On Sunday, September 27^th, I was gifted with aches, pains, and a decent fever. I informed my live-in nurse, AKA Cathy, my site partner, and she gave me something I’ve dubbed “the face”. The “you-probably-have-malaria-but-lets-give-you-a-glimmer-of-hope” face. Sister Maria Antioneta (nurse) took my blood in the kitchen and did an instant test. Negative. Here comes a sigh of relief and confusion. Sister then clarified that since I’m taking a prevention pill, that it still could be malaria, and that I would have to stay home from school on Monday and visit the clinic so they could take more of my blood. Everyone who knows me knows I despise blood, let’s not even discuss the Dan the Greater event that happened during SLM Orientation. This is an important mention; it’ll reveal itself later in this post. So I was ordered rest until “the appointment”. Well blood was taken, and I headed back to the compound, with the promise that Sister Viola would return with the verdict. At lunch, Catherine, myself, and both sisters previously mentioned were sitting around the table. Sister Viola told me she would get the results soon. Sister MA then went over to her and they had a quick discussion where all I heard was

“Just tell her now…fine”

“Taylor you were positive for malaria, so here’s the plan…”

And that is the reason that I’ve been home for an entire week, recovering, resting, and reading 6 whole books.

But, I have to admit, I had a wonderful weekend before this all occurred. Due to a Muslim public holiday, we had work off last Thursday and Friday; where we got to do the unthinkable, leave the compound during the day without religious community in tow. When we were assigned to Wau, we were told that we “would never get to leave due to the sisters fearing our safety.” But I can tell you there hasn’t been a moment here in Wau where I have ever felt unsafe, I’m pretty sure I’ve already mentioned that. So on Friday, we piled up in the SDB truck with Ania, Marta, Kazik, and Bartek, and we went all around Wau. Confession time, riding in the bed of a pickup truck, standing, just taking in all the African scenery has been a dream, and it was everything I had imagined. We got to eat fruit right off a tree, go into the Jur river where the hippos supposedly frolic, got caught in a traffic jam of cows on a bridge, had men yelling “my wife” as we drove by, passing the Wau Zoo, and finally going into the “African Supermarket”. It was our free day to be totally immersed in the culture and life of Wau, seeing students outside of school, yelling “Sister, sister!”

Saturday was just as spectacular. Once a month, all the religious communities in Wau are invited to a day retreat. There are Franciscans, Salesians, Diocesan, and more! There were talks, adoration, time for confession, walking around the beautiful grounds, Mass, getting to meet more of the religious, finding sisters from the States, and of course taking pictures. We had to introduce ourselves to the community, but it was just more warm welcomes, and a feeling of a coming home, returning to yet another place where love and happiness resides.

Since I’ve rarely talked about my students, I realized I have had a week of reflection of what I’ve learned about them and from them in the few weeks I have had with them. I currently teach P6, sections A and B, in English. If there’s not a teacher in a class in sections P4-P8 then I hop in and take over and talk about English or the saints, or whatever they want to talk about. I realized the students haven’t had much opportunity for discussions for whatever reasons. So I ask them what they want to learn about and find ways to combine what they want to learn with what they have to be taught according to the syllabus. It’s been hard, easy, joyful, stressful, and confusing. They pass notes just like American kids, obvious, and look at you once they’re done. I collect the note and read it out loud to the class. They still haven’t realized that if they wrote in Arabic, I would have no idea what they’re saying, but I’m not going to be the one to tell them that. I get caught up in teaching that I speak far too fast and they give me the face I make when I’m in a group of people speaking Arabic or Dinka. So I’ve learned to slow it down a little, explain words that they get tripped up on, and hopefully get to them on some level. I’ve already given 2 quizzes, mainly to check on understanding, and they’ve had to write me a few paragraphs on their families, what they enjoy doing, and what they want to be when they grow up. Their honesty caught me off guard. They told me all about their families, but they told me who had died in their immediate family, if they want to talk about them, or if their culture doesn’t believe in talking about the person who has passed on, what they think about God, and what blew my mind, how they relate death and God. “The Lord took him for a reason, it’s hard and I miss him, but I know it was supposed to happen.” Direct quote from one of my students. I question God with so many petty things. This 6^th grader seems to grasp something my somewhat adult brain still struggles greatly with. Then when they were talking about what they want to be when they grow up, all of them desire a profession to help others, and help South Sudan; they want to be doctors, nurses, government officials, even teachers.

