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Preparing for Kitui
On September 16th, eleven of us representing several parishes within the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, will be leaving for a two week solidarity mission to Kitui. We are visiting to demonstrate solidarity with the people of Kitui as we are all one human family created by God. And as Catholics, we are all one in the body of Christ. For solidarity to be experienced, we need to be sensitive to cultural differences, understand the socio-political situation of Kitui, identify our expectations and be prepared for these to be shattered as we engage with the Kamba culture, the people of Kitui. This requires a great deal of patience, sensitivity and acceptance.
Mike Haasl, the mission leader has taken us though months of preparation in these matters. We reviewed everything from the basics – what shots to get and medicine to bring – to information about the Kamba culture, their sense of order, worship and most important, daily activity. We even had a quick language lesson from Father Joe, a visiting priest from Kitui. By the way, Kitui is about 100 miles southeast of Nairobi. Groups of two or three will be spread out in different villages throughout the Diocese of Kitui.
Well, we are now as ready as we can be…and a bit nervous. We are entering a very different culture with its own sense of the world and Catholic sensitivities. We all hope to be open, sharing ourselves with others. In this way, we will find that spark of Christ in all and understand what it means to experience solidarity with other cultures. Perhaps, we will discover things about ourselves that will cultivate growth and maturity within our own Catholicity.
I will be posting stories of our experiences throughout the next two weeks. Please feel free to read them and post questions. We will answer them as frequently as we are able. Wish us all luck and keep us in your prayers.
Tiwaina useo! (Good Bye!)