Come And See For Yourself.

 COME AND SEE: SESSION IN BUTARE COMMUNITY

 Dear friends, greetings from Butare in Rwanda. From 25^th to 28^th July 2022, we 8 young ladies arrived at the community of  the Missionary Sisters of our Lady of Africa in Butare  for a three days session.  Our desire was to know this congregation more, its charism and to know what is a vocation for a better discernment.

We were touched by the warm welcome offered by the sisters and the candidates learning English in the community. We were also touched to see people from different countries and tribes living together as sisters. We felt at home and trusted the sisters.

The theme of our session was -Who are we Missionary Sisters of our Lady of Africa? This helped us to know who the Missionary Sisters of our Lady of Africa are. They were founded by Cardinal Charles Lavigerie.  They are religious missionaries, rooted in Christ through the life of prayer. Their charism is to proclaim the Good News of Christ to all people especially those most in need. This is done through different activities. Like here in Butare, they are working with women and young people who struggle with their daily life. They are also called to be all to all and work with all people especially the Muslims.  They are called to be apostles nothing than that. These were some of the points from their charism which touched our hearts.

We were also happy to hear the witness of sister Elyse from Cyangungu which encouraged us on our searching of God’s will in our lives. She shared with us her joys of being a missionary and her challenges. She invited us to trust God and the sisters journeying with us.

The last day, we were sent out two by two.  Some of us were afraid but as Jeremiah, we felt assured bythe Word of God, ’do not be afraid’ I am with you.  On our return we were happy as the disciples were on returning from their mission. We were also strengthened by the faith and courage of the first missionary sisters as well as the apostles who were sent on mission. The witness of sister Elyse gave us light and courage. Some announced the good news through sharing in the life of none Christian families. We prayed and read the gospel of Christ together.  We helped people on the way who did not have help, and we took time to chat with an old man who shared with us his love story.  This confirmed to us the importance of being all to all, an apostle, and working with different people from different religions; and as missionaries, we are the ones to go and find people where they are.  The people felt that all was possible because of God’s presence to us and that He was with us. He enabled us to trust people we met on the way and welcomed their trust.  

It is our turn to be missionaries and to share with those who did not get this opportunity to come for the session. May the light of God continue to remain with us so that we maybe the light of the world.  

Aspirantss from Butare Diocese.