St Kizito musings

We have been very busy since we got here, so this is the first chance that we have had to post a blog. St. Kizito is a beautiful community where many come from the Bwaise slum to get not only spiritual fulfillment, but also an education and counseling. They also learn more about how to create a savings account, although they make very little money.

On the first day, we got to meet many, many people from the 10 subparishes located throughout Bwaise. They were full of gratitude and thanksgiving which was amazing to encounter. They all have worship space, but it is not the worship space that we are accustomed to. It may be a gathering space with walls, but often without walls. It reminds me that wherever people are gathered, God is present.

Yesterday, we toured the Bwaise slum. Even though they have gotten relatively little rain, we walked through a bunch of water. People live in spots where water pours in over their head as they are sleeping, carrying garbage, sewage, and much more. It is difficult to describe in words. Many children followed us wanting their picture to be taken and yelling " muzzanga" which means "white person" in Lugandan.

Today, we got to meet with many people with disabilities, and parents witnessed the struggles that their children have suffered, such as cerebral malaria, etc. They have faith that many people do not know, but we are here to tell that their faith is amazing. I was amazed to have the opportunity to talk to a young teacher who was interested in learning more about how to get special education services started. Although some riots have broken out, we are safe here in the parish.


Exhausting, but life-changing! After 17 hours in the air, Father Gerald picked us up at 8:00am and delivered us back to the hotel 16 hours later at midnight. In between we got to know the people and programs of St. Kizito, their school and all 10 of their sub-parishes. Almost like a cluster in the AOD, St. Kizito is basically a "master parish" to 10 smaller sub-parishes. They have their own lay leadership and program, but depend on St. Kizito for pastoral support.