By Sister Rosalie Mujar OSB

Sister Marissa Piramide OSB and Sister Rosalie Mujar OSB, both Missionary Benedictine Sisters of Tutzing, write from different parts of Tanzania and from different perspectives about their experience of trying to adjust to a very different culture.

The former Head-mistress of Sisters’ Secondary Bellarmine Bernas OSB, went back to the Philippines in 1998 and I have been in the post from January 1999 up to the present. This is my last year so I’m trying to put everything in order before I leave in December. After nine consecutive years on the missions, three in Kalumburu, Western Australia and six here in Africa, I feel the need to go back again to the Philippines to refill myself spirituality, physically and professionally if I am to help on the school again.

My nine years were never wasted. I consider them to have been very enriching and faithful. Enriching, because I’ve learned much from the people’s culture to help me understand them better; fruitful, because I’ve been a part of our African Sisters. They will be future agents of change in the different communities or parishes where they will be assigned after finishing their secondary course. Six groups have graduated since1998 and every time I can’t help but feel so proud of the young Sisters. They have struggled all the way in their studies to equip themselves with the knowledge and values that they will need in their future mission work. I congratulate them for their hard earned certificates that indicate their desire to serve and contribute to the Church and their beloved country, but most of all to be better workers of Christ in his vineyard.

As a missionary here in Africa, life can be tough but as the saying goes, ‘Love begets love.’ If you show people love and concern, they will reciprocate with love in their own many, simple ways.