One of my students reminds me of Dominic Savio. This thought was greatly reinforced by him running to find me in the office at the end of the school day with a note. This note promised of drawings, and that he wanted me to feel welcome, and he wanted to share his talent. The next day he gives me a paper where Don Bosco has been drawn. It’s currently in the office where I look at it daily. This drawing is beautiful and just captures me each time I look at it. When I turned the paper over, he also had drawn Jesus carrying His cross. That’s when I looked at him and saw the gentle, righteous soul of little Dominic Savio.

Flash forward and backwards to this week of rest due to silly little malaria. On Wednesday, I had a buddy at home with me. Catherine also was sick. Feverish and a few of the less gloried symptoms of malaria. The clinic came to her, where they took her blood out while she laid in bed. THIS IS WHERE THE IMPORTANT INFORMATION FROM EARLIER COMES INTO PLAY. There was an accident and next thing I know, Catherine’s blood is all over my bedside dresser, sisters glasses, and not in a test tube vial. Catherine is a champ. I kept it together for the most part. Catherine luckily had what we think was just a quick day illness, because she was back in action on Thursday. But it was a nice roomie bonding illness day.

If I had to sum up my time in Africa so far (almost a full month of being in Wau!), I would use a quote one of my friends said the last time I was with her; “When something goes wrong in your life just yell PLOT TWIST and move on”. I think it’s applicable for any situation that’s unexpected. You can’t prepare for a yearlong mission in Africa, it’s impossible, you have no idea what could happen. For that, I’m frustrated yet grateful, inspired but conflicted, happy to be here and sad to be missing my family and friends. The more emotions I feel here, the more I take time to reflect, disengage from first world luxury and truly experience what needs are versus wants, the more peace I feel within me, and it’s strange. I want to say it’s welcomed in my soul, buttttttt let’s be real for a second. I came to Africa thinking that was the only comfort zone I was leaving, but it’s made more real by something I didn’t fully realize until now. I am a helllllla (extreme/really) picky eater. Too often Catherine is eating a full fish with eyes from my plate because my palate is too weak/spoiled/grossed out by eating something that is looking at me. In the States I always had choices, the ability to say no, but I wasn’t living in a place where what was put out for me was all that I had. It seems so silly and insignificant, but truly it’s where I’m sadly struggling the most. This may shock my friends, but being a vegetarian for a year isn’t looking like such a terrible idea. And no, I have no idea how my stomach will react to Chipotle when I come home next year, but I assume it’ll remember it’s first and only love. Sure there are other struggles, such as I’m sure no human has ever sweated as much as I have, but the food one is just pure comedy.

Things I’m currently grateful for: Sister Chantal’s visit and the catchy song we have to sing for her tomorrow at Oratory. Stealing a ton of music from Catherine-we won’t be up on the new hits of 2015/16, but I can still learn music new to me. Ukulele lessons. Finding Nemo movie nights. Kenyan beer. How it no longer rains in my room. The most AMAZING all night thunder/lightening/tsunami storm that occurred a few nights ago. Watermelon errrrryday. Wedding proposals from teachers. Saying no to them and being able to cite the SLM no dating contract. (You’re welcome Adam). The African Supermarket-walking distance, and has all we could ever want, i.e. cookies and a cold Juba Coke. Getting a compliment on all the Arabic I knew. Naps. Podcasts. Nick Ynami for bringing Catherine and I American things we miss. Laughter. Hugs. Crafting. Any child who yells “Cawaijja” (American spelling of an Arabic word meaning white person/foreigner). Facetiming the parental unit.

“The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.”

