Benjamine Kimala is a Comboni Missionary Sister from Chad. After spending several years in Ecuador and Peru, she has returned to her home country to work in missionary animation. In the video, she shares her personal experience as a missionary (audio in Spanish).
In the month in which we celebrate the 60th World Communications Day, let us pray that all those involved in communications within the Comboni Family may be able to recount the beauty that in-habits the world with good stories that edify and give hope. Let us pray.
After traveling quite a bit, we arrived in Lima, Peru. We were warmly welcomed by Mrs. Ana and Mr. Fisher from the CLM in Peru. It was the first time we had spent Holy Week away from our country and family.
We celebrated Palm Sunday at the chapel near our home. We enjoyed the songs and prayers. People were very happy to meet us. They gave us a brief moment to introduce ourselves.
On Good Friday, we went to the Pamplona neighborhood for the Stations of the Cross. It was a new experience. Everywhere we went, we shared food and joy.
On other days, we visited the families of the CLM members who live in Lima, and we also went to the scholastics’ house and the provincial house. We also visited downtown Lima to do some sightseeing and see some very beautiful places.
So far, we’re having a very good experience. We like the food in Peru. The climate suits us well. We’ve learned about the culture, about money, and how people pay for food and other things.
We’re currently studying hard to improve our Spanish. We want to learn Spanish well so we can provide the best missionary service possible. We’re learning a lot about the culture and history, and we’re also interacting well with the people.
Belinda, CLM in Peru
We pray for close collaboration within the Comboni Family, so that we may bear witness to a synodal Church that is close to the poorest and most abandoned, as Saint Daniel Comboni desired. Let us pray.
It has already been four months since the opening of our community in Chelopoy, Kenya. This time has allowed me to understand more deeply what mission truly is. Each day here reminds me that it is not primarily about activities or projects, but about encounter – meeting another person, their story, hopes, struggles, and faith.
My daily ministry has many dimensions: pastoral, social, and educational. Yet above all, it is about presence – simply being close to people and sharing their everyday life. It is in this simplicity that I discover the deepest meaning and value.
On Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, together with Sister Rebeka and Mercy we visit families. We meet for prayer, conversation, listening, and sharing what daily life brings. These visits are extremely important to me, as they allow me to better understand the lives of the people, their joys and concerns, and their faith – often very simple, yet deeply authentic.
Sundays have a special character. After Holy Mass, together with Sister Benedicta, we try to visit the elderly and the sick in their homes. Most often, they are lonely women. In such moments, I clearly see how great the value of another person’s presence is.
An important part of my mission is also the education of young people. On Thursdays and Fridays, I teach basic computer skills at a girls’ school. For many students, this is their first encounter with technology. We learn how to type, use simple programs, and discover the opportunities the modern world offers. In today’s world, where technology plays an increasingly important role, even basic computer skills can open doors to further education and new opportunities. This gives great hope and a sense that this work truly impacts their future.
Of course, missionary life is not only about beautiful encounters but also challenges. One of them is the language barrier. It is not always easy to express what I carry in my heart or to fully understand another person. Sometimes words are missing, and uncertainty appears. Yet in these moments, I learn that communication is more than language – it is a smile, a gesture, presence, and openness. These often build bridges where words are not enough.
These first months show me that mission is, above all, relationship. It is presence, listening, and walking alongside others. It is being with another person in their daily life – both in joy and in difficulty. And although each day brings new challenges, it also brings many beautiful moments that are born in encounter.
Iza
Chelopoy, Kenya
