In this issue... - Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ

International
(Sister Esther Dolezal, PHJC Shares Her Experiences
in Kenya, continued from page 7)
available but only when water levels in the river are
sufficient to power the dams. Geothermal is also used
for electricity, but it is not highly developed. Sister
Esther uses candles. Don’t expect her to answer emails!
… . . . more snapshots
from Kenya
Women in Kenya know the meaning of teamwork.
The women collect wood daily to fuel their large cook
stoves. They cook meals together and as a group plant
corn sowing each kernel using a hand knife. When
asked what the men do, Sister Esther smiled and said,
“They talk.” She went on to explain the patriarchal
society of Kenya and the division of labor between the
men and women.
The audience expressed concern regarding political
unrest in the region. Sister Esther reported that
Kenya recently passed a new constitution containing
legislation on land reform, reduced presidential
powers and granted abortion rights. Kenya is an
important peaceful hub and place of refuge in East
Africa. She hopes that no violence will erupt during
the upcoming presidential election in 2012.
The area is rural. People gather together on Sunday in
prayer houses, a single room structure. A priest visits
the different groups once a month. Parishes are being
constructed, but the prayer house remains an important
part of spiritual life.
The future of Kenya is bright for the country and for the
Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ. This year brings the
first final professed African Sister from Kenya, Sister
Jacqueline. There are now many Kenyan Sisters and
even more in formation. The PHJC mission continues
in the schools, children’s homes and hospitals.
-
Lynne Baldwin, Communications Assistant
8 | Word Gathering