Yesterday we said good-bye to the third group of Diocesan Priests to come to the House of Prayer for a short three day retreat. And like the first two groups what is striking is the deep need for Rest, physical, mental and spiritual.

These men really don’t have a ‘day off’ and the demands on their time and energy are quite daunting. So to Rest with us in the Silence and Solitude is a gift they received with open hands.

These retreats have affirmed our vocation at the Lake House of Prayer to provide a ‘desert’ space for those wearied by the Journey to come away in the Solitude to Listen to the Still Small Voice within in the Silence.

Last week we welcomed the second group of Diocesan Priests for a short Directed Contemplative Retreat. After a slow start because of late arrivals the retreat  was a special moment for all four priests who attended.

The opportunity to rest body, mind, spirit is hitting a cord with these priests. Reflections questions and the opportunity to meet with a Spiritual Director also enliven and bless their time with us.

Finally, our “Nairobi Mangoes” are a big hit. They are sooo sweet to the taste, like eating delicious candy. They are expensive but worth the price in providing a healthy diet for our guests.

So, Silence, Rest, Reflection and Prayer combine to help our priests settle into a strange but new Contemplative rhythm. Just what we hoped for.

Before coming to the Mission of the Lake House of Prayer I was the pastor of Mabatini Parish here in Mwanza. I spent 12 years as the founding pastor that were full of blessing for me. Since I have come to the House of Prayer groups and individuals have come for retreat  or just to say hello.

Yesterday 24 leaders came from Mabatini Parish’s only outstation, Nyambiti for a day of prayer and reflection. The day focuses of silence, reflection and prayer. I have been in the process of forming this kind retreat since arriving here. This particular retreat had a unique flavor.

I usually open it up for discussion after the people have spent some time reflecting and praying over reflection questions that help them see God’s Presence in their lives and how they are responding. Other groups are mainly silent when asked to talk about what they discovered in their reflection.

This group from Mabatini spoke up so much we didn’t have time to look at other subjects I had prepared to talk about. The people were very open and sensitive to the questions and shared from their hearts. What happen? Where is the difference? What made this group unique?

I think it was because we lived 12 years together and we trusted each other.

The rumble of trucks bringing in rocks and sand began ringing out their construction sounds a few days ago here at the House of Prayer. We have begun the second phase of our infrastructure development of constructing a resident guest wing of 6 self-contained rooms.

When completed we will have 12 guests rooms for our overnight retreatants. I would like to keep our occupancy at this level in order to maintain the personal touch we offer at the House of  Prayer. After over a year of welcoming guests for retreats  we have discovered that  keeping it simple and small creates a personal environment that enhances our guests stay.

A few days ago we completed our first small group Contemplative Retreat for Diocesan Priests. It went very well, much more than our most  positive expectations. The four priests responded immediately to the directions of the retreat and dug into the Silence and Solitude.

What made the retreat for them? They mentioned the attention to the little things, food, the rooms, the area, walks to the Lake, our chapel. They enjoyed the freedom to rest and renew their relationship with the Lord. I met with them for an hour everyday for Spiritual Direction. They seized the opportunity to look at their lives and ministries in the clear light of the retreat’s tranquility.

The morning they left at breakfast they sang Judy and I a song of thanks. It was a great blessing to see the remarkable change just in three days. The Spirit was working in powerful way in these men’s hearts. And it was their openness to try something totally new to them that gifted them with a blessed retreat.