Photos from Kenya

Click READ MORE below to for more photos

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.

SAFE JOURNEY TO KENYA

My dear Bishop Paul, 

Thanks for your prayer and concrete support. 

Within few hours we will be boarding to Embu ... and we will meet face to face.

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. 

The Marmara' Family - 'Why don't I try to do my part?'

SAVERICK MARMARA' 13YRS OLD FROM M'SCALA - STUDENT AT DE LA SALLE COLLEGE.

Saverick Marmara'

It wasn't at all my wish or desire to go to do voluntary work abroad especially that much far away. I'm still very young to even think about it.

But after my father and older brother went to do missionary work and said it leaves behind a great incredible impact,I thought a lot about it.

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

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....

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.

An oppurtunity to give to others - Deborah

When the opportunity comes for me to give to others, I get a million questions of the what's and how's of what I can do. 

But then I realise, what do we have to give if not ourselves? 

When this Kenyan Mission came along, I said yes, because although I cannot change the world, I can make a small difference which means the world to someone.

 And that seems like a good place to begin... 

Deborah

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

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.

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.

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

My motivation: Daniela

Daniela Smith

I am a 27 year old female, currently working as a staff nurse at St James Hospital in Sliema. As a nurse for the past 4 years, I am fulfilling my dreams by using my nursing skills to help the sick and make a difference in people’s lives. As far back as I can remember, from a very young age, I have always wanted to fulfil one of my dreams/wishes; that is to travel to a less fortunate country and carry out voluntary work amongst children and adults. My main aim as a voluntary missionary worker in Africa will definitely be to continue using my skills amongst the sick, helping others face everyday challenges and most of all to hopefully leave an impact in the lives of others by leaving a smile on their face. I am not expecting a comfortable and easy environment but I am prepared for hard work; which will give me an insight into how these people live and what sacrifices they have to make to get through their everyday life. I am hoping that this will be a life long experience for me, helping me appreciate my life and the people around me, teaching me humility as well as giving me a good idea of how the rest of the world goes through their daily live without the everyday comforts that most people take for granted. Last but not least, I am prepared to give my utmost, making this experience a one to remember; both for me, as well as for all the people I meet, who I know will definitely touch my heart.

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