Saint Augustine

I firmly believe that if you don’t question ridiculous things that occur in your life at least once, you may be lacking some sane brains. For example, who would send a very short, very pale, mane of bright orange hair, loud, awkward, and goofy human altogether to South Sudan, or even anywhere in Africa for that matter. This is a sane thought. But as I spend Saturday night typing this, singing praise and worship with Catherine on the ukulele, after spending too much time under the banana tree, trying to steal wi-fi from the SDB’s next door, while drinking in the night sky filled with shooting stars, mouth gaping open in awe, I know.

Well I don’t know, and I know at the same time. I walk around with my head turned to the sky, taking in the clouds, sunsets, stars, storms, and I see joy, love, beauty, and truth. I see the Lord being with me at Daily Mass, evening prayer, adoration, talking about Mother Teresa and martyrdom with my P8 students.

The clarity comes and goes. I was asked to give P8 (the oldest students) a pep talk about values. So I began with honesty, I told them my values, why they’re important to me and I wrote some on the board. I then instructed them to take chalk, and check off which ones they have, or add ones they have. I wasn’t sure how well this was going to go over, but never underestimate the youth, our future, the future of South Sudan. It took some encouragement, but soon words such as forgiveness, trust, courage, faithfulness, love (3 times it was written!), and sainthood. I told them I didn’t want them to impress me, I wanted them to be honest with what they hold close. This allowed for a great, frank discussion. I asked them if they thought they could be the future leaders of South Sudan, some said yes, some said no. I left them with a challenge of thinking what they want to do in the future, whether the immediate future of what school they’ll attend next year, if they’ll go to university, or if they want to be the next president of South Sudan.

They impressed me yet again, when a student came and found me in the office, telling me they didn’t have a teacher and they wanted me in the classroom. I had no plans, so I grabbed the P8 English book, found a story on Mother Teresa and read it to them. Working on comprehension, I was asking questions, which lead to who/what are saints, what are martyrs, and long story short I was talking about St. Max Kolbe. I now have a list of saints they want to learn about. I still can’t believe it.

Its funny. Judging by how little I attended class in college, I never saw that teaching would be in my life, or that it would be so fun. My mind is blown.

Life isn’t all rainbows and butterflies, but it was never meant to be that way. Bugs that are too large, or try to drink too much of my blood will always be an issue. The lizard who is without a tail that has made a home somewhere in our room, will continue to irk me. The constant state of sweating will always gross me out. But if these are the worst things that are happening to me right now, I can deal. It’s evened out by very nice teachers at the school patiently teaching me Arabic, talking to us for a very long time after school, taking us to the market and bargaining for us. Tough situations are made hilarious by talking about how many cows we’re worth(guys, I’m worth like 500 at least). There is too much joy, too many good things for me to even settle my thoughts on anything negative. Every time I need a reminder that I, Taylor McColgan was specifically sent to Wau, South Sudan, I just look at the clouds, crafted just for me, the stars, placed delicately for my heart, and the sunsets, the canvas of the sky, painted for me.

My constant prayer has been classic praise and worship lyrics, “Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders, let me walk upon the waters, wherever you would call me. Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander, my faith will be made stronger in the presence of my savior.”

So why did I end up in Africa? Because of sunblock, bug spray, modern medicine, growth, change, transformation, Love, truth, grace, purpose, laughter, and the unknown.

Things I am currently grateful for: the fact that Catherine and I altogether printed out 300 photos (literally) to decorate our room and most of them are up. My fearlessness and lack of remorse for murdering blood suckers (mosquitos). Doing my laundry by hand. Rice. Clean water. My students in P6 A,B, and P8. Emails from friends (that’s a backhanded hint. EMAIL ME FRIENDS. @ TaylorMcColgan51091@gmail.com). Sleep.

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The title has been included in every greeting I have received from any child and adult I’ve met in Wau. Every interaction in South Sudan, has began and ended with “Welcome to South Sudan, we’re happy that you are here”. Regardless of the conversation, they are joyful, loving, and so incredibly welcoming. They also assure me of how peaceful it is here now, and it is felt as I discover more and more of Wau. I have also been told to assure my friends and family of the safe care I am in here. (It’s just the truth, this place is absolutely wonderful.)

