01 March 2017

LOVE AND LENT 

ST. VALENTINE'S DAY WITH SISTERS OF ST. JOSEPH

     You'd thought I had brought them a pot of gold.  I picked up a cake at the local grocery store before traveling five hours to St. Joseph Shelter of Hope in Voi.  My clinic in February fell on Valentine's day which is a big celebration in Kenya.  These Sisters of St. Joseph run the only functioning hospital in this town of 50,000 people.  The doctors' strike continues on and is now in its 86th day as of 1st March.  The Sisters have been working night and day with patients overflowing into the hallways and the operating room running around the clock.  It is the only functioning surgical theatre in the entire area since the government hospital is completely shut down.  I had no idea such a simple gift could bring so much joy and such big smiles.  That evening was filled with healing laughter.
     For the first time in six years famine has been declared in four countries...Nigeria, Somalia, South Sudan and Yemen.  All of this is man made and due to wars.  I was talking to Omar, a 12 year old lad who has come from Yemen and lives downstairs.  I asked him what he missed most about Yemen.  He simply answered "Everything" and walked away very sad.  His older brother, Hassan who is 14, is coping a bit better.  When I mentioned the famine in Yemen he told me that if we all made space everyone could live on one continent and there would be enough food for everyone if we didn't waste so much.  I asked him where he heard this and he said it's just his idea. He thinks we just need to make more space in our hearts!!!  I left that conversation knowing clearly who the missioner was...and it wasn't me.  Leaving his home has brought him wisdom well beyond his 14 years.

     A recent article in the Kenya Daily Nation caught my eye entitled "Why Trump's questions on US-Africa policy are not to be taken lightly." 

 http://www.nation.co.ke/oped/Opinion/why-trump-questions-us-africa-policy-not-taken-lightly/440808-3826762-5brwwsz/index.html

It's a long article so I'll pick out the salient points.  Kenya is about to pay USD$418 million for 12 fighter jets which he calls "souped up crop dusters".  This deal is being challenged by a US congressman from North Carolina who is trying to stop the sale.  A firm in his state manufactures the planes and will sell them for half the price. His allegations of inflated pricing are supported by an article in The Economist. The author goes on to explain why all this military equipment is useless against Al Shabaab in Somalia, which is the alleged reason for their purchase.  Terrorists cannot be fought with conventional military weapons. They are like fishes in the sea.

When I first saw this in the paper I asked how they could spend that kind of money on the military when the health care system has been shut down for over three months and the nurses and doctors deserve better pay.  Then the author asks the most important question of the entire article..."What if we were to wage peace instead...build schools, health facilities, boreholes, markets, small shops?"

We are beginning Lent today and this will be my question for reflection over the next 40 days.  The Maryknoll Office of Global Concerns has also prepared a Lenten reflection guide with the theme

A Journey with Gospel Nonviolence 

http://maryknollogc.org/sites/default/files/Maryknoll%20OGC%20Lenten%20Reflection%20Guide%202017.pdf

I scrolled down to the end and found a reflection from a woman in South Sudan that showed the wisdom and love that comes from living in the midst of war for her entire life.  Even if you don't use the guide or read the whole thing this last little bit is worth a moment of your time.

WOMEN  WAGING PEACE

     I have recently met up with some of my friends from South Sudan. I was in Nairobi for a medical emergency that required my attention.  I stayed at Regina Pacis, the hostel owned by the Diocese of Torit in South Sudan where I used to work.  March 8th is International Women's Day and I want to pay tribute to this friend of mine who is a member of Parliament in South Sudan.  We worked together when I was in South Sudan and  she is one of many women who have consistently striven to "wage peace". Once we each make more space in our hearts I'm sure we will succeed.

MAY THE PEACE OF OUR SPACIOUS HEARTS

MAKE ROOM FOR EVERYONE