Nairobi at Last

Sunday, January 25, 2009

At 5:10 am this morning I could hear the Muslim call to prayer from the nearby mosque, the birds cheering the sun up, the dog pack next door barking, and the ever present traffick all at the same time.

The Kenyans I have met have been very gracious and friendly. There are few people of European decent. Lots of Somalis and Indians.

I am staying with the Irish/Kenyan Sisters of Mercy here at Villa Maria. They are great gals and I am lucky they have taken me in. I feel as though I am at home with my family on a Sunday afternoon back in the 1950's. I've not heard this many broughes in one spot in years.

I have been here for one week and have set up a bank acct., got the cell phone up and know how to get around somewhat on my own. Since I voted for Obama I feel like a national asset here in Kenya. The people have been so excited and filled with hope. Right after he was sworn in they lit off some serious fireworks in Nairobi which we could not see because of distance. The papers are filled with news of the drought which is causing famine in some parts of Kenya but the grain (maize) that should have helped the people was horded and sold by corrupt gov't officials.

The other news is of the high number of people killed each week in accidents involving lories, motorcycles and MATATUS. A matatu is a van which seats about 12 people but usually has 15 or more in it. The drivers routinely play "chicken" with other vehicles. There are no stop signs and I have only seen two or so signals in a city of over one million. It's a game of centimeters!

Mail costs more than in the U.S. It takes about $1.30 just to mail a letter. At least the stamps are pretty. And speaking of pretty, Kenya is a most beautiful country. We are at about 5500 feet so the weather is perfect. I have not seen clouds like these anywhere else where I've traveled. Even the birds are exotic. One in particular, the Hadada Ibis, prays with me almost every morning before we go to Mass. Nairobi is a very Catholic city. There are churches everywhere and they are filled on Sundays (but not with Ibises).

I am still waiting for the bishop of the diocese where I will be living to give me the okay to go to Sudan. He had a priest from his diocese die and the diocese had to prepare the funeral that was held yesterday. The funerals tend to last 2 and 1/2 hours and then there is the burial.

The blessing rite after Mass two weeks ago is still in effect. I pray over ALL the words to the hymns and the blessing itself. I know I have not gone to Sudan alone.

On My Way

Less than 24 hours till lift off for Africa.

My community of Sisters of Mercy here in Burlingame, CA had a very moving blessing ceremony at the end of the Liturgy on Sunday, January 11, 2009. Following the Liturgy there was a luncheon in the dining room. I feel spiritually strong enough to begin this adventure - a ministry of teaching young Sudanese girls in Narus.

After I arrive in Nairobi on Sunday, Jan. 18, I will begin the process of getting an E visa for Sudan. It takes two or three weeks. I should be in Narus in early or mid February - the hottest month of the year in Southern Sudan. Kathleen