Comboni Lay Missionaries

Mission Animation: A Summer Camp in Kitelakapel!

LMC Kitelakapel

As the CLM are looking for new candidates for their missions, an interesting experiment was done in Kitelakapel: an international summer camp, or mission animation experience, organised for a group of young adults from Italy, in collaboration with the Italian CLM, and particularly the group of Verona. Actually, the whole idea originated from Verona, where the local CLM dealt with the formation of the participants and all the necessary arrangements. On our side, we welcomed the idea and agreed to accompany the group in their discovery of our mission and our community here in Kitelakapel and other areas of Kenya. Indeed, the programme was super rich: first, three weeks in Kitelakapel, with the CLM community, then a week in Kariobangi near Korogocho – one of the main slums in Nairobi – hosted by the Comboni fathers, and finally some days of safari and activities by the sea, not to forget the experience of moving around the different areas of Nairobi with all their contradictions, where the gap between rich and poor is as evident as it could be.

A full picture of Kenya, from the far, marginalised area where we live, to the touristic coast, passing by the congested yet creative realities of the slum. And the variety of lifestyles one can choose: from the condition of living in a lay community, to that of a religious one, and that of individual tourists.

The group was led by CLM candidates, Giulia Lampo and Laura Materazzo from Italy, while three CLM couples were constantly in touch with them from Verona, also accompanying through online communication each of the group members individually. Pius, Marzena and Linda (Kitelakapel community) were obviously involved in the organisation, and Linda accompanied the group also in their tours out of West Pokot. Towards the end of their stay in Kitelakapel and during the week in Kariobangi, they were joined, for some parts of the day, by fr. Paolo La Torre, who helped them particularly with moments of sharing, reflection, and Mass. It was therefore an almost fully “lay” experience, done by lay people, led by lay people, and in a community of lay people!

In Kitelakapel, after a warm welcoming to the sound of a very famous Italian song (thanks to the creativity of our Marzena!), the group settled both in our home and another house the fathers have near the chapel. We all shared meals together, and moments of prayer, following the rhythms of the community. The participants were also included in our regular cooking and cleaning chores, therefore taking full part in our daily life as a community.

And then, of course, they accompanied us in all our activities, collaborating with the teaching of life skills in the schools, discovering Marzena’s work in the dispensaries of Kitelakapel and Kacheliba, the pastoral activities with the youth, including catechism, visiting families around, and playing with the children in our compound. It goes without saying that we also took them to visit the parish in Kacheliba, meet the Comboni fathers, climb the little mountain near the parish, and walk around the market. Not to forget the beautiful scenery by the waterfalls near Makutano, where we had a nice picnic. And lots of moments of reflection and sharing, which were so needed as such an experience can make one feel overwhelmed in a storm of emotions, while the encounter with such a different reality and culture brings up tons of questions.

In Kariobangi, where they were hosted by the Comboni fathers, the group visited some of the projects the MCCJ run in the parish, accompanying workers and volunteers in their activities, especially visiting the families or individuals whom they support in the nearby slum areas. These were members of the community affected by HIV, young single mothers, street children and children with physical disabilities, who are in a physiotherapy programme. It was another intense experience, before the more relaxing final days in Kenya, which were spent in yet another setting, that of the coast.

Of course, in Nairobi our friends had the chance to meet the Kenyan CLM and attend part of their formation meeting. Not to mention that they were so lucky as to get the chance to meet also our general coordinator, Alberto de la Portilla, on that very occasion, and to spend some time with him as he was preparing to leave Kenya for Egypt in his round of visits.

It was a well-rounded experience for the participants, and, as we hope, one that will change their lives, pushing them to make missionary choices in their future, whether abroad or in the place where they live, and possibly join the wonderful journey of being Comboni Lay Missionaries. We also hope that other summer camps or similar mission experiences will be organised in the future, whether in Kitelakapel or other missions, as part of our common effort to expand our movement, reach more people with our testimony and change theirs and other people’s lives through mission animation.

You can read the testimony of one of the participants to the camp at this link.

Linda, CLM Kenya

Testimonial: Kitelakapel village experience July-August 2024

Experiencia en Kenia

During my three weeks in the village of Kitelakapel, I had an experience that deeply enriched and changed me. From day one, I was welcomed with warmth and joy by the Comboni Lay Missionaries-Linda, Pius and Maya-and by the villagers. Each day was an opportunity to learn, share and grow with them.

We spent much of our time visiting local schools and working side by side with the village children and youth in the compound. Despite the lack of material resources, there was an incredible human richness: all it took was a look, a smile, a hug or a laugh to feel immediately at home. The simplicity of their lives taught me to appreciate the little things and to rediscover the value of essentiality.

