My Kenya (Aug-Sep 2013)

Photos from Don Bosco in Embu,Kenya

Click READ MORE below to for more photos

Photos from Kenya

Click READ MORE below to for more photos

Media Reports

Doctors, nurses, engineers, builders and a family of four are among the 35 Maltese volunteers who will be heading

Fr Colin's Update

Kenyans,

Yesterday was the B'day of (Dr) Josie Muscat. He was one of the speakers during the Festive 15-days Fiesta celebrations of Qrendi Parish Church. During the Mass each one of us explained to the congregation what are the motives why we are going to Embu. 

Besides the awareness message it was another occasion to work together. I think this is the most important.

We wanted to give a surprise b'day occasion by going to Ghar Lapsi restaurant to be together....but Franca anticipated us by bringing the whole tribe of the Muscats to celebrate the big day in the life of Josie that changed contemporary history in the Muscat families....

I wish to thank Jesmond and Nathalie who invited those who came at Qrendi Parish Church to join them all together at Blue Creek. A wonderful setting in front of Kemmuna, a good meal and the joy of being together. It was another occasion to know each other better - Marisa 1, Marisa 2, Michael, Jesmond, Nathalie and myself .... a good bunch. 

I appreciate Franca's inititative to ask our point of contact in Embu to clarify things. 

Are the responsible of the other Teams getting the same feed-back?

I have received very good feed-back from the Engineering Team and their counterpart in Embu. 

I don't have enough feed-back from the Medical Team.

The sewers of curtains etc are getting very well response both from Embu and the local help so as much as possible we prepare the curtains etc already from Malta. I know that several maltese called to give a helping hand. Several outlets provided materials needed. A very good team indeed!

Florence (not Nightingale) of Embu is indicating some work to be done with students. I appreciate her determination to make our stay the best possible. Her email is also useful to other groups besides the Educational/Social Team.

I am because we are....

Colin 

PHOTOS - Meeting with The President of Malta, Dr George Abela

The Team of Kenya Mission International 2013 would like to thank Ms Marica Mizzi for forwarding us the photos of the meeting with The President of Malta, Dr George Abela

PHOTOS - Meeting with the Prime Minister Dr Joseph Muscat

Fr Colin's Update

My dearest friends,

Allow me to call you dear friends, because to find a friend is to find a treasure. And I have found you, each of you, and i thank you for allowing me to be your friend.

I was preoccupied, to tell you the truth, because I see too much preoccupation by some members about things that are made important but are not important. I did not know how to express myself clearly so not to make someone be taken aback and next time would think it twice to talk clearly about his concerns. As I was thinking about this I received the wonderful explanatory letter from the Bishop himself. He addressed practically all the questions we were asking. 

I was 100% sure, without doubt, that this would be the case. From the very beginning. 

Martha and Mary, in last week's liturgy, is an emphasis of two ways at seeing life. I hope, with the Spirituality Team, with Deborah, we can deepen this reality.

Kenya is NOT doing work with the children, the families or building buildings.  All these will pass. Maybe after some years they won't even remember us. 

But what remains is the love we put in whatever we are assigned to do. 

Everyone has his own plans and wishes....but it's more important to 'lose' these plans and wishes to be able to be free to discover new visions and new dreams.

Those of us who will be tied up to their own plans will find it difficult to make the real experience of Kenya.

 If I may add a personal anecdote. This is the fourth time i have been doing mission group volunteering. The main difficulty is always the same: relationships. All the speakers who came to talk to us emphasized just one single thing: unity. I do remember on several occasions that members come but when they meet obstacles they would create cliques, excluding others, and being always with the same persons whom they feel comfortable with. To the extent that this happens - our Mission will be a flop (no matter how grandiose things we do),

But unity depends on each one of us. 

There will be mistakes...and it is when we are aware of the mistakes around us that we prove unity. It's easy to be united when everything will run smooth. 

But it's not realistic to expect 35 strongly-opinionated individuals to live together for 20 days in a foreign country with weather conditionings to run all smooth and serene. 

Life is difficult. 

And so will be our experience. 

The seed won't give fruit unless it dies. 

If the seed remains a seed to be itself it will never make fruits. 

We are called to give fruits....

But not everyone is ready to pay the price....

Are you?

Colin

PS All I ask of you is to remember me as loving you.

I AM BECAUSE WE ARE ....

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Kariuki Njiru Paul <kariukipaulnjiru@gmail.com> wrote:

Hello Fr Colin Apap. How are you? How is your team? I wish you success in your final tasks in preparation for your mission in EMBU Kenya.

Be assured that I and the local community we will give the project of orphans maximum support. Currently it is not possible to say how much the whole project will cost but Divine Providence is always there for the needs of the poor ones of God. I Haven't seen the plan yet and I request you to resend it again.

Concerning the place and security. I formed a team that is busy preparing for the place where the entire team will stay. They will also organise for the transport to the places of work. The security is our first priority and some members our team will stay with your team too.
The electricity is there. For health reasons the water for drinking we shall buy the certified bottled water. For cooking and washing we shall use the ordinary pipe water. Internet you shall use the local sim cards for internet. Those who have lap tops, iPad or Tablets should carry them for they can use them comfortably for internet.

