- Travel Experience
When I was asked to go to Lomin for mission experience, Morris and I left Nairobi for Kampala on the 6th May 2025 at 4:00PM. We then arrived in Kampala on the 7th May 2025 at ca. 6:30 PM. We immediately boarded a car traveling to Moyo district which we catch up on the way already proceeding. At Laropi, we took a ferry to cross the River Nile, then boarded motorcycle for Palorinya. We arrived at Palorinya Refugee Settlement at ca. 7PM. I remained in Palorinya for more than a fortnight. On the 23rd May 2025, I was taken to Sacred Heart Parish, Lomin by Fr. Paul Idra, MCCJ. I stayed in Lomin until the 1st July, 2025. On 2nd July, I left by flight to Juba, then proceeded to Torit the following day.
- Experience at Palorinya
Palorinya Refugee Settlement had five confreres: Fr. Janvier (Community Superior), Brother Erick (Deputy), Br. Okelo Lawrence (Community Bursar), Fr. Abraham and Fr. Paul Idra (Who resides in Lomin as Acting Parish Priest). Arriving in a mission where everyone was minding their own business, we were at a loss. We didn’t know what to do and what programs the community had. However, amidst the confusion, we found something to do. We joined the activities/trainings of the Youth who were for the Comboni Youth Week. We attended lectures on self-reliance, saving among others. Later, Fr. Abraham gave us some directions. Every Sunday each of us could visit the Chapels with one of the Priests. I visited St. Dominic Chapel with Fr. Abraham, where I met a woman who is presumably closer to my family – she knew my parents and even myself, yet I hardly remembered her. It was a nice moment. We also attended a workshop on Trauma Healing and Counselling by Fr. Abraham.
I found youth, children and adults who triggered my psyche with their touching stories. The normal ratio of food for most refugees was reduced. Continuing with studies was unsure because of the increased school fees. Poverty gripped the thighs of able men and women. Their stories were evoking my pity.
However, amidst this deep sadness seated beneath them – I could sense the smiles on their faces as I visited some from my county. When they saw me, following the path to the missionary priesthood – they were overjoyed. They prepared for me “KWETE” the local brew which I last took ca. 2017 or so. For the first time after so long, I enjoyed this white stuff. We had a great time, I met relatives, friends, schoolmates, county mates and countrymen and women from more than four ethnic groups – joined together by that banquet. A banquet which they thought would not be the last one, but indeed it was the very last I had with them. Nonetheless, their support, advice, consolation and encouragement gave me more fuel to accelerate the engine of my vocation. They saw in me, their own son – hope that a future of pastors who would celebrate the sacrament for them was not deem but indeed bright.
- Experience at Lomin, Sacred Heart Parish – Kajokeji.
Sacred Heart Parish, Lomin is a Catholic parish which belongs to the Catholic diocese of Yei. It was a flourishing and influential parish handled by the Comboni Missionaries of the Heart of Jesus with three schools: nursery, primary and secondary as well as Catechetical center, and Institute. However, the war of 2016/2017 change the whole story. Everything in the parish was vandalized except the roofs/iron sheets. No electricity, water except a borehole etc. The trading center is nearly 5 to 7 KM away. Earlier, the priests stayed in rooms without doors. The area is faced by frequent insecurity, rebel groups who rob and disturb the peace in the area.
I arrived in Sacred Heart Parish, Lomin on the 23rd June 2025. I found one Comboni Missionary, Fr. Paul Idra, the parish priest and one diocesan priest, Fr. Emmanuel Konga who assisted him in the parish apostolate.
Teaching at the College
I was assigned to teach at the Comboni Comprehensive College, Lomin. My arrival was a divine intervention to the college. They were wondering where to get a teacher for Physics and Mathematics. The previous had left. So, when they learn I do Physics and Maths – they immediately received me. I was given S.2 Physics and S.3 Mathematics. With joy, and passion I taught these subjects relying on the Syllabus and further research. I used practical experiments to help my students grasped the knowledge faster. This was effective for Physics. The students loved me and the subjects I taught. I give them frequent assignments to test their understanding and what I discovered is the “Very Goods and Excellences” which overwhelmed the books I was marking. Students come to me for consultation on cer