Susan's first blog post: From the U.S. to Kenya to Uganda

I have been in Kenya -- Nairobi, to be specific -- for a little more than two weeks. It was a long journey, but the greeting more than made up for the lack of sleep on the flights and layover in London. Br. Joe, the Executive Director of the JPIC FA (Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation, meaning stewardship of the earth, Franciscans Africa) met me at the airport and took me to where I am staying in the Karen section of Nairobi.

The St. Francis Missionary Sisters of Africa are hosting me and I have an entire lay missioner house to myself. Richard, the associate from our JPIC office, took me touring the next day and gave me the "lay of the land" in the Karen neighborhood, including a detailed route to get to work. Everyone has been incredibly welcoming.

Within days, and barely unpacked, we were off to Uganda for a five day JPIC seminar for the Young Franciscans of Uganda. Joe and I drove eight hours west to the Kenyan/Ugandan border and stayed at a monastery overnight. In the morning, we left the car at the border and crossed into Uganda where we were met by the national youth coordinator, Patrick, a former child soldier in the rebel army. So, packed we were in an old fashioned VW bus, with Joe and I as the only "musungus" ("white people"), six Ugandan youth, mattresses piled high and two live goats given to us by the local bishop. We were stopped on the road by Army soldiers who thought our group looked a bit strange but eventually let us go after they heard who we were and what were were about.

We arrived in Iganga about six hours later along with about 50 youth, from ages 18-30. The conference lasted five days and we taught issues of peace, justice and the stewardship of the environment. I was incredibly struck at how involved and committed the youth were to learn about non-violence and Franciscan traditions. We will follow up with two more week-long seminars for these youth in April and again in August.

I made it back and forth to work at the Franciscan Family Center where the JPIC is housed all by myself last week. It takes about an hour each way with a combination of 40 minutes walking and a 20 minute matutu ride. We are gearing up to host an international Justice and Peace Conference in a few weeks as well as getting started on the groundwork for setting up the free legal clinic.

I am most blessed to have come this far and am grateful to all who support me in mission.

Peace and all good,

Susan