Two Sundays ago we went to Mass to the Holy Ghost Father's compound which includes grammar and secondary schools - about 30 acres in all. After Mass we visited the cemetery within the grounds to pay our respects to the first 3 Mercy sisters who died in Kenya. As an added treat I got to see the grave of the sister who died from a hunting spider bite 18 months ago.
Speaking of such, the geckos are a delight to watch, especially int he chapel. They have plenty of moths to eat as there are not screens on the windows and you need to keep them open day and night because of the heat.
Those of you who were at Mercy Burlingame's Golden Jubilee Celebration last June might remember the lovely blue dress I wore. I had bought it in Nairobi in May. When I returned here I discovered this type of dress is only used as a house dress or bathrobe and so I have not worn the two I have outside the convent but I will wear it to teach in Narus, Sudan.
Yesterday I got my Sudanese visa. A truly beautiful document, only it had me as 5'2" with brown eyes and grey hair and born on Mercy Day. The passport number and photo are correct and that is all that matters. Thank God they did not ask for my weight.
You can tell I am grasping for things to write about. Politics is always a hot item here. The headlines in the "Daily Nation" say "ANNAN CALLS KIBAKI(president) AND RAILA(an MP) TO GENEVA." Former UN chief backs local tribunal but warns: Hurry up or list goes to the Hague. It has been more than a year since the election violence and there has been no prosecution of the perpetrators of election violence. Well over 1000 people were killed in the rioting and several hundred thousand displaced.
Then there is the famine. Not too many countries want to help Kenya since there has been some serious corruption in regard to the maize that was stored for just such an occurance.
Hopefully, the next blog will be from Sudan.
Thank you all for your support of this venture.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
NAIROBI - AGAIN
Yes, it is true. I am still in Nairobi and will be here another two to three weeks. However, I have been doing some research for the nutrition class I will be teaching in Narus. Did you know that a given weight of dried caterpillars is two and one half times more nutritious than an equal amount of red meat protein wise? Or, the same weight of live and wingless termites is just about equal in protein as the same weight in red meat. Stock up! Also cow peas have the most vitamins and minerals with cassava leaves not far behind. I have eaten these veggies which are quite good.
I met with the Vicar General of the Diocese of Torit who assured me that I will be able to go to Sudan after I meet with Bishop Akio. The bishop has a diocesan meeting until the 17th of this month. He told me that the diocese of Torit is larger than the state of New York and has 15 Sisters in in and about 50 priests. Rome has asked the European orders to send their sisters to Southern Sudan. I am not sure if many will come. Time will tell.
I also had lunch with the two Maryknoll Sisters, Theresa, 73 and Madeleine, 88, who will be living very near me in the same compound. Both sisters have been in Sudan for years. They live in a semi-cloistered setting and have an extra bedroom for anyone who may wish to have a prayerful experience. Theresa does spiritual direction. They meet a real need, especially for religious and clergy. They were kind enough to share their "bitten in bed by scorpion" stories. I am going to have a cat tethered to my bed and that is final!
Two weeks ago the teachers strike was still on in Nairobi and I visited a Mercy primary and secondary school run by the Mercys. They also have an Aids/TB/Perinatal Clinic next to the school. The seconday school (high school) girls were in full uniform and the class bells were automatic so that each time the bell rang the girls would go to their next class and study and tutor each other. I was quite impressed. The school has two billy goats who keep the grass under control. The convent has several cats which keep the mice and rats at bay. A very substantial dinner is served around 1:00 each day for the girls. It was chicken and rice and veggies the day I was there.
On Sunday I hitched a ride with another sister, Sr. Goretti Rule, a good friend of Sr. Jean Evans, going up to Nakuru where the Novitiate is. Nakuru is in the Rift Valley. The convent is quite large and has a view of the lake. There are three novices and a novice mistress. The postulate is in another city and has 4 postulants. All the novices are Kenyan. I am considered an ex-patriot or ex-pat. Those who enter are in their 20's or 30's. This is a time of quiet and study for them. One of the women, Sr. Willamina, is Turkana (Northern Kenya) and was bitten by a hunting spider when she was younger. It was a harrowing tale but I am still going to Sudan.
