North American Martyrs, Pray for us!

Today is the feast of the North American Martyrs, a group of eight Jesuits who gave the ultimate sacrifice for the Native American people in the mid 1600's. They gave their very lives in order to bring the gift of faith to a new and hostile land. Their courage and bravery in the face of torture and death astonished even the toughest of Mohawk chiefs, and brought about conversions of heart.

I never really knew much about these holy men of God, until my realization of their love for the Native American people drew me into their story. It was eight years ago that God drew them into mine.

I began a novena to these saints one Sunday evening in October 2004 just because it seemed like a good thing to do. My intentions were for the elections coming up and for my grandma's soul, since she was now in a nursing home and didn't know Jesus as her Savior.

Two days after starting this prayer my mom called to let me know that Grandma was dying. I remembered my prayer from two years back, "Please let me be holding Grandma's hand as she passes into Glory."

I made the trip up to New York to be with Grandma during her last few days of life. I held onto the hope of that bodacious prayer. The first part was now in place: I was with Grandma, but she still didn't know Jesus. There was much to be done.

I continued my novena to the North American Martyrs for the next several days as I spent the nights by her bedside. Eventually the time came when I was able to help her renew her baptismal vows.

"You are now a new creation in Christ," I remember praying. Grandma smiled the most peaceful smile I had ever seen and let out a deep sigh. She truly was a new creation in Christ. I was sure that she had found Jesus.

At home my mom got out her Catholic calendar to look at the week ahead. "Let's see what feast days are coming up," she said in anticipation of Grandma's passing.

I can't even remember what she said about Sunday, October 17 and Monday, October 18, because when she got to Tuesday, October 19, I couldn't believe my ears. "Tuesday, October 19 is the feast of the North American Martyrs." I heard my mom say.

I quickly counted back the days. What are the chances that I could have started a novena by sheer accident exactly nine days prior to the feast day, AND offered up Grandma's soul before I knew she had stopped eating?

Sheer accident? Not a chance!

Coincidence? No way!

"That's the day," I said. "That's the day that Grandma will be with Jesus."

When Tuesday morning dawned, Grandma did pass into Glory as I sat with her, holding her hand. I have never felt anything quite like that moment before; it was as if heaven and earth had come together in that room. I could even sense the presence of those Martyrs who had come to escort Grandma home.

Saying goodbye to Grandma was hard, but the joy that filled my soul was overwhelming. Grandma was safe, and I would be forever grateful to Jesus and those eight men who are still in the business of bringing souls to Christ.

St. Isaac Jogues, St. John de Brebeuf, St. Gabriel Lalemant, St. Anthony Daniel, St. Charles Garnier, St. Noel  Chabanel, St. Rene Goupil, St. John de la Lande, continue to pray for us...

....and thank you!

Four years later our family made a pilgrimage to the Shrine of the North American Martyrs in Auriesville, NY.



Welcome to Ossernenon
Now Auriesville, NY

Sign posted at the front door
of the Martyrs' shrine







The ravine that held
St. Rene Goupil's remains

Inside the ravine was
hallowed ground.

It was a tremendous experience to be on hallowed ground, where the blood of the martyrs was shed for the love of Jesus. Only two decades after their martyrdom, Kateri Tekekwitha, the Lily of the Mohawks, was born in the same village, Ossernenon.

Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha will become the first canonized Native American this Sunday, October 21, 2012. Thank you, Jesus! 

The Fruit Fly Trap

The Kenya Diaries (vol. 29)

 

July 25, 2006

 

Kevin's Turn

 

Today we made a lot of things! Daddy made whips for Ania, Philip and Lucia out of sticks and string. He can crack it really loud! Ania can a little loud. Then he made a three-pronged grapple hook for me. It is fun to use. I began to make a fishing pole and reel, while Ania and Philip made light sabers out of sticks and green plastic bags. They used balloons for handles. Then Daddy made a wooden rake completely out of sticks. It doesn't work very well though.

 

We have too many fruit flies! They are destroying our pineapples, bananas, tomatoes and bread! We cannot catch them with our hands, so Daddy came up with a great idea. He put a piece of rotten banana in a glass jar, and TONS of fruit flies went into the jar to get that rotten banana. Then Daddy put the lid on the jar and trapped them. Then he took them outside and let them go. He did this five times while the rest of us played Uno after supper. Mama played, too!

 

Goodbye pesky fruit flies! Thank you, Jesus, for a fun day! Amina.