What impressed me most was to see how the children and young people enjoyed themselves with so little. Every game, every moment together was precious, because what really mattered was being there for each other. Their joy and gratitude was a constant reminder of how much we often take for granted in our lives.

If you want to go first, run alone; if you want to go far, walk together-this is a Kenyan proverb that I got to hear and learn during my stay, and now that I have returned to my daily routine, I can say that this proverb has universal value. In our modern lives, which are often geared toward individual success, we forget the importance of walking together with others. Whether in personal life, work, or community, walking together leads not only to a greater sense of belonging, but also teaches us the humility and strength that comes from being part of something bigger than ourselves. In the village, I experienced what it means to be community: the important thing is not to focus only on the speed of our journey, but on the quality and depth of our relationships along the way. It is a reminder that in order to build something meaningful and lasting, it is essential to walk together, step by step.

I am grateful to God for allowing me to have this extraordinary experience. It has filled my heart and soul with rejuvenating emotions, and it has shown me how much you can receive even when you think you are going there to give. Give what you don’t have,” wrote Alessandro Manzoni back in the 1800s, ”the secret of happiness is precisely this: giving goes beyond the simple act of giving something material, it is an invitation to offer others what, on the surface, we might lack ourselves, but which can be generated and shared through our being and our spirit.

I will always carry with me the faces, smiles and stories of these wonderful people who taught me the true meaning of sharing and Love for self, others and God.

Elisabetta

This meeting had been successful

LMC Ghana

It was a great day when the Comboni Lay Missionaries of Togo Ghana Benin had been invited by Rev. Fr. Bonaventure (MCCJ). This was to attend a meeting with the Friends of Comboni association of Ghana. This gathering took place in Accra at the OLA Parish on September 8th 2024.

Being excited of the attendance, the priest in charged of the group had decided to lead the Rosary Prayer for the opening of this important meeting. The joint meeting with the Comboni Family that day was an interesting one. Two branches of the Comboni Family with the Friends of Comboni group were represented.

Welcoming the members for the day’s business, Rev. Fr. Bonaventure MCCJ, had stressed on the importance of prayer as the sole of a religious life. This was followed by self introduction which was another joyous moment because most of the friends of Comboni have met a Comboni Lay Missionary (CLM) for the first time.

As if the time we were all waiting for had come, when the CLM was invited for his presentation. His talk was captured in three sub topics such as: the Comboni Lay Missionaries as one of the branches of Comboni Family, another was on the criteria to become a member, in addition to the formation processes and stages.

The Comboni Missionary (MCCJ), Rev. Fr. Bonaventure could not hide his words of happiness and said emphatically that “this meeting had been successful.’ The meeting came to an end with exchange of contacts, closing prayer and benediction and finally rounded with a group photographs. Long live Comboni Family, long live the CLM.

Christian Wotormenyo, CLM.

Animating the mission in our parish

LMC Mexico

Because of the call of Pope Francis to be a Church that goes out and because of the message of Our Lord to go in twos and twos.

Through these lines we want to share that it was very motivating for us as a couple to do MISSION ANIMATION in our parish of Our Lady Guadalupe del Puente, in Irapuato, Gto.

Our experience meant sharing with the people the gifts that God has given us, of missionary animation as Comboni Lay Missionaries (CLM), the fruits of this experience, among others, a little girl, who went to mass in the morning and took a “aguilucho” (missionary magazine for children); Her mother told us that the girl told us that she had already read the whole magazine and she wanted more, because she had liked it very much and we gave her two more aguiluchos. Also several people who already knew the magazines, and asked us when we would bring the magazine again, showing their interest in the mission, so we invite you to always share the gifts you have received and help others to find their mission, keep working.

Affectionate couple Florencio and Ana, CLM Mexico.

Missionary vocation

Campaña Manos Unidas

As every year the NGO of the Spanish Church Manos Unidas organizes various activities to raise awareness and involve Spanish society in development aid. In this case it was a march against hunger where children and adults ran to finance several of the projects of this NGO.

Manos Unidas has been supporting the missionary work of the Church in the world for many years. And we, as Comboni Lay Missionaries, also collaborate with it by contributing through our witness in the places of mission in various acts of this campaign as in the marches, in the hunger dinners or in the parishes where the campaign is carried out.

In this case also the program Witnesses Today of the regional television (Canal Sur) was present and took the opportunity to spread the event and make an interview with us that was broadcasted last Sunday.

We leave you today with this interview where we do a little tour on our vocation and missionary trajectory. (The interview is in Spanish)

Greetings to all of you

Alberto de la Portilla, CLM