Lobur Mission is known for its agricultural programme called Furrows in the Desert (FID) which has been in existence for more than 12 years. This mission is located in the semi-arid Turkana County at the northern part of Kenya. The activities of FID includes desert farming which also includes vegetables and maize, hay farming and dairy goat farming.

FID has also introduced a new poultry farming project focussing on layers. This new farming project has made Lobur Mission more agriculturally orientated.

The poultry layer farming project was started by Fr. Joseph Githinji and John Rhiga in 2022. The project was fruitful in 2023, producing a daily average of 210 eggs which we were able to supplement the food given to undernourished kids at the Mother and Child Centres (MCCs).

Lobur mission is under Sts. Joachim and Anne Parish has 12 MCCs with a total of 2000 children. The age range of the children is between 3 to 7 years. This project plays the role of improving the nutritional health of the children at the centres. Each center receives 8 trays of eggs in a week.

With this egg-supplement, the contented villagers are more eager to send their children to the MCCs resulting in an increase in the number of children. These centres are not just feeding centres but are also places where the children receive basic pre-primary education and daily life skills such as hygiene and sanitation. This project has helped to boost our education activities for children.

This year 2025 we see a need to add 150 more layers so that we can provide for an additional 2 more MCCs, that is an additional 210 children. We are looking forward to reaching out to many more children who still need help and attention for their nutrition and education.

By John Rhiga
MCSPA Apprentice,
Lobur Mission (KENYA)

On 10th January 2025, Most Rev Mathias Konig, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Paderborn (Germany) visited Benga Mission, Malawi. Bishop Mathias was welcomed by Fr. Fernando Aguirre, Fr. Manuel Hernandez and Fr. Stephen Ochieng. The MCSPA and the Archdiocese of Paderborn maintain a strong working relationship as the MCSPA has a presence within this German archdiocese as well. During the visit, the bishop and his team met and shared with our young men who are aspiring to become missionaries.

Fr. Steven Ochieng guided the guests around the mission. They had a chance to see the animal farm where chickens, goats, rabbits and pig are reared. They also visited the soap factory, the up-and-coming bakery, the school, the elderly Day Care Centre and the Parish Offices. Bishop Mathias was impressed by the progress made at Benga Mission over the past 12 years and expressed his gratitude to God and to the MCSPA members. Hence, in his homily at the community mass, Bishop Mathias encouraged the young men to stay committed to their vocations and asked everyone to pray for more vocations, especially in Germany, where vocations to the priesthood and religious life have been on the decline. He added that the increase of diverse religious communities in Germany, including refugees from conflict zones and rising Muslim population, poses a challenge for maintaining faith. Thus, he asked for our prayers.

The following day, the bishop presided over the mass at the main parish church with our school children and some of our parishioners. At mass, the group of Catholic Women’s Association (CWA), all beautifully dressed in their finest, brought gifts to the altar but most importantly, they gave Bishop Mathias a carved map of Malawi as a parting gift, a symbol of the warmth that the people of Malawi are known for.

The guests also had an opportunity to appreciate our Formation House that is under construction at Balaka which was also an opportunity to greet our young men studying philosophy at the Inter-congregation institute there.

By Stephano Ziba
MCSPA Apprentice, Benga Mission [MALAWI]

Both Nariokotome and Kokuselei Missions were delighted to have visitors from Strathmore University of Nairobi and their Kenyan and international partners come by our missions in the Diocese of Lodwar. The visiting team carried out educational activities in English, leadership workshops, youth mentoring and mentoring of women in micro-businesses during a week leading up to Christmas.

The girls appreciated the opportunity to learn leadership skills to become more responsible and better learners. The women’s group from Nariokotome were happy to gain knowledge for future business initiatives that would improve their livelihoods, while the youth also appreciated the opportunity to interact with the team, learn about mental health, personal relationships and guidance to improve their academic level and possible future career.

The MCSPA thanks the “Another Kind of Christmas” team and Strathmore University for their support in the education of children and youth from their missions in Nariokotome and Kokuselei.

Diana Trompetero and Fr. Zacchaeus Oduor, Members
Kokuselei and Nariokotome Missions (KENYA)

On December 27, we traveled along the road to Mount Naita, which took 3 years to construct, crossing the mountains to reach a village called Lotimor in South Sudan. We went there to celebrate Christmas with the people and to baptize many catechumens who had been patiently waiting for years for a priest to visit them. Priests of the St. Patrick’s Missionary Society, founded the mission at Lotimor but had to leave shortly after.

When we arrived, we settled and camped at the former mission compound. The day after our arrival, we baptized 45 children and youth who joyfully welcomed us into their “church” which was the shade of some huge trees.

We attempted to reach remote communities such as Lorengalup towards the plateau, but when it proved too difficult, we decided to stay an extra night so that they could come to a nearer village to meet us.

Children, women and even elderly people walked barefeet for hours over scorching stones to reach the chapel. They arrived singing and dancing, and when asked if they were happy, they answered, “Very happy!!!” At the celebration that day, we baptized more than 200 catechumens!

We were surprised and deeply moved to witness such strong faith – a faith that crosses mountains, and spans over many years without the Eucharist. We thank God for the gift of bringing His grace to them once more this Christmas.

Amanda Falgas, MCSPA Apprentice
Ethiopia