 

Counting Down the Days

The Kenya Diaries (vol. 28)

July 24, 2006

Hello Family and Friends,

Andy is administering his final exam, and the kids are out in the orchard climbing trees. The beans are soaking for dinner, and the laundry is drip-drying on the line, so I have some time to write to you.

We have been very busy with adventures as well as the mundane. When I say there is time here to contemplate, I don't mean that we are sitting idly by, twiddling our thumbs. Every daily chore requires one to be physically present, and there is time for the mind to think. I can't just load the dishwasher, the washing machine, the crock pot and the bread machine, then busy myself with other things while my gadgets do my work. It takes time to scrub clothes or sort beans or whatever else needs to be done, which requires much physical work, but very little mental work. Hence the time to dwell on things.

On  Saturday we went to Nakuru National Park, and were blessed to see many kinds of animals. The vervet monkeys were especially curious and populated the parking lot. The kids loved them. They climbed right in our van. They were like squirrels at rest stops along a busy interstate, looking for handouts and pestering the patrons. We certainly didn't mind!

On Sunday we went to another school, St. Maria Goretti Girls School, to attend Mass about three kilometers away. We had to take boda-bodas to get there. Ania was still apprehensive about riding one after her mishap last month when she got her foot caught in the spokes, but we really had no choice.


Here is how it played out: Ania and Philip rode together, Andy and Lucia rode together, and Kevin and I each had our own driver. We looked hilarious going down the dirt road in our church clothes, me side-saddle since my skirt was too straight for me to straddle the seat. Apparently we were a sight to behold! People were staring, chickens were scattering, children were laughing. I felt like throwing candy.



The road however was horrid! It was a dirt road littered with puddles, ruts, rocks and the edges were eroded away leaving deep ravines for its shoulder. One time I looked down only to be looking into a deep ravine - we were that close to the edge. I was snapping photos all along the way with my right hand, and holding on for dear life with my left.



Andy, I noticed, was hopping off and on, pushing his bike through some of the rougher, uphill terrain. Lucia wanted her daddy to stay on and was shouting for him. Philip kept shouting to his driver, "Faster, faster!" Ania was screaming, "No! No!" Kevin was having the time of his life. We managed to reach our destination in one piece, and Ania somehow was cured of her dreaded fear of boda-bodas. Thank you, Jesus!

Boda-bodas are not the only exciting travel means. Matatus can be quite exciting as well, as they are in various stages of disrepair. Twice now Lucia has tapped me on the leg and pointed to the road through a hole in the floorboard right under our feet. The last one we rode in had to be push started before we got in, then the door wouldn't stay shut. Praise God that we haven't been in one that has broken down yet. It is a common sight to see stranded motorists on the side of the road.

Fr. Callistus, the priest in charge of the seminary here, was driving the seminary van back from Nairobi the other night, and his side mirror rattled right off on these bumpy roads. It was dark and he never did recover it.


We have seen the Southern Cross (Crux) constellation! I have been attempting to locate it since we arrived in June, but was never able to find anyone who knew anything about it. Thanks to cyber cafes and a few friends back home, I finally located it. Wow! It is amazing to me how familiarizing yourself with the night sky can be a comfort, even if it is a sky you've never seen before. The Big Dipper has always made me feel close to home, even in Germany and Moscow.

Now we start the countdown of leaving Rongai and going to Nairobi. We leave one week from today. There is much to sort through; the kids have acquired many little treasures here. Some they may bring with them, some they must return to nature. They have collected various types of shrubbery, thorns longer than their fingers, feathers, sticks, a porcupine quill, bottle caps, gum wrappers, Kenyan shillings, homemade brooms, avocado pits, margarine lids (used as Frisbees), you name it.....it's  probably here. We haven't thrown away anything that can be used as craft material either; toilet paper rolls, cardboard boxes, plastic bread wrappers, newspaper, string, empty bottles, jars, etc.










We have a lot to sort through.

We have shared so much of our lives with everyone here at the school. The kids have taught the boys to play Uno, King Elephant (thank you Alleluia YAMS), Down By The River, and introduced them to the Rubik's Cube. We have produced a slide show of their school, which the boys loved! Kevin, Ania and Philip have become very good at  Cat's Cradle, and even Lucia can maneuver some of them. Kevin can even do some of the string games with his eyes closed.

Last night we talked about going home, and the kids spoke fondly of seeing family and friends. They reminisced about Ryan's Family Restaurant, Cracker Barrel and Sonic burgers. But, I know that when they realize they are leaving these boys, they will feel very sad.










