Comboni Lay Missionaries

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Ethiopia

Do you still not understand?

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loaves-of-bread

Abundance – this is what God always offers us.   Scarcity – this is how we usually view the world.

On Tuesday, the Gospel reading in Mark 8:14-21 told of a boat trip of Jesus and his disciples across the lake.  Here’s the context: Jesus had just performed one of his most awe-inspiring miracles of feeding four thousand with a few loaves of bread.  The Pharisees then ask him for a “sign from heaven to test him” (Mk 8:11) as if all his previous healings and feeding the four thousand a few hours earlier was not sign enough.  Jumping into the boat, Jesus makes a comment to his disciples to beware of the philosophies and mentalities of the Pharisees, their “leaven” as he describes it.  The disciples, having forgotten to bring bread for the journey (they only had one loaf among them), assumed that Jesus made this comment because they had no bread. How superficial the disciples’ and our thoughts can sometimes be.  Jesus knows exactly what they are thinking and essentially cries out: This has nothing to do with bread! Jesus goes on to say it is like you have eyes but do not see, have ears but do not hear.  He then reminds them of his miraculous multiplication of loaves to feed the five thousand some time before and the four thousand just hours before.  He asks them how many baskets of fragments were left over, the pieces of bread these very same disciples had gathered up. Probably with the disciples’ eyes sheepishly staring at the bottom of the boat, they answer “twelve” and “seven”.  Jesus then brings to a climax the whole moment with the simplest of questions: “Do you still not understand?”

It is like Jesus is saying: I give you everything, I offer you the most plentiful of lives basking in my love.  I will fill all your worries, depressions, limitations and failures. All you need to do is believe in me and trust in my proposal of abundance.  All you need to do is have faith in my faithfulness.  We can become so closed in on ourselves, foolishly relying on our own tiny resources – counting the inventory of our few loaves of bread – when God is willing to dump a mountain of bread onto our laps. Do you still not understand? I will not only give you what you need according to your limited horizons (feeding the four thousand men), but I will give you even more than you can possibly dream of (seven baskets left over).

During these last months I have been struggling with sickness and how easily I have found myself dejected.  I have caught myself feeling as if I am battling this all alone. But hearing and wrestling over that potent question at the end of Tuesday’s reading knocked me forcefully out of my doubt.

Sometimes we can be like the disciples, where we have a sincere intention to love God, but out of fear, we are not willing to make the leap of faith to truly abandon ourselves into God’s hands trusting that he will bring all things to good for those who love him.  Sometimes we can also be like the Pharisees, where we observe the workings of God’s love first hand, yet still remain unmoved, continuing down our own self-centered paths, isolated and lost.  In both cases, we remain in a mindset of scarcity, with the anxiety that goes with it.   Jesus’ message is clear: My kingdom is one of abundance, where your life is full to the degree that you have faith in my Love.  If you ask for one loaf with child-like faith, I will give it to you…and thousands more.

– Mark & Maggie Banga

Comboni Lay Missionaries serving in Awassa, Ethiopia

My beginning in Ethiopia

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Etiopia

After long preparations at last I arrived in Ethiopia. Everybody welcomed me very cordially. Our Comboni Lay Missionary Madzia came from Awassa to pick me up at the airport, help me and explain everything at the beginning of my stay. Together with Father Sixtus and Father Julio (the Ethiopian Provincial) we made the decision that I would go to Awassa the next day. The first plan established was that I would learn Amharic in the capitol for at least 3 months. It turned out a new Amharic course is starting in June, so I could spend the time first getting to know my destination Awassa, the community and language’s basics. This information was a very nice surprise for me. My new community received me very kindly. Madzia, Maggie and Mark help me as much as they can. The three children of Maggie and Mark cause much joy and life. The kids also accepted me as a new member of their community. Awassa is a big city, however it’s peaceful and picturesque. Now I’m getting to know the place, the local people and missionaries’ jobs.

Last week we celebrated Easter. It wasn’t only a time to meet with the Risen Lord, but also an interesting experience of my new cultures celebration’s which is fulfilled by different surprising elements. The Catholic Church in Ethiopia has a lot in common with the Orthodox Church. We obviously spent Easter in our community. We cultivated two Polish traditions: egg painting and Easter Breakfast on Easter Sunday.

I’m starting learning Amharic this week. I’m going to have three classes per week with a professional teacher and five classes with a tutor- a local boy who speaks English. If I’m satisfied with the schooling system, maybe I will continue my studies here, in Awassa. In that case I could stay at home. A big challenge is waiting for me now – learning Amharic language!

