16 August 2017

It seems that now the opposition WILL go to court to challenge the presidential election.  (They had said they wouldn't)  So far the country is at peace for the most part.  The doctors and nurses are still striking!!!!  I will return on Sept 6th.  Hope I don't find the same mess that was there when I left during the previous strikes.  Our clinics are way overloaded with work and no support from the government.

15 August 2017

FEAST OF THE ASSUMPTION

FOUNDING OF 

MARYKNOLL MISSION ASSOCIATION OF THE FAITHFUL

1994

    I was privileged to attend our founding assembly in August 1994.  I'm in the middle of this group up near the top in front of the man with the red shirt.  It was a great gathering of so many faithful committed people trying to be faithful to a call to follow Jesus by going oversees to other countries and cultures to serve those in need.  Happy Feast Day to all of us!!!

     The elections for the president declared the current President, Uhuru Kenyatta the winner by 10%.  The opposition does not accept the results and four days after declaring the winner the electoral commission still hasn't finished tallying the votes.  It seems there are discrepancies between the polling station report forms and the constituency report forms.  Still hoping no one will start fighting over the whole thing.

PEACE OF OUR STRONG GENTLE MOTHER TO YOU

09 August 2017

Greetings to all.
      Just to make sure that everyone knows that I am in Urbana Illinois USA.  The election process in Kenya took place peacefully on the 8th August and the returns are coming in.  The opposition claims that the incumbent party has rigged the election and claims the returns are fraudulent.  Demonstrations and 'calls to action' have begun in the bigger cities like Nairobi and Kisumu.  So far I hear that Mombasa is calm.  No need for anyone to worry about me. I am safely residing at our family home and following these developments from afar while praying for peace and safety for all...susan

01 August 2017

SUSAN AND FRIEND ON PEACE WALK

KENYA ELECTIONS 8 AUGUST 2017

PEACE IS THE WAY OF LOVE AND UNDERSTANDING

    

Greetings from Urbana Illinois where I am enjoying sweet corn and beautiful summer weather with my family and friends.  I've had some challenges with cross cultural issues.  The air conditioning in the grocery stores, churches and restaurants almost gives me frost bite. I go everywhere with my light Mombasa wrap to cover my neck and shoulders.  Everything here is BIG!!!  I couldn't find a green pepper smaller than the size of my foot. But the up side is that people are so friendly and courteous.  It is a joy to drive on roads where people follow the rules and vehicles stop for pedestrians.

     At the moment, my thoughts and prayers are with my friends back in Kenya, especially Mombasa.  The elections for the President, as well as governors, senators, Councillors and others will be held on 8th August.  The news my friends send me by email is not good.  In 2007/8 there was terrible post election violence while I was in Kiminini/Kitale.  Issues of land rights, negative ethnicity and corruption caused many problems.  Those issues have not been resolved and seem to have increased.  Kenya has a democracy but it is fraught with dangerous politics.

     The Kenya Council of Catholic Bishops printed a prayer card which we have been praying regularly for peaceful elections.  In June I participated in a peace walk from our Cathedral sponsored by the Association of Sisterhoods of Kenya and wore my Maryknoll T-shirt.  It uses a swahili proverb for peace and has the word PEACE written in English, swahili (AMANI) and Arabic (SALAAM). The first of every month we lay missioners in Kenya always pray especially for peace.  This month we are most concerned with Kenya.

PAUL MARY SUSAN MARTY

     While visiting my family in Minnesota I was able to meet up with former lay missioners Mary Oldham and Marty Roers.  Mary's husband Paul is also with us and we had a lovely evening together remembering our times together in mission.  Many people in Kenya and Sudan still ask about them and a picture is worth much more than poorly descriptive words.  In short, they are all very happy and healthy.

     I will be in Illinois until 6th September when I will return to Kenya.  By then I hope the country has a president and functioning government so we can get on with the important tasks of caring for each other with love.

MAY THE PEACE OF SUMMER BIRD SONG

AND

MOONLIT NIGHTS BE WITH YOU