Last July, a group of 15 Spanish youth had the incredible opportunity to visit the Prince of Peace Mission at Nyangatom, Ethiopia. We set up a summer camp to enhance the educational efforts of the Ekisil Group project, and we returned with our hearts full from all that we experienced.

There’s so much to share about our month at camp that we could go on forever. Each story, every face, every sunset, every moment spent together, each Sunday mass, every morning at camp, every smile, every fun evening, and every shared experience and hug reflected God’s presence on Earth, and that’s what we feel called to share.

With our hearts opened, we are inspired to live in accordance with all that has touched us, to be that face of God that we have seen in others, and to nurture a grateful perspective for the gift of life.

by Pilar Jofre
Volunteer at Nyangatom Mission

On Sunday 22 September 2024, we finally crossed the border from Ave Maria Mission in South Sudan into the Central African Republic, following the only road linking both countries. Our Fr. Joseph Githinji, MCSPA, was the last priest they had seen in Bambuti town before he was forced to leave South Sudan in 2018. Frs. Avelino and Albert had been seven years waiting to visit these Christians, since the Spanish Comboni Bishop  from Bangassou, Msgr. Juan José Aguirre, had requested them to do so because his diocese was not able to reach out pastorally to these communities. They had been under Islamic fundamentalist militias which had flooded in from Niger and Chad. These armed groups committed many massacres and terrorised the population on both sides of the border, until our local militias, called the “Arrow Boys” flushed them out last May, after weeks of heavy fighting.

The Zande ethnic group is spread through three neighbouring countries, namely South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Central African Republic. Whenever they experience conflict in one country, they migrate to the neighbouring country … and vice versa.

When many of our Christians from St. Thomas and Ave Maria parishes saw the priest and some apprentices heading for the border post yesterday, they followed us on motorbikes, bicycles and on foot. Dozens of them had never been in Bambuti before. After an incredibly difficult 7 km stretch of road and several falls, we passed the new barracks of the UN Rwandan Peace contingent and reached the small chapel compound, surrounded by hundreds of faithful. The new woman Sub-Prefect of Bambuti, Madame Kumba, ushered us in, in perfect French. The Member of Parliament, Monsieur Bernard, who had just landed there in a helicopter from the capital Bangui, welcomed us and assured the people that free movement between the two countries will be guaranteed by the security forces from now on.

The atmosphere of joy and reconciliation was palpable through the singing in Sangu (local dialect), the xylophones and drums. Many years of fears and suffering seemed to have been put behind. Many people came for the sacrament of Reconciliation, and the celebration of the Eucharist was very well-participated and faith-filled! In November the local authorities promised that the road will be levelled, and a new opportunity for peace and development will once again flourish in this region.

Thanks be to God, to the Catechists and the Christians of Bambuti for the perseverance in their faith despite incredible difficulties and challenges!

by MCSPA missionaries at
Ave Maria Mission

Some say that adolescence is an invention of the Western world since the term was first introduced in 1904 by the American psychologist and educator G. Stanley Hall, who attributes specific biological and psychological characteristics to people between the ages of 14 to 24. Later, Sigmund Freud reinforced this new age segment. According to UNICEF, “adolescence is a stage with value and richness in itself, a challenging stage of many changes and questions for adolescents themselves, but also for their parents and other adults that are close to them”.

In many countries of the world, especially in Africa, it seems that this stage does not exist: one passes directly from childhood to adulthood through many rites and rituals. In our case, after seven years working in the neighborhood of El Paraíso in the Diocese of Xochimilco, we have come across this reality: that the children who used to come to our programs, stop coming because they are no longer children, but they are not adults either, many changes in a short period of time. So, we decided to accompany them in this interesting and decisive process in human development, not only physical and sexual but also psychological, “vocational, moral and of the self”.

This year, with the help of Ana Nájera, a specialist in Emotional Education and Mindfulness, workshops are being carried out for young people between 11 and 15 years of age in El Paraíso to help them make decisions, live a fullfilling life and give them tools to prevent risks such as dropping out of school, unwanted pregnancy, drug addiction, etc.

It has been months of learning and sharing and we firmly believe that it has been the beginning of the creation of a safe space for the development of positive bonds among themselves and with their parents. In this way, we can continue to work together to improve their lives and that of the community of El Paraíso.

By Luz María Mejía, MCSPA
El Paraiso, Mexico

For the second consecutive year, we conducted the Tamaisan summer camp at Lobur Mission. We welcomed boys and girls from the schools of the four MCSPA missions in Turkana. Unfortunately, we could not include children from Nyangatom because of the swollen river which made its crossing dangerous.

From Spain, we were joined by a group of 13 monitors who worked tirelessly for three weeks. The first week was dedicated to the preparation of the camp, setting up the space and organising materials, while the following two weeks were devoted to the camp activities.

During the camp, the children were divided into six teams, each with approximately 18 participants, supervised by two Spanish monitors and a young Turkana. Additionally, we had a team of cooks, as the food logistics were extensive, providing three meals a day. We also had the support of two security officers.
Throughout the year, we meticulously worked on planning every detail of the camp. This year, the camp was structured into two thematic weeks: the first dedicated to values and the second to different cultures. To explore these themes, various activities were organised, including sports, crafts, informational sessions, and dances. We also dedicated a special day to peace, one of the main topics addressed throughout the camp.

It has been a very meaningful experience for all the children who participated. Our goal is to foster an environment of unity and peace to promote a culture of peace that contributes to the transformation of the region.

By Maque Falgas, MCSPA Secular Branch