Photos from the Orphanage

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Photos from Don Bosco in Embu,Kenya

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Photos from Kenya

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An update from Kenya - Settling down and fervent activity

Sorry for not writing earlier but we had internet problems.

We are now settled in quite location in Sagana. After a  long day of missionary work and a two hour drive, we attend mass followed by dinner.

A short break and the group meets for an evaluation of the days work.

MY AFRICA: A SPIRITUAL SAFARI IN KENYA

MY AFRICA: A SPIRITUAL SAFARI IN KENYA

This is the first chapter of a Book of Life – my Book of Life. A sort of Journal of a Soul.

Within hours we will be travelling towards Cairo Airport. It’s a transit flight but still scary. I am afraid of the unknown. Not only for me but for the thirty volunteers who will be with me for twenty days in Embu, Kenya.

Departure to Kenya !

At 2:00 pm this afternoon the 30+ volunteers of MOVIMENT ERA GDIDA - KENYA MISSION INTERNATIONAL will leave for Embu, Kenya. 

Fr Colin's Update - Residence in Kenya

Dearest Bishop Paul, 

Thanks for the early reply. 

I feel much better now that we have all the assurances that we need. Yesterday all the group met to discuss the latest developments and planning. We prayed together that this Mission will be a Mission so that Jesus will be known more and loved more. We prayed for you and for our Diocese of Embu "terra amata" - anche da noi tutti qui a Malta. 

Fr Colin's Update - The time is fast approaching ...

The time is fast approaching and I am sure of your prayers and support.

This is the first time we are coming to Embu Kenya - and I am sure it will be a Divine Adventure.

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 - Our Water Projects in Embu. Kenya

There are many places in the world where mothers must walk hours upon hours -- with their children in tow -- just to fill a few jugs of water to bring home to their families.

Appeal for Bible and book donations - can you help us?

We are still short on Bible, prayer or holy books- if you have any books such as Bibles, Children's Bible, and books with a spiritual theme suitable for children aged 10 and over,  please contact us since we are still short of these books. Please contact us if you can help us.Thanks for your support.

Donation by M Demajo (Wines & Spirits) to Kenya Mission International

Kenya Mission International would like to thank Mr Matthew Miceli Demajo, General Manager of  M Demajo (Wines& Spirits), a member of the M Demajo Group, for donating three boxes of wine, for our fund raising campaign.

Fr Colin's Update - The heat is on !

Dear Bishop Paul,

Things are getting hot in Malta....

The temperatures are soaring to nearly 40 degrees....

And the heat of love for Kenya is increasing the load....

Donation of Toys by ESL Gross Market

We would like to thank ESL Gross Market for their generosity for donating the following items to the children of Embu , Kenya

http://www.toysmalta.com/

What I want to bring with me ? Memories of Happy African people and the urge to go again- Michael Attard

Africa is closer to home than we want to think ! 

At a latitude of 35°53′N 14°30′E our Island lies within the Northern tip of Africa putting us geographically  part of this continent. 

Our language originates from this continent. 

The "Out of Africa" theory, is widely accepted describing the geographic origin and early migration of anatomically modern humans. 

We now accept African people in our country and live side by side.

Africa is closer to home than we want to think ! 

Its’ mention flashes thoughts of famous discoverers, wild animals, jungles, deserts, forests, famine and Maltese Missionaries. 

Michael Attard

One of my friends travels to Kenya every year for six weeks and I somehow live the build up to his annual trip helping were I can. 

This year, my wife and I celebrate 30 years of marriage and we thought a long haul trip to the United States would make an ideal holiday. However, when Fr.Colin came to my office and asked me to join his planned mission, I suggested that if he asked my wife and she accepted I will surely follow.

Our change of plans also sees my daughter Deborah joining in, leaving our two boys at home.

Esperjenza li dejjem xtaqt naghmel - Charlo

Jiena Charlo,sejjer volontier Embu il-Kenja fl-20 ta'Awwissu.

Din l-esperjenza dejjem xtaqt nghamilha imma qabel kont bil-hanut u ma stajtx.

Wara li ghamilt habib ma Fr Colin hajjarni biex din is-sena nghamel din l-experjenza.

Jien ninqala biex inbajjad,inkahhal,nizboh u anki insajjar.

Sejjer naghti sehemi f'dak li jkun hemm bzonn.

Ghajnuna najnu billi toffru donazzjoni u titolbu ghalina.Grazzi

Charlo

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 

Media reports

The following are links of the media reports of the meeting the Prime Minister Dr Joseph Muscat.

http://gov.mt/en/Government/Press%20Releases/Press%20Photos/Pages/2013/July/day30/OPM.aspx

http://www.maltastar.com/dart/20130731-pm-meets-kenya-volunteers

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

Fr Colin Apap gives seven thousand one hundred and seven - The Philippines Experience

Fr Colin Apap gives seven thousand one hundred and seven (7,107) reasons why his eight-year stay in the Philippines makes a tapestry of life.

7,107 reasons by the God of Surprises

“What, are you still here? Don’t you know that you were supposed to leave for Manila an hour ago?” That was the beginning of a divine adventure by the God of Surprises!  A first YES to God who is Love – a YES that implies a long chain of other Yeses.

I never ever thought of going to the Philippines. Once I said YES to God to follow Him as a priest I was convinced that missionary work was part and parcel of my choice. Brazil was my dream. Like so many other seminarians of my time. Yet God of Surprises had other plans for me…

I was eating dinner with a group of friends at Scuola Internazionale di Formazione of the Opera di Maria in an old dilapidated Capuchins’ convent in Frascati, Italy. Frascati, for me, was not only famous for its wine. For us these were the first adventures as foreign students visiting Italy as part of our ‘cultural love’ for the Italian language (of course, everything paid by the University authorities).  I remember the first time we visited Frascati, a group of adventurous seminarians, our main concern was how to enjoy the delicacies of Frascati. I never thought that Frascati was to be the jumping plank to Manila!

I went to Frascati School for six months -  after I was ordained a priest. I had my own dreams for my future. Hoping they coincided with what I thought was God’s loving Plan for me (I did think that God, in my case, would need a little prodding).  My plans were to go to Oxford, read an MSc degree in Applied Social Sciences and then return to continue my assignment with Mgr Charles Vella of Cana Movement. All that had to change. I don’t know why, really. But I did believe that was God’s plan for me.