Wau has struck my heart in many ways. First off is the parish community with the sisters and the SDB’s. Catherine and I had to present our lives to the sisters the other night and it was capped off by a loving speech of gratitude and welcome from the sisters. They hit home that what happens to us, happens to them, and what happens to them, happens to us. We will go through it all together, and be with one another to build each other up and support and love, because we are a family. Needless to say, my home is in Wau at the moment, and I am so grateful that I have been lead here.

Secondly, the community of volunteers, Catherine and myself have been blessed with 4 polish missionaries, Marta and Ania, who are our awesome neighbors in the compound, where we spend nights singing together with the help of Catherine’s ukulele, playing riddles of what English word they’re trying to use, getting to talk of home and our friends, and figuring out American to the rest of the worlds conversions without the use of google. Just a mango toss away from us is the SDB compound, which houses 2 really great guys with names who I’ve defineately heard in the classic film Anastasia, has allowed us Sunday mornings of tea and relaxation and just hang time. It has been full of fruitful discussions of our time here, but allotted goof off time and planning a trip to the Wau Zoo.

Now just because these are ordered by first and secondly, doesn’t mean how they’re affecting me. The parishoners and the students of the Salesian schools, and the kids at Bilfam Oratory hold a very large place in my heart. They continuously talk to us even if language is a barrier, because another humans presence is truly worth a lot here. Taking your time to be with someone, not distracted by silly things has opened up so much for us here. We have nowhere to be, but with them, and for that my heart is filled with joy. At Auxillium, seeing the students sing and do hand signs reminds me of my absurdly loving Life Teen community at home, and being their teacher takes me back to my 4^th graders at the John F. Kennedy in Jamaica Plain. They smile often and largely, which almost makes me miss the sneaky things they do, but teachers have an extra set of eyes, I promise. At morning mass, which is at 6:45 M-F and 6:50 on Saturdays (yes my friends, I know you are all shocked but happy to hear I’m alive and well after waking up at those crazy early hours) I love seeing all the children in uniform sitting in the front pew, smiling, and so reverent. They sing loudly and so full of the Spirit, it transforms me day by day, challenges me to be childlike in my faith once again. At Oratory (those unfamiliar with Don Bosco should know the oratory is a time for us to be with the kids in Bilfam on Sunday afternoons where we sing and dance, then there is a catechetical teaching and discussion per age group, and we end with the rosary in Arabic.) Watching what seems to be 170 kids sit and pray with all their might and so focused is so beautiful. I am fortunate to have been welcomed into their home, and blessed to be with them. I am with Sister Viola and the kids aged 11-15. 11-15 year olds are full of the same sass everywhere and I love it.

Right now all of these communities are preparing for the arrival of Sister Chantal. She is a sister from Africa, but her position has her living in the wonderful Roma! (Rome, TRYING to be cultured now) She is on a tour of all the Eastern African sisters. So we’re greeting her in Wau, and she’ll be staying with us, at all our schools, dispensary, oratory, and parish. It feels like the best way to enter in to all this madness is to just jump right in, no testing the water with our toes, but preparing for big things coming real quick.

I have had a decent amount of time for reflection and reading. Luckily I was allowed into the SDB library next door and have been throwing myself into reading Henri Nouwen. This quote sums up my adventures thus far.

“Our inclination is to show our Lord only what we feel comfortable with. But the more we dare to reveal our whole trembling self to Him, the more we will be able to sense that His love, which is perfect love, casts out all our fears”

Any worries and unrest I may have, I must realize love is sacrifice, and love is hard, but love is worth it. And He knows me, regardless of what I “tell” Him, and every time I share more willingly, He fills me with what I need, and I am so fortunate. I don’t need a brave face, I just need trust, grace, and normally a whole lot of coffee(haven’t had any yet‼).

