MUSINGS OF A MISSIONARY

Fr. James Mailady sharing his ideas with his colleagues

It is said that time flies- it is very true in Africa, at least in my case. I came to Africa for an African mission experience. The inspiration came from listening to the stories of missionary adventures! On the 3^rd of July 2023, I have just completed 25 years of my missionary presence in Kenya-Tanzania province. Today, I look back at these years with gratitude to my God, my confreres, and the people of Kenya and Tanzania.  I see these years of my presence here in Africa as moments of blessings, moments of love, and moments of grace. When in love, time really flies!

Our province is blessed with a good number of vocations. I got a chance to work in various stages of formation in the province. Our communities are highly international and multicultural. It is not an easy task to inculcate international and intercultural values that can shape future missionaries. Nurturing young minds is a very challenging job.  It requires lots of patience and perseverance.  Mutual respect is the key. As a formator, you have to be very sensitive to the feelings and needs of each candidate so that you can create an atmosphere of trust.  Growth can take place only in an atmosphere of mutual respect and trust. In spite of the challenges, it is a great joy to see these young men grow and develop as responsible members of the Society. You feel Formation for mission is accomplished when you see the candidates’ openness and willingness to work in far-away missions. Even as a young province, we have sent out nearly ten Kenyan and Tanzanian missionaries to be part of our global mission!

Tree Planting at Katani, Machakos

Moments of Blessings, I believe.

Frontier Mission is my first love. I use St. Joseph Freinademetz’s language (Language of Love) as a mission method. I have found it very effective as a missionary.  This gives me easy access to our people’s life. It helps me to be more empathetic than sympathetic.  I got a chance to work in some of the real frontier missions of the province-both in Kenya and Tanzania. It was a very enriching experience to live and work with the Maasai pastoralists. It is said that Happiness is an inside job- Nobody can make you happy. Our people know it and they are happy people. Indeed, they know how to be happy with the basic necessities of life.    I have come to value more the beauty of simplicity in life. I have found Faith as strong as that of our Father Abraham, our Father in faith.  I have seen generosity unparalleled.  And I have experienced genuine unconditional love. I remember visiting a Maasai Boma (homestead). They welcomed us with milk. As they came to know that I don’t take milk, the mother of the house came to me with 2,000 Tshs. (0.80 $) and told me, buy a soda for you!

Moments of Love, I believe.

Deep down I am an environmentalist with some aesthetic sense! I have tried to instill a love for nature and educate people about the need to plant more trees and protect the environment. It looks like planting trees and making the place a bit better than I found is my second nature. Since I believe, Actions speak louder than words, I initiated a couple of tree planting programs in collaboration with the local forest department officials. The response from the government and the communities was overwhelming. The communities where I worked were convinced of the need to create a small forest land and we created it! Mind you, it was never a one-man show! What did I learn from all these small initiatives? Never ever underestimate the power of your actions to touch and transform lives for good!

Serian

Serian, a young Maasai girl was a primary school student living next to our mission board. I used to involve the children in planting and watering the trees. Of course, as kids, they loved a drive to the nearby dam to fetch water and water the plants. I never realized how such a simple activity can touch and transform young minds. Today, Serian is a graduate of Dryland Agriculture. The other day she came to visit me at my workplace. Out of curiosity I asked her, how come you being a Maasai, went for studies in Agriculture?  Pointing a finger at me she said, Because of you!! 

Moments of Grace, I believe!

Fr. James Mailady

Arusha-Tanzania.