• I managed to learn a lot of things from people I lived with

• I learnt how to give talks and preach

• The other success was that of learning the people's culture and a bit of there language

• Above all was on how to be there for the people in mission

Challenges

• Difficult in learning the language and culture

• The other challenge was that of not having time for myself due to the busy schedules of the mission

• Not having youths around everytime due to school

  
  

  How I handled the challenges

• By being open to learning

• Trying to create time for myself

  
  

SUCCESS

Able to relate with people in terms of culture and tradition. 

The first preference for liturgy.... Attending the Mass, in and around the parish. (Everyday and special mass, school mass)

Given much freedom to do my responsibility in a better and in a fruitful way.

Freedom with responsibility. Knowing my limitations and strength.

Able to overcome fear, anxiety....

Preaching in both the languages kiswahili(written) and English.

Community life: Knowing the need of the community (any kind of work) kitchen, finance, marketing etc....

Pastoral

Visiting the sick, house visits(each jumuya), working with the youth and altar servers, assisting the priest incharge for the vocational group, informal visit to Christians family...(Informed the parish priest immediately)...

Assisting in counting Sadaka and exchange them and deposit them in different accounts of the parish.

Helping the treasurers of the parish in confirming the Sadaka. (Parish work).

Being accountable in finance matters.

Challenges

Language, emotional balance especially working with the children and youth, health condition, taking care of myself (physical, emotional, mental, spiritual, social)

Overcoming

Farm work, hiking(walking), personal prayer, reading language book)

I was able to preach, to prepare liturgy with students, go to outstations alone. Cooking, management of the house.

Challenges:

health/ malaria

To speak the local language

The youth are not intact

dependency syndrome

cultural shock

Only Sunday mass people come but weekdays not easy.

sacramental challenge

Mentality of receiving

Teaching catechism in school, religion education, garden.

-Languages(Kiswahili and English)

-Integration of the culture including food.

-I have had French club in a parish but also in a High Girls school

-The organization of the pastoral activities

- I have been able to relate with people ( children, youths or elders, visitors priests)

- Worked with youths with whom we have had moment of either recollection or reflections

-Visiting sick

-Going around for house blessings with our deacons

-Alters servers

-Choir groups(participating to their practice or teaching song)

- Through the program of stage I know SMA.

Challenges

-With youths (punctuality)

-Burnouts

-Spiritual direction but discussed and arranged with my parish priest.

-I was expecting maybe to have a time out but I didn't.