Asante na Kwaheri Kenya! Hello Singapore!

24 July 2012

     

It’s been just over a week since I returned to the “little red dot,” of our island Singapore. I left Nairobi on Friday the 13^th (!) of July 2012, with a lump in my throat, feeling a mix of emotions. I was sad to leave quite suddenly, six months ahead of the planned schedule of a late December departure which would have concluded my 5 year assignment as a missionary in Kenya.  But at the same time, I was happy to be back home, nearer family and friends. 
Why the earlier return? More pressing needs for our congregation in Singapore. During the one month notice I was given, the song, “Any Road, Any Cost,” performed by Point of Grace became my theme song, encouraging me to be open to God’s call and to forge ahead to wherever he may lead me:

Any Road, Any Cost (Words & Music by Scott Krippayne & Tony Wood)

Leaving the safe and familiar
With their hearts set on a heavenly prize
There were some who laid down their nets
And some who laid down their lives
Not sure where they were going
But they did not have to know
'Cause they knew who had called them
And they said, "We will go"

(Chorus)
Down any road at any cost
Wherever You lead we will follow
Because we know that You've called us
To take up our cross
Down any road at any cost

It may be fear that we're feeling
We see what we must sacrifice
But You promised You'll go with us
So we'll trust with our lives

It's Your love that compels us
To do what You've called us to do
And be completely abandoned to You

Because we know that You've called us
To take up our cross
Down any road at any cost 

Just before departure, my main apostolic project was to complete the English dubbing and editing of a DVD on the Sacrament of Marriage. Entitled “The Covenant,” it was produced by our Sisters in Ivory Coast and the original language was in French. Here’s a teaser of the English version (slight delay in syn when streaming on youtube):

Another major production that we completed in Kenya was a catechetical DVD on Celebrating the Mass on the New Roman Missal which I had blogged about in my last post. After some revision, it was finally given the green light and is now one of our top selling DVDs in the Catholic Bookshop of Nairobi:

Apart from my main apostolate in the Audiovisual Sector and helping out with classes in the novitiate, I am also grateful for the mission trips I was able to make outside of Nairobi. They added to the colour, aroma and taste of experiencing African culture, and more specifically Kenyan culture. Some of my previous posts provide the details.

So here I am back in our convent of the Daughters of Saint Paul in Jurong  (west of the island) after five years away, filled with wonderful memories of my time in Kenya and grateful for my missionary experience there. It was indeed a truly enriching experience and I believe I have grown and matured somewhat from my missionary years. I spent the first half of my 40s in Africa and I’m glad that I sailed through this phase of my mid-life journey relatively smoothly while on the red Kenyan soil.

With our lay staff at Paulines Africa

Cake from Paulines Africa at one of the farewell parties for Sr Marie from Madagascar (who was also leaving Kenya) and me.

Thank you to my new found friends in Kenya – the zealous international  group of Pauline Sisters with whom I lived and worked with, as well as our rich variety of African sisters from around the continent including the different batches of our vibrant and enthusiastic novices. Thank you to the many priests, and religious brothers and sisters with whom I met and collaborated with in our ministry. Thank you too to all the lay friends I got acquainted with while in Kenya, the small and cosy group of Singaporeans plus the many other friends and collaborators I had the privilege to know and with some, even work with. It was indeed a grace to be in Kenya and to know all of you. I will certainly miss you, the beautiful country and especially the cool Nairobi weather!!

Now I am adjusting to the hot and humid climate of Singapore but fortunately the people here are as warm as the weather! J It’s great to be back as well and I look forward to continue and to develop our Pauline mission on home soil! Counting on your prayers please! 

First parish mission since I got back - Church of Saint Francis Xavier

This post concludes Notes From Kenya on this blog. I’m not sure if I’ll continue blogging while in Singapore but who knows, if inspiration hits, and there are some “chillies” or “lime” spicing up my life, I just might. Meanwhile thank you so much for reading and for your comments since I started “Notes From Kenya” back in early 2008! Many of your comments were a great source of inspiration for me.

God bless you and your loved ones!

With love and prayers,
Wendy

PS: A grace filled encounter worth sharing:

My close friends often tease me and are amazed at the way my favourite celebrities relate so warmly to me. I myself am at times, deeply moved by their warmth and approachability. Two months ago, in May, I was just blown away by the kindness of Han Hye Jin 한혜진, a very beautiful and amazingly talented Korean actress (see previous post) of whom I and my mother are huge fans. (For those in Singapore, she is the leading actress in Jumong which is currently airing on Channel U, 7-8pm) Well to cut the long story short, Han Hye Jin was in Singapore for a magazine photo shoot and when I told my mom about it, she got so excited and wondered if she could meet her. Hmm, most unlikely I thought but I decided to give it a try and wrote in a request to HHJ on her website/café. My mom had just celebrated her 80^th birthday the previous month and an encounter with HHJ would certainly be one of the coolest birthday gifts for her. Well believe it or not but HHJ responded to my request both on her website as well as through twitter. From Kenya I frantically communicated with my mom and the encounter took place!!!

