01 September 2014

Susan back in Mombasa

Greetings once again from Mombasa!  This is a picture that Mary Oldham took on the steps up to our flat with some of the children who live in the home downstairs.  It's good to be back and I'm happy to say that the tensions and insecurity of the past few months have abated.  Last night Judy, Coralis and I went to a restaurant nearby and and there were many families, both young and old, enjoying the evening together.
     On Monday August 20, 1984 I began my orientation program with Maryknoll as a lay missioner.  I didn't actually sign my first contract until December 12, 1984.  It took a few months for both Maryknoll and myself to agree that this was the path I should follow.  Now 30 years have passed and I can say with a very grateful heart that it was the right decision.  In those days, Maryknoll was the only organization in the US Catholic church that offered laity a chance to work oversees for three years.  Most other organizations had short term contracts of 1-2 years and I knew from my volunteer experience that this wasn't enough time to do what I felt called to do.  Maryknoll also offered the chance to renew our contract on an ongoing basis.  I knew in my heart, even at that time, that this journey might last a long time.  And so it has.  
     Because I have completed 30 years as a Maryknoll Lay Missioner I will be a beneficiary of a Defined Benefit Retirement plan which will provide me with $30,000 annually to live a simple and dignified retirement.  Our Association is trying to raise $1,052,000 by the end of 2015 to fund this goal as we have many missioners who have given many years of service. 
     In gratitude for what I have been given over these 30 years I have given $300 to this fund.  I would like to ask you to join me in this effort.  Could you contribute $30, or more, to help us meet our goal?  These are the steps you can follow:
#1 - Make your donation
Online:       Donation link  (Type "Retirement Fund" in Comment box below donation) 
By Phone: 1-800-867-2980 
By Mail:      Maryknoll Lay Missioners, PO Box 307, Maryknoll, NY 10545-0307
Make check out to Maryknoll Lay Missioners; write in Memo line: Retirement Fund
Outside the US: Send me a message and we'll sort out how to transfer your donation. :) 

#2 - Add a comment to this blog to be counted among those willing to help us out!
I am not setting a personal goal for this effort.  I am hoping that between now and Dec 12th, the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe,  many of you will be inspired to inspire others to join me in giving thanks to Maryknoll for what we have been able to do during the past 30 years.  I have received a great deal of recognition for the things I did.  I could have done those things with other groups as a doctor. But for me this has been a vocation...a calling...to live my life as a Catholic lay woman in response to my Christian faith.  Many years ago when I was working very hard "doing" a lot of doctoring a very good friend made the comment that there was so much more to me than that.  It made me broaden my "doctoring" to reflect the light of Christ that is the source of life and all true healing.  Thanks to you for being there with me.

PEACE OF THE MOMBASA SEA BREEZES TO YOU!!!

01 August 2014

 North Coast of Mombasa June 2014

Greetings from Urbana, Illinois.
     I have been to Minnesota for the memorial of my nephew Alex on July 15th.  It was a very good gathering and the first time I have been with all my siblings in seven years.  Alex has brought us all together and he will always be with us in a very special way.
     I spoke at St. Joseph and Francis churches in Taylors Falls and Franconia Minnesota. They wanted to know more about our ministry and are giving donations to remember both Alex and Corey Corradi, a 22 year old member of their parish who died suddenly of an illness last year.  I also met with Mary Oldham and Marty Roers, both lay missioners in Kenya in the past.  Mary's friend took this picture when they visited Kenya in June.  It is a good image of the news that is coming out of Kenya...ominous.  Insecurity has continued and the US has recalled their Peace Corps volunteers.  But as the sun is still shining on this beach, there are many people working to address the ethnic tensions and corruption that is widening the gap between those who have and have not.  This too will pass.
     My brother has informed me of a way to support our Maryknoll Association without spending extra money.  Amazon has a charitable giving program.  If you are purchasing items you should go to the site smile.amazon.com.  They will ask you what charity you want to support and you can enter Maryknoll Lay Missioners.  Amazon will then contribute 0.5% of your purchase to our Association.  It doesn't cost you any extra money.  If you order from Amazon please consider designating us as your charity recipient.
    People here in the USA are asking me about Ebola.  It is a huge problem in West Africa.  I work in East Africa.  So, the current outbreak is very far away from us.  This deadly disease is caused by a virus and the only treatment is supportive.  Strict public health measures that quarantine the patients can contain the outbreak quickly.  This has happened many times in East Africa in the past. However, the outbreak has spiraled out of control in West Africa because procedures for control have not been followed.  People have less belief in modern medicine and have taken these extremely infectious patients home from the hospital or allowed them to travel when they are ill.
     I will return to Kenya on the 12th of August.  Please keep us in your prayer and I will keep in touch on this blog if anything more concerning should come up before next month.

PEACE OF SUMMER SUNSHINE TO YOU!!!