TIME OFF! A TRIP TO KENYA TO VISIT THE BROTHERS AND FELLOW CMMB VOLUNTEER MARIA PROVOST!

I had been trying to get to Kenya to visit the Missionaries of the Poor Brothers at the newly forming mission there. I also wanted to visit Maria, fellow CMMB volunteer working in Mutomo. It all seemed to fall in place when I found out Maria would be in Nairobi the same weekend I was planning on going...Divine Providence?  I think God even knows when we need a break!

I had to say goodbye to my beloved Novice Brothers before I left. Half of them were chosen to go to Jamaica to the Mother House there with Fr Hulong to continue their formation. It is an incredible opportunity for them but I was sad to have to say goodbye. I will miss their smiling faces at work and their constant joyful joking.

Half of my first English class heads to Jamaica

I was lucky enough to coordinate a ride with Father Henry and the Sisters returning to Kenya for their home visit. They will be there for 3 months to discern whether this is their vocation. We boarded a bus leaving at 8 PM to arrive about 11 AM the next AM. I met the 8 Brothers there (along with Brother John, whom I knew from Uganda). I can;t say enough about this group of men. They are unbelievably dedicated to serving while working in less than ideal surroundings. They have to rent a small 2 bedroom house while building their own monastery and while still serving the poor of the community.

Brother Simon showing me the new dorm
(to be ready in about a month) 

One of the young men living there during the building
for security

Brother Simon showing the property

The gardener

They take little rest, work long hard hours and often go without food in order to be able to give it to the locals who have so little. It is amazing to see what this small group of men have accomplished. They have set up a HUGE garden on their property (nearly 3 acres), are nearing completion of a small portion of the building to allow them to move in soon (in a month's time). They have a new apostolate where a handful of children and adults have been taken in. They have school and catechism for the children and minster spiritually to the local community.

A young mother taken in by the brothers (left) 2 of our Sisters (one holding  the
new baby of the young mother) Brother Simon and the Matron
4 of the new young orphans taken in 

Brother John Reddy (Left) and Brother Simon

the chapel

The Brothers discussing the construction 

The clinic
(open to the community)

The kitchen at the apostolate 

The children at the apostolate waiting for lunch 

It is rainy season in Kenya. This means the ground which is normally very dry cannot hold the water. It tends to pool and flood giving the opportunity for diseases to spread throughout the area. The Kenyan growing season is shorter than Uganda due to lack of rain. This leads to widespread scarcity of food and results in a poorer community base. Things in Kenya are much more expensive than Uganda compounding the problem. The Brothers work tirelessly despite the huge mountain they seem to have to fight against.

The walk in the community 

Brother Simon with some of the local children 

This was the view out the door of every house we
entered...the children followed us around 

sincere smiles 

Brother Simon took me around to visit the local community and the apostolate while I was there. The children followed us everywhere with curious smiles and giggles. The homes were small, one room huts with no running water and rarely electricity. The community were gracious hosting the 2 of us with sodas in each home we entered as their custom. It nearly broke my heart.

a typical home 

The "river" you see is actually the road which is flooded 

There is so much need here I wanted to stay and help...soo much to be done, not only PT wise but with nursing. I could see my Home Health skills being very useful here as we met a woman with severe neuropathy (suffering from HIV) that had to travel an hour to get to Physical Therapy at a local hospital. The brothers found a broken wheelchair for her and took the time to take her in 2 x week despite this being a 3/4 day event. The poor woman was soo tired after her short session there.

Visiting a family of 8 children...the Mother is working the Father has left 

Happy for visitors 

This is LUNCH...for 8 children...greens picked from the yard 

Suffering from not only HIV and neuropathy but from abandonment
(except for the Brothers who provide food and medical care for her
and her family) 

I was overwhelmed by the 3rd day. The Brothers have a capacity for beyond mine to be able to live with the emotional toll of the poor that surround them. They have a gift...this gift is truly evident in the work they are able to do with smiles, joy and consistency....THANK GOD there are people like them in the world!

FROM DEATH TO BIRTH TO NEW LIFE!

