Setting off to Kisumu to find the answer to our question:
Is this something God has in mind for us?
The children followed us from place to place. They were intrigued with the camera and loved when we took their pictures. And, we loved them.
Security is an issue in the area. Because of the poverty, robberies happen. In fact, just before our arrival an elderly Dominican, Fr. Tom, was beaten during a robbery and died several days later. This doesn't happen often, and there are precautions one can take to minimize risks… such as having a wall and guards on your property, and being careful not to travel alone.
Yes, we are needed in Kisumu.
While there, we each independently came to the same conclusion: we believe that God is calling us to help the poorest of the poor… the little children in Kisumu with Burkitt’s Lymphoma. We came back and shared our belief with the Community. At the Chapter of 2005 the decision was made to proceed with this dream. John Paul II had asked that religious "go out into the deep" and we are going. In going to Kisumu we follow in Mother Alphonsa's footsteps and remain true to our charism. In Mother Alphonsa's words, we will try…
"to take the lowest class we know, both in poverty and suffering, and put them in such a condition, that if ourLord knocked at the door we should not be ashamed to show what we have done.”
It is our tradition to open Homes in areas where the needs are greatest. Until now, all our Homes have been located in the United States. Now we are opening a mission in Kenya where the needs are certainly as great. We are going international!
More than anything, we ask for your prayers.