Africa is weird in the greatest way. I feel as though I’ve only dipped my toes in the kiddie pool of what is to come, but I can’t wait to see what lies in the deep end.

Missing my family and friends, but much love and many prayers your way.

“It is enough that you are young for me to love you.” –Don Bosco

Wau, it has been a whirlwind (yes I will use that pun as frequently as possible this year). We’re in the midst of settling in and hopefully have the Wi-Fi amount needed to post about our travels to Wau.

Catherine and I met in New York on Saturday, September 5^th, filled with excitement and were once upon a time not exhausted. On Sunday, the 6^th, we landed in Cairo, Egypt, confused, tired, and so aware of how much Arabic we didn’t know. We were gifted a lovely surprise from EgyptAir, we were given our own hotel rooms for the 22 hour layover that separated us from South Sudan. No longer entertaining the idea of sleeping on an airport floor was SO nice. The first leg of the adventure was just beginning.

Cairo was gorgeous, overwhelming, and just the tip of the iceberg of nonstop staring by locals. We had booked a tour with Egypt Tailor Made and Laila, (awesome tour guide) was waiting for us with a sign and a huge welcoming smile. We were her priority and it was so wonderful. Walid, the wonderful man I had been e-mailing with since booking the tour, was waiting on the phone to speak to me and welcome us to Cairo. I had no idea what to expect from Egypt, I’ve learned so much about the pharaohs and I’ve seen The Prince of Egypt, but nothing could prepare me for the day of absolute awe I was about to embark on. My mom was so proud to hear I ate eggplant and adored it, babaganush (sp?) was spicy but the best and only falafel I’ve ever had. Other food native to Egypt, ehhhhh…. but we tried it, that’s all that matters!

The Giza Pyramids, the Sphinx, and all other ruins/things left from the old world were mesmerizing. I climbed the main pyramid (the legal amount we were allowed to), saw hieroglyphs that have survived for so long, took silly tourist photos holding the top of the pyramid, classic jumping pictures, and kissing the sphinx. The history nerd in me was hyperventilating into a paper bag with all this excitement.

Islamic Cairo was bustling with a world unknown to me. Mosques flanked the street (the oldest street in Egypt) and we were lucky to get a tour of one from 986 A.D. (that could be a lie, but I don’t think it is.) After stuffing my mane into a hat and styling a scarf over Catherine’s hair, we got to walk around and see original architecture and which way Mecca was, we were learning so much, truly eye opening. In true fashion, we were the center of attention at one point, where 2 boy bands pretty much battled for the game “the attention of the American ladies” We had 2 boys with guitars (don’t worry, took a selfie with them after they serenaded me) and another boy who rapped in Arabic. I filmed it, I have no idea what he said, but I’m sure its absolute comedy. The tour wrapped up with a dinner cruise on the Nile, followed by singing and belly dancing. It was interesting to say the least. But I pretty much couldn’t wait to pass out face down into my hotel room bed.

The Juba airport is probably going to be my most vivid memory for a long time. After getting checked for fevers before entering the terminal, we then had to find our aggressive sides to battle to the front of a mass of people to get our pictures taken, and I believe I went through customs during that as well. Separated by a plastic barrier is the rest of the terminal, where you are nudged, pushed, and lots of Arabic in order to get your checked bags. I have never felt so short, so different, and so “silly American” before. A couple of worried hours if the sisters had forgotten us passed, (shout out to the 2 gentlemen who let us use their phones and when we couldn’t get in contact with the sisters, found a US Embassy worker) when Sister Bibbiana appeared. We piled in the Land Cruiser and waited for some sisters who just flew in from Ethiopia. While waiting, Catherine and I were like a little show for 3 lovely girls. They were asking us questions in pretty good English, and then some Arabic (I think my face just speaks volumes for what I’m thinking when I hear Arabic “I’m sorry I only know English and passable Spanish, please forgive me for asking WHAT a billion times”) They rubbed my arm and wanted to touch my hair because it obviously doesn’t make sense in South Sudan. Juba was very green from what I say, and we caught a glimpse of the children playing before we were taken to have a snack, repack our bags (we can only bring 1 at a time to Wau, so they’ll be sending our other half of belongings at some point) and then eat again. (Salesians are big on making sure we’re constantly eating) Leaving to go back to the Juba airport just a few hours later, I saw the sunrise over the Nile and I think that’s when it hit me. I’m in Africa. I’m so grateful to be here. Beauty is everywhere and I am just so fortunate that God had planned all this for me. Every moment and interaction was a gift, a blessing, and all unique in His plan for me. That’s hard to grasp, but makes my heart so joyful.

