Mary Bea Sullivan

Fr. Rich Webster and Fr. Joel Atong

Well, YOU did it!!  Between all of the contributions from folks on the website and the generous support of Grace Cullman and St. Luke’s in Birmingham, Fr. Joel will be going back to Kenya with the money he needs to begin building his health care clinic. AMAZING! 

There are so many stories within this story, I hope to write them sometime soon. For now, I wanted to share this GOOD NEWS with you. This is a wonderful beginning and Fr. Joel and I hope you will continue to walk with us on the journey.  Many thanks to those who have helped. 

Loving Creator, We give you thanks for your abundant mercy and care.  Thank you for the faith of Fr. Joel, holding tight to the vision of a place of healing for the people of Kenya.  Thank you for preparing hearts to be open to participate.  Thank you for the opportunity to co-create with You a world that reflects the love and mercy You have shown us.  May Ngunya Health Clinic provide healing for the people who fund and build it, and for those who seek and offer care in it.   Amen

Grace Cullman reception

Joel's Mother and Members of Ngunya AKC

“It was a great loss when Seline died.  Even though she was only 24 years old, she was already a leader in the church.” Joel said with great sadness.  “You see, she was educated up to the eighth grade and she could read.  As I mentioned, not many people back home can read.” Joel leaned forward and rested on his arms.  We were in the refectory eating dinner.

Joel continued to tell Seline’s story–that she was a young mother with two-year old and four-year old babies.  How even the elders in the village looked up to her because of her education, kind heart, and enthusiasm for doing God’s work.  She had been organizing the women in the church and Joel felt she was going to be a strong leader in the community.

“What happened?” I asked.  “How did Seline die?”  “It was October of 2010.” Joel explained.  “I had actually sponsored Seline to go for training as a Layreader before I came to VTS in August 2010. We had great hopes that she would be commissioned last year as a Layreader (Eucharistic Minister) in order to lead the congregation. One night my mother called to say that Seline was very sick with Malaria.  And so from here I called and called back home, trying to find someone with a bike to take her all the way to the doctor.  The nearest clinic is about seven miles away.”  Joel’s naturally jovial expression was drawn.

“It took a long time to find someone who could take her and she was getting worse fast.  It was too late.”  He said.  “She died on the bicycle on the way–only three days after she started feeling ill.”  Joel and I sat in silence for a few moments.  “Losing Seline was very sad Mary because she was so alive and so young!  One Seline can make a big difference for the people in my village–she held so much promise for all of us.”

“What is most frustrating is that this shouldn’t be happening.  If we had even a simple clinic in our village, so many people like Seline would not die.  It is a waste to lose young, or any lives, this way.”

“What about her children?”  I wondered.  “Their grandmother is raising them.”  He answered.  “That is often what happens when the mothers die.  Someone in the family takes the children.  They are loved, but they miss their mother.  Seline was so loving.”

 I am compelled to share Joel’s story with you, for reasons I can’t explain.   I do believe that with God’s help, we can raise enough money to build the medical facility that would save people like Seline.  In the next couple of days I will share with you Joel’s vision for building a clinic on his church’s property.

If you would like to participate, you can go to this link, click where it says “Please select one” and indicate “Ngunya Kenya.”  Your donation is tax-deductible. In the next couple of days I will share with you Joel’s vision for building a clinic on his church’s property.  Even a small donation can make a big difference in Ngunya.

Please consider adding Ngunya Health Clinic to your prayer list–or saying a prayer right now.  Blessings this most Holy of Weeks and thank you!

Ngunya Anglican Church of Kenya

I don’t know about you, but sometimes I get a little turned around about who’s in charge.  The other day I was with my spiritual director and I made the (embarrassingly) audacious claim, “When I invite God to participate, something beautiful happens.”

Being the kind and wise soul she is, Karen didn’t burst out laughing.  Instead, she wondered aloud if we might re-frame my perspective.  “You know Mary Bea” She said.  “There is another way to look at this.”  I leaned forward, a bit surprised we could do much to enhance my brilliant realization.  “What if you were to say, When I respond to God’s invitation something beautiful happens?” 

Reflecting on Karen’s insight brought to mind a conversation I had earlier with my friend Joel .  I had asked him how he was able to build a church in such a remote village in Kenya.  “Well, it was the Holy Spirit who built that church!”  Joel beamed.  “Let me tell you what happened.”

“When I was ordained a priest in 2001, my family organized a reception for me and invited the Bishop to join us. A large crowd of villagers including village elders also gathered in our home because they had never seen such an occasion before. The Bishop was surprised to see a very large crowd that had turned up. So during his speech, he challenged the elders that if they can provide land, he is willing to start an Anglican church in Ngunya.”  Joel smiled as if to remember the emotions of that day.

“I was so surprised.”  He said.  “The Bishop believed now that I was a priest, if we had a church, we would better be able to serve God and serve the people.  I agreed with the Bishop, but I wondered how will this ever happen?”

“Then, one day, my mother, my uncle and some neighbors called me and said, ‘Joel you remember what the Bishop said on the day of your ordination?‘  We have been thinking about it and we are ready to give part of our land to build the church. I immediately called the bishop and in 2003 the church was started!  Thanks be to God!”   Joel laughed his infectious laugh.  “And so we continued to listen to the Spirit and little by little, day by day, people came forward to help.“

“How has life in Ngunya changed since the church was built in 2003?”  I asked.  “In so many ways.”  Joel said as he removed his glasses and rubbed his eyes.  “Our being there, praying, serving, loving in this visible way–it has helped to make great progress in healing the community spiritually.  Most of my people live in absolute poverty.  We see tremendous physical and emotional suffering because of this poverty.  Our simple church is a symbol to the people that God is with them, especially in their struggles.”

My sense is, Joel, his Bishop, his family, his community have much to teach me–us, about responding to God’s invitation. 

When was a time that you responded to God’s invitation?  We would so benefit from your experience if you want to share your thoughts in the comments below. 

Blessings to you this most Holy of Weeks.