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 ....

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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

My motivation to be part of Kenya Mission Internatioanal: Mildred

"And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me”" - Mark 10:21.

I have always been quite the dreamer and going on a mission particularly in Kenya has been one of my biggest dreams for many years now. 

Being a Kindergarten teacher, children hold a special place in my heart. Most of our children in Malta are blessed with so many opportunities and experiences, so why not share our blessings with others, near and far, who need it? It is very painful to know that somewhere, children as well as adults are at risk of maltreatment, malnutrition and many other forms of suffering. 

Being one of the so-called 'lucky ones' myself, living a relatively effortless life with food in my fridge and a roof over my head makes me nothing but part of an extremely unbalanced world.

I have realised that it is my duty to help others who, simply for geographical reasons, lead a much more difficult everyday life than I do. I have realised that I am among the 25% of the world's richest because I have clothes on my back and a place to sleep. I have realised that I am luckier than millions of people who suffer starvation. I have realised that it is now time to stop wishing and start doing. God has blessed me with this opportunity to go to Embu, Kenya this August and I have no other aim than that to do whatever I can to make people happier.

Being my very first experience of the sort, I do worry sometimes that it might get too hard for me and I still ask many questions as to what to expect. But then I remember what one of my biggest inspirations used to say: "God doesn't require us to succeed. He only requires that you try" (Mother Theresa) and that is all I need to keep moving forward. 

I do believe that the people in Embu will have as much to give me as I will give to them, if not more. From this experience I am looking forward to learning two beautiful lessons in life: that of appreciating the simple things in life and the other of loving others unconditionally.

Mildred

Building of Orphanage in Embu

We are moving....

Awaiting for the Bishop's reply...

This is a tough job but we will do it, God's willing.

Let everyone give his contribution so we can enough funds that these dreams come true. 

Even those who are not seen are given too their contribution to our projects. I talked to some of you and I am impressed how many hidden acts of love each one of you is doing, how many sacrifices, how many overtime, how many doing the work of others to be able to be present in Embu, how many went out of their way to do car washing, prepare the food, going on TV and radio even thought they felt ashamed and incompetent but they went out of their way to deliver the Message of Hope....and we can see the results of media exposure.....doing their best in silence....

Fr Colin 

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This below is an email from Michael Attard sent to Bishop Paul.

Dear Bishop Paul ,

I hope you are fine !

We have now started our countdown to our mission in Embu. Everyone here is making every effort to give as much as it takes for the love of Christ , his Church , for the people of Embu and for each other.

In our weakness we tend to forget that there is One who is looking over us and we are now worrying that we will not deliver what we planned.

However our plans are real and I am sharing with you here our vision for the orphanage which should give care for the immediate and future needs of the children.

I have made some research on the costings and I am also attaching a summary of the costs to build the orphanage on the land you have acquired. I am not sure how actual these figures are.

As Fr.Colin had mentioned our plan was to bring with us around 15,000 € which we are still in the process of collecting through our fund raising activities.

However , this sum would not be enough to have the building completed.

Can you please advise if building half of the building would still suit your orphanage needs. Also if we can prepare the foundations of all the building area and build now only a room or two making it possible to continue the building at a later stage if your Diocese can finance its’ completion. I have also sent these plans to John to direct me on the costs involved and whether there is an local government funding which the Diocese can benefit of but I am still awaiting his reply.

We would like to know what you wish us to do to make our stay in Embu fruitful.

Bless me

I am because we are !

Michael

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.