Touchdown

Finally, after a couple of months of communication, paperwork and pushing through bureaucracy and unexpected twists and turns on the way, the first container with donated goods for our health center, pre and primary schools and for our neighbors - Resurrection Sisters at Chief Wanzagi Girls' Secondary School - has touched down in Kiabakari this morning. The offloading work went smoothly and things are securely stored for the time being as we finalize the development projects and make space for the equipment to be placed where it should be.

Gratitude to God Almighty for His blessing and Providence, thanks to Resurrection Sisters in Melbourne, Australia, in particular, Sister Hermina, and to all people of good will involved in the whole process in Australia, my friends in Dar es Salaam who helped with clearing process and finding the solid transporter, my classmate in Austria who donated two thirds of the money needed for the payments in clearing and forwarding process and to all who prayed for the safe journey and arrival of the container to Kiabakari. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart! Certainly, the donated items will help us immensely in providing better healthcare and education at grassroots level in rural Tanzania. 

Beautiful Day

Unexpectedly beautiful day today. Students from Makoko language school coming for the second Mass and a chat, led by Resurrection Sisters. St. Cecilia choir 45-members strong coming from Musoma Cathedral singing both Masses and offering their condolences for the loss of my Dad. Heart warming. Gratitude!

New Milestone In The History

Today some of us witnessed a history in making, with a new milestone in the history of the Congregation of the Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ firmly laid down with the first vows of three novices in Kahangala, Archdiocese of Mwanza. These three young men are the first Africans to enter the Congregation. As a neighbor and a friend of the Resurrection Fathers since the very first day the first one of them arrived to Tanzania ten years ago, I could not miss this great opportunity to show my support and appreciation for their efforts in Tanzania.

Five Balls

The internet came back on Vodacom in my corner of the world, so I am able to post my yesterday's reflection / homily I gave at the conclusion of the recollection day at Resurrection Sisters convent at Buturu, some 10 km from Kiabakari. This is the full text in Polish (below). Please, use Google translator provided at the right sidebar for your language version...

Uprooted Tree

Uprooted and transferred. Just returned from Buturu, from a farewell dinner with the Resurrection sisters, in honor of Sr. Ewa, the superior, who is wrapping up her Tanzanian odyssey and after few years of selfless and dedicated work for girls and the school community of Chief Edward Wanzagi Secondary School in Buturu is getting ready to fly back to Poland...

I Fell For Her

Yes, I did. She is such a unique presentation of the truth about Mary of Nazareth, a humble, noble, gentle, beautiful girl from that despised by Jews and others town...

Sisters of the Resurrection

Heard so many good stories about this place, but what I've seen here, at the Sisters of the Resurrection compound in northern Chicago, is beyond my ability to describe properly. This place is a silent witness to the power of the faith of these women of a few many generations, who believed that to God nothing is impossible and that Risen Christ is able to do whatever He wants, that is why with the prayer on their lips and the faith and unshakable hope the Sisters created this remarkable place, which has so many faces...

The Windy City

Just two stops at Mendota and  Naperville remained as Southwest Chief train number 4 closes remorselessly on Chicago. It has been an experience of its kind for me, and surprisingly, for many fellow passengers with whom I had pleasure to sit at the table and share. Almost all of them were traveling on this train for the very first time, considering this journey as a lifetime reward. I sat with folks from New Orleans who just celebrated their Golden Jubilee of marriage. I sat with a couple going for a week long drive in desserts. I sat with guys going on tour somewhere, taking this slow option and enjoying tranquility and spectacular views along the way (did you check my photos on Facebook? Look here)...