SVD Youths from Arusha Visit to SVD Parish in Nairobi

On Friday 19th October 2018, the SVD youths from our parishes in Arusha set on a Journey to Nairobi to visit their counterparts in DIWOPA parish in Kayole. The Journey began at 6 a.m. hoping to arrive in Nairobi on time for lunch. However, things changed on the way when our bus developed some mechanical problem that delayed us for 4 hours. We finally got to the CFC Langata at 6:30 p.m. and met Fr. James Mailady, the Rector, waiting for us with some volunteer Mamas who had prepared lunch for us. They had been patiently waiting for us from noon.

After our late lunch, we proceeded to DIWOPA parish where the youths were also patiently waiting for us. They took their friends to their families where they were to accommodate them.

On the following day, some of the youths from Arusha joined their friends for the zonal youth festivals that were held in Eastleigh Nairobi, while others remained in the parish and attended the diaconate ordination of two of our young confreres. Afterwards they visited Soweto parish and its surroundings including our Pre-philosophy Formation House.

On Sunday we celebrated the World Mission Sunday in the second mass and after the breakfast with their friends, they visited the City Center and then  the journey back to Arusha began at around 2 p.m. The return Journey was relevantly smooth. We thank God for the journey mercies.

According to the youths, the trip was very informative and enjoyable. They experienced many new things especially the way the liturgy was celebrated. They noticed how alive the entire congregation was during the mass, as well as the way the people went about their daily businesses, which was quite different from what they have back at home.

The Trip was organized by the SVD youth leaders in Arusha together with Fr. Lawrence Muthee, SVD, in collaboration with the youth leaders in Kayole under their chaplain Fr. Emmanuel Koffighan, SVD. The youths were so happy and grateful for the opportunity of their lifetime.

We at Jambokentan would like to encourage more of this kind of exchange program in the future.