Celebration at a Prayer House

Today I went with Father B and our bishop to a prayer house where over 140 children were confirmed!  It was a beautiful mass and celebration!  There were about 30 women waiting on the road for our vehicle to arrive and when it did they all began singing and dancing and waving palm branches to lead us to the church? Needless to say I jumped out of the car and danced and sang with them as we led Father and the Bishop to the church!  It was beautiful and I felt so much a part of their celebration!

Oh, and one tidbit about the ladies who were waiting for us to arrive.  They had been sitting there on the side of the road in the blazing sun, all dolled up for at least 3 hours as we were 3 hours late!  No one else even thought that was inconsiderate or rude it's called Kenyan time and when I mention it to Father B he told me "take off your watch you are so concerned with the time". That’s right, me the queen of being late is a stick in the mud here about time.  Anyhow these ladies did not complain at all.  They were jumping up and down when they saw us all smiles and thrilled.  I would have thrown rocks at our car.

The mass was long (over 3 hours). But I'm getting used to lengthy services and pretending that I understand the readings and the homily (which I totally do not as they are often spoken in kimeru!). I nod appropriately and laugh when everyone else does...

At least masses are the same everywhere and I know the right prayers to say at the right times.  My voice is a bit loud and tends to carry so I'm sure everyone realizes that I'm praying in English- but it’s the best I can do.  I am trying to learn Swahili and the folks here seem to get a kick out of my Swahili (I always get big laughs). I am working on it I would love to become fluent in Swahili--it would be too cool to come back to the USA and impress everyone with my Swahili! 

Tomorrow the bishop will be coming here to St. Massimo to confirm another 300 children. I'm sure it's going to be a long day!  It seems like I spend the majority of my days at masses and/or prayer services...I guess that's not the worst thing I could be doing....

Please continue to keep me in your prayers!

Love,

Kathleen

Work & Prayer

Jambo! I had a really great week here.  The construction work is really coming along and will be ready for sept 2nd when we will be officially opening St. Massimo church!  The bishop and the prime minister of Kenya will be here and I of course will meet the PM and get my picture with both!  

Anyhow I joined our Lady of the Assumption prayer group today. We had a huge celebration since this is the feast day and we brought written prayers up to a bucket filled with sand and father blessed them and burned them and sent the smoke up to the heavens.  

The mass was 2 hours and then the ladies ate sang and danced for 2 more. They gave thanks in their songs for the dresses (matching) that they had made.  Many thought they could never afford them but they all somehow got the 1800 shillings (about $20.00) together to do so they took my measurements and I will have one to wear for the 2nd too!  

I went on safari with 2 doctors and a physical therapist from Italy who are here at the hospital doing volunteer work. They were so much fun and want me to come visit them in Rome!  I will definitely do that in 3 years!  The safari was so wonderful, the animals are beautiful!  I felt like I was in a national geographic special!

I finally figured out how to get my hair 'done' without too much damage I got cornrows!!  I had her wash my hair and braid it wet.  The problem is that she pulls it so tight I'm sure I will lose tons of it!  If I get home with a few tufts left on my head I will consider that a success!

Anyhow I really hope you all continue to support LMH and keep me in your prayers.

Love

Kathleen