Monday, January 30, 2017

Celebrating Don Bosco

It is difficult to meet a Salesian and not walk away with a love and respect for Don Bosco. During my formation in San Antonio, we were able to watch Saint John Bosco: Mission to Love (2004), a wonderfully made movie about the man who deeply loved the youth of Turin. His heart was with the poor, abandoned and unloved children that suffered in society. He founded the Salesians in order to continue this love for youth through the years. 

Although the Salesians hadn't gone to Africa when Don Bosco passed away in 1888, he always dreamed of serving there. On Sunday, a first class relic of Don Bosco was sent to Nairobi, to be housed at Upper Hill Shrine. Now he was here in a real way!

The celebration was truly a party! Saturday night, there was a night-long vigil, where hundreds of Bosco youth gathered to celebrate this saint. I only went for a couple hours, but I was amazed to see all the young people that had been affected by the work of the Salesian brothers, priests and sisters. Many of these young adults lived in Salesian orphanages, attended their schools or other programs. Their love for the saint who inspired it all was very evident. During Adoration that night, everyone's voices were raised in praise and worship. Singing in Swahili, I obviously had no idea what they were saying, but their reverence was so powerful that language didn't matter!

The next morning, I joined the noisy, crazy van of the 40 girls who live here at Maria Romero House.  On our ride to the pilgrimage, they sang a song, "We are the children of Don Bosco...brothers..sisters all together." It was amazing to see how his dream to love children in Africa has come true in such a real way!!


Don Bosco has arrived!! We proceeded to walk to Upper Hill Shrine of Mary Help of Christians. The procession (and later Mass) included 2 bands, a choir and about 4000 people from all over Kenya.

Trying to avoid the Equatorial sun takes creativity.

The sassy, energetic Serah insisted I take a photo shoot of her wearing my sunglasses. She then decided to take pics of everything in sight with my camera. 

Serah then decided I needed a picture in front of these flowers. 
(Don't worry, I soon put on a hat and wrapped myself in a scarf to avoid the sun!)




Thursday, January 26, 2017

The Long Road

I expected my journey to Kenya to be long--it consisted of a 13 hour flight to Qatar, a 10 hr lay over and a 5 hour flight to Nairobi--and I was right. The worst part was sitting around an airport for that long by myself. I would find a place to sit, nod off, check my watch and be amazed that barely any time had passed. Then, I'd get up, take a lap around the airport again and find another place to fall asleep. The word "ugh" accurately describes how I was feeling.

But I forgot how God is always there, even when I'm exhausted and alone (I would argue that He's there even more during those times).
Here's my list of surprise blessings in the midst of the long road:
  • During my flight over the ocean, I had an empty seat next to me which meant I could actually stretch out #longlegs
  • Qatar Airways has great service and delicious food; their vegetarian option was always Indian :)
  • I finally got to watch Inside Out on the plane (something I've been meaning to do for forever)
  • I made a friend!! During my vigil in Doha, I met a girl from Boston who was traveling alone as well. She was heading to Nepal to help in a school for a semester. It was so Providential to meet her and reassure each other that we could do it!
  • I had a window seat for the trip to Nairobi==sunrise pics and better napping
  • I met the sister who was picking me up as soon as I left the airport in Nairobi. My greatest anxiety of being left at the airport without a phone never happened!
These are just a few of the things Jesus did for me on my first solo overseas trip. And the blessings didn't stop when I arrived in Nairobi. The place I am staying is beautiful: the weather is what I would literally describe as 'perfect', I have my own little room, there are wonderful flowers and trees growing in our compound and the sisters here are so welcoming! The community here in Hurlingham is very diverse; they hail from Kenya, Rwanda, Togo, Italy, Spain, Lesotho and the Philippines. From the moment I arrived  here, I was impressed by their hospitality and joyful energy.

I'm excited to see what happens next!
Not sure what this giant bear means, but everyone was taking pictures of it...#dohaairport #sleepover

I happened to wake up at the perfect moment to see the sun rising over the Indian Ocean on my way to Nairobi.

First view of Kenya!!!

The view from my window in Hurlingham. Such a peaceful, beautiful place.

Friday, January 20, 2017

Being Formed

As I prepared for mission, I looked forward to our Formation/ Service Camp in San Antonio. I knew it would be important to attend the 2.5 week formation, but I didn't realize all the blessings that would be showered on me as well.