Mom thrilled to meet the ever gracious Han Hye Jin and receive her embrace! ^^

 HHJ being a big Korean star, it even made news on various Korean websites, as well as on an English site on Kpop culture (to date this has had over 26,000 views!) Here’s an album I created in honour of my mom and HHJ, two inspirational women in my life. Experiencing the graciousness of HHJ, I could only see the gracious love of God behind the encounter. Han Hye Jin’s kind act touched me deeply and I am convinced her outer beauty radiates from a more profound inner beauty. She has such a big and gracious heart. It was for me an experience of Christ’s love flowing through her (she's a staunch Christian by the way) and if anything, it reminded me that miracles do happen and God continues to love us. Sometimes we do need little miracles in our lives to deepen our faith in God’s boundless love! In short, the whole incident inspires me in a deeper way to respond to God's call and serve this wonderful, gracious God of love and hopefully also reflect his love to others. 혜진님, 대단히 감사합니다!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!

22 December 2011

It’s the end of the year and as I had predicted in my previous post last June, I’ll probably only post twice this year! J

Some of you have written in the recent past with great concern about the famine in Northern Kenya, in Somalia and other parts of East Africa. Although Nairobi (where I live) is far from those areas severely affected by the famine, we nevertheless feel the effects of it and with the global economic crisis, prices of commodities have been soaring. The irony of life is that while thousands starve in this part of the world, price conflicts (between governments and farmers) over crops in Europe have led to fruits, vegetables and dairy products including milk being simply thrown away!

But the rains have come and December, which is supposed to be relatively dry, has been pretty wet. Through various charitable organisations and NGOs, the famine victims including thousands of Somalian refugees are gradually recovering but inflation continues to rise nationwide.


A sad and devastating illustration of the tragic effects of poverty here was the explosion of a gasoline pipeline in Sinai slum last September 12. As the pipe spotted a leak, many slum dwellers – men, women and children – gathered to collect the leaking fuel to make quick money, risking their lives in the process. Unfortunately the wind blew an ember from a nearby rubbish dump igniting a fireball. The inferno left close to a hundred dead, badly charred by the fire.

Clearly, we face many great challenges to educate the poor and to eradicate poverty. Our mission as Daughters of Saint Paul is also to transform minds and hearts - to that of Christ's and to proclaim the Good News to all. One apostolic project which has kept me pretty busy for some months has been a catechetical DVD on Celebrating the Mass with the Roman Missal. Production is completed but it is now doing its rounds to various groups to get their feedback. Here is a teaser clip of the first few minutes.

SIGNIFICANT FAREWELLS
While most of the world was stunned by the way Gadaffi was captured and brutally killed, those who suffered under his tyranny rejoiced. Just a few days ago, North Korea too stunned the world by announcing the death of Kim Jong II two days after he had died. The deaths of these two dictators have significant repercussions to both Libya and North (and South) Korea and the rest of the world. We can only pray that the new leaders of both nations will improve the lives of the people and develop a more humane society.

Farewells closer to my heart during the second half of this year were the sad demise of a dear aunt, a Pauline Cooperator, David Chua, and my former editor at Catholic News (Singapore), Francis Yeo. My aunt (my mother’s elder sister) passed away in Canada and was one of my sweetest aunts. Her name was Cecilia but my brother and I called her Aunty Bobo because she used to have a dog called Bobo! J 
(If you click on the image below, the link would lead you to my FB wall photo album and you'll be able to read some FB comments about her, including her former student under the same pic.) 

David served for several years as the coordinator or chairman of the Association of Pauline Cooperators in Singapore and was a very good friend of our community. He was our ‘handyman,’ ever ready to fix something in the house or run an errand for us. He was one of our kindest friends and we will miss him a lot.

Francis, whose illness led to his resignation as editor of Catholic News was also a kind soul and a pleasure to work with. Thanks to his nod, I was able to interview two of my favourite singers – Olivia Newton-John and Suzanne Vega for Catholic News (Articles - ONJ Woman of Grace and Gratitude, Healing Music from ONJ;  Growing in Contemplation with SV, SV - Candid Views)

What touched me most about Francis was his effort to come all the way to our convent in Jurong (he lived in Marine Parade) to gift me with a copy of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows the day it was released as he knew I was a big fan of the series. How sweet is that!?! (Defending Harry published in CN)

I’m glad I had a chance to visit both Francis and David when I was last back in Singapore but I never expected both of them to pass on so quickly. Their passing gave me the opportunity to reflect once again on the fragility of life as well as how their presence in my life was an experience of God’s love flowing through them. I hope and pray that somehow, my life too, like theirs, would reflect God’s love to others.

PARADISE ON EARTH
God as a master artist was also brought to the fore for me during my recent annual silent retreat which took place by Lake Elementaita. I’ll let the images do the ‘talking’ (click on the pic below to see the entire album I shared on Facebook.)

It was indeed a taste of heaven on earth and a grace filled vacation with the Lord.

DAZZLED BY A STAR
Besides being awed by the beauty of nature, I have also been quite enamored by the beauty and talent of a Korean actress, Han Hye Jin (한혜진) sometimes spelled Han Hae Jin). It's like being dazzled by a gorgeous star. As some Sisters here would say of anyone of exceptional beauty, "God must have been in a really good mood when he created her!" J She was the lead in a Korean drama called Be Stong Geum Soon which I had initially watched because of Yang Mi Kyung who was also in it (and whom I had previously blogged about). Well, after watching the series, I became a huge fan of Han Hye Jin too and have since tried to watch as many of her works as possible. To catch a sample of her talent and a peek to her personality and quirky sense of humour, here’s a video she made for her fans. Her mother, sister and brother-in-law (both also actors) appear first in the video. The English subtitles were added by me in collaboration with a Korean fan.

