JRS Adjumani

It reminds me of the Farewell Speech of St. Paul to the Leaders of Ephesus: “You know how I spent the whole time I was with you, from the first day I arrived……I did my all work as the Lord’s servant …and now, in obedience to the Holy Spirit I am going…..be shepherds of the church of God….And now I commend you to the care of God and to the message of his grace… I have shown you in all things that by working hard in this way we must help the weak…”With these sentiments of St. Paul, I am humbled to conclude my pastoral accompaniment of our refugee brothers and sisters in the Adjumani settlements.

More than I cared for them, they loved me more and more. The phone calls I received late in the evening from them especially from the youth and elders, as I pass a whispering from someone, “Fr., will I be able to go with you to your country”, one youth leader who was in Juba, South Sudan travelling back to Adjumani to bid me farewell, the compliments shared with tears on our final workshop with the catechists, the regular prayers of the elderly mamas at the prayers of the faithful during Mass, “Almighty God, thank you for Fr. Lasantha your gift to us as he goes back also bring him back as soon and wishes of the youth, “Fr., we shall meet in South Sudan…When we have gone back…come to see us there” show their great love for me. I am ever grateful. My final prayer for them is “Each time I think of you, I will pray for each one of you with tears. I plead for you before God every day.”

On last Saturday, distributed wheelchairs for five people; an old gentleman, a young mother who became paralyzed after childbirth, a young boy who was born with acute physical disabilities and a young woman who is with cerebral palsy. Then auxiliary crutches for a little boy born with one short leg who walks with a stick.  We also provided food items and non-food items including mama kit & baby cushion for a very young girl (16 years) abused by unknown person who just delivered her baby. All these most-needy persons among the poorest were chosen respectively by six communities in community consultations. (They are practicing the Jesuit Principle – caring for the neediest persons… and Pope Francis’ plea for – synodality). I am very grateful to Fr. Christian Braunigger, SJ from Germany who visited us last year and was touched by the pastoral works among the refugee communities. Christian connected us with Jesuit Mission for these funds. Thank you… Christian!

There were so many farewells in schools, chapel communities and JRS Office. The senior students under the scholarship expressed their gratitude with dances, reciting poems and singing songs. The elders expressed through long speeches. All episodes ended in crying. I also cried.

I end my final news item from JRS Adjumani….

TO JRS with LOVE

As I go back on my memory lane, 39 years ago in Bangaluru, India I was enjoying my first days of Jesuit life; Novitiate life. I was very much inspired by the life, struggles and mission of Fr. Pedro Arrupe. One Christmas, Fr. Robert Coutinoh, SJ addressed us novices on the mission of JRS and repeatedly mentioned the name of Fr. Arrupe. I was fascinated with Fr. Arrupe, even my novice companions used to call me “Arrupe”. On my farewell day at the novitiate, our juniors presented a souvenir – a drawing of the picture of Fr. Arrupe. I never ever dreamt that one day I will serve JRS with great love for Fr. Arrupe.

I joined JRS in mid-April 2019. JRS has gifted me with three (3) great favours through my engagements as the pastoral coordinator in Kakuma refugee camp with the collaboration with Salesian Fathers, then as the Project Director in JRS Kakuma and lastly as the pastoral coordinator directly pastorally accompanying the refugee communities entrusted to JRS Adjumani through a unique MoU by the Diocese of Arua.

JRS connected me in flesh and blood to our refugee brothers and sisters. Yes, in Sri Lanka I had direct contact with our own war victims as internally displaced persons. There is a difference. Here I met refugees from various nations of Africa especially from South Sudan. Through interactions with these refugees, I recognized and felt their vulnerabilities, their agonies, their fears and even their simple joys. “What is it to be an excluded person, running away from their own country, culture, kith & kin and becoming a stranger in another country” had a greater impact in my life.

This connection enhanced my Jesuit life by making me aware of the most unique grace received by the Society of Jesus; to serve the neediest persons where others might fear for the greater good of these people and greater glory of God. It was an impetus to heighten my own biblical understanding and commitment for the ANAWIM of Yahweh, the widow, the orphan, and the alien (refugee).

More and more, I was blessed to deepen my understanding of why these categories became the beloved the Lord; only God is their refuge. That led me to cherish, promote and incarnate the three pillars of JRS into my Jesuit Way of Life: accompaniment, service of the refugee and advocating for the refugee. Among these, the closest to my heart is accompaniment which was my tool in pastoral work among them day after day and through that I was able to serve them compassionately and advocate for their rights boldly and courageously.

With all these gifts, I am enriched in my Jesuit life, and I am proud to say that in return I enriched JRS with our JESUITNESS.

I thank JRS; Management and all my colleagues from JRS Kenya, Kakuma, Uganda and Adjumani for their guidance and support

I thank all the refugee brothers and sisters in Kakuma Refugee camp, Kalobeyei Settlement and Ayilo1, 2 and Boroli settlements, catechists, and youth for their love and affection much more than I offered to them.

I thank Fr. William O’Neill (Bill) for walking with me throughout these years like Barnabas to Paul.

I thank all East African Jesuits for their support and strength.

I thank Tom Smolich then International Director of JRS who opened the doors of JRS.

I thank GOD for all these gifts.

Very soon, I will say Good-Bye to JRS temporarily with a great desire to come back to accompany, serve and advocate our refugee brothers and sisters wherever the greatest need is…………………….

Till we meet again, THANK YOU JRS……with tears!