I am back in the States after my amazing and surreal journey in Kenya, Africa. I was there for six weeks and it will last a lifetime.

I was definitely in my element facilitating the World Academy for the Future of Women's Second Module: "Knowing Yourself as a Leader" to 100 University females; they are brilliant, eager to learn, and have fire in their belly. The end game of the eight-month-long Academy is designing and completing a project connected to one of the United Nations Sustainability Development Goals. 

I also had the honor and privilege to speak (twice) after Mass to  804 University students who attend weekly mass! The students organize the service and the 100+ member choir. My new friend & colleague, Reverend Doctor John Mbai only needs to show up. Fr. John is a professor of criminology at Karatina University. He also is the Founder and Director of Upendo (love) Care Home for the Elderly. This is his personal mission and has the blessing of the Diocese. I also received a special blessing from the Bishop of Njeri (county). 

So many memories. Often while there, even now, I think about how "God laughs at our plans." God most certainly had a bigger, better plan for my long-awaited dream (since undergrad in the 1980s) to have an immersion experience in Africa. I shared with so many that from start to "finish," (I'm not yet done with WAFW) God was throwing me roses. 

I spent time with the cloistered Dominican Sisters in Karen, just outside Nairobi. They are indeed cloistered; conducive prayer from dawn to night. I enjoyed praying, sharing meals, and getting to know the community during my days at the Motherhouse. While there, I enjoyed spending time with other women religious (Carmelites, Felicians, Consulatas, and a couple of others) who were there for a month-long annual conference refreshing their knowledge of canon law and other subjects. 

Prioress Esther was a joy to be with. She took me to the beautiful sacred Resurrection Gardens. While there, I was elated to run into someone who knows you!  Friar, Reverend Stephen Lumala says, "Jambo, hello."  He shared about another community of Dominican Sisters (not cloistered). I'll connect with them next time.

I also want to share about my attending the 58th Oral History Association's annual conference in Cincinnati earlier this month. I attended the workshop on the oral history project done with the Kentucky Motherhouse. It is always wonderful to hear our Sisters share their lives and points of view; a demonstration of walking and talking our Pillars. Such clarity, assurances about the beauty of the pathway of faith, being reminded to grant ourselves, and others, our humanity, and holding dear the grace of peace.  

The presenters shared that my attendance and participation made for a more lively look into the Dominicans and they learned more about Dominican Associates. By the way, I hope they call me to collect oral history about the Dominican Sisters' role on the National Farmworkers Ministry. The commitment of blessed Sister Alicia Alvarado and my service representing Dominicans on the NFWM.