| Nº 31 november 30, 2006 | ||
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Once
you know something or someone, it becomes a part of you. First you
hear about it; then you get to see it; finally you get to know it.
The more you know it, and know of it, this knowing becomes an experience,
and the experience becomes a part of you; then it is a life experience,
and finally you love it. Before
leaving the United States After a trip of 20 long hours, we arrived in Dar-es-Salaam, where we were enthusiastically greeted with an O.D.N. sign held high by two of our Sisters, Pascaline and Mary Rose. Our previous feelings all of a sudden were transformed into a sincere sense of being welcomed, feelings of joy and acceptance, knowing at once that our sisters were here for us. A sense of belonging was immediate. We drove through the rain with eager eyes, trying to take everything in, not even minding the jet lag. We didn’t need words to communicate with our Sisters; their happiness and ours became the language we spoke. Winding our way through the busy streets, we arrived to our destination on the outskirts of the city, in the area named Luanga, in the parish of Saint John the Baptist, where our convent is located. As the door of the convent opened, two other Sisters, Georgine and Sylvie warmly greeted us and told us how anxious they had been for our arrival. They had long awaited this moment in order to continue working on perfecting their English. The English language, we soon found out, is a necessity in their educational ministry and throughout the country for commerce purposes. Our days were spent in our English ‘classes’. The Sisters were totally consumed with the task of learning English. English for breakfast, English for lunch, English for dinner, and even as we washed the dishes and did our daily chores. Every teacher likes this kind of students. From the very first moment, we felt as part of the community among them. They showed their gratitude at our presence there; but we knew that we were the ones who were benefiting from this experience. As we walked to and from Loyola High School, where the Sisters do their ministry, we were aware of the poverty of the people by the surroundings – their homes, the roads, their numerous small shops, all along the streets, where they try to sell anything to make a living. The children graciously smiled at us because, it was evident, they were taught to respect their elders. We were greeted with “Ishcomo, bibi”. Little did we know that it was a special greeting of respect to grandmothers … we soon learned to respond with “Maraba” which acknowledges their greeting. As the weeks went by, our month in Tanzania seemed all too short. On the weekends, the Sisters showed us different sights of interest around Dar-es-Salaam. We also visited various families, sharing a meal with them. It was difficult to say goodbye to the people and our first experience ever in Africa. July 17th came all too soon and it was time to continue our summer mission. We left with feelings of deepest gratitude to the Sisters of Dar-es-Salaam, Sisters Pascaline, Mary Rose, Georgine, and Sylvie, praying for God’s blessing upon them and their ministries there.
Our next stop: Nairobi, (the capital of) Kenya Once again, as we arrived at the airport of Nairobi, Sister Melanie and Sister Anne met us at the airport with open arms. Immediately, we knew our sisters when we saw them, and they showed us how anxious they had been for our arrival. We drove through the city, trying to take in everything the Sisters pointed out to us. When we arrived at the convent, we were delighted to meet the other Sisters and they showed us the same Company of Mary hospitality. We immediately asked questions about each other, trying to get know them and they us. They are Sisters Adolphine, Josephine, and Jeanine. Another sister, Sister Isabel, was visiting here from the Congo. This house in Nairobi is where the Sisters from the province of Africa come to study English full time. In order to provide for themselves, the sisters run a hostel for visitors. Sister Josephine, a nurse, is employed full time at Nairobi Hospital. This house was founded as a result of the meetings at the Assembly in Temecula, California, in 2000. Because of this, the Sisters here feel very close to the retirement house in Temecula, and consider it their ‘sister’ house. Very
soon we began our ‘mission’ of practicing the English language with
the Sisters. For our classes, we have used computer programs, stories
for conversation and comprehension, as well as their own textbooks
which they are using in the Language School. Our
daily contact with the sisters and the laity of Dar-es-Salaam and
Nairobi has given us a clear and lasting perspective of a people whose
values and qualities are to be admired. They are well-rooted in the
love and concern for family, Church and country. The relationships
among adults and children depict the great respect they have for one
another, and their joy, in spite of difficult conditions under which
they live, is a refreshing reminder of the important things in life.
Our experience in Dar-es-Salaam and Nairobi has been a gift that has
increased our appreciation of our Sisters in Africa and motivates
us to keep them and the people they serve in our daily prayers.
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