On 7th September 2019, Bishop Markos Gebremedhin of the Apostolic Vicariate of Jimma-Bonga (Ethiopia) and Bishop Dominic Kimengich of Lodwar (Kenya), came together to celebrate with the MCSPA team at Nyangatom the first confirmations at the Prince of Peace Catholic Mission in South Ethiopia.

This comes as a result of 5 years of living among the Nyangatom pastoralist people, visiting the villages around and carrying out different pastoral and developmental projects.

Frs. Angel and David have established a humble but notable presence of the Catholic Church among the Nyangatom people.

With this event, we are able to see how the Gospel message is being passed on, and also learn about the Good Shepherd who takes care of and knows his sheep.

These are the fruits that come from the dedicated works which Frs. Angel and David have put in this beautiful land.

Bishop Markos encouraged the South Sudanese refugees, at Tollay Refugee Camp, by telling them that God is always faithful amidst their difficulties. He was faithful to the people of Israel during their exodus from Egypt. In addition, Bishop told the young people who were confirmed that they should not be afraid and that they should be connected to Jesus through the Holy Spirit, be outspoken about their faith and find disciples for Jesus.

Let us pray that the Prince of Peace Mission at Nyangatom will enhance peace along the Kenya-Ethiopian border.

Thank you for continuing the dream of Fr. Paco, who wanted a chain of missions from Kenya all the way to Alexandria (Egypt).

We would like to thank all the people who have made this possible, all those who have supported the mission in various ways (material and prayer). Thank you!

Thanks to all the staff of Nyangatom Mission: the security personel, catechists, the nurse, the driver, the cook and other casual staff. Without your support and friendship, our two priests would not have managed to carry out this mission on their own.

Lastly, thanks to all MCSPA members and apprentices for supporting our men there and having hope in them, who through God’s grace, are able to carry out the mission of Christ beyond.

Lillian Omari – MCSPA

The 6th Inter-diocesan Conference on Cross-Border Peace and Evangelization took place in Lodwar with about 80 participants in attendance coming from Kenya, Uganda and Ethiopia. The theme was on “Reflections on Peaceful Disarmament”. The facilitators insisted on the reality of disarmament saying that it is a process which is tedious and with many challenges. For example, it took 18 years to disarm the Karamoja region of Uganda. Peaceful disarmament should begin with disarming the hearts and minds of the people. We are all called to advocate for a peaceful disarmament in our various regions and countries. The Missionary Community of St. Paul the Apostle works in conflict prone border areas where most of the people are illegally armed. This conference was therefore relevant to the members, from Todonyang, Kibish and Nyangatom who attended. The Bishop of Lodwar, Rt. Rev. Dominic Kimengich and the Bishop of Maralal, Rt. Rev. Virgilio Pante signed a declaration in the presence of all the delegates in order to disseminate the findings of the conference. They also thanked all participants and organizers of the event.

Wycliffe Ochieng MCSPA

From 8th-10th May 2019, the directors and heads of all Catholic schools under the Diocese of Lodwar underwent training on leadership skills at St. Teresa’s Center in Lodwar. The workshop was organized by the Missionary Community of Saint Paul the Apostle in collaboration with Strathmore University, on behalf of the Diocese of Lodwar. The sessions were conducted by a group of facilitators from Strathmore University in Nairobi. The key area that were looked at were:

a) Leadership and what it entails.
b) Catholic schools identity.
c) Mission and Vision in our schools.
d) Teaching, learning and assessment.

These key areas were looked into for the three days of the training by different facilitators, Fr. Steven Ochieng being one of them.

The last day of the workshop was graced by His Lordship Bishop Dominic Kimengich, who urged the directors and teachers to focus on the mission and vision of the Catholic private schools in the diocese for the betterment of the Diocese and Turkana county at large.

Fr. Andrew Yakulula MCSPA

On 11th May 2019, our standard 8 candidate class of 2019 were privileged to attend this year’s education day held in Lodwar. They were accompanied by the school director Fr. Andrew Yakulula and four teachers. All the Catholic sponsored schools were present. The function started with the Holy Mass, presided by His Lordship Bishop Dominic Kimengich, the Bishop of the Diocese of Lodwar. Thereafter, our school was awarded a trophy and two certificates for being the best Catholic run private school in the Diocese of Lodwar for our exemplary performance in the last year’s KCPE examinations.

The function was crowned by speeches from different invited guests. Our beloved bishop urged all the students to put all their efforts in their studies because it’s through education that those who are less fortunate in the society can be able to in the same class as the rich. We were motivated to work extra hard and thus we believe that through prayer and hardwork, we will always achieve the best.

Fr. Andrew Yakulula MCSPA

St. John the Evangelist Kare-Edome Early Childhood Development Centre (ECD) is one of our nurseries at Todonyang Mission. It has 100 children who receive education and meals (breakfast and lunch) from Monday to Saturday.

It is now 1 yearsince the children of Kare-Edome moved from studying under a tree to the present building, and now the ECD is blessed with a new building and a new look. We would like to thank the local community, the parish and the donors who brought St. John the Evangelist ECD to where it is now with a classroom, dining room, an office and a dispensary. It is from there that the children, mothers and the elders are able to receive services like medical attention and feeding programs to combat malnourishment.
The children have a teacher and a helper, and are helped to integrate into the education system at this stage.

The local community is being made aware of the importance of allowing their children to learn, aside from taking care of the family cattle. They are slowly giving in to this but much has to be done still as the customs and beliefs of the community are rather strong.

A borehole was drilled and water is now pumped using solar energy. The families are able to feed their animals as well as have water for their own use. It was possible to set up a garden where people are being taught on farming techniques to grow their own food, hence fighting starvation and malnutrition.
The availability of such facilities has enhanced hygiene and people have made more permanent homes.

This has made the work of evangelisation easier.

We pray that all these projects may forge ahead and that the local families may benefit more.

Josephine Amuma, MCSPA

Todonyang Mission is a reference of hope and peace at the border between the Turkana (from Kenya) and the Dassanech (from Ethiopia). The mission has always stood against conflict by promoting peace, development and education.

On the ocasion of World Peace Day, Todonyang Integrated Centre celebrated
in style with the slogan “Peace is All We Need”.

The day started with a procession, followed by the planting of a tree as a symbol of peace. The school children then put on different presentations of poems, songs and dances.

Around 250 people came for the occasion and they all received a meal.

In the afternoon we had various sports such as football and volleyball. These sports were played between 3 teams: the General Service Unit (special soldiers deployed at the border areas), Todonyang youth and students from Todonyang Integrated Centre.

Let us all continue to pray and work for peace.

Peace is all we need!!!

Fr. Andrew Yakulula, MCSPA.