Magda Fiec, CLM in Ethiopia

 

A bed is a bed if it is a bed to you

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The Borana people are a group of semi-nomadic pastoralists in the far south of Ethiopia whose lives revolve around tending their herds of livestock – cows, camels, goats and sheep – travelling with them in search of grass and water. Their pattern of life is very similar to what it would have been hundreds of years ago.  Over the last years, I (Maggie) have visited the Borana area multiple times, including working there on short-term basis on health outreach programs with the Sisters of Charity (SCCG) congregation who serve among the Borana in the rural outpost of Dadim.  I have found my time in Dadim both beautiful and powerful, and often I think of the Borana people I have met and the experience I have had there. There is something magical about the pastoralists, their lifestyle and the rugged terrain of their lands that really draws one in.

Perhaps it is witnessing moments like this:

Once when I was working in Dadim, I went with Sr. Annie Joseph (an Indian missionary sister) on a Friday evening to the clinic to see a mother and her 9 month old daughter, who were both admitted with pneumonia. When we entered the room, the mother was sitting holding her child awkwardly on the edge of the bed. Sr. Annie asked for my help to move the mattress to the floor, where the mother might be more comfortable. After moving the mattress, the mother sat on the edge of it just as awkwardly as before. It is likely she had never seen a ’bed’ (as we know them) before. A moment later two boys strolled in with animal skins tucked under their arms. Sr. Annie looked at them and then turned her face towards me and whispered ‘no problem, let them do it their way’. We watched silently, as the mother took the animal skins, spread them out on the floor next to the bed and then laid down on them with her child. In a moment they were both peacefully asleep.

Such a different way of life!

We can all adapt to many different places and people, but how much we find comfort in our own familiar things, foods, language and habits that will always fill our hearts with peace. I had shared this story with a friend and she commented what a gift it is if we can pause and step back – then we truly get to see the world from another’s view not ours. How easily we often jump in with eagerness to talk or share something of ourselves, our thoughts, our ideas but how much we may miss in doing that.

-Maggie & Mark Banga

Comboni Lay Missionaries serving in Awassa, Ethiopia

Pictures of the Borana people in Dadim:

Borana Village Dynan 4611 ???????????????????????????????

Because for God nothing is impossible!

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CLM Ethiopia

One of my main apostolates is the work of physiotherapist in the Mother Theresa Home. There, some time ago the sisters asked me to visit one of their patients – Addisu – teenage boy dying of bone cancer. Addisu’s mother died of cancer, his sister also. He fell ill 1,5 years ago, but as he came from a poor family they had no money to send him for treatment. Finally, he came to one of the missionary clinics in the village distant approx. 100 km from Awassa. Unfortunately there they couldn’t help him too much, it was too late for any treatment, so they sent him Mother Teresa Home in Awassa. As he came here he was in a terrible psychological state, really suffering due to pain, but also the fear of death. But when I met him I couldn’t believe it was the same boy. He was so cheerful, smiling, calm. Although sometimes the face passed him grimace of pain (which must be unimaginable, his leg in which he attacked the cancer looks horribly … and also there is no such strong drugs that are used for palliative patients), in a moment the smile and desire to talk returned. When I asked the boy what is his biggest dream that I might try to fulfill his wish, he said that what he wants the most now is baptism. For me it was surprising answer. But at the same time everything became clear – that his peace of heart, this joy despite suffering … It’s all thanks to God, the God who surrounded him with so much love and peace in this difficult time.

Since I met Addisu, I’ve started to pray for him a lot and also sking for prayers of all my friends. And thus we could experience how much powerful prayer is!

CLM Ethiopia

There was a chance to consult with other doctors and they found that lung lesions are not cancer metastasis and that it is not too late for amputation, which could save his life! On one of our Bible fellowship meetings (where we always have a prayer for different issues) I mentioned the situation of Addisu and it turned out that the husband of one of the members of our group is a surgeon! And that’s one of the best in Awassa! Then I could see how God starts to work and connect all the puzzles! We had appointment with the doctor in very short time (because Addisu’s suffering began increasing by spreading the infection from the wound on the leg) and the next day there was surgery! Addisu is so amazing! And the prayer probably gave him a lot of peace that once they were taking him to the operating room, he showed no sign of fear or sadness that he would lose his leg but he radiated joy. Because he will live! After a few days, they discharged him from the hospital and now we work intensively with physiotherapy in order to make him walking again. And also another miracle in the whole situation – the father of Addisu, who after the death of his wife and daughter, seeing dying son completely separated from the boy… It was too much for him to see the next family member dying of cancer and unable to do anything about it. He tried to forget sadness and pain in alcohol … But now when he saw that his son would live, came to Awassa and was caring about him so nicely! It is so beautiful! That God heals not only the boy’s body but also his relationship with father … Although it is known that still a lot ahead of them, so let us pray on!