If any of you are a newly converted Kdrama fan like me, the following Han Hye Jin dramas are highly recommended: Thorn Birds (2011) - extremely heart wrenching but totally enjoyable, Jejoongwon (2010) - a beautiful love story set in the 'historical' background of the first modern hospital in Korea and the people behind it, touching on the disparity between the nobles and the 'low born' and efforts to eliminate the class system at the turn of 20th century Korea, Jumong (2008) - an epic tale of princes and kingdoms and at the heart of it a moving story of love found and lost twice (!), and of course Be Strong Geum Soon (2005) which can make you laugh one minute and cry the next! J These have been delightful sources of relaxation after a hard day's work and have kept me and some Sisters here much entertained and happy. (A tribute to Jejoongwon by a Kdrama blogger.)

Another source of happiness for me here is the small gang of Singaporeans who meet up once in a while and especially for me, on my ‘free’ Sunday. One worthy cause that we participated in was a fund raising event for the flood victims in Thailand. It was a food fair at the Thai Embassy. Linda (who’s been here for several years) cooked ginger flavoured rice, beef rending and her famous, mouth-watering otak otak. Here's a snap of the event and if you click on it, the link leads to other ‘makan’ sessions we’ve had:

Fellowship, family and friends, being surrounded by the love, joy, peace and hope of Jesus - these are what I wish for each of you this Christmas. From Nairobi to the far corners of wherever you are, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!! May 2012 be filled with abundant blessings and graces from above for each of you. At the same time may we join our prayers for those whose Christmas may not be so joyful this year, due to varied reasons - natural and man made calamities, the loss of loved ones, being unemployed etc. May Jesus the Prince of Peace somehow fill their hearts with his PEACE this Christmas despite their dire circumstances and may we be channels of that peace too to one another. 

Hugs and Kisses,

Wendy

PS: Next year will be my final year here in Kenya (yes my stay has been extended yet again) so LAST CALL for those who are planning to visit this beautiful country and continent while I’m here! J

And in case you have not seen this before, I must leave you with this simply hilarious clip of the Christmas Story as told by a group of pre-schoolers. Enjoy!!

Life's Lights and Shadows

4 June 2011

HOMELEAVE AND FUNDRAISING

This is my fourth year in Kenya and my blog updates are getting less frequent the longer I stay here! LOL! Looks like it’s going to be a biannual affair now that half the year is nearly over…

Well, it has certainly been an eventful past 6 months. In late January I returned to Singapore primarily to renew my passport (as we don’t even have a Singapore trade office here, let alone an embassy) but my visit also gave me the chance to be with my mother who had suffered a rather bad fall down the stairs at home, fracturing her left eye socket and humerus in the process.

Mum’s ending the year with a bang! She looks like she had a few rounds in the boxing ring with Muhammad Ali!

Fortunately she has recovered pretty well and can be found zooming around in her cute granny’s automobile (her silver NissanMarch), even though her left arm is not as flexible as it used to be. Many thanks to those who offered prayers and well wishes and who paid visits to her. We are most grateful for your care, concern and love.

While in Singapore, I also took the opportunity to raise some funds for the Gabriella House of formation which we are in the process of building here in Kenya. It will house our young Sisters studying Theology and they come from various parts of Africa including Nigeria, Cameroon, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia…etc. Studies play a big part in our formation and these Sisters will most likely be posted back to their countries to serve in their local Church. Consequently this house of formation will help build the Kingdom of God not only in Kenya but far beyond.

Apart from some African handicrafts and jewellery on sale (and these went like hot cakes), the main product on sale for the fund raising was a CD comprising of songs written and performed by moi. Called “Unconditional,” it was produced in Kenya just before I departed for Singapore. My dedicated fund raising team (you guys rock!) and I spent five weekends at five parishes and the response was just amazing! The parishes in the East were especially generous. We sold close to 4000 CDs and raised a very substantial amount. My Sisters in Kenya and I truly appreciate the kind and generous response of all who contributed towards the building fund.

I never ever thought I’d have a CD of my own – I am certainly no Celine Dion and definitely no Lady Gaga! – but I was pleasantly surprised and delighted to receive some positive feedback on my voice and the songs. Some said they were touched by the lyrics and I was glad to hear that my reflections on faith, hope and love resonated with them. There were also some “rock star” moments when people queued to have me sign their copy of the CD (LOL!) and here’s also a blog post about the CD by an “FSP”. Thanks to all who supported this project and who bought the CD!

Thanks too to all my friends who took time and effort to meet up with me, spoiling me rotten with all the delicious makan sessions, shows and gifts. Your friendship is the best gift I could have and I love you all!

BACK TO MISSION LAND

I returned to Kenya in mid March and found myself alone in the Audiovisual Sector as my companion, Sr Maria, is now the new delegate Superior of Mozambique/South Africa. Our one and only lay collaborator is also on a 3-month maternity leave. Thank goodness I have a few novices who come for about 3 hours each day to help out in the apostolate. The DVD I wrote about in my last post is finally out and here’s a teaser clip of it:

The current project I’m working on is the Swahili dubbed version of “It’s Up To You – Prevention of Risky Behaviour in Teens,” a DVD produced by Arche, an NGO based in Milan but with an office in Kenya. In 3 short stories, it tackles the issues of alcoholism, sexual abuse and teenage relationships. We are the exclusive distributors of this DVD which will soon be released.

All work and no play makes us Sisters also burn out fast so on Easter Monday, a bunch of us made a day trip to 14 Falls – a mini Niagara just outside of Nairobi. (More pics here.)