Thank you for all your prayers, and continue to pray for our stay in Nairobi with  Fr. Ted -- that we won't drive him too crazy! You continue to be in our prayers!

God bless you all!!!

Love, Janet, Andy, Kevin, Ania, Philip and Lucci bean!
 

Monkey Business

The Kenya Diaries (vol. 27)

July 22, 2006

Kevin's Turn

Today we went on a safari to Lake Nakuru in the seminary van. Fr. Johannes told us that we were going to Jurassic Park, but we didn't see any dinosaurs. Instead we saw lions, white rhinos, water buffalo, water bucks, impala, Thompson's gazelles, zebras, wart hogs, baboons and vervet monkeys. The monkeys were very playful and cute, and would eat out of our hands. There was one teeny baby, and another one that came right in our van and sat on our steering wheel. He looked like he was about to drive away.

We came across one giraffe who was crossing the road right in front of our van. He turned and looked at us when he got to the other side. Wow, he was very tall and beautiful!

Mama said this: The giraffe was so awesome -- bigger than life, and everyone was taken by the majesty of it. I grabbed my camera only to have it indicate "dead battery." When I reached for my spares, I found that my camera bag had tipped over and its contents strewn all over the floor. Not one of my finer moments.

**Note to self -- Next time there is a technical glitch, let it go and savor the present moment, rather than worry about capturing proof of that moment for the future.

When we got to the lake we got out of the van to see the flamingos. There were thousands of them! It was very windy and cold, but it was fun to walk around.









Our van was quite cramped because besides our family we had two priests, five boys from the school (Joel, Dennis, Charles, Gilbert and Johanna) plus Gardencia the secretary. Fourteen of us, plus a guide! After lunch I got to keep all fourteen bottle caps for my collection -- JACKPOT!

Our guide told us that water buffaloes are the most dangerous safari animals because more people have been killed by them than any other African safari animal.

Today was a really fun day. Thank you, Jesus, for sharing all your awesome creation with me! Amina.

 

Floorboard Holes and Ant Hills

The Kenya Diaries (vol. 26)

July 20, 2006

Lucia's Turn

This morning we went to Nakuru to go shopping. When the matatu started moving I could see the road through a big hole in the floor. I tapped Mama on the leg and showed her. She didn't seem very happy about watching the road go by under our feet. I think I stared at the road through the hole all the way to Nakuru. It was fun.

At the store Mama bought tuff puffs, paint and glue. Then we went to the Sweet Shoppe for lunch. I had a hot dog and some chips. My hot dog was cold!

When we got home we played Bridge Designer on Daddy's computer. It was fun to build bridges and then see if the trucks could make it across without crashing!


After supper we played outside with Dennis. It was a fun day!



July 21, 2006

Philip's Turn


This morning we found a city of ants. They were nice friendly ants that were working to make tunnels for their queen mother. We watched them a long time. Fr. Johannes found a city of mean ants that can kill you if they bite you all over your body. He sprayed poison on that city and killed the ants. He didn't spray our friendly ants. We found one mean ant by our nice ants, but Ania killed it.

Then we watched Pink Panther again in the t.v. room. It rained on Mama's clean clothes -- that made them extra, extra, extra clean. -- and wet! During the rain we were playing Uno, and the rain was so loud we couldn't even hear each other!










For supper we had a guest - Brother Vincent. Mama made good spaghetti with meat sauce, bread sticks and frosted heart cake for dessert. I ate all my food and two pieces of cake! It was so yummy in my tummy!

For prayers we said The Divine Mercy Chaplet for our trip to Lake Nakuru tomorrow. Thank you, Jesus. Amina.

 

Miracle of the Lost Key

The Kenya Diaries (vol. 25)

July 18, 2006

Andy returns from Nyanza Province today! 

I asked Ania to get a bucket of water from the kitchen so that I could do laundry. On her way she discovered a cage in the grass with nine turkey poults and three ducklings inside. She came running back to the kitchen so full of excitement that we all came out to see the little birds. They were cute, and kept the kids entertained for quite a while.

I did laundry - only the shirts, underwear, socks and pajamas. My shoulder just can't wring out the heavier stuff, and will have to wait for Andy's return. As I was hanging the clothes on the line, wrapped up in my own thoughts of life in this strange land - a life that is full of unfamiliar customs, unfamiliar plants and creatures, unfamiliar food, unfamiliar ways of approaching life - I suddenly had a wave of homesickness and longed for something, anything that I would recognize.

