Missionary Experiences – Page 80 – Comboni Lay Missionaries

Greetings from Africa!!!

23 June, 2014 by Alberto de la Portilla

kampala1

Finally our dreams have come true. We are in Africa again. We’ve lived at the Provincial House in Kampala since Saturday. We’ll spend here about 2 weeks. Our time is filled mostly by visiting different places and meeting new people. Little by little we enter in the atmosphere and culture of Uganda. Everything is new, everything delights us, there are so many things to see, to get to know that sometimes it is impossible to remember everything, especially names. But slowly, slowly we’re learning everything.

We’re very happy that we can be here. At every step we feel like at home. People always surprise us with their openness, hospitality, help and kindness.

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In the first week we were able to visit several communities and see some of the projects implemented by the Comboni not only in Kampala. And we also met the CLM who live and work in Kampala. They have their own house where their meetings are held and in which some of them also live. Some have their own families, so they live in another place, but every day they come to the CLM house. At the beginning they told us about themselves, about the CLM in Uganda, in which places they work, what they do and how is their formation. Immediately we felt like at home, we feel that we are one community, which has the same goal and the same motivation. Thanks to them, we also have the opportunity to learn about the life and culture in Uganda because they offered us a series of meetings on various topics. Thanks to this we get to know the atmosphere in Kampala, in Uganda.

We are also waiting for brother Elio, who returns from holiday and with him we’ll go to Gulu, the place where we spend the next two years. We cannot wait to see our mission…, but we have to be patient. At the moment we are trying to take advantage of the time we spend in Kampala. We are getting to know the fathers, but also the Comboni sisters who live here. Of course, everyone knows Gulu, so from them also we receive information about our new home – St. Jude orphanage. We got to know the history, but also the most important problems which we’ll meet for sure. Such meetings are very fruitful, because each person gives their advices; thanks to this we are getting more knowledgeable about St. Jude, but also a variety of initiatives in which we can get involved.

Greetings and big hugs for all the CLM

Asia and Ewa

[Central African Republic] My first day in the mission

19 June, 2014 by Alberto de la Portilla

After 3 days in Bangui, capital of the Central African Republic, to address the problems of documentation for obtaining a letter of residence in the country and also to accompany Élia and Teresa, my colleagues in the Mission, who had to buy food supplies, medicines, fuel, etc., we depart on the 24/05 at 6:00 am, to Mongoumba place of my destiny. On the road we came across the MISCA soldiers who were there to control the inputs and outputs, and still other groups of “popular militias” hitchhiking to collect “tolls”, money for their livelihood. We made several stops to visit some communities of sisters who are on their way, and especially to greet the Bishop of this Diocese M’Baiki, primarily responsible for this portion of the flock of Christ, the Church. I had a warm welcome and he gave me some advice, especially to be available to “serve” the people. We arrived to Mongoumba about 17:30, where the Comboni Fathers were waiting for us, responsible for this mission, which embraced with love and joy, and that night offered me a “welcome dinner “.

My first day in the mission

I left my parish, where I receive the “missionary mandate” in the Good Shepherd Day (May 11, 2014), and it was the motto: “That all may have life in abundance.” That He (Good Shepherd) sends his collaborators around the world. And so I went from Portugal to Central African Republic with this eco vibrating in my soul. Give life, give joy, give love. “But the Lord, never outdone in generosity, wanted to give me a good gift in my first day in the Mission: “To live with these people the full joy, the true “life in abundance”. With Élia and father Jesus we went to a Christian community in which was held, during the Eucharist, the baptism of 11 young, 6 boys and 5 girls, the result of “life” that others surrender to generate these Sons of God and the Church. I felt at home, in the country of my dreams and my soul vibrating with joy, to live the Party, the real “Party of Life”. Who said or thought I came to deal with the bullets, or death? Here, life is breathed through every pore of the body and soul!

The Mass began with a procession to the beat of a song with hundreds of vibrant vocals, drums and dance. It was the party started. At the appropriate time were called the catechumens, with decisive and powerful voice answered the priest: “I want the baptism of the Church”. They were then baptized, one after another, in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Then all leave the church and leave aside their old clothes and now dressed all in white, come back in procession to the altar of the church, singing and dancing, feeling the true joy of the children of God and the Church. Of the hands of their parents, received the lighted candle from the Paschal Candle to continue singing and dancing around the altar, holding, not the sword of death but the candlelight of life that was given to them from the Altar of Christ they surround with enthusiasm. It really touched me and I let a few tears roll. I looked at my watch and it was 10.15 hours, then remembered that it was celebrating Mass, also in my parish, Torredeita, with the difference that here had started at 9:00 am! I felt in tune with who I left, but deeply rooted in the people that the Lord provides me with such tenderness and benevolence.

At the time of consecration, were not the parents, but that the newly baptized that lit their own candles at Easter candle and make a crown around the altar, symbol of the guests for the wedding of the Lamb (Jesus Christ), who blew himself up to give them life. The Mass ended around noon; 3 hours party where everyone showed their smiling faces, a sign that they still wanted to continue.

Father Jesus took the opportunity to introduce me to the population as a well reinforces the community of missionaries, the servants of the People.

