Mission Integration Program

John and I travel back to the States in late April for the Mission Integration Program for Maryknoll Lay Missioners that have completed their first contract. MIP is a chance to reconnect with our classmates in orientation and reflect on our experiences in other cultures. It was a wonderful experience. It felt as the if the seven of us had seen one another just a few days before rather than 3 1/2 years ago.



These are our MKLM classmates: back: Nan, Mary, Lindasy, Cindy, John front: Erica, Minh

We stayed at the convent of the Maryknoll Sisters so mealtimes were delightful. Currently there are over 100 Sisters living and working there. The cafeteria was a great place to meet them and hear stories of their time in mission. What a wealth of experience! The bad part is that we were often late for our meetings because we were busy talking to the Sisters!



We had the opportunity to spend time with two Sisters that worked in Kitale for years, Sister Noel and Paula.


The last day of MIP we had a Recommitment and Blessing ceremony. Three missioners have decided to leave MKLM and return to the States. Four of us have renewed our contracts for another three years. Mary asked me to anoint and bless her as she transitioned out of MKLM.


We were gone for three weeks. We spent the first week with Andrea and Melissa. The last two weeks were in Ossining, NY. Over the weekend we had a chance to ride the train into New York City. It was a beautiful spring day.



As we were leaving, we shared one last taxi ride with Mary. We will miss her enthusiasm, energy and smiling face here, but know she is doing what she is called to do.

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Monkeys on our Fence

Not just anybody can say that they have monkeys living in their area! For a long time I didn't realize the difference between the sound some birds make in our neighbourhood and the monkeys chattering. It is a high shrill sound that does sound like birds. We have always enjoyed watching them play making the tree tops sway as they jump from branch to branch on the roofs.


John calls them his angels. Whenever he is discouraged or down he seems to see monkeys. That brings a smile to his face and reminds him to lighten up.




Yesterday when I went outside in our yard there were six monkeys with two babies. While I watched they moved from one tree along our fence into another tree where they began eating flowers.




Look at how long their tails are. Did you see the babies head in the mother's arms in the first picture? Isn't nature amazing?