August 5th, 2012
Dear Friends,
On July 25th, 2012, fourteen of us left Saginaw, Michigan, USA, to begin a journey entitled Love for Lukulu Mission 2012. Our group consisted of eight females and six males. Nine of the missionaries were our younger folk, and five were the adult chaperones.
Our group was in formation for nearly one year, with at least monthly meetings and fundraisers. We were determined to raise enough money to pay the air fare and lodging of our fourteen missionaries as well as collect funds to give to the Mother’s Milk and HEPS programs. Our group also collected a variety of supplies to bring to Lukulu, many of which were donated to the hospital.
We’ve had three major activities to work on since we arrived. The first is part of an on-going project. In previous years, (this is the fourth Diocese of Saginaw mission trip to Lukulu) a basketball court was built just outside of town. For the 2012 mission “Coach Dave” and five young people offered a basketball camp to more than 100 youth and young adults from Lukulu. What a joy it was to watch the players as they completed this week of training. Some of the players have great talent. Everyone had a good time.
A total of four sessions were held each day for both males and females. One session was for coaches. Our dream is that the newly trained coaches will continue teaching the game to the village people after we depart.
The smiles on the faces of the “basketball campers” were so gratifying. Back in the USA, people asked, “Why build a basketball court or offer a basketball camp when there are so many people starving in Lukulu and so many other projects the need to be done?”
We respond to these questions by explaining how exciting it is to watch a young person partaking in a structured activity. Learning to play basketball is also about building self esteem in the players and entertainment and excitement among the children who came to watch.
Our second project was installing plywood ceilings in the Saint Columbas Girls’ Dorm. This facility can house up to 40 girls. Unfortunately, when it rains, the sound is very loud on the metal roof. The project will make the rooms much more attractive and quiet, especially during the rainy season. “Mighty Mike” and his crew members have finished their ceiling project throughout the building. The missionaries cleaned the dorm in preparation for the girls return.
The third missionary crew had the privilege of working with the children through the bible camp. Annette and her team learned how bright the children are and how much they love to chant, to sing, to play games, and offer praise to God. Several simple projects were completed with the children. However, it was a challenge to play and interact with the children because often there were 200 - 300 children gathered around our house, eager to learn what we would do with them.
We don’t want to make it sound as though we have only spent our time working. We have had many opportunities to explore Lukulu such as tours to the hospital, to the Mother’s Milk program, and a wonderful mass each day. We also visited two outpost worship centers for mass- at Mitete and Mbanga where we experienced the beautiful singing and dancing that were part of the Liturgy. We also made two trips to the other side of the Zambezi River. The ride was challenging but the beauty of the country was breath taking.
Our missionaries offer the following reflections about their experience in Africa:
LIZ: Liz has been especially touched by the hospitality shown to us by the people of the parish. “When we first arrived, the welcoming committee offered each of us a hug and a warm greeting.”
ALEXIS: Alexis comments that “The people are the happiest I have ever seen. But it you take some time to get to know the people, they will tell their hard, sad stories. Yet, they are so happy… They smile so big when I take pictures.”
JONATHON: Jonathon has discovered “a genuine joy from these people who have so little. In the U.S., we take so much for granted and often aren’t grateful for all that is being done for us. Here people are grateful for everything. You can see it in the expressions on their faces.”
BRANDON: Brandon, a member of the basketball team, has been touched by “how much the children appreciate the basketball camps. They really take to it. It is more than just a game to them. The kids do anything we ask. They look up to us, and respect us. They follow us everywhere we go. They are so grateful. Little things mean a lot to them.”
DAVE: This is his third trip to Lukulu. He continues to be impressed by the welcoming spirit of the people… “and how safe it is here. People in the US were worried about our safety. But these are the most peaceful people I have ever met. People are quick to offer their help. They help us keep the basketball equipment together, retrieving balls if they roll away. These are very respectful young people”.
AUDREY: Audrey says that “experiencing the culture has been very dear to my heart. I treasure every experience. They are so valuable to me. These are God’s people and I fully love and respect them.”
JOHN: John comments that his favorite parts of this trip have included “ the trip to Mitete, the liturgy, the vision of the children running behind our vehicle as we left, waving and yelling ‘bye’; the children asking their polite questions; ‘how are you?’ or ‘ what is your name?’ I hear these questions as I walked to the basketball court each day. The kids must learn those social questions in school.”
ANNETTE: Annette says that “ I love the liturgies and all of the people I have met. I am totally captivated by the land. The Zambezi River is amazing, the villages intrigue me, and the trees and grasses captured my attention. But it is the beautiful singing of the people that I will always remember.”
MIKE: Mike has also been to Lukulu three times. People remember Mike from his two previous trips. “ When I first came to Lukulu, the children were very well behaved and amazed to meet us. Now they are more accustomed to the ‘white folk’. They look forward to what we are going to give them. Folks want to be on the work committees. However, the people’s friendliness and desire to help are genuine year after year. These people care about each other. They are a content culture that consists of a patriarchal society. They are genuine.”
TRENT: This is Trent’s second trip to Lukulu. His first trip was in 2010. He is amazed by the fact that “people live on so little, and are okay with it. These are very smart people and very hard working. Everyone is happy!”
LISA: Lisa states that the most touching part of the trip came on our first Thursday here when a young child we were visiting needed to be transported to the hospital. “How impressive it was to see Sr. Pat go into action to get care for the child. I have also enjoyed interacting with the children, even though the numbers were sometimes overwhelming. The older kids in the basketball camp were fun. They learned the skills a lot more quickly than I thought they would.”
ALISHA: Alisha first came to Lukulu in 2010. She was surprised to see that almost everything is still the same. However, she comments that “the work we are doing this year creates a different atmosphere. It’s a more exciting mission trip. I have been impressed with how quickly the children have been learning and how good they are at accepting direction.”
JUDY: Judy says “ I’m surprised how much better off the children at school seem to be in comparison to the children from the village. They come so far to school. The children are so excited to be around us, even when we can’t spend time with them.”
MICHELLE: Michelle stated that even though it took many hours to get here, “when I’m in Lukulu, it doesn’t feel like I’m half way around the world. I have been impressed by the small, self-sustaining village and culture. They say it takes a whole village to raise a child, I can see that. The kids are always together when we are here, sometimes several hundred at a time. They have a lot of exposure to their peers. Everyone works together to make sure things get done.”
The fourteen missionaries from the Diocese of Saginaw, Michigan, USA will be forever grateful to Fr. Chibesa and his fine parish and staff and to Sr. Pat and Sr. Elizabeth for all they have taught us.
We will leave here to begin our trip home on Wednesday, August 8th. To the people of Lukulu, we fondly say ; “ Thanks for the Memories!”
With love,
Love for Lukulu + Beyond Missionaries
Diocese of Saginaw, Michigan, USA
Alexis-
ReplyDeleteThis was a beautiful tribute to the poeple of Lukulu and their impact on all of you! Again we are all so grateful to have the post and this letter to keep us connected to everything that you have accomplished and shared with the people of Lukulu. I am sure it will be very hard to say goodbye but we are all looking forward to your safe return on Friday!!!!!
Mary Sullivan
Alexis,
ReplyDeleteThank you for helping us experience this amazing journey with all of you. I cannot tell you how much it helps to read your daily posts!Thank you to all of you for the work that you are doing! Enjoy the rest of your stay. God bless all of you!
Kim, Patrick, and Jade