THE LORD GIVETH, THE LORD TAKETH. BLESSED BE THE LORD

The joy of the Easter season was somehow dampened for me last May 23 when a dear friend who was like an elder sister finally succumbed to her illness of ovarian cancer. Sr Sylvia George, FSP (2 Sept 1961 – 23 May 2011) was from Sabah, Malaysia and we had an immediate connection when I entered the convent back in 1993. As I am a Peranakan, I felt immediately at home with her as we would sometimes speak Malay. I fondly called her Kak Syl (sometimes Kak Epin, her nickname), Kak being “elder sis” in Malay. She was preparing for her final vows and I had just entered as an aspirant. I remember playing badminton with her (we were actually both tennis fans) and she was always ready with her laugh. Yet she commanded respect and admiration as she exuded a serene and mature disposition that said - here’s someone who took her consecrated life very seriously. Although they were not frequent, we shared precious moments exchanging thoughts on life, especially the religious life. She was a wonderful source of encouragement and a model religious but because she was always so slim, I’d tease her and tell her that she’s my model in terms of a figure and she’d laugh out loud her contagious laugh. She always loved soup and for a short period when we were in the same formation community, she’d request I make some soup whenever I was in the kitchen!

I remember her coming to sit by my bed as I was recovering from an illness (I had quite a few while in the Philippines!) and I sulkily chided her for not coming earlier! I can’t remember what she said – probably something like “better late than never” – but I really felt consoled and comforted by her presence. Over the years, as we lived in different countries, we did not have the chance to see each other much but she was always in my heart and we kept in touch. She was also on the mailing list for my blog updates. When she got onto Facebook, we communicated more frequently, especially last year when she was placed in isolation during her illness. She’d send me messages about my blog, photos I’d post on FB and also shared with me about her illness and why she wanted some privacy. Here are some snippets of her messages to me (and a few of mine to her):

WO: Hi Ka Epin! Actually I'm already home and will be leaving to go back to Nairobi on June 21. I thought you're still in Rome. When are you returning to KL? I do have some friends and relatives there so I may make a trip to KL see them but not sure at the moment... Will keep you posted if I do and hope you'll be back by then! …….
SG:Really? Ok keep in touch [am still among the Romans] hope to see u soon!


SG:why am still alive....at this hour...i slept at 7.30pm due to fever...and got up a while ago to pack up my things....and check my email and true enough **** sent me a msg...he he....am leaving for BKK tomorrow for echoing "continental encounter"///pray i'll be ok for tomorrow's travel
SG: ha ha double msg...both private and public...ada delirium maybe...gd morning
WO: all the best there! enjoy the yummy food - tom yam soup you will like I think... Regards to the sisters there. Get better soon! XX

SG: oh my god wen...your fashion-xmas show...see through oh.. huhhhhhuuhh
WO: Hi Kak Syl, LOL! Sorry to scandalize you! That's my ethnic costume. Tried first with an inner sando but all of them were in white so it didn't work so decided to leave and dress as any typical bibi does - that is the nyonya. ……. and this explains what the nyonya kebaya is -http://www.kebayas.com/

SG: ya back to green...ordinary in extraordinary lah! how are you?
Happy BAPTISM OF THE LORD!
Pray for Malaysia...hayayyy as usual Govt not allowing the xtians to use the word ALLAH!
 

SG: HI ITS ME again.... ***** is in nairobi still ka? she is a golden jubilarian, this June right? wonder if she's coming home to celebrate it with her co-novices!

SG: Hi Wen! Thanks for your unceasing prayer. Feeling strong due to the prayers of the Congregation. Sometimes feeling boring...always in my room...rest-sleep only lah....
I got your email re: ********* but then saya jatuh sakit so cant do anything yet....
WO: Hi Kak Syl, Sorry haven't been online much becoz of power failures and been busy with our media festival which just concluded. No worries about the ******** So what exactly is your sakit? ***** told me to pray for you as you were undergoing a hysterectomy. Then I got news from ***** that you had cancer 4th stage! Later they said it was cancer of the uterus. Then I heard that you had been unwell and weak since early this year. Anyway I'm glad that you are recovering and you're responding well to the chemo. Pls email me more details if you're up to it, esp since you're bored! Lots of love, and still praying for you
SG: Its ok Wen ... am proud of you doing much good for our community in Nairobi. More power to you...there is so much to be done by the Daughters of St. Paul in the world today! Am happy that *** emailed you the *****
My sakit, its ovarian cancer, some bad cells went to my right lungs, but it seems its ok now...maybe healing is taking place. At first, the doctors could not determine where the mass was..till the day of operation that they believe its in the ovary...strange coz no pain at all, and thats the problem! I've gone through a series of ultra sound-CT Scan, X-ray, several lab tests...name it...i've experienced all, but amazingly I did not experience pain at all...I have submitted myself to all the requirements of the Docs with much serenity and this is a great blessing/grace God has given me...reason, I dont know!
Well, I hope ****** will not spread abt my stage. I told ***** just to tell the srs that am undergoing this treatment without further-detailed info for the sisters...I dont want it to be a burden, and I dont want them to think this and that about me, coz I dont think it helps psychologically.... Not that am not grateful for their concern and prayers but at this time I also need "privacy of spirit"...
Ya end of the year, I felt I was not feeling good but Docs could not find out whats wrong with me. I had LBM and thought due to food...then the doc said, due to acute gastric, had medication for one month and still not healing, then referred me for ultra sound then found the tumor but cannot be determined, where, either in the intestines, ovary, lung...strange!
Thanks for praying for me still...miracles do happen...if He wills...and I believe so....your prayers always make me strong and I thank God am collaborating with His grace, quite well...think so...he he he..smile for me always!

