Colleagueship

Among the many things that have impressed me about the Jesuit ministries in Dodoma, one stands out: colleagueship.

The Jesuits here enjoy the company of those with whom they work. Let me share some examples. When during our breakfast someone comes into our dining room for keys (the keys kept in a cabinet there -- not as odd as it seems if you saw the set-up) he or she is invited to sit down with us -- regardless of the person's job. When I returned home on Sunday just before the evening meal, one of the lay teachers at St. Ignatius Primary School was just preparing to leave after visiting with the Jesuits. The foreign volunteers are always welcome in our home and stay with us at those times when there is only one.

The sisters of St. Gemma, a diocesan order that collaborates with us in the administration of the primary school, and we rotate months to host the other community. This month we hosted the sisters.

It goes beyond merely socializing, but I must say that it seems to be that it is in this socializing that the colleagueship is founded.

Here is a picture of a post-prandial Scrabble game on Monday night.

l-r: Sr. Euprhasia, Sossy, Michel, Sr. Brigid, Martin, Malasi -- and my rack of letters.