SPIRITUAL WEEKEND

A life not reflected upon is not worth living. In life there always needs a moment, a silent moment when you need to think of how you have lived your life either good or bad. But as we reflect on our lives there is only one thing that helps to have a good reflection and that is God and His word through the Bible. There is  something that God wants us to be and to achieve because he is our creator. Therefore, He has a purpose for us as we live in this world. Has it ever crossed your mind why you have all you have while others dont have? why you live in a rich country while others live in a poor country? why others live in countries of war and die every day and you live in a peaceful country with all that you need? why you life´s graph is smooth while others have to strive to get a better life?...etc. 

Well I had a chance to join a group Christians from 18th to 20th May, 2013 in Gnadenthal, Hessen and I had a silent moment to reflect on the above questions but to more reflect on my volunteer year in Germany and ask God to give me the strenght to move forward and the courage to conquer and believe that i can make it. I learnt that it is not enough to be a Christian you have to live a Christian life that is to live the life of Jesus. Thank Daniel for reminding me of this.

VARIO SEMINAR

As we do our social work in our volunteer year, it is always important to come together to share our experiences and help one another to get forward especially for us international volunteers. One of the activities that brings us together are the Vario Seminars. They allow us for a while to stay away from our daily schedules and help us to reflect on our motivations, make friends, share ideas and learn the importance of working together.

From 13th to 17th May, 2013, I attended one of these seminars in Kirchair near Limburg. About 23 volunteers participated in the program. The main issues discussed were Communication, Organisation, Sexual Violency and Teamwork. But there was more to that, interaction, experience sharing and different games. I was proud to be one of the four Africans in the seminar the rest where Whites. One is originary from Ethopia though brought up in Germany, one from Cameroun and two of us Persilvia and I from Zambia. 

Despite not having reached the level of understanding Deutsch, the seminar was ineresting and very educative.

PROUD TO BE A CATHOLIC

Some people say to be a Catholic You must be crazy and only a few would wish to identify themselves with the Catholic faith. Maybe its because of what they have heard about the history of Catholic Church or the experience they have had in the Church. Well to the contrary, I have found pleasure in being a Catholic because its has all the aspects that helps me know and believe in God. Its symbols and signs are so rich that it helps me understand God and his purpose for human being.

I was privileged to take a guided tour in the Cathedral of Limburg Diocese in German one of the oldest church more than 400yrs old. It is full of rich symbols, paintings and signs of faith which connects us to the time of Jesus and beyond. To a lay person they are idols of worship, to me who have been educated of them they are instruments of faith that carry massages that brings God closer to his people and potray God´s love for us all.

After that I had a privilege of attending a Silver Jubilee as an Usher in the same Cathedral in Limburg of couples who have been in Christian Marriage for over 25 years and the Cathedral was filled to capacity. This reminded me of how much the Catholic Church is dertemined to promote human family life by encouraging people not to live as pergans but as children of God resembling the Holy family of Mary, Joseph and Jesus.