February brought sadness to my heart with the loss of Michael, my dear friend. I have never forgotten him, nor could I ever as he touched my life so deeply with his kindness. His family is moving on and his brothers are slowly healing with everyone’s prayers and support. Life continues despite the sadness. There is a continual rebirth of creation surrounding us, and a call to be present through it all.

Palm Sunday

Easter season was a powerful one here at the Monastery. This, being the most sacred of celebrations for the church, is fully embraced and experienced in all aspects of life here.

The Blessed Sacrament for the all night vigil

The most powerful for me was Holy Week. I had never experienced being so close to the powerful sacredness of the Passion as I was this week. The all night vigil of the Holy Eucharist with the quiet chanting that the Brothers kept was especially powerful. I could even hear them from my room throughout the night.

The stations of the cross

Now…in Africa, they seem to do everything in the church BIG! (The Easter vigil not withstanding). It was the most AMAZING celebration I have ever seen! Fr Raymond and Fr Henry really take care to include the local culture and dance into the celebrations making them exceptionally powerful! The celebration included the following (but not limited to):

·      A bonfire outside to light the Easter Candle

·      Rwandan dancers and drummers dancing around the fire and the crowd with the most palpable, heart thumping and intense drumming imaginable

·      Full on local and tribal dancing throughout the celebration

·      The usual fireworks

·      LOTS AND LOTS OF SINGING AND CLAPPING

The next day was even bigger from what I hear, though I was at Busega to help out with the Easter celebration there. Fr Raymond had local dancers come in to entertain the boys following their Easter Mass. This again, was un-comparable!

Baby Pricilla's Baptism

To top it off, I was asked by one of the past female residents of the Good Shepherd Home to be the God Mother of her child being baptized that day. It is important to the local people to have their children baptized on Easter if at all possible.

The first Baptism at Busega!

I agreed and Brother Peter became the God Father. It was the first baptism at Busega with Fr Raymond presiding. All the children raised their hands to bless their new Sister to the world. Very touching. Welcome baby Pricilla!

Soon after this, I was invited to my first “introduction”. This is basically a Ugandan wedding. I could spend hours describing the traditions and the celebration process, but suffice to say, it is just as emotionally charged, expensive and HUGE as any wedding in the USA! Julius, our driver at MOP is getting married!

The Brothers and Jared arrive for the Introduction

Unlike the USA, however, it the man who has to pay for everything…and organize everything! Most people do not get married as the cost for this is extensive, especially if one wants to get married in a church (because then there are basically 2 weddings…one traditional and one for the church).

The Groomsmen
(Julius in the middle with the cross) 

Preparing to visit the Bride's family 

Julius' family getting ready to enter the bride's home

THE ONLY bad thing about this was I had to wear a Gomez…the traditional dress for Uganda women that happens to highlight all the wrong curves! Lets just say, it brought with it unwanted attention though everyone seemed to get a kick out of it.

The children LOVE weddings! 

Hopefully the only time you will see me in this
(Gomez: traditional Ugandan dress) 

The introduction lasts hours and hours. The Brothers, Fr Henry and another volunteer (Jared) and I were invited to escort the groom to the bride’s home. The groom has to come bearing gifts for the whole family. There is a lot of traditional teasing going on between the two tents set up across from each other (one housing the bride’s family and the other the groom’s family) There are several sets of women that come dancing before the groom’s tent all decked out in their best. First the youngest group moving towards the oldest. The groom is to choose from among the women who his bride will be.

The older women dancing in to present themselves to the
Groom's family

The Bride and her escorts are the last to dance

Of course, the Bride comes in the last group…the bride’s sister in law leads her dancing toward the groom seated in his tent while waving a hankerchief…she then holds it over the groom’s head. He grabs the hankerchief form the other end and they all dance out to the middle. He now has his bride.

Julius the nervous Groom, Father Henry and Julius' sister 

Juliette...the beautiful bride
(I think Ugandan women are very beautiful) 

The parents of the groom are not present (they are not invited) though the parents of the bride are obviously there. It is the sister and brothers that are in charge of this union ceremony. There are speeches, gift giving and feasting. There is also a traditional song sung by an old man to the bride…I found out he is telling her how to be a good wife….hmmmm too bad there isn’t as song for the groom as well.