I stayed long enough to visit Lake Nakuru, a National Park and Game Reserve. Sister Goretti Rule took me on a tour in their vehicle and we saw 6 White Rhinos. They are much bigger and less aggressive than their cousins, the Black Rhinos. We saw the delicate Lesser Flamingoes for which the lake is famous along with some less than handsome Malibou Storks. There were all types of birds and deer and hippos and Wildebeasts and Cape Buffalo and zebra and wart hogs and their families lounging around. We stopped to eat within the park and a Massai warrior stood guard to protect the diners from the baboons who are always looking for a handout. I took a few pictures which I will attempt to
bore you all with when I return.
FYI - Sr. Marilyn Lacey is preparing a show of the photos we took on our visit to Narus and Nairobi in May of last year. The exhibit will begin sometime in March and will be located at the Retreat Center in Burlingame.
Thank you again for your prayerful support. Waiting, even for the Lord, is not my strong suit but waiting is good for the soul.
I met with the Vicar General of the Diocese of Torit who assured me that I will be able to go to Sudan after I meet with Bishop Akio. The bishop has a diocesan meeting until the 17th of this month. He told me that the diocese of Torit is larger than the state of New York and has 15 Sisters in in and about 50 priests. Rome has asked the European orders to send their sisters to Southern Sudan. I am not sure if many will come. Time will tell.
I also had lunch with the two Maryknoll Sisters, Theresa, 73 and Madeleine, 88, who will be living very near me in the same compound. Both sisters have been in Sudan for years. They live in a semi-cloistered setting and have an extra bedroom for anyone who may wish to have a prayerful experience. Theresa does spiritual direction. They meet a real need, especially for religious and clergy. They were kind enough to share their "bitten in bed by scorpion" stories. I am going to have a cat tethered to my bed and that is final!
Two weeks ago the teachers strike was still on in Nairobi and I visited a Mercy primary and secondary school run by the Mercys. They also have an Aids/TB/Perinatal Clinic next to the school. The seconday school (high school) girls were in full uniform and the class bells were automatic so that each time the bell rang the girls would go to their next class and study and tutor each other. I was quite impressed. The school has two billy goats who keep the grass under control. The convent has several cats which keep the mice and rats at bay. A very substantial dinner is served around 1:00 each day for the girls. It was chicken and rice and veggies the day I was there.
On Sunday I hitched a ride with another sister, Sr. Goretti Rule, a good friend of Sr. Jean Evans, going up to Nakuru where the Novitiate is. Nakuru is in the Rift Valley. The convent is quite large and has a view of the lake. There are three novices and a novice mistress. The postulate is in another city and has 4 postulants. All the novices are Kenyan. I am considered an ex-patriot or ex-pat. Those who enter are in their 20's or 30's. This is a time of quiet and study for them. One of the women, Sr. Willamina, is Turkana (Northern Kenya) and was bitten by a hunting spider when she was younger. It was a harrowing tale but I am still going to Sudan.
I stayed long enough to visit Lake Nakuru, a National Park and Game Reserve. Sister Goretti Rule took me on a tour in their vehicle and we saw 6 White Rhinos. They are much bigger and less aggressive than their cousins, the Black Rhinos. We saw the delicate Lesser Flamingoes for which the lake is famous along with some less than handsome Malibou Storks. There were all types of birds and deer and hippos and Wildebeasts and Cape Buffalo and zebra and wart hogs and their families lounging around. We stopped to eat within the park and a Massai warrior stood guard to protect the diners from the baboons who are always looking for a handout. I took a few pictures which I will attempt to
bore you all with when I return.
FYI - Sr. Marilyn Lacey is preparing a show of the photos we took on our visit to Narus and Nairobi in May of last year. The exhibit will begin sometime in March and will be located at the Retreat Center in Burlingame.
Thank you again for your prayerful support. Waiting, even for the Lord, is not my strong suit but waiting is good for the soul.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
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.
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.
Friday, January 16, 2009
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
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
Monday, December 29, 2008
Preparing for Sudan
In three or so weeks I will be leaving for Narus, Sudan. Will be staying with the Sisters of Mercy in Nairobi for several days while I pick up some things I will need such things as Wellingtons and netting, etc.
It is summer in Nairobi but "winter" in Narus. Oddly enough, the hottest month of the year in Narus is February. I have not taught school in over 20 years--what an adventure!
It is summer in Nairobi but "winter" in Narus. Oddly enough, the hottest month of the year in Narus is February. I have not taught school in over 20 years--what an adventure!
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