From the Diary of a Missionary Tour

Dr. Stephen L. Zimmerman

Probably the most energizing thing about our recent trip for me was the composite effects I saw of the ardent devotion of the Indian missionaries with whom we work and the passionate response of the children and lay parishioners in the villages where they serve.  When someone gives you something of great value, I suppose it is natural to respond in joy and deep gratitude; perhaps this is what I witnessed.

The children in the mission schools and hostels, many of who are either orphaned or abandoned, seem so happy, even amidst their losses, material poverty, and abandonment by family.  The ambiance of the missions and the calm spirituality of the missionaries are intense and I think those who are in their presence are naturally uplifted by this although humble, enriching environment.

In the parish centers and in the more remote village outstations, I met many devout lay catechists, who willingly and for little material compensation, serve their fellow parishioners leading in communion services, catechism, and prayer.    

Along with the joys, of course, have come some disappointments and sad moments.  Losing our first sponsored student to death from TB this past year, we visited the gravesite of Grace near Kagongwa village in March to reflect a bit on the joys of her life and the fragility of life in Africa.  We had met Grace for the first time in the spring of 2004 and found her to be a pleasant, studious child, not suspecting that her life would be cut so short.  God has His own plans for the life of each of us, of course, and we can only hope and pray that He has welcomed this precious child into His eternal home. 

While in Osia Parish in Uganda, I knew that I must face a similar thing to visit the grave of a person that had become very dear to me in April 2004. This was a young woman, Margret, whose daughter I had volunteered to support in her education. Margret died from AIDS this past February, a solemn reminder of the ravages that this disease has spread throughout much of Africa.  Margret was a very devout Catholic, a widow who alone in the absence of her deceased spouse had committed her life to the rearing of her young daughter. I am most certain that, precious in the eyes of our Lord, she is now free from her illness and rests in His peace.   

We had the honor of celebrating the Feast of St. Joseph this year at St. Joseph Church in Mlolongo Parish in Kenya.  This is a parish on the fringes of Nairobi in a very diverse community situated along the Nairobi to Mombassa Road.  Across the main highway from the church is the Highway Weigh Station, a busy hub for truckers and transport from the Indian Ocean into Nairobi and other parts of Kenya and Central and East Africa.  Along with the commerce goes high incidence of prostitution, and as the result, an alarmingly high incidence of HIV and AIDS.  There are many orphaned children in the district. The newly opened SFS Primary School lies more interior in the parish, at Katani Village.  The school provides a primary school education and housing for some of these children. St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, clearly visible from the roadway, lies in the main center of the district and is a symbol of Christ’s love and hope in this complex, socially diverse environment.

Dear Reader of Out of Africa! Dear Mission Friends!

You are welcome to join us in collaborating with the Fransalians in whatever way you can, in this humble service to the poor and needy brothers and sisters in this part of the world.    

Dr. Stephen L. Zimmerman is the founder and to this day the Director of  Living Waters International, Inc.

N7544 County Road S, Deerbrook, WI 54424 U.S.A.

Telephone/FAX: (715) 627-4782

E-mail: livingh2o@livingwatersinternational.org                      www.livingwatersinternational.org