Our group (the Brothers, Father, Jared and I) was invited into the small one room home of the bride where water and a basin were brought in for us to wash our hands. They then brought in a feast for us including Matoke (the steamed bananas; meats, potatoes both sweet and Irish, greens, beans, bread and soda)

Enough food for even ME!
(the meat is wrapped in banana leaves and steamed) 

We had to leave after several hours though the introduction lasted well into the night. It was truly a celebration of a new life together. The happy couple will be married in the Church in June…imagine…doing this all over again…ahhh…it will again be a joyful occasion!

The continuum of life marches on…goodness abounds and joy can be found around every corner. Father always says, “ desolation never lasts forever, God’s mercy and compassion is ever present and reminds us that new life and new beginnings are always surrounding us…just embrace it all” 

UGANDAN MEN

I couldn't help myself...I had been seeing this all over town since my arrival...I have been constantly thinking that once day I need to get a picture of this unique form of containment. I just find it rather interesting that Ugandan men are treated in such a fashion!!!

Not an uncommon scene!

I finally took the opportunity this week when doing errands with Robin. Robin is now dubbing himself as my "personal assistant" given the fact I need his help on almost everything from transport, IT support, directions, interpretation (he speaks fluent English, Swahili and Luganda) and item location.

We had to do many takes as Robin was laughing so hard he
couldn't hold the camera straight! 

I know I must have embarrassed him to no end but could not help myself as I needed to share this all of you. I managed to get a snap of this not so rare scene for your viewing pleasure!

I know I got a lot of looks for this...not to mention murmurs of
"crazy muzungu!"

MIRACLES DO HAPPEN!! JUST BELIEVE!!

Please know there are miracles here in this world! God said “you will do these things and more” and it is true. We just don’t have enough Faith according to what the Monsignor said yesterday. The fight of Good over evil has already been won…we just have to have the Faith to live this truth.

The power of God through men of Faith has also been an experience of mine over these last months. The following is one of many experiences but again, was so palpable and awe inspiring that I can still feel it as I think about it. Father Raymond is known as a healer. Many people come weekly to get a blessing from him. He sees up to 350 people a day on busy days.

Fr Raymond

Anyhow, we were having a party for him for his birthday at the boy’s home in Busega. He was busy as a bee as always, never sits and never eats and was serving lunch to the many volunteers who always help him out. The matrons had called me to minster to a child who suddenly became ill. I remember thinking that Fred was aweful hot when I arrived but he greeted me with his same big smile and bone crunching hug to my legs that he always does. Fred has spastic CP affecting all 4 limbs and mouth (kinda like the "My left foot" guy) He can’t speak save for a yes or no. 

Gives blessings at offertory as well

I found Fred lying still on the tile floor in the midst of the crowd. The Matrons told me he has an ear infection. I picked him up and carried him to a bunk in the dorm. There were no kids there (highly unusual) as they were out eating the feast lunch that had been prepared. Fred was grimacing and holding his R ear with his fisted hand. I went to get Brother Sonny to ask him to open the clinic to get some ear drops and pain meds. Then I went back to Fred to do some cranial work to try and open up his ear to allow it to drain. I held and rocked him but he remained hot and still.

I cradled his head in my hands and felt the bed sheets soaked. I looked and realized the bed was wet from Fred’s tears. He was in agony and it broke my heart. I found out that we had no medicine that would help in the dispensary I looked up feeling helpless until I remembered that Fr Raymond was a “healer”.

"OK"…I said to myself, "He is going to have to heal his boy". I got up and found Father in the dining room serving the volunteers. I stood next to him (he sort of has a presence that makes it hard to approach him..I always feel nervous about bothering him as he is constantly busy) He didn’t look up as he worked but said “Yes, Carol” I replied, “One of your boys is sick and you need to do a healing right now on him” He continued to work and said “I will be there in 3 minutes” He passed out a few more plates as I stood there without moving and my arms crossed. I wasn’t going to leave until he followed me. He sensed this and looked up and smiled, “OK, I am coming now, take me to him”.

