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.