WO: Hullo Kak Syl? How are you? I heard you are not allowed visitors? Was planning to fly over to pay you a visit this coming weekend but maybe now I should not book my air ticket na!
But seriously, hope you're responding well to the chemo or whatever treatment they are giving to you. Thanks for sharing the details of your illness - I just realised I have not replied to this but just managed to send you a card c/o **** Hope you got it.
I know cancer patients have their good days and their bad days. I pray you will have more good days than bad ones. I passed ****** a DVD some time ago of a movie based on a true story of a breast cancer patient. It was for ****. Not sure if she still has it but will ask her to pass to you through ***** if it's still with her. It might provide some consolation.
While you are having this "grace-filled" time alone with the Lord - parang extended retreat! - please offer your suffering for two intentions of mine: *********
Finally I would like to share with you a beautiful quote from one of my heroes - Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati in a letter repyling to his sister when he was ill with TB -
"You ask me whether I am in good spirits. How could I not be, so long as my trust in God gives me strength. We must always be cheerful. Sadness should be banished from all Christian souls. For suffering is a far different thing from sadness, which is the worst disease of all. It is almost always caused by lack of Faith. But the purpose for which we have been created shows us the path along which we should go, perhaps strewn with many thorns, but not a sad path. Even in the midst of intense suffering it is one of joy."
So my prayer for you my dear Kak Syl is that amidst your 'suffering', you may be filled with abundant graces and not feel sad because the joy of Christ is deep within you. May you overcome this illness and be even stronger than before. I want to see you very much alive when I next visit Manila (or Malaysia) ok?!
Here's a familiar song to lift your spirits up.

WO: Hi Kak Syl, Thanks very much for your card and gift sent through ***** Truly appreciate the time and effort you took to write! Glad to know that you are responding well to the chemo and not feeling too bad after each session. It is heartening to also know that you are taking everything with much gratitude and faith. Keep the candle burning! Yes I am indeed ceaselessly praying for you. Please offer your sufferings for me too - for my daily conversion and also my midlife journey/challenges!
SG: Gd a.m Wen2 [Philippines time]
Thanks for your msg......just a small pasalubong ma....not much he he
Well, if I am responding well to chemo and taking everything with gratitude and faith...it is all because of your [all of you in the congregation] PRAYERS. The Lord has heard your prayers. I am forever grateful to God for all of you. I have 2 more sessions to go [5th and 6th] Remember me in your prayers okey? Regards to all...Imagine I didnt have the chance to see ******, coz am not allowed to expose myself due to my low immune system....I feel good actually but have to obey doctors also! he he
ps. how's your project [film? not sure what is it now he he] When you are back to Singapore [one day] can help also organizing seminar on media education in Malaysia....I mean we form regular Media Education [kind of a program]...am dreaming...he he


SG: Hi Wen2....tnx for the beautiful bday greetings and prayers. You are so wonderful. So, how's your apostolate there? am proud of you...hope oneday can do something on media animation in Msia!!!!
Take care...bila cuti2 Singapore?


SG: Hi Wen....HAPPY BIRTHDAY with MUCH PRAYERS!
There must be a big celebration of LIFE, right?
Know that you are in my thoughts and prayers TODAY!
Kak Epin [he he he]
Ps. Thanks for your prayers for me all these while!

SG: Hi Wen....I believe you sent me msg last time...have to scroll down to see he he he
But this is just to let u know, I really enjoy the presence of **** and also **** in a community even for a short while....we just sent them off while ago... praying that they will have safe journey ....Wen, I am interested re: seminar on human dev & sexuality....can share handouts ka? pls lah!
Thanks for your prayers all these while....am on my feet now!


SG: Am happy that you had a wonderful time with your mom....thought kau ikut balik Singapore! he he he...i saw some pix via news feed he he Happy Triduum for Alberione's anni this Nov 26.

WO: Happy feast of Alberione Kak Syl! So are you really walking and fully alive already? Because I thought I saw some pics of you and I said, wow, real miracle! So happy! You can check out some more photos of my mum's visit I've posted. Meanwhile, stay healthy!
SG:Happy Feastday 2 u 2....we celebrated it today @ SSP Makati. But I didn't go he he he..takut kalau ramai orang...
Ha ha, am fine by the grace of God. Yes, it is a miracle for me!! Life is in God's hand! Yes, death is certain but the day, hour, etc is only known to God. This wed I will have my Blood Test after 3 months [after chemo] Hope all is fine. I surrender everything to HIM.
Maybe one day I will share what really happened....my experience and all that.....Before, I didn't even know that some sisters were already crying and of course known well to PG...even the infirmarian...even the doctors are so sorry to tell them the bad news.......and those moments I didnt even think negative about it, and I cant even remember if I have surrendered everything to Him, I was just taking it calmly, and thats all....but when I was discharged there were moments that many things that would enter my mind and enough to make me tremble...and that was fighting bet life and death....weLL ...HE KNOWS BETTER.
Ok need to tidur oledi....its 11pm...just finish reading some materials for tomorrow's meeting.
Ps. ***** asked me to pray for Sr. Ursula who had recurrence...I guess she should be fine...she only needs to stay positive and do something to divert attention. [coz I was told that she always stay in her room]

