Having recently journeyed to Kenya together with Sr. Barbara Beasley, Sr. Gayle Lwanga Crumbley reflects on her experience of hospitality, faith, cultural exchange, and the shared spirit that unites the congregation across continents. The experiences she describes reveal both the vitality of Good Shepherd ministries in Kenya and the mutual transformation that unfolds when sisters from different parts of the world walk together in mission.

Having arrived at the airport in Nairobi, Kenya, in the early hours of the morning (without our delayed luggage!), we were greeted by Sr. Martha Thuranira, the Formation Director for the Province of Eastern Central Africa, who had invited us to Kenya.

Her hospitality was so thoughtful, generous, and deeply comforting when, on arriving at our base at the residence of the contemplative sisters in the hills of Ngong, she ensured we had nightclothes to wear, lent us some dresses, and even arranged for our travel clothes to be washed and dried.

The following day, the contemplative sisters welcomed us with a joyful, heartfelt festive tradition that honors international visitors – one that we would experience often during our time in Kenya. As the honored guests, we cut a cake into uneven pieces and shared some with everyone present, accompanied by singing and dancing.

The contemplative community in Ngong presently includes two young, professed sisters, three final professed sisters – who serve as formators and mentors – and the three young women who were part of our class: Jane Rose, a pre-novice; Sr. Victoria, a first-year novice; and Sr. Scholastica, a second-year novice. Community meals were lively and rich, filled with laughter, friendly banter, and deep theological discussions.

The convent itself sits atop a very steep hill, and nearly every day we walked up and down for Mass and classes, sometimes three times a day. At nearly 8,000 feet (2440 meters) above sea level, the elevation was a significant adjustment for those of us accustomed to living below 500 feet (150 meters). It was a physical challenge, so my huffing and puffing was understandable!

Sr. Barbara and I spent two weeks co-learning with 17 novices and pre-novices on topics of St. John Eudes and St. Mary Euphrasia, Good Shepherd spirituality, and the core values of mercy, reconciliation, Individual worth, and zeal. We also explored leadership and how it is embodied by OLCGS sisters.

Initially, the sisters were shy and spoke very softly. From our US cultural perspective, we were surprised by their reserved responses. Over time, we came to understand their strong sense of community consciousness, the instinct to wait for one another rather than speak independently. Their reflections, however, were profound, thoughtful, and beautifully articulated. As the weeks progressed, they grew more confident and shared more freely.

Most of the women in initial formation with whom we interacted had completed university or advanced studies. When our American accents confounded them, or our remarks were unclear, one of their formators graciously provided interpretation in Kiswahili, and understanding quickly followed.

We spent a week of our time taking the grand tour of Good Shepherd ministries across Kenya. Sr. Martha arranged for us to travel with Sr. Pascaline, a temporary professed sister preparing for her international experience in Egypt (which had been delayed due to the COVID pandemic). The best way to describe Sr. Pascaline is “pure joy.” Everywhere we visited, she would survey the vegetable gardens and enthusiastically gather vegetables for communities that lacked them, filling an ever-growing sack she kept in the back of the vehicle. We teased her that there would be no room left for our luggage!

One particularly moving visit was to Our Lady of Grace School à Marimba, established for orphaned girls, though a few boys were also present during our visit. Sr. Margaret, our first Kenyan Good Shepherd sister and local leader, is redefining the ministry to meet new government regulations. She is also building a computer room, as access to technology is essential for the children to remain competitive in education and employment. Yet she has no idea where the computers will come from. One prayer I ask of you is to pray that Sr. Margaret receives the funding needed for computers, solar power, and internet access for the students at Our Lady of Grace.

Although it was the school holidays, about 15 children without foster families to go home to remained on campus. The house mother allowed them space to play and simply be children. They invited us to evening prayer, which they led themselves. Afterward, they shared their names and ages with us. They were bright, eager children, many carrying the weight of trauma from physical abuse. The sisters later told us the thoughtful questions the children asked about us after we left. Six former residents of this school receive sponsorship from the contemplative community to attend university.

Another ministry that ignited my zeal was a residence in Mombasa for children who have experienced severe abuse. To reach it, we crossed the bay by ferry. Like our other Good Shepherd ministries, this program was also being redefined to comply with new government regulations, something we in the United States understand well. During this visit, we also met eight pre-novices living in the Mombasa convent, preparing for a year of community life and parish ministry.

On American Thanksgiving Day, we treated the sisters to Kentucky Fried Chicken at a nearby mall, an entirely new experience for some. Watching their delight as they encountered an escalator for the first time was unforgettable, especially after they saw me ride it and eagerly followed suit! After lunch, we visited the community at Kamarock and a nearby Marian shrine, places many of the younger sisters had never seen.

The faith of the Kenyan people is alive and vibrant. Each day, a different sister sang at Mass, leading the responses sung in rich, six-part harmony. I thank God for the women called to religious life in our congregation who so generously say “accepter” to serving others. They taught me as much as I taught them. Everywhere we traveled, we carried prayer intentions back to our beloved contemplative community.

I feel it impossible to capture every detail of my first visit to Mother Africa, the home of my ancestors. Before I sat down to write my reflections on my time in Kenya, I reread the thank-you notes from the novices and pre-novices with whom Sr. Barbara and I spent most of our time. Many of the notes opened with some version of St. Mary Euphrasia’s words, “Gratitude is the memory of the heart.” Reading them again reminded me how deeply connected these young women are to our founder and foundress, and how gratitude truly shaped our shared experience.

To see pictures and hear the music from our trip, watch this video: Walking Together in Gratitude.