Élia was the photographer of the day, and at the end everyone were approaching her asking for a picture. Back home still Élia has to be “bad” and leave part of the passage of all those who want to return in the car, but they were so many that it was impossible. We got home three hours later. Élia asked: “Are you tired?” And I answered: “no, I’m very happy”. Maria Teresa was out with another priest and came later. However, it also came with an air of satisfaction.

And so began my first day of mission in the Central African Republic. A missionary hug to you all.

By Palmira Pinheiro

Dr. Samuel’s Story: “I should be your age”

16 June, 2014 by Maggie and Mark Banga

I (Maggie) was at a conference in Awassa last month with medical staff from several clinics. During a break, I chatted with a doctor – let me call him Dr. Samuel – that I had met a few times before from another clinic in the city. After multiple ‘hellos’ and customary Ethiopian greetings, I asked about his family, and whether he had any children, as this had not come up during our previous conversations. He replied that he had one daughter and another child on the way. I quickly congratulated him but he said “No, don’t congratulate me – my wife cheated me, I didn’t want another child”.

I was surprised by his reaction and then he said. “I don’t want my children to grow up with no father”.

This doctor had always appeared to be in good health to me, so I said causally with a smile “you are not old, what will happen to you?”

At that point, a small bell rang, signaling the start of the conference session. So our conversation came to a premature end. However, we met up later in the day and before the conference began he turned to me and started telling me about his sister in the USA. So I enquired whether he had ever had the chance to go to the USA.

Dr. Samuel replied with the following story. “I have only left Ethiopia once, actually 7 years ago to go to Kenya. I had had a cough for a few months and on the x-ray they saw a growth and referred me for more tests. They discovered a tumor but no treatment was available in Ethiopia. I arranged with my sister in the USA and she coordinated everything to get me there for treatment including her commitment to pay for all the hospital and travel bills. We had all the paperwork complete and I went to the US embassy in Addis Abeba to apply for a travel visa. Without a thought to me or a thorough read of my papers, the woman at the desk with skin even darker than mine, quickly stamped REJECTED on my papers. I was so hurt, not only because of the rejection but mostly because of the disregard I was shown. With this door shut, I had no option but to try to get to Nairobi, Kenya for treatment.” Dr. Samuel paused and while staring me straight in the eyes, he then abruptly interrupted his story by venturing down a side tangent: “You know, I should be your age….. do you know I was in prison for 12 years?” I kept silent and Dr. Samuel went on.

“When the DERG (the communist regime that held control in Ethiopia from 1974 until 1991) took power in the 1970’s, many university students were imprisoned because they were seen as a threat to the socialist manifesto. I was kept for 6 years. Following my release I went back to school and completed a Masters degree, but a few months later I was re-imprisoned again by the regime. I sat 6 more years in prison…. By the way, how old are you Maggie?” he asked me, but before I could peep an answer, he directed his eyes in a blank stare back to the wall and added: “If only I could have those years back.”

“When I got to Kenya, I failed to find any treatment for my tumor, so I ended up entering a refugee camp, thinking I might be able to get to the US for treatment but after three months they were on to me and they deported me back to Ethiopia.” He paused again.

“So what about your health now?” I cautiously enquired. “I don’t know” he replied. “I guess I’m doing okay. The tumor is still there.” The little bell rang again and with it, our conversation came to end as the conference session resumed. We didn’t meet again afterwards.

Last week, I ran into Dr. Samuel and heard his good news. His wife gave birth to a baby girl, his new daughter, shortly after the conference. Dr. Samuel smiled as he shared about his baby – a smile which at least for the moment seemed to soothe his scars from yesterday and fears for tomorrow.

– Maggie, Mark and Emebet, Comboni Lay Missionaries, Awassa, Ethiopia

Secular Comboni Missionary joins the Community of Mongoumba

21 May, 2014 by Alberto de la Portilla

Last May 11 was sent in her home parish Palmira Pinheiro, Secular Comboni Missionary that after a period of training in Spain and France along the CLM is already part of the CLM international community present in Mongoumba (CAR).

Palmira, retired nurse, arrived in Bangui (Central African Republic capital) on Tuesday with her suitcases full of enthusiasm and desire to work with the Central African people. There she will work with the CLM Teresa Monzón and Elia Gomes (Spanish and Portuguese CLM) in the mission of Mongoumba. Joining the community reinforces the missionary presence among the Central African people making actually the dream of Comboni of being a Cenacle of Apostles in the middle of the African people.

Palmira, we wish you all the best in this new phase of your life. Remember you have all our support and our prayers.

[Mozambique] Training of monitors for Literacy and Adult Education

6 May, 2014 by Alberto de la Portilla

On days 24 to 26 April at the pastoral center of Mutoro take place literacy training. This formation included 33 monitors of the various areas of the parish of Carapira, having as principal speaker Professor Dr. Adelino Zacarias Ivala. It took place in a favorable environment, having good collaboration between the trainer and the trainees. It has also attended the three Comboni Lay Missionaries of Carapira and sister Paula, Comboni missionary sister. Of the 33 participants were three Mozambicans CLM trainees.

We thank you for participating in this training that will help us in enriching our missionary training.

May God continue to bless us in our walking!

Ancha, Margarida and Zeferino, CLM’s in training.