Pure comedy was getting to the airport and being told that our tickets, plus a Sister that was traveling with us, didn’t work because the plane was full. Salesian Sisters are small but very mighty. Sister B came in clutch again, calling the airline they bought our tickets from, having a word with them, and next thing we knew, the 3 of us were seated in the Business Class on Golden Wing Airlines on that flight to Wau. God’s providence and the Salesian elbow grease.

When we landed in Wau, it was Tuesday, September 8^th. Wau is very green, the orange dirt, I’m assuming, will soon the shade of everything I own, and there are animals everywhere, mainly dogs, Catherine is joyful about that. Registering and extending our visas was a process of absolute comedy again. All the men were extremely helpful, and when we began filling out the papers, I only had a red pen, (classic) and one man stopped me and asked if I was the president because only he and teachers can write in red pen. I said surprise! I don’t think he got the joke, but he laughed and I wasn’t kicked out of South Sudan for sass, so that’s cool. Another one, who was checking our passports, looked at mine, at me, and then back to it, and said welcome back. I laughed-no, he really thought I had been before. I told him he’s probably seen the other ginger who’s been here before. Sass part 2, still not kicked out, go me!

I have felt welcomed every second of being here. A new person is coming over, (after staring for the decent designated amount of time) and introducing themselves and saying “Welcome to Wau”. But nothing could of prepared me for the Nativity of Mary. Our first day in Wau was a big one. There was cake, a procession with the Blessed Mother, they sang Happy Birthday to Our Lady, and then girls were wearing special colors and sang and danced after. It was so amazing to see the Spirit flowing through all their actions. I was in the back of the procession, and seeing how many people were apart of it, winding down the roads of Wau, singing, praying the rosary and just being so joyful, Christ is alive, here in South Sudan, and it’s so contagious.

That’s more than enough on just the journey here, but hopefully soon I’ll be able to post more about the wonderful Polish missionaries, Anya and Marta, the community here, how Catherine made our room homey, and more about the school I’ll be teaching at starting Monday! Know you all are in our prayers, and I’m so lucky to have so many wonderful people to miss. Peace and love.

(The title phrase is from the Shona tribe in Africa and it means, “I am well if you are well”. Just one of the few random things I learned during the first week that led me to realize the purpose and intent I should have in my mind while preparing for mission. We thrive when the group is doing well, and we aren’t doing well when one of us is struggling)

We were given directions on how to blog and I’m about to break all the rules. I have decided to devote one blog post per one section of orientation. It should be 3, it could be 4. I’m also going to inundate the page with photos because there are so many that will hopefully give you a glimpse of the joy I have been lucky to experience.

My journey began on July 23rd, a day early to stay with my Household sister (Franciscan University speak for Sorority). I spent just under 24 hours taking in the glory of Brooklyn, sipping wine, and having thought provoking discussions. It was beautiful.

On the 24th Catherine and I finally met and had a wonderful car ride to New Rochelle, NY where we would be staying at Monroe College. There was no awkward “how do I interact with another human” moment, and peace abounded. While waiting for the rest of the SLM’s (Salesian Lay Missioners) to arrive we played with a ukelele and had a guessing game of who would walk through the door and become one of us for at least the next year. After initially awkward introductions we meshed as a group of 14 almost instantly, sarcasm, jokes, and laughter were the common language.

