba (The 7th Month)

I thought I would take you on a photo journey through a few events this past July.
A highlight was visiting friends in Uganda & Kenya. Here's one my the English classes that my friend Cindy Korb (another MKLM missioner) teaches in Kitale. The students and I were enchanted with each other as we asked each other questions and sang songs. Cindy & I gave our best version of Amazing Grace, while the girls sang various ones of hope, love, faith and unity.


Earlier in the month, the Community Based Health Care Center which I work with had a Family Day for children who are receiving treatment for HIV/AIDS through their programs. I went as part of the staff and was happy to see a few of the children that the AIDS Orphans project serves as well - particularly one girl who I has last seen at her home still very weak. The CBHC provides the children with medicine, counseling, and peer-support groups, where as the AIDS Orphans project that I coordinate supports educational needs for some who have lost one or both of their parents to AIDS.

The Family Day had an excellent emcee who has a gift with young people. He found a little performer who sang a solo for us all.

The CBHC staff sang a song about stomping out AIDS and then the teens living with HIV/AIDS performed the song for everyone with the support of a couple staff members - after just hearing it once!
We didn't let the 4th of July go by without a BBQ! Brother Stan is one of the few Americans we know in Mombasa. He is the director of a Marianist Center for training youth. This center offers training in vocational skills such as welding, hairdressing, and catering for an affordable price. We are very happy to partner with them in the training of some of the orphans in the AIDS Orphans project. I was delighted to find when Brother Stan offered to bring cake and buns for the occasion that they were made by some of his catering students (pictured with one of their creations).

As part of our BBQ, (which also included grilling hotdogs & hamburgers) we had a sing-a-long.
July also brought a visitor to Mombasa - Russ, who is a MKLM missioner in Kitale. He came with Jane, a CBHC nurse (2nd right), and I to do home visits. This woman we visited was absolutely delightful. She had recently lost her husband, so Jane wanted to see how she was holding up. Her eldest son was busy constructing a new shed from local materials, and they are fortunate to live where they can do some farming.

Jane was telling me how this little guy always had a beautiful smile for her so she asked for a photo.
July also brings a new year in my life, and I was blessed to have friends to share a meal and homemade cupcakes overlooking the Indian Ocean.

Fellow missioners & friends

As July came to a close, I was able to join the CBHC staff for a meeting at a beautiful place along the beach. We talked about the challenges of our work and it was an honor for me to listen to stories of others.
I also learned how the Giriama (from just north of Mombasa) do their traditional dance - but it wasn't something I was able to master.

The last sunrise in July.

Wishing you moments of peace and wonder in the coming month,
Mary