About a presentation in the TV here in Kenya they demand that we buy airtime which costly to engage in but we can invite them to cover some of the works and interview team members. Where you will stay will be 24 hours guarded.

Once again be assured of my maximum support. I am very passionate about the home for the orphans a place that will guarantee them a place to stay and have their education without interruption.

I look forward for a very successful mission in Kenya in all the areas you will work. In the hospital, in the health centers, in the parishes, and if possible in the schools. I am sure that your team will appreciate very much their mission in Kenya. May the Mother of all missionaries, The of Jesus, accompany you in your preparations.

God bless you all.

Meeting with Dr Joseph Muscat

The meeting we had today with Dr Joseph Muscat  at Castille went extremely well. On behalf of all the team of Kenya Mission International 2013, I would like to thank Dr Joseph Muscat  for giving us an opportunity to meet him and for expressing his appreciation and support. 

Fr Colin

Why I'm part of Kenya Mission International - Franca

http://www.flickr.com/photos/movingmountainstrust/

You asked us to write why we have chosen to join your team which will be doing missionary work in Kenya.

Although I always thought highly of anyone who gave up his free time to do missionary work abroad I never came across an opportunity until you approached me. I accepted.

 I wish to have the opportunity to make a difference (even if minimal) in someone else's life; I wish to share with others that which God has given me; I wish to make new friends (besides the ones in our team) be they children, adults or old people.

All I wish to get in return is their smile. Now that I have made contact with Sr Florence I wish to support the great work that she and Bishop Paul are doing in Embu. I am looking forward to going there to work wholeheartedly and to return happier than I left.

Franca

PHOTOS - JCC Enterprises Car Wash - Saturday 27 July 2013

These are some photos of the Car Wash at JCC Enterprises. I would like to thank EVERYONE who in some manner contributed to this Event. It was hard work in the scorching sun , but it was WORTH IT !  

Kenya Mission International 2013 would like to thank JCC Enterprises for lending us their car washing facilities in support of this fund raising activity. Fr Colin

MaltaRigthNow.com - F'isem il-PN, Simon Busuttil juri l-apprezzament tiegħu għal dan il-ġest

F'isem il-PN, Simon Busuttil juri l-apprezzament tiegħu għal dan il-ġest

Rebecca BORG23 ta' Lulju, 2013  13:43 CET Bejn l-20 t'Awwissu u s-7 ta' Settembru, 35 voluntier ta' bejn it-13 u l-75 sena, se jibdew missjoni ta' 18-il ġurnata l-Kenja. Is-slogan ta' dan il-grupp missjunarju hu 'I am because WE ARE' għaliex fil-kultura Afrikana, it-tifsira ta' 'I' hija dedjjem f'relazzjoni ma' sens aktar kollettiv.    - Continue Reading full Article on MaltaRigthNow.com

An inspiring African proverb

A meaningful African proverb, much in line with the philosophy behind the mission statement of Kenya Mission International 2013 - I am because we are. 

Thanks to Mildred for submitting the photo.

Fr  Colin

EMBU KENYA PARTY at Victor's Restaurant, MARSAXLOKK @ 7 pm

EMBU KENYA PARTY

 at Victor's Restaurant, MARSAXLOKK 

Time: 7 pm 

Price: 12 euro 

Full Maltese Menu

Bring your friends too...and a big big smile.

CAR WASH for Kenya at JCC Enterprises Car Repairing & Service, Car Washing & Valeting

CAR WASH for Kenya at JCC Enterprises Car Repairing & Service, Car Washing & Valeting

Find us on Facebook

Dr Simon Busuttil meets the Team of Kenya Mission International 2013

Meeting with Dr Simon Busuttil

The meeting we had today with Dr Simon Busuttil went extremely well. On behalf of all the team of Kenya Mission International 2013, I would like to thank Dr Simon Busuttil for giving us an opportunity to meet him and for his appreciation and support. 

Fr Colin

UPDATE - by Fr Colin on the car wash

I would like to thank everyone that has contributed to the Car Wash that was organised yesterday in Qawra. It was another occasion to live and work together as a TEAM.

PHOTOS - Arti Fil-Berah 2013

Nhar is-Sibt 29 ta’ Gunju, il-Kumitat Kulturali fi  ħdan il-Kunsill Lokali ta’ Marsakala organizza attivita’ taht l-isem ta’ , ‘Arti fil-Beraħ’. Din hi wahda mill-attivitajiet Kulturali, u annwali li jorganizza il-Kunsill ta' Marsaskala. http://marsaskala.lc.com.mt/

Join us at the CAR WASH in aid of the children in Kenya - Sunday 21st July Bugibba Car Park in front of the Santana Hotel, Qawra 10:00 am - 8:00 pm

http://kenyamissioninternational.blogspot.com/2013/07/sunday-21st-july-bugibba-car-park-in.html