Orientation Part 1:

Our dorm room was farther from the main building and the doorway was nestled between 2 sketchy store fronts, and 10 of us would call it home for the next 2 weeks. The dorm room was a 20-25 minute walk to the Missions Office and a 10 minute walk to the lovely Roc City Dining Hall.

Our typical daily schedule was wake up (ugh early), walk the 20 minutes to the office, then morning prayer at 7:30, silent prayer time, then mass, then walk back to the dining hall, then back to the office for a session, then back to the dining hall for lunch, then back to the office for a session, then some recreation time, evening prayer, then walking back for dinner, and then maybe back to the office for a session or sometimes we had a free night. The first day we clocked 10 miles of walking, thanks to Catherine’s Fitbit.

We had talks on vocations, blogging, and a four day session on Cross Cultural Orientation with Julie Lupien. This was full on sessions on community, healthy experience, safety, openness, relationships, the concept of mission, and a panel with returned missionaries from Bolivia and South Sudan. We had to present to the group a chart of how we thought we would emotionally feel for at least the next 15 months, it was very difficult to think of holidays we’ll miss, but as we grow closer to the community, the thought of saying goodbye was almost unbearable.

Overall what stuck with me the most was this quote;

“This is our purpose: to make as meaningful as possible this life that has been bestowed upon us…to live in such a way that we may be proud of ourselves, to act in such a way that some part of us lives on.” Oswald Spengler.

We were also incredibly lucky to have a priest and brother who are in Juba come to America. The #SouthSudanCrew got to have a roundtable discussion and we learned SO MUCH about Wau.

Some info: Wau is heavy on the Arabic (shoot). There’s at least a flight a day from Juba to Wau. (A commercial airplane!!) 2 schools with 1,000 children in EACH. The clinic where Catherine will be is very active with at least 150-200 patients per day. Very Catholic area. There’s a Salesian Basilica. We stay in Juba for a few days before flying to Wau, so we’ll get to meet the community there as well. I was warned that I will be touched often (My hair to be specific). We can go with the sisters when they go on trips, so we can see more of South Sudan.

Overall this week was informative and filled with heavy topics. All great, but a lot to really sit on.

We had a free night and we ended up at a pub called the Backyard Pub, which really had a backyard and a beautiful lighting arrangement, it was a needed kick back night. We were also told we had a half day on Friday and a full free day Saturday and Mets vs. Nationals tickets on Sunday. I was going to head home to switch vehicles due to some car trouble during the week. Took it to the mechanic of the Salesians and found out it wasn’t drivable. I was gifted with a relaxing day to myself in NY, a fixed vehicle, chipotle, and a winery tour (for freeeeeeeee). I felt very grateful that this community took care of me like I was already family, and that trend continues.

Reflecting on my personal time during this hectic week, I grew in my prayer life substantially. Due to a chapel always open for us, daily mass, morning and evening prayer, and any personal prayer time put in, I was rewarded with a saturation of sacraments, stillness with Christ, fruitful conversations, thought provoking debates on the faith, and educational discussions. I felt so much peace and comfort, especially being united with 13 other people going through the same things I was, whether it was questioning of family and friends, personal doubt, trials, and triumphs. I began viewing this mission with a greater sense of purpose and love and gratitude.

Saint Don Bosco, Mary Help of Christians, Pray for us.

I never for some reason, thought it would be so difficult to explain to friends, family, and strangers why I’m going to 1) do mission work, 2) in Africa. My brain’s a little weird though, so reflecting on it right now makes a little bit of sense. My lovely site partner Catherine started her blog today with a wonderful post about her first thoughts about this upcoming year, so I figured I should do my best to put my swirling thoughts out there so people can try to fathom why I would follow this path I’m on. (ALSO, if you want to view more structured thoughts of Wau and all the work we’ll be doing, you can also check out Catherine’s Blog, my fantastic site partner. We’re so excited to share our time with the interweb, and she’s much better at blogging so far!