Besides pouring over our exchange of messages, I also spent my mourning over Kak Syl’s passing by viewing the video of my first profession in which she was the commentator – just to hear her voice and see her “alive” and in a way to celebrate a “final” mass together… I decided to upload those portions where she appears for those who also mourn her passing and who may also appreciate these glimpses of Syl. (Some of you may also recognise your younger selves!) Here we were back in 1997! (please excuse the video quality):



Kak Syl was not the only friend I lost this year. In February, another dear friend in the convent, Sr Ursula Marti, FSP, also succumbed to ovarian cancer. She was from India and we met in Rome during the course of preparation for final vows. As we shared many common interests, we fast became good friends. I last spoke with her at Christmas last year and her usual cheery voice was no longer cheery. I prayed intensely for a miracle but as with Kak Syl, God had other plans for her. Both of them had relapses.  Only the good die young? I guess it’s true. They were both wonderfully good and must have been ready to meet the Lord. I thank God for gracing my life with their presence and I thank them for the gift of their friendship. It is such a heartbreak to lose them and I miss them both. I can only rest in the hope of a sweet reunion with them some day in heaven.

Well, heaven is where I hope I’ll eventually be heading too. Perhaps as part of the preparation, for some months now, I have been contributing a short reflection on the Sunday mass reading through Buona Domenica, an initiative of Sr Jocelyn in Singapore. The contributors are all Daughters of St Paul from Singapore – Sr Karen in the Philippines, Sr Lynette in Taiwan, Sr Jocelyn in Singapore and myself in Kenya. We take a Sunday each. If you'd like to subscribe to this weekly reflection, write to BuonaDomenica_eng@yahoo.com.sg Check this Sunday's reflection here.

And I guess it's time for me to check out too! Thanks for reading. I hope it made up for my silence for the past months. Please stay healthy and may the rest of the year be filled with more lights than shadows for all.

Blessings,
Wendy

Blessed Christmas!

23 Dec 2010

This is my last post for the year (where have all the mo-onths gone??) and I’ll try my best to be brief because I know many of you are in the midst of the hustle and bustle of Christmas preps. So here’s a quick run down of what’s been happening this side of the globe since I last posted:

Towards the end of Oct and into early Nov, I participated in a wonderful 2-week seminar/retreat on Human Development and Sexuality. This program was initiated by the late Fr. James Gill, SJ, who founded the Christian Institute for the Study of Human Sexuality as well as the Human Development magazine. Through the lectures, group sharing, film viewing, assignments (including writing one's sexual autobiography) and a series of sessions simply called TAS – Talk about Sex (I was pretty stunned and amused too when I discovered what the acronym stood for!), I have deepened my appreciation for the gift of sexuality and celibacy. Certainly, from a pastoral perspective, I am much more comfortable discussing about all things related to this wondrous gift of God, a gift, however, sadly misused and abused, even within the Church. All in all, the program was beneficial not only in helping the integration of one’s sexuality but correspondingly, to be able to help others towards that integration, respecting at all times the boundaries and dignity of each person. Here’s a group photo of the participants of the program:

What followed the seminar was one of the highlights of the year - the visit of my mother, Agnes, and Violet, a friend from Singapore, in November! Since I was not due for home leave this year (we are allowed to return home once every two years), I took my “local” vacation during my mum’s visit. After a week catching the sights and sounds in Nairobi, we embarked on a safari adventure covering the national parks of Amboseli (with the majestic Mt Kilimanjaro), Sweet Waters, Nakuru and Masai Mara. I took over 2000 photos plus hundreds of video clips and am still in the process of selecting and compiling them onto a DVD. But here are some highlights of our vacation which I’ve uploaded on Facebook -
Nairobi 
Amboseli, Sweet Waters 
Nakuru, Masai Mara

Just after Violet and Mum left, to coincide with the feast day of our founder, Blessed James Alberione, we had the ground breaking (Nov 26) and fund raising (Nov 27) ceremony of our new house of formation in Langata (about 25km away from our convent in Nairobi). Here are some pics of the event. Many thanks to those who have donated to this project. If anyone would still like to contribute a donation, you may do so here stating Gabriella House project.

Apostolic wise, the series of scripture music videos is finally completed. It’s simply called Parables Alive! The DVD will be released next year and I will post a teaser clip in my next post but here’s what the cover looks like:

Still on the topic of apostolate, I spent the whole of last week staying at the Marist International Centre where I was invited to conduct a media workshop/seminar for their young Brothers in formation. Together with their formators, the participants totaled over a hundred Brothers! The seminar was on Media Awareness and Literacy, Media Spirituality and Developments in New Media. I was grateful to share with them the basics of these topics and pray they will put to practice all that they have learned.


Some of the Marist brothers who particiapted in the seminar

I myself am also continuing to learn and discover…
I have just started reading my first Cynthia Bourgeault book, The Wisdom Way of Knowing, and what I’ve read thus far is resonating deep within me. I look forward to completing it and reading her other books which are waiting for me on the book shelf. If any of you are familiar with her writings, I’d love to hear your opinion of her works.

An extra curricular activity that’s a great source of relaxation while also giving me much life is being a budding fan of 양미경 (Yang Mi Kyung) whom I’ve written about in my last post. For those who would like to be inducted into a Korean drama, here’s a recent TV movie she was in where her character also dabbles into an extra curricular activity with hilarious consequences. Here's the first 10 min of it:

It’s a comedy lasting only about 80 mins (in case you fear of being trapped to a long series!). I even wrote a review of it. And so did another of our sisters. In fact we have a mini Yang Mi Kyung nun fan club here of which I am the self proclaimed president! LOL! Here are the main members thus far:

The photo above was made into a Christmas card for YMK -  delivery made possible through the kindness of a very gracious friend in my YMK network! I’m most grateful for the new (and not so new!) friendships I am making through my YMK network.


