In November, Sister Gayle Lwanga Crumbley, along with Sr. Barbara Beasley, journeyed to Kenya, where they accompanied, taught, and learned alongside Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd sisters, novices, and pre-novices. Through encounters with contemplative communities, ministry sites, and young women in formation, Sr. Gayle reflects on hospitality, faith, cultural exchange, and the shared spirit that unites the congregation across continents. The experiences she describes reveal both the vitality of Good Shepherd ministries in Kenya and the mutual transformation that unfolds when sisters from different parts of the world walk together in mission.
In the early morning hours, we were greeted at the airport in Kenya by Sr. Martha Thuranira, the ECAP formator who invited us to Kenya. Our luggage, however, did not make the transfer from Amsterdam to Nairobi. When we arrived at our home base at the contemplative sisters’ residence in the Ngong Hills, Sr. Martha ensured we had night clothes, lent us dresses and even arranged for our travel clothes to be washed and dried. Her hospitality was thoughtful, generous, and deeply comforting.
After we were given time to recover from jet lag, the contemplative sisters welcomed us with the first of many cake ceremonies we would experience throughout Kenya. This festive tradition honors international visitors. The cake is cut by the guests into uneven pieces and shared with everyone present, accompanied by singing and dancing. It was a joyful and heartfelt welcome.
The contemplative community included two young, professed sisters, three final professed sisters who served as formators and mentors, and the three young women who were part of our class: Jane Rose, a pre-novice; Sr. Victoria, a first-year novice; and Sr. Scholastica, a second-year novice. Community meals were lively and rich, filled with laughter, friendly banter, and deep theological discussions.
The convent itself sat atop a very steep hill, and nearly every day we walked up and down for Mass and classes, sometimes three times a day. Ngong, where we lived is nearly 8,000 feet above sea level; the elevation was a significant adjustment for those of us accustomed to living below 500 feet. it was a physical challenge, so my huffing and puffing was understandable.
Sr. Barbara and I spent two weeks co-learning with 17 novices and pre-novices on topics of St. John Eudes and St. Mary Euphrasia, Good Shepherd spirituality and the core values of mercy, reconciliation, Individual worth, and zeal. We also explored leadership and how it is embodied by sisters of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd.
Initially, the sisters were shy and spoke very softly. From our U.S. perspective, we were surprised by their reserved responses. Over time, we came to understand their strong sense of community consciousness, the instinct to wait for one another rather than speak independently. Their reflections, however, were profound, thoughtful, and beautifully articulated. As the weeks progressed, they grew more confident and shared more freely.
Most of the women in initial formation with whom we interacted, had completed university or advanced studies. When our American accents confounded them, or our remarks were unclear, one of their formators graciously provided interpretation in Kiswahili, and understanding quickly followed.
We spent a week of our time taking the grand tour of Good Shepherd ministries across Kenya. Sr. Martha arranged for us to travel with Sr. Pascaline, a temporary professed sister preparing for her international experience in Egypt (which had been delayed due to the COVID pandemic). The best way to describe Sr. Pascaline is “pure joy.” Everywhere we visited, she would survey the vegetable gardens and enthusiastically gather vegetables for communities that lacked them, filling an ever-growing sack she kept in the back of the vehicle. We teased her that there would be no room left for our luggage.
One particularly moving visit was to Our Lady of Grace School in Marimba, established for orphaned girls, though a few boys were also present during our visit. Sr. Margaret, our first Kenyan Good Shepherd sister and local leader, is redefining the ministry to meet new government regulations. She is also building a computer room, as access to technology is essential for the children to remain competitive in education and employment. Yet she had no idea where the computers would come from. One prayer I ask of you is to pray that Sr. Margaret receives the funding needed for computers, solar power, and internet access for the students at Our Lady of Grace.
Because the children were on holiday, about 15 remained on campus without foster families to go home to. The house mother allowed them space to play and simply be children. They invited us to evening prayer, which they led themselves. Afterward, they shared their names and ages with us. They were bright, eager children, many carrying the weight of trauma from physical abuse. The sisters later told us the thoughtful questions the children asked about us after we left. The community also sponsors six former residents who are now attending university.
Another ministry that ignited my zeal was a residence in Mombasa for children who had experienced severe abuse. To reach it, we crossed the bay by ferry. Like other ministries, this program was also being redefined to comply with new government regulations, something we in the United States understand well. During this visit, we also met eight pre-novices living in the Mombasa convent, preparing for a year of community life and parish ministry.
On American Thanksgiving Day, we treated the sisters to Kentucky Fried Chicken at a nearby mall, an entirely new experience for some. Watching their delight as they encountered an escalator for the first time was unforgettable, especially after they saw me ride it; they eagerly followed. After KFC, we visited the Kamarock community and a nearby Marian shrine, places many of the young sisters had never seen.
The faith of the Kenyan people is alive and vibrant. Each day brought a different Sister who cantored at the Mass, leading the responses sung in rich, six-part harmony. I thank God for the women called to religious life in our congregation who so generously say “yes” to serving others. They taught me as much as I taught them. Everywhere we traveled, we carried prayer intentions back to our beloved contemplative community.
Sr. Gayle says, “It is impossible to capture every detail of my first visit to Mother Africa, the home of my ancestors. Before I sat down to write my reflections on my time in Kenya, I reread the thank-you notes by the novices and pre-novices with whom Sr. Barbara and I spent most of our time. Many of the notes opened with some form of St. Mary Euphrasia’s words, “Gratitude is the memory of the heart.” Reading them again reminded me how deeply connected these young women are to our founder and foundress, and how gratitude truly shaped our shared experience.”
To see pictures and hear the music from our trip, watch this video: Walking Together in Gratitude.