If you had asked me if I ever saw myself going to Africa, I would’ve said YES regardless of where I was in life. I’m a dreamer, I follow my passions and ambitions and I am always down for an adventure. And Africa has ALWAYS been on my radar. So at some point in my life, I saw myself just hopping over, for however long I was meant to be there for. Apparently, that is this September. Which is awesome. No time like the present.

Mission work. I would say mission work has defined/shaped the Catholic woman I am. Ever since going on a Boston-based service weekend, I was drawn, enamored, and absolutely filled with holy joy being present to people and listening to them. It was the first time I shut up and didn’t blab on about me. I found out the best version of ‘me’ existed on these retreats and the few following weeks after. And it truly called me out and on that I needed to be this woman all the time, not just on the retreat high. So after 4 CIA (Catholics In Action) Retreats, 2 trips to Mustard Seed Communities in Managua, Nicaragua, 2 Catholic Heart Work Camps to Greensboro, NC and New Jersey, 1 trip with Missions of Peace to Gallup, NM, and 2 to Nazareth Farm in Salem, WV, I set my sights on a more long term idea. City Year Boston, part of Americorps. Give A Year, Change The World. How could I say no to a program that I’ve seen the fruits of from my brother and sister, AND try my all in a secular program. Needless to say, the past year was one of the most difficult years of my life, either due to health or children or getting hit by a car.

But I didn’t go on these trips to say “look at me, helping the poor, doing all I can, changing the world all on my own.” That is so incredibly wrong, and I always want to nonviolently punch those people with grace in the face. We, as capable humans, are given so many gifts and chances and opportunities in this world and this life. I truly believe that I am here for a purpose and a reason, and that is to help others with everything I’ve been so blessed with. And all my actions are just being the hands and feet of Christ. But that’s not it. What makes this all so special is how much you learn from others. On my first mission trip, I went in with the mindset I was going to rock someone’s world. I was so wrong. How much I learn and grow from the people i form a community with, is what transforms you, and makes you a better person. You learn and get so much more than you teach and give. I am humbled and grateful that I have been led this course of serving. My heart shows me that this is how I love, learn, hurt, feel, and grow in all aspects of my life. My faith has formed around this and has led me deeper than I could have ever imagined.

So why service and why Africa? Simply, it’s because I have been called to go. My purpose is to be there for however long, 1, 2 or even 3 years, or life…that would be cool. I know my friends and family love and care for me, and that’s why they express concern, and not the most positive remarks, but, I’m meant to be there, and I can say that with confidence.

My students at the end of this year as a parting gift, gave me a small notebook where they wrote quotes that they thought best represented me and to wish me well. I have picked two that have stood out the most to me. Josh* and Alex* (names changed) wrote this on a whim, and it just strikes my heart.

“Helping kids is what you must, you have been the one, to make me be the one I must.”

“You have the courage to believe in other people, and you don’t have the courage to not believe in other people.”

So hopefully this year shows me more of what my purpose is, and I can’t wait to share it with you!

My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style. Maya Angelou.

Before heading to Africa, which has always been on my bucket list, I desire to complete a pre-africa bucket list. I’ve been thinking a lot about it. I want to do silly things, real things, and mandatory things.

1) go to the drive-in

2) stay up all night to see the sunrise with my friends-maybe camping.

3) leave with no regrets-share anything that needs to be shared.

4) have proper goodbyes with my people.

5) get/take many goofy pictures to print and bring.

6) spend a full day in bed watching Netflix.

7) do a full day technology free.

8) get a massage.

9) clean my entire room-top to bottom.

10) watch ALL the marvel movies.

11) pick up basic Arabic.

12) get some good spiritual reads.

13) pick back up my daily rosary.

14) get everyone’s addresses-email/postal

15) chipotle.

16) tell everyone I love them and mean it.

17) drive with no destination in mind.

18) crappy American food.

19) make cards for all the holidays I’ll be missing for my parents.

20) tennis.

21) hiking.

ill be sure to add more (probably legit ones)

am I being too simple? Too basic? The comfy life is the life for me. If you want to help cross one of these off,or want me to add something, let me know. The company of another human is always a beautiful thing.