I have never let my schooling interfere with my education.
Grant Allen
(Often attributed to Mark Twain)
What a week. We have focused in our sessions on the French School of Spirituality, Mariology (the study of Mary), and the spirituality of St. Joseph in the writings of Blessed Chaminade. This has all been good... but the gem moments of the week - the ones that will stick with me into the future - have been away from our meeting room... hence the quote from Grant Allen.
Last weekend we didn't have any official excursions. But we had optional outings on both Saturday and Sunday. Saturday we went into Nairobi. We visited Holy Family Basilica, a market downtown (no pics), and a local cultural center (I didn't write down the name... so, I don't remember anymore what it was called.
Here are a few pics from last Saturday (Sept. 2)...
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| The FMIs at the Bascilica |
You'll notice, that I had on an Ohio t-shirt. Needless to say, this made me a bit of a target for vendors at the street market who thought they could sell wooden spoons to me for the equivalent of $110... I may be American, but I know what the Kenyan shillings are worth in US dollars... Next time, I won't wear a shirt that screams "Tourist!" lol
Here are a few pics from the cultural center we visited:
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| Yes... I am taller than the majority of Marianists gathered here... |
On Sunday, we visited a place called Resurrection Gardens. This large property is a place for prayer and retreat. There is a retreat center on the property as well as what looked like hermitages, but I couldn't see them very clearly. It was so beautiful and peaceful. The paths were lined with large bronze sculptures of the Stations of the Cross... larger-than-life-sized colorful mosaics of images depicting Scripture passages... quotes from the Psalms or Gospel parables... There were multiple chapels (with seating for about 50), and benches on which to sit. There were signs everywhere reminding people to remain silent on the grounds, so all you could hear was the breeze moving through the trees. There were people praying and reading - in the chapels, under trees, on various benches, etc. Our time there was definitely time well spent. Unfortunately... along with the signs reminding folks to keep silent, there are signs that ask people not to take pictures. So, once you pass through the entrance, that's it. No more pictures. But here are pics from the entrance and the parking lot. 😊
This weekend has also been very full. On Friday, Sept. 8, the Feast of the Nativity of Mary, we had a very full day... I could have written a blog just about this one day.
We spent most of the day visiting Our Lady of Nazareth Primary School, the UJAMAA Family Center, and IMANI (Incentive from the Marianists to Assist the Needy to be Independent). These ministries of the Society of Mary are located in one of the largest slums in Nairobi. You can learn more about these places on the Brothers' website: https://www.marianist.com/africa-ministries
The school has a student population of 2550 ages 3 years old to around 13. When we arrived, about 1/3 of the school was seated outside waiting for us. After words of welcome from the head of school and chaplain, some students danced and entertained us for a little while. Then we had a small tour, and 6 of us were pulled aside to help serve lunch to the 3 year-olds. I am so glad that I was one of those 6. The children... so well behaved and bright-eyed... Their teacher would say, "Class, how are you?" and they would reply, "Fine teacher, how are you?" Anyway, the students receive breakfast and lunch each day. We missed serving breakfast, which is a cup of Kenyan porridge called uji. A very nutritious soup, kind of purple-ish in color, made from millet. We have it each day at the retreat center, too. I like it. It tastes a little like grits to me, but thinner. Anyway, for lunch the little ones have rice and beans. The older children have beans and corn (called maize here).
After, we toured some more and then had another set of children perform for us and give us gifts. Each of us received a piece of artwork created by a child. The child artist gave it to the person.
Then we toured the UJAMAA Family Center and IMANI. These ministries work with the families of the students at Our Lady of Nazareth (adult literacy, etc.) and with other adults (both from the slum and from other areas) in skill development (catering, metalwork, textile work, cosmetology, etc.). This is where we had lunch - catered by the young adults at IMANI. I took no pictures, but I'll carry the images and conversations in my heart.
Since Friday was the Nativity of Mary, we had a celebration for her birthday once we returned to the retreat center... Mass, dinner, dessert, and a social complete with dancing. I've tried to post videos here, but they are just too large.
Saturday a small group of us traveled to the Nairobi National Museum.
And there you have it. Today, Sunday, Sept. 10, has been a rather low-key day. We did have some visitors, though. Fr. Michael Chiuri, SM is a Marianist in Los Angeles and a member of the US Province. He was born in Nairobi, though, and his immediate family is still here. Today his brother, sister-in-law, and their two children came over for Mass and lunch. I hadn't seen them since 2016, so it was nice to visit with them again.
Now, off to sleep to get ready for week 5!
Many blessings,
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