Fred and his usual smile

We walked into the dorm, where it remained empty save for Fred on the bunk. I walked up to Fred saying, “Fred, Father Raymond is here, it will be OK now”. Father asked, “What is his name?” I told him, “Fred”. He knelt down next to the bunk so I followed suit and then he was silent for a moment. Father’s presence changed and I felt a sense of serene power, which became palpable. The light from the windows was streaming in showing the dust in the air and the loud celebratory noises outside became a quiet din in the background.

He then said “Our help is in the Lord” and I replied, “Who made heaven and earth”. Father then began to say a prayer of Praise and Thanks to God for giving him the gift of healing and for always being there for us. He then placed his hands on the boy’s head and basically commanded him to be well. He said that Fred will be relieved of all symptoms immediately and that he will be fully healed by the time the clock strikes midnight. I had tears streaming from my eyes as he spoke. I felt such a flow of pure love from Father Raymond come over Fred as I held Fred’s little arms. It was powerful and I was overcome.

He then sat back on his heels and his presence returned to the Father Raymond I knew. He mentioned, “Yes, I see the swollen lymph nodes in his neck”.  He then patted Fred on the shoulder and smiled warmly, got up and left. I sat there stunned and sitting on the bed with tears still streaming down my cheeks. I was in awe of what love I felt and the Faith in which Father Raymond worked. I couldn’t stop staring out the window still feeling God’s healing power in the air.

Fred in his usual state of constant motion
most pictures of him are blurry for this reason!

That is, until Fred began to tap on my arm. It took me a moment to even realize it was him, as he had been soo still moments before. I looked down to see Fred smiling his HUGE smile. I commented “Don’t tell me you’re better already?!” He nodded a big yes and then mouthed, “I am hungry”. Now, Fred had not eaten since the day before, as he had not been feeling well. I felt his head and neck. His temperature was back to NORMAL! OK…I would not have believed it for a moment had I not felt him burning up with fever moments before.

I got up and retrieved some food from the party and fed Fred who ate like there was no tomorrow. He guzzled down the orange soda and even asked for more. I asked if he was in any pain, he shook his head “No”.

Though I was not sure Fred even knew what was happening when Father did the healing, I thought it could be placebo (how little faith I had despite experiencing first hand the presence of God) though I had hoped it was not. I knew that without treatment, an ear infection would not suddenly get better and was curious to see if Fred was still feeling well the next AM. I had my proof when I walked into the dorm in the morning…Fred was scooting around on his butt (his normal mode of transport) playing with the other kids. I asked if he was feeling OK and he said with a big smile “FINE!”.

OK…I am convinced of the direct presence of God with us, walking along side of us in the disguise of our own Brothers and Sisters, in the Poor, in the Sick and the Lame. God is truly with us…it is true when He said, “I will never leave you…” Father Raymond smiled and shrugged when I told him Fred was back to normal….Faith is a powerful thing and we should expect miracles like Father does…with a shrug and smile saying “Of course you got better…of course nothing bad happened to you, of course it all worked out….” Oh ye men of little Faith!

I know you too will even experience miracles yourselves if you haven't already. God shows us directly that as we give our hearts to Him, He will work miracles through us! Miracles of saying just the right thing to the right person at the right time…miracles of supporting your family and friends at just the right time when they need it…miracles of creating systems, poetry, music, art that will inspire someone to do something good for someone who needs it…miracles of healing when you hold someone who is ill or who is sad or who is on the brink of despair…you will see the healing immediately as I did with Father Raymond.

The kids always follow Fr Raymond around 

Have Faith that it is as easy as belief…it takes a moment to transform…that it is ALREADY HERE! It is a matter of looking at life a slightly different way…it is moving through life with JOY because Faith is there and there is no reason with that Faith to worry anymore, be anxious anymore! God needs you to have ALL your energy to give…not waste it on needless worry…He has taken care of all troubles for you so all you have to do is serve with Joy. It is as simple as that….you just need to ask yourself, Do you have the Faith to believe it?