The most wonderful day! From the beginning with the Mass and all the singing from the volunteers and recipients of Veronica's place, helping with the distribution of food, lunch at the Rectory, culminating with a visit in the home of Tabby and Martin! I am struck by the deep faith of every one I met and learning of the struggles and joys of the people of Dandora. It really confirms our connection to these people as our brothers and sisters.
-- Mary Jo
It all started because of Veronika's Place. This food pantry on the other side of the world that I ran the LA marathon for, in order to raise funds to keep the pantry in operation and feed the hundreds of people who rely on the supplies for their survival. Back in October I made the decision to run the 26 miles, not for myself but for the many strangers I had never met.
Today I came face to face with the people of Veronika's Place, as they lined up to receive their monthly food rations. Seeing this whole thing through and being able to distribute the food myself was the main driver for me making the trip out to Africa in the first place. Interacting with them, learning their names.. Veronika's Place was no longer an idea in mind, it was real. Very real. Discovering it was their prayers for us runners which kept us strong all the way to the finish line. Our unity and faith in God is such a beautiful and amazing thing. I feel blessed to be here with them. To be on the trip in general, with these beautiful people.
-- MaryJane
Yesterday was such an incredible day of LOVE! For me personally, being witness to the good Veronika's Place is doing by distributing food to those in need, brought back a flood of emotions. I experienced poverty as a child and we often went to food banks and churches for help. Even the young ones have a sense of what is going on when their mother's are lining up for their rations. And so I was drawn to a little fella with a torn red sweater and sad face who was sitting on the ground. I didn't know which woman was his mother, but I just got on the ground and started playing with him. At first he was shy, but over time he and I were laughing and hugging. We were building towers with stones, tickling each other, and I sang nursery rhymes to him. I don't know Swahili and he doesn't know English but it didn't matter. We just became friends.
He climbed aboard our team's bus and looked like he belonged on there! Eventually his mother came. She was a beautiful young woman and very soft spoken. She saw how happy Eugene was and let him continue to play with me for a while. But they had to get going as they had arrived very early to line up to receive their number. Eugene cried when she told him in Swahili that it was time to go. I was crying too. I remembered I had a banana in my bag on the bus. I asked his mom if it was okay if I gave it to him and she thanked me. His big brown eyes got even bigger and the tears stopped. He was so delighted with his snack and tucked into his banana like it was his new best friend.
As they walked away, Eugene with his banana and his mother with her bag of food, I knew why I was here. I will always have a pang of hunger in my heart remembering my time as a child like Eugene. And that pang propels me to continue to help in any way I can to feed those in need. I was fed yesterday too, but the food was LOVE and it filled my heart. Thanks be to God!
-- Karen
The beneficiaries of Veronika's Place are very grateful for the help St. Monica's provides. But one thing became apparent during the distribution of the food. I think all on the team were struck by the amount of food that is given, and we wonder is it enough? Can we do more? How else can we help? As Msgr said in our evening meeting, we are doing our best, but yes, there is still work to be done. - Karen