At that moment I caught a glimpse of movement out of the corner of my eye, and I turned to look at a tiny green praying mantis tightrope walking on my clothesline. Yes! A regular, plain old praying mantis! It was so ordinary that it was spectacular! How big God must be to answer my heart cry with such a simple little thing!

If that had been all that God did for me today, that would have been more than enough. But, God was only priming the pump for what He had in store.

Andy returned home about 4:30, and Philip was the first to discover his presence at the school. We were all so happy to see him back from the interior of Kenya safe and sound.

About an hour later Fr. Johannes came to our home quite distressed over the fact that he could not find his key to his room, which also doubled as the church sacristy. He sat down at our table with his head in his hands, wondering out loud how he would ever get into his room. He feared that the key was left in Nyanza Province, a whole days' journey away. His room, which was next to ours, was impenetrable unless one was willing to take an axe to the door.

I offered Fr. Johannes to stay for dinner, but he was too distressed to eat and left.

A little while later, Father returned. He obviously had not found his missing key. I was doing dishes in the kitchen when I heard him tell Andy that he didn't know what to do.

"Dear Jesus," I earnestly prayed, "please help this man find his key!"

No sooner had these words left my mouth, when I heard an inner voice say, "Go look in the grass."

I finished the dish I was washing, stood up, and said, "Andy, I'll be right back."

I really had no idea where I was going, other than to "go look in the grass." When I stepped outside, I turned right, passed all the grass in the courtyard, walked out the front door of the school, continued across the gravel turn-around, and stopped right at the edge of the grass. When I looked down, the toe of my shoe was less than an inch away from a skeleton key. I stooped down to pick it up, almost in shock of what had just transpired.

"Thank you, Jesus," I whispered.

Fr. Johannes was astounded when I returned to our home and produced the key. He asked me where I got it, and I just said that I heard a voice tell me to "look in the grass," so I did.

"You people!" Fr. Johannes repeated over and over. "You people!"

The grins on the faces of everyone present were indicative of a deeper joy, as we realized we had witnessed a miracle through the power of intercessory prayer. God is so good!

 

All Quiet on the Home Front

The Kenya Diaries (vol. 24)

July 15, 2006

Andy left this morning with Fr. Johannes to go to his native village in Nyanza Province, the interior of Kenya. He will be gone until Tuesday. The boys left for a four day break on July 13th, so it is very quiet here at the school.

I decided to stay home today rather than take our usual  Saturday trip into Nakuru. I didn't want to manage it without Andy. So we did the laundry, then walked into town to return a Star Wars video that we rented a few days ago. I bought the kids Cokes and candy bars for a treat. We got some groceries and headed home.

This afternoon Joel came to the school during his short break, just as he said he would, to bring Ania a birthday present. It was actually a bag full of gifts -- a stuffed giraffe, a red shirt, a hand towel, two oranges, some snacks, a hippo bank and a very nice birthday card. Ania was tickled pink!

We watched Pink Panther cartoons for the rest of the afternoon, then had bread sticks, bow ties with Ragu, fresh pineapple and cookies for supper. We all took a bath in a bucket, said our prayers and went to bed.

Thank you, Jesus, for a good day, and please bless Andy -- wherever he is! Amina.



July 16, 2006

Today was a lazy Sunday. We spent the day on the brothers' side of the seminary picking tropical flowers and watching their flock of various geese, turkeys, chickens and ducks. Fr. Crispin saw us and came out to help.



The kids brought back lots of feathers, which I washed in bleach water before I let them in the house. They also brought back lots of seeds, and planted some in pots to see if they would grow. If we have success, it will be Fr. Ted's birthday present next month.

Peter the Cook shared with me about African traditions when I went to fetch water this evening. He explained to me that he cannot call me "Janet" because it is disrespectful in Kenya to call a married woman by her first name, even though I asked him to. We agreed that he should call me Mama Lucia from now on.

Fr. Mike came by just to check on me. I am so blessed!

 I think the hibiscus is the most amazing flower!



July 17, 2006

Last night Ania threw up in her bed. I moved Lucia over to Kevin's bed, stripped the girls' bed and put Ania back in it. Philip was already in my bed since Andy is still in Nyanza Province. We all have to stay under the mosquito nets! Anyway, Ania woke up this morning hungry and full of energy. I think it was the Mefloquine.

So I washed sheets today. I had to fetch the water from the school kitchen. I sent Kevin to fetch water also. We are out of water in the house, since Andy hasn't been here to stay on top of our water supply.

