This saying is the meaning of “Mfumbuka” a name of honor given to a Missionary of Africa Priest named Fr. Clement for his life and work with the largest tribe in Tanzania, the Wasukuma. Fr. Clement truly entered the culture and life of the Wasukumu, so much so as much as it is possible for an outsider, to become one of them. He was able to do so because of his ability to be open to the mystery of the Sukumu people without prejudice or judgment. His imagination was open without mentally judging or labeling these people. My sisters Mary Ann and Patty came to visit me for the first time and we went to the Cultural Center founded by Mfumbuka, Fr. Clement here was where we learned about the man who had “Imagination without Expectation”

Perhaps we too can live our lives open to the Mystery of the other without expectation and be surprised by what we encounter.  Fr. Jim 

Lela is a 54yr old woman with cervical cancer. She is the mother of one of our workers at the House of Prayer. Anna, the worker, asked me to see her because her condition was getting worse (sounded like terminal stage cancer).

Lela was lying on a thin foam mattress, in a poorly lite room (no electricity), bare cement walls and floor with one small window to let in some light. A poor person’s home.

Lela gave birth to 13 children, two of whom have already died. She started experiencing pain awhile ago, went to the hospital to get checked but the hospital lost the results (happens a lot). So she went along without any treatment for a long while not knowing she had a problem. People have a tremendous capacity to absorb pain and can go a long time before going to the hospital.

When she finally got some decent service at another hospital they told her about the cancer and that she should just go home because there is nothing they can do about it. She explained all this to me just keeping to the facts with no hint of complaint

Hello Again,

It has been a very long time writing here. As a ‘primative’ on the internet when it got too complicated for me, I headed to the ‘villages’ of my mind. I hope I can get this out and get some confidence to start writing here again.

Just to say we are still very much in business here at the Lake House of Prayer on Lake Victoria (Lake Nyasa) in Tanzania. It’s been five years since we opened up for guests seeking rest, reflection, prayer. The blessings have been great and our heart is full of gratitude.