Provincial's Visit to Manila
By Abel Ogonah, SJ
As the Kiswahili saying goes, “Mgeni njoo, mwenyeji apone”. And here in the Philippines, we say: “May biyaya ang bawat panauhin; ang inyong pagdating ay nagdadala ng saya at pagpapala sa aming tahanan” (“Every visitor brings a blessing; your coming brings joy and blessings to our home”).
Indeed, this is how we felt when Fr. Kizito Kiyimba, SJ, the AOR Provincial, visited us in Manila from 7–11 August. He not only graced the first week of the academic year at Loyola School of Theology (LST) but also seemed to arrive with his own weather package: favourable weather, generously seasoned with plenty of rain!
During his visit, he had ample time to interact with the Arrupe International Residence community, enjoy an atetê-atetê with the JCAP President, engage in a round-table brainstorming session with the LST administration, catch up with the Philippine Jesuit Provincial, and socialise with the EAPI community, who took him on a jalan-jalan around the city.
His presence brought not only joy and fraternity but also gave us here in Manila a little taste of the warmth, friendliness, and unmistakable spirit of East African hospitality. Thanks to his visit, our breakfast shelf is now enriched with authentic Kenyan Arabica coffee! I can finally retire from answering the perennial question: “Do you actually drink coffee in Kenya?”
For all these, and for the rain included, we bless the Lord!
Maraming Salamat Po!