So, it’s the end of the year. Time to take stock of the many blessings and graces God has showered upon us. As you run through your list, please allow me to share  mine - I’m grateful to be alive and in good health, serving in Kenya as an FSP, and as always, grateful for YOU, my friends and family, who continue to support me in my journey of faith and life. May your Christmas this year be one filled with abiding PEACE – in your hearts and in your family - as you incarnate Christ in your lives. And may the coming year be filled with God’s wondrous surprises!

Wishing each of you a truly blessed Christmas!

Love and prayers,
Wendy

In case some of you have yet to see this, a digital Christmas story:

Culture Shock! Culture Appreciation!

26 Sept 2010

For those not in the know, meet my new family!

Has it really been six months since I blogged? Thanks to those who emailed me expressing their concern about my well being since they hadn’t read any updates on Chilli and Lime and were a little worried about me. Well, rest assured I have been well and now I’ll try to capture the highlights of the past six months as succinctly as possible. (The above pic was taken during a mission trip - they really aren't my kids!)

In the month of June, I went up to Western Kenya – to Asumbi, Homa Bay and Kisumu, known also as Obama land as that’s the area where President Obama’s father was from. It was a breathtaking change of vistas from Nairobi as we travelled over 400 km passing altering landscapes from the wide expanse of the great Rift Valley through the dry arid plains and on to the verdant undulating hills of tea plantations, corn and millet fields in the area of Kisi. Most of the roads were relatively good until we got to Kisi, Asumbi and Homa Bay where the roads were  filled not with pot holes but rather craters! So much so that at times, it was better to drive at the side of the road rather than on it. (look out for them craters in the pics!)

Sr Annie (my companion) and I were on a mission trip at the invitation of the bishop of that area. We visited schools, institutions ad parishes with our media materials. It was wonderful to see the hunger for the Word of God and Life through our books and AV materials among the children as well as the adults we encountered.

Life on the road was tough at times, with different lodgings to adapt to as well as the great challenge to eat ugali (corn meal cooked to an extra hard paste over there) not once but twice a day! I also took all the necessary precautions against Malaria as the area is known to be a highly Malaria infected zone. Fortunately none of us succumbed to the mozzies’ virus although we had our fair share of bites. At one point in time both of us fell ill – Annie with a cold and myself with diarrhoea – certainly not something you’d appreciate having while on a mission trip but we overcame our woes. Hunting for a pharmacy in a very rural village like Asumbi though can be likened to a treasure hunt!

A major culture shock (apart from the ugali experience) that will stay with me forever is when we visited the blood sister of one of our Sisters and she introduced me to another woman in her home as her “co-wife”! She said it so nonchalantly and I had to beg her pardon and ask her to repeat what she said, which she did, without blinking an eye. “What on earth is a co-wife?” I asked myself and ignorant as I was, I had to ask out loud, “Um… co-wife? What do you mean?” Embarrassing myself but possibly not her, she explained to me that her husband has a second wife and that that lady was her. In fact they were building a smaller house just next to the one we were in for her “co-wife” to stay with her daughter and expectant baby! I was too dumb struck to say anything for a while after that. It turns out that their particular tribe in Kenya – the Luo tribe – still practise polygamy today! It’s a complex pastoral situation for the Catholic church as you can imagine. That both wives can live together still amazes me. Paul, the seminarian who was accompanying us is also a Luo but I was relieved when he later expressed his own disappointment that members of his tribe still practise polygamy. He said the message a polygamist would give to his first wife is that she is just not enough. I told him how glad I was that he was counter cultural to his own tradition and tribe in this aspect and that perhaps later when he becomes a priest, he could further enlighten the Luo men and empower the women as well.

On the way to Homa Bay from Asumbi, we stopped at  Paul’s house which is a typical African mud hut where we were treated to roasted maize freshly harvested. In fact I helped his niece  harvest the corn from their “shamba” (farm). Straight from the cornfield, we gathered firewood from branches and soon the maize were being roasted in another mud hut which was their kitchen. It was one of the most delicious snacks I had during that mission.

When we reached Homa Bay I finally set my eyes on the famous Lake Victoria, the largest lake in Africa and the largest tropical lake in the world. (see pics below)  In Kisumiu, Sr Annie and I had an afternoon of R&R (well actually it was only a couple of hours) and visited the Impala Park where we walked amidst the impalas which was one of the coolest experiences for me because I absolutely love them. We also saw some other wild animals but these were behind fences. After the park, we drove to the shores of Lake Victoria at sunset and to my amazement we came across a car wash centre! The water is free so people go the shores of the lake to wash their cars, bikes etc!!!

Here are some of the pics taken during our mission trip. I had a fascination with the women of this area using their heads to carry almost anything so look out for them in the pics. Apparently they can carry up to 70% of their body weight. In other parts of Kenya, the women use their backs to carry things, usually holding the load with a strap across their foreheads.

The mission trip was a refreshing change from my usual apostolate in the Audiovisuals sector as much as I enjoy doing what I do. So far we have finished the Swahili dubbing of The Choice, the Sacrament of Holy Orders and I finally figured how to create a menu on DVD Studio Pro with the option for different languages so this particular DVD has now the choice of audio tracks of French, English and Swahili.  The major project I have been working on - a compilation of seven scripture music videos - is almost complete. The songs for the videos reflect a variety of genres including hip-hop, raggae and bossa nova.  I’m currently working on the final parable which will be the only animated music video. Prayers are much appreciated as this is the first time I’m attempting an animation project and am still familiarizing myself with the software, Anime Studio Pro.