Madzia Plekan CLM in Awassa Ethiopia

“Do not be afraid!”

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Saint John Paul IIThese are perhaps the most common words Pope John Paul II repeated over and over again around the world, encouraging people to not fear and to entrust their lives totally to Christ.  “J – P – 2, we love you; J – P – 2, we love you!” These are the words that enthusiastic crowds of young people chanted over and over again back to their beloved Pope. The youth shouted this with sincere joy, because they recognized in this old man a genuine model of total fidelity and hope in God.

This year marks the 10 year anniversary of the passing of John Paul II.  Last year on April 27, 2014, Catholic faithful around the world celebrated the canonization of Saint John Paul II (JPII), as his example of faith was elevated to sainthood. Here in Awassa, Catholics were very excited for the canonization day, especially the youth.  We watched the television coverage with some university student friends. Because it was too hot inside, they moved the TV out into their yard under the shade of a big tree.  For most of us, JPII was pope for most of our lives, which is why he is so special.  Indeed he had one of the most dramatic, longest and public of all pontificates.  He was the spiritual leader of the Catholic Church but was also renowned as an ambassador of hope and peace by politicians, other religious leaders and common people all around the world.  Here are some highlights of his grand papacy:

  • JPII was by far the most widely travelled pope, visiting 129 countries on 104 international trips, meeting with over 1,600 world political leaders – truly he was bringing the Gospel to “every nation and tribe and language and people” (Rev 14:6).
  • JPII wanted to give the modern world credible models of faith and therefore, he beatified 1,338 and canonized 482 saints, far more than other pope in history.
  • JPII was a prolific author – his writings include 14 encyclicals, 14 apostolic exhortations, 3,288 speeches and 5 books. He had a distinctive writing style that was dense in character yet flowed freely.  He examined topics from several different angles (not only theological), because if the Church’s teachings were to be deeply understood they had to be validated by our practical experiences of life.
  • JPII loved youth and initiated the World Youth Days to gather the international catholic youth. Indeed he was the champion of youth.
  • JPII was always teaching on the meaning and value of man, repeating often a key sentence from the Second Vatican II document Gaudium et Spes which he helped draft: “Christ fully reveals man to himself and makes his supreme calling clear” (par. 22).  Jesus shows us precisely the model of how to live an abundant life of love.
  • JPII has been described as the “most Marian pope”.  In fact, his papal motto was “Totus tuus” meaning Totally Yours (Mary).  JPII expanded the understanding of Mary playing a unique role in the plan of salvation, perfectly embracing the will of the Holy Spirit and being the spiritual Mother of all of us by always helping us draw closer to her son, the Savior.
  • JPII pioneered the “Theology of the Body” teachings, explaining that a natural moral law has been written by God into the sexuality of man and woman that directs us towards true love.
  • JPII fervently promoted the “culture of life” and strongly defended the dignity of life in all its stages (from conception until natural death), a teaching he exemplified by accepting gracefully the challenges of old age and illness in his final years.

JPII always encouraged people to become saints. T-shirts were spotted in the throng at the canonization with the words: “Be not afraid to become a saint”. He did not mean that everyone should endeavor to be officially acknowledged as saints in the Church, but rather that God holds out the invitation to each one of us to mold us into other Christs, despite our imperfections and faults. In other words, each one of us has the capacity to be holy, to become a saint. Only two things are needed: our free decision to cooperate in this transformation by continually striving to live according to the Truth; and the undeserved gift of God’s grace.  Well, JPII, you’ve given us a good example!

On Easter Sunday, March 27, 2005, six days before his death, JPII blessed the faithful with his final public words. Well, 10 years later these words are still valid and inspiring:

“We, the men and women of the third millennium, we too need you, Risen Lord! Stay with us now and until the end of time…Sustain us, we pray, on our journey. In you do we believe, in you do we hope, for you alone have the words of everlasting life.  Alleluia!”

– Mark & Maggie Banga

Comboni Lay Missionaries serving in Awassa, Ethiopia