Last week I signed the contract for the second phase construction and completion of the Core Community House. Since then the work has begun in earnest with six skilled masons and many helpers making up the building crew.

The various rooms are coming into shape and what strikes me is how the separate apartments would be ideal for individual retreatants for solitude. Perhaps this house can be used for both Core Community and people coming for retreat.

Finally, yesterday seven people came for “Taamuli” (meditation) yesterday. We had a lovely Silence to Still our restless souls. My hope is as the physical building grows, so to will peoples’ desire to  sit in the Silence.

 

“Taamuli” is a Kiswahili word meaning, roughly translated, “A Light Shining”. This is the word I use to try and speak of Contemplation. I started this Contemplative group here at the House of Prayer a few months ago with limited results. Last week, as I wrote a few days ago, only Michael, an eight year old boy showed up. Yesterday, three women came and we had a fruitful session.

The session starts with a welcome and a passage from Scripture, followed by a short teaching, then a 20 minute section of Silent Mediation. Although my teaching probably was not totally understood, I was touched by the quality of the Silence with those women.

Silence is something inherent in all healthy cultures. So while my rational explanation for Christian Meditative Silence was lacking, the deep Silence within the women was not.

Today I meet with Mr. Chassa and Mr. Mbwambo, our contractors to discuss the next phase of our construction project. We are finishing up the first phase in which we built the foundation for the Core Community House and a large water tank for the entire area.

Things going well, we should sign the contract for the second phase in which we will finish the house in a couple of days. It is encouraging to see the dream/vision take material shape. I pray and hope however this unfolds, we will be faithful to the original vision of Simplicity.

I continue with two Christian Meditation groups, one in a neighboring parish and one here at the House of Prayer. Yesterday only one person attended here at the House of Prayer, Michaeli, a 8 year old boy.

Michaeli has been a regular at our Tuesday group, always coming early, waiting for us to get quiet before the Lord. I guess I could have postponed the group for lack of attendance. But why? Jesus said himself that such are they of the Kingdom.

 

It has been awhile since writing here. I just returned three days ago from Nairobi, Kenya for the Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers annual retreat and meeting. The occasion always is a great opportunity to visit other Maryknollers whom I normally would not see since they work in different areas in East Africa. I didn’t bring my computer, wanting to stay away from screens during this time, thus my absence on this blog.

Here now at the House of Prayer we are finishing up the final works for the water tank and the foundation of the Core Community House. I hope we can start the second phase of the development of our construction project by the end of this month or early next.

Yesterday I had a conversation with a local priest on the contemplative life. He asked me to come to the minor seminary later this year to give a reflection day for the minor seminarians. I agreed, thankful for such openness to the contemplative life and hopeful for the future.

During this holiday time of the year it has always struck me how New Year’s Eve, and not Christmas, brings out the most joy in the people, especially people who don’t have a lot. They’ve seen a lot of deaths during the year, probably were near death themselves from malaria or typhoid. Everyday is a struggle with getting clean water, enough food and keeping your house in adequate repair so it doesn’t fall down in all the heavy rains we’ve been having. There’s a wonderful smile on their faces. So thankful. So happy to made it to another year. Perhaps this year will be better than the last their smile seems to say.

I celebrated Mass on New Year’s Eve Night. It was a sublime moment for me listening them sing their hearts out bringing light and joy to our church of one light. These people know deep down the meaning of celebrating because of what they’ve gone through and what they face in the New Year.

Things are pretty quiet at the Lake House of Prayer. We have finished putting down the concrete floor of the Community House and now are watering it for almost one month before moving on to the next stage.

The builders themselves are on vacation and will be returning right after the new year to finish off some small jobs in order to complete the contract for the first phase of the building of the Community House.

I  will be travelling to Nairobi with a few Maryknollers for our annual retreat and meeting. So, we are in a transition time in which we hope all to return renewed and ready to begin the second and final stage of the building of the Community House.

I continue to have Mass in my living room. The congregation is growing because school aged children are coming now when they normally would be going to school since they are on vacation. We blessed a whole bunch before Christmas to highlight the coming of God as a child.

I have been celebrating all the Eucharist Liturgies during Christmas at the Ibanda outstation. It gives me the feel of being back in a parish with all the activity. I am grateful for the connection in prayer with the local community.

My favorite spot at the Lake House of Prayer

Mango forest at the lake

My walk down to the lake

 

Pouring the cement floor