Apart from periodical classes with the novices on our Pauline Charism, since the start of August I also began teaching a small group of aspirants who are with us for their 3-month Come and See program. My classes with them are on Vocation in the Bible. I always end up learning more when I’ve been assigned to teach so although I took on this task with a little bit of reluctance (due to the added work load), I realise now that it’s also helping me deepen my own understanding of my vocation in many ways.

Speaking of vocations, our African delegation (which includes Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Southern Sudan and Nigeria) was blessed this year with the Perpetual profession of two sisters (Kenya and Nigeria) and the First Profession of five sisters (3 from Nigeria, 1 from Uganda and 1 from Kenya). So we have been quite busy with celebrations.

Our tiny Singaporean gang here also had our share of celebrations – with a popiah party with home made popiah skins! (see below) as well as a national day cum farewell to the Lims at the Blancs. I even made pisang pengkat (a dessert of sweet bananas cooked in coconut milk with sago) which fortunately turned out pretty yummy. (see pics by clicking - Popiah Party and National Day )

Thanks to my Singaporean friends here, I get to indulge once in a while in some great Singaporean dishes. At the popiah party Linda also made rempah udang – inspired by the TV series Little Nyonya! And it’s also thanks to that series (and Linda who lent it to me) that brought me back to a deeper appreciation of my roots as a Peranakan! It was the first in long while since I actually sat down and watched a drama series but I loved it as it reminded me of my grandmother and aunts whose lives were practically lived in the kitchen. It also brought to mind the virtue of filial piety, an Asian heritage that should be treasured and nurtured. 

Scene from Little Nyonya

When I completed the series, Linda insisted I watch another – this time a Korean series. I was not terribly keen but she said it was ten times better than Little Nonya so I gave it a shot – reluctantly. Boy am I glad I did! After the second episode I was totally hooked. Having completed all 70(!) episodes, I would say it’s a masterpiece! To adapt a quote from The Times about Lord of the Rings, the world is divided between those who have watched Dae Jang Geum (aka Jewel in the Palace) and those who will watch it!

DJG is such a beautiful story that apart from the cast and director who have garnered critical acclaim, I would like to credit the writer Kim Yong Hyun above all for weaving her intricate plots to make the entire period drama (15th century Korea) so exciting yet heart wrenching but above all so inspiring while keeping it totally wholesome and entertaining. Accompanied by an amazing and haunting sound track, this wonderful work of art explores the themes of moral integrity, heroism, sacrifice, perseverance, diligence, indomitable willpower, feminism, friendship, loyalty… and it does not stop there but I will. And I won’t attempt a synopsis of any kind as I myself plunged into the series without having a clue to the story line and I believe that’s one of the best ways to watch it so the element of surprise is always there.

 

Initially when I mentioned about the series to my Sisters in the community, no one was interested especially when it meant reading subtitles throughout the entire series. But after raving so much about it, they decided to have a look at it too and now the whole community is hit with DJG fever! In fact on Saturday nights, there are two groups simultaneously watching it – the Junior Sisters (who are students and can’t watch it on school days due to assignments and papers) and the rest of the Sisters (plus our visiting priests) who catch a couple of episodes on weekdays too. Check them out checking out DJG:

I highly recommend Dae Jang Geum if you have not seen it yet. It has and is still taking the world by storm. Last I heard, New Zealand TV bought the broadcast rights to air it and even Hungarians are fans of it! It has truly become a classic Korean export. If my words do not persuade you enough, here are a couple of reviews (but be warned they contain spoilers) : http://alturl.com/p932q / http://alturl.com/zn5wk one of which compares the characters of the series with the heroes of Victor Hugo’s novels.  Best of all you can even watch the entire series online on Youtube. (each episode is in 5 parts)

Mdm Han with little Jang Geum (left) and adult Jang Geum (right)

One of the inevitable consequences of watching this remarkable epic is that you will likely be drawn to some of the characters. Apart from the protagonist Jang Geum, who especially as a child and later as an adult is simply alluring, another character I grew to love was her mentor, Madam Han, played so elegantly by Yang Mi Kyung. Behind her seemingly serious and at times stern front is a kind and wounded soul who trains Jang Geum by example on the fundamental values of not just her duty but of life.

I have since become a fan of Yang Mi Kyung who to my delight happens also to be a Catholic and hangs out with nuns and priests in their charitable and social efforts.

Well as a fan I would of course like to watch her other projects as well as the other works of the same writer as DJG! So that’s it! I’m now a total Korean drama convert and all things Korean, which should please some of my Korean Sister friends. They in fact had already started me on my inculturation some years ago when we met in Japan for a meeting. Here’s me in a Hanbok, the traditional Korean costume!

 But for the record I also tried the kimono!

On that oriental note,  may I conclude and pray that we continue to open all our senses to the myriad of cultures around us, be shocked and scandalized by some, be delightfully surprised by others and perhaps truly appreciate and embrace those that touch us. After all, we're called to be "all to all" (cf 1 Cor 9:22). Wishing each of you a very pleasant final quarter of 2010 with all the blessings and graces you need from our good Lord who remains as steadfast and faithful as ever in His abundant love.

Blessings,

Wendy