Napenda Kwaresima - I like Lent.

Today, Ash Wednesday, starts Lent.  Lent is the 40 days before Easter, a time for some Christian traditions of prayer, fasting (or giving up something ...), and giving to the poor.  Over the years, I've given up coffee, snacks, favorite bad habits, but I've found more meaning in seeing Lent as a time for change.  A new start.

I was asked how I've changed over the past three years and I'm yet to find the answer, but my time in Mombasa certainly has been a spiritual journey - one of many challenge and many times starting anew.  Our group of 7 Maryknoll Lay Missioners left New York in December 2009 with our motto of 'How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news.'  Some days I wonder what good news I bring - or I realize I haven't any good news that day...

So again and again, we start anew.  Not just in mission, but in life.  A friend/co-worker and I had a little saying in our work in Northridge - It's a new day.  This Lent I am reflecting more and hope to share some of that with you.

New handshakes - a game from Brenda, our youth specialist/family friend who came to visit with my sisters in January.

Yesterday I had visitors from two families in my office arrive late in the afternoon.   One conversation was filled with nuances as we danced around the ideas of truth and fairness.  We had sponsored a lovely young girl for two years under false pretenses and her aunt was trying to get us to continue - and then instead proposed we "exchange" her son's name for the young girl's in the project.  We both laughed and tried to get our points across.  I was happy to have my assistant Flora to listen in and make sure my Swahili skills were sufficient.  (Sometimes I find out later that I didn't quite communicate what I meant.)  This time I think we understood each other.

My other visitors were more bittersweet - two young ladies that have been assisted and are now trying to do hairdressing work from their home while they care for their disabled mother.  My heart goes out to them and I wish I could do more to make their lives easier. 

My prayer this Lent comes from Psalm 51

Still, you insist on sincerity of heart; in my inmost being teach me wisdom.

Sharing Adventures

Recently I was blessed with my sisters and another good friend coming to visit me in Kenya.