Good Friday

Yesterday we did need our gum boots for the Good Friday services. Father John decided that we ought to see a different parish, so we went to the Reuben area to St. Jude’s Catholic Church. This church is much smaller than the others we have been to. Father John actually said Mass at different church and delivered us to Father Luigi, an Italian priest who also helps out on weekends.


In Kenyan’s eyes, Stations of the Cross are more important than the actual Mass on this holy day. We joined the procession almost half way through. Unfortunately, that meant that we were at the back and couldn’t get any good photos of the large cross they were carrying through town, Father Luigi, the deacons and altar boys. When we got there, they were already on the eighth Station. We are guessing we walked about a mile to complete the last part of what they call The Way of the Cross.

You can see from the photos here the conditions of the street. We are in the season of the long rains. It has been raining every day. Yesterday it rained at least three different times. They consider the rains blessings because they help the crops to grow and that ensures food for the coming year. However, I don’t see how people who are forced to live in the slums consider them a blessing. Imagine having to walk through these conditions several times a day and then come home to a house that doesn’t have running water. How would you ever stay clean?

Once we arrived at church, it was a good hour before Mass started. Several people welcomed us and introduced themselves. Peter and Peter became our guides. They gave a tour of the church compound and told us about their parish.

In order to empower themselves and generate some income, they have built 56 houses for rent behind the church on church property. In comparison to most slum housing these are wonderful. They are built on cement slabs so they are up off of the mud. They are built out of corrugated tin, have cement floors and measure 8 feet by 8 feet. Choos with running water (toilets) are available on the grounds for free. Houses have electricity and water is available for a small charge.

There is a wonderful wide open grassy area for the children to play. It even has playground equipment! They have built a hall for church activities which is also available to rent for special occasions. A computer class is offered with ten computers to the community for a small cost. There is a school for nursery and kindergarten students.

Mass was very nice with probably 300 people attending. Most Kenyans travel back to their villages and families if they can for Easter, so the crowd was light. In fact, Father says that Holy Thursday is the worst traffic day in Kenya as so many people are traveling. Mass lasted for almost two hours.

After Mass, the youth of the church were mobilized. That meant they were gathered and they asked us to talk to them for a few minutes. We told them a little about ourselves and they asked some questions. Then they gave us Kenyan names. Mary is Acheng, a Luo name for one who was born during the rains. John is Nyambira, also meaning one who was born during the rains in Kamba. I am Mumbi, the first Kikuku woman.

Soon, it was time for us to leave. Rose insisted on escorting us back to Father John. There was no way he could drive to the church. There was a gentleman during the procession before Mass was showing us the best way through the mud. We later found out that once the people noticed us in the procession (how could they not notice us), they had assigned him to guard us. Likewise, Rose wouldn’t leave us until we were safely in Father’s vehicle. The kindness of strangers is so humbling.

Mubarikiwe sana pasaka hii na amani na upendo. (May you be blessed this Easter with peace and love.)