Our time at the Provincial House for the Salesians of the US Western Province was filled with daily Mass, discussion, meals (and lots of hot chocolate), reading and bonding with fellow volunteers. My main take-away from formation was the inspiring example of St. John Bosco & St. Mary Mazzarello, the co-founders of the Salesian Sisters. Their commitment to loving young people was beautiful; they believed that we must show confidence in youth, so that they may respond by being trust worthy. The preventive system of Don Bosco focused on reason, religion and loving kindness, meeting each individual where they are and engaging them in friendship. St. Mary Mazzarello similarly led youth by walking alongside them, in accompaniment. These two are really such bosses!!

The other main component of the FSC was a 5-day Bible camp in a refugee camp for teens from Central America. I was totally unprepared for how that time would impact me. My 5 years of Spanish education seemed completely insufficient, thus the language barrier was almost tangible. Since the muchachos aren't able to interact outside their houses, we split up by threes and led individual camps in our houses. I was paired with the wonderful Whitney and the grandmotherly Sr. Carmen. Together, we tried to connect with the 12 guys in our house and lead them through the story of Joseph. We sang songs, tried to act out the story, did crafts and played games. It was challenging, but it was fun.

Their faces are burned into my memory. Although there was a language barrier, I used all the facial expressions and body language at my disposal to convey that they are loved and noticed. On the second day I passed out name tags, but I had tried to memorize most of their names already. One boy was pleasantly surprised when I handed him his name tag and it was correct.  It seemed so small, but I could tell it meant a lot to him. He felt like someone cared.

It is difficult to accurately convey how much those boys inspired me. I have no idea the suffering and struggle they endured in their home countries or on the journey to America. I don't know if their attempt at finding a fulfilling life in 'the Promised Land' will be fruitful or futile, but I know they have so much goodness in them. It was almost heart breaking to see these teenage boys try their hardest to sing complicated songs and complete crafts that may have been childish to them. I have a story for each boy. Whether they were shy or musical or a helper or a leader or artistic, they were children of God and their humanity demanded to be recognized.

Please join me in praying for them and all migrants. Pray for the situation in Honduras, El Salvador, Guatemala and Mexico, that the people of these countries may feel safe and are able to flourish at home. There are children (the youngest in the camp was 9) who are making a very dangerous journey to the US, in search of opportunity, only to be degraded and exploited. Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us!

My final tidbit from San Antonio is that God places such amazing people in my life! From the sisters to the muchachos in the camp to my fellow volunteers, I was overwhelmed by love and hospitality--now I am ready for mission.
Our wonderful group, enjoying hot chocolate in 70 degree weather!

I spent a lot of time enjoying the sunshine in the courtyard.

So glad for goofy times and inspiring women <3

Monday, January 16, 2017

Discerning the Call

The life of a missionary is crazy. We turn our back on expectations of the world and look into the eyes of Jesus, asking Him what to do. I'm not the first to do it and I know I'm not alone, but it is quite a crazy way of living.

Last year, while I served as a Focus Missionary at Drake University, I looked into Jesus' eyes and knew He was calling me to serve Him more radically. I yearned to live a more simple lifestyle, to engage in another culture and to grow in trust of Him. At the initial call, my heart soared. I imagined the joy that I have always experienced on my short term mission trips and multiplied it. All I could imagine were the joys and graces that accompany such a call.

For months I researched volunteer programs that matched up with my desires. I eventually found the Salesians--a world-wide religious order dedicated to empowering youth and women. One of their volunteer programs- VIDES- aligned with my inner call to serve Christ internationally, so I began the application immediately. I call this my honeymoon period of discernment.

After I applied in March, I waited, knowing that more information wouldn't be along until closer to December. The summer and fall followed and life went on. I helped my sister Colleen get married and move, moved in with my other sister Sara, got a job as a hostess, went to World Youth Day and Rome, visited friends and much more.

Throughout this, my upcoming mission was always in the back of my mind. It loomed like a mountain before me and the closer I got to it, the more intimidating it appeared. I'll be the first to admit it: doubt is real and tempting. It said my decision to serve abroad was ridiculous, that I had nothing to offer and that it would mess up 'my future.' It was the voice of the Lord of Darkness, but it was quite convincing.

On December 9th, I was accepted to serve in with the Salesian Sisters in Nairobi, Kenya. The mountain before me dramatically increased, casting a vast shadow over me. I felt small and unworthy, while also very excited to undergo the adventure. Along every step of the way, I have tangibly felt the support of the wonderful people in my life. This gives me courage and helps me continue walking toward the mountain. Now, I have begun to feel comforted by the shadow of the mountain, knowing that the Hand of God is forever guiding me.

Thank you all for your prayers and support!!