Then I set up our computer in the staff room, and Kevin taught Peter the Cook how to use it. They both did a great job!

The boys returned to school today, and once again the familiar sound of their voices fills the air. I'm glad they're back. It was getting quite lonely around here.



I made avocado salad today with the avocados that Fr. Crispin brought to us yesterday. It was so good! Brother Nicholas stopped by today to give me a message: I have just spoken with Fr. Johannes. They will begin their journey home tomorrow and will arrive here tomorrow evening. Your husband says "Hello, and I love you."  He smiled as he delivered this message. Somehow I think it made his day!

I have been carrying lots of buckets of water these past few days, and my shoulder is beginning to hurt. Now Lucia is washing the dishes, so I think I will go and help her.

Thank you, Jesus, for a good day. Amina. 

My Kenyan Birthday

The Kenya Diaries (vol. 23)

July 13, 2006

Ania's Turn

Today is my birthday! Hooray!

I went to the convent today for my birthday. Mama said I was their guest of honor. Sr. Ploxeda and I walked over together. When I walked in the door Rex came running over to me, and he was wagging his tail! I was happy to see him, too. I played with him for a while and took so many ticks off him I lost count. I didn't like that part very much.

Then I went to see the cows with one of the sisters. I pet the babies and fed them banana tree leaves. They were so cute!

Then it was lunch time. We had ugali, sukuma wiki, milk, beans and potatoes. Then the sisters sang "Happy Birthday" to me. We were all laughing and having fun. Sr. Ploxeda gave me a beautiful picture of Mary with her Immaculate Heart surrounded by a crown of thorns. Then it was time to walk back to the school.

Mama said this: When Ania returned from her afternoon at the convent she was glowing. It was obvious that she had a wonderful time with the sisters, and was treated like royalty.

Mama made my requested birthday meal of chipati and green beans, while Daddy made cheese omelets. Then we had the choc balls for dessert. Everyone sang "Happy Birthday," and I blew out my one candle. In our family everyone takes a turn to honor the birthday person, so we did that for a while. Then I opened my gifts of a cheetah scarf and yarn in the colors of the Kenyan flag (green, red and white). We used the yarn to play cat's cradle before going to bed.













I had a very good birthday! Thank you Jesus for loving me and blessing me with a Kenyan birthday! Amina!




July 14, 2006
(Feast of Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha)

Today Andy was going to travel with Fr. Johannes to his home village in Nyanza Province and not return for three or four days. Andy was ready quite early, but due to several unforeseen circumstances, the trip got postponed until tomorrow. It would have been an all day ride in a matatu, and to travel past dark is not safe. I am glad it got postponed.

I walked into Rongai to purchase a few items and e-mail from the post office. With my business concluded, I began to walk back to the school. My usual route took me right past the boda-boda drivers, with whom I always succeed in avoiding eye contact. Somehow this day I was not successful. One driver caught my attention and I paused. He turned his bike around in the direction of the school and grinned a big grin.

"To the seminary!" he exclaimed.

I turned to look at the other drivers, made the sign of the cross, and agreed. Everyone laughed except me.

It actually wasn't so bad after all. When he pulled up to the seminary, I gave him a 20 shilling piece and waited for my change. He said "Thank you, Madame?" I looked back at him and saw Jesus standing before me and nodded my approval of his keeping the change. His whole face lit up and he exclaimed, "THANK YOU, MADAME!"

While we were eating dinner, the topic of Ania's birthday came up. We were trying to figure out at what time of day did Ania really turn eight years old yesterday.

"At 5:54 p.m." I said with all confidence of a mother who remembers the details of her child's birth. But then I realized the time difference, so I started to calculate what time it would be in Kenya. Let's see, we are seven hours ahead of U.S.A., so Ania turned eight at 12:54 a.m. on July 14.

What an awesome thought! Blessed Kateri is my patron saint and confirmation name! I knew when I had Ania, that I missed her feast day by one day. God continues to reveal the most amazing things to me, and I am so blessed by his goodness!

Later, at prayers, Andy asked us all to take a few moments of quiet time and listen to Jesus. (See my initial recalling of this story here). When he asked Philip what Jesus said to him, Philip replied that we need to go to church every day that there is church available to us. About five minutes later Fr. Johannes knocked on the door and said he was about to say Mass, and would we like to join him? Needless to say, we all got out of bed and attended Mass in our pajamas.

Today has been such a wonderful day full of wonderful surprises. Thank you, Jesus, for a day full of your richness! Amina!