REFLECTION

Reflections on a Call to Kenya

By Father Ron Ramson, CM

Editor’s Note: Fr. Ramson has served in many posts throughout the Midwest Province since his ordination in 1959. In 2005, at a time many might consider retirement, he volunteered instead to serve in the Kenya Mission. This article is a personal reflection on his recent work there.

After the Midwest Province undertook the Kenya Mission, I had no desire to go to Africa. I was happy working for the Society of St. Vincent de Paul at its national headquarters in St. Louis. I was doing good things that I thoroughly enjoyed.

But Father Gary Mueller, CM, coaxed me to come to Kenya with my friends, Joe and Nancy Mueller,
to give presentations to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul in various areas of Kenya. I agreed. That was all God needed. I was in Kenya for only a few days when I knew that this was where I was supposed to be. A subsequent discernment process in St. Louis confirmed my “feelings.”

I have been blessed by a wise, seasoned spiritual director and veteran Jesuit missionary. He told me that too many come to Africa with the question: “What will I give to Africa?” That is the wrong question. The correct question is: “What will Africa give to me?” Africa has shown me that it affords every Vincentian the opportunity of living and ministering our charism in a multiplicity of ways congruent with his talents, skills, and dreams. The Kenya Mission allows every confrere to draw from his vast storehouse of life experience and Vincentian spirituality in meeting the hungers of countless people.

The community has entrusted me with the direction of formation of our associate members, the future Vincentians of East Africa. While this is my principal ministry, I am also involved with the ongoing formation of Kenyan diocesan priests (Emmaus Program). I do spiritual direction for a number of religious from various countries of Africa at Tangaza College. These are young sisters and brothers destined as formators.

Through assistance, especially that of Dr. Joseph Irungu, we have started St. Vincent de Paul Clubs in six high schools in the worst slums of Nairobi, with other schools in the wings. There is an average of 30 youths in each club. These teens are extremely poor; some are orphans whose parents have died of AIDS. I find myself getting involved in their lives because they talk to me about their lives and dreams.

These teens have joined our clubs to help those who are as poor as they are. It is the poor helping the poor. I have been amazed by their fascination with the person of St. Vincent de Paul. As Dr. Irungu has remarked, the vision of St. Vincent resonates with these teens, and because Vincentian spirituality is transformative for people like themselves, it provides them with solid values to help them live under the worst conditions as they dream of a better day.

Through the generosity of friends in the United States, I have been helping several of the teens pay tuition and fees so they get a good education — their only hope of moving out of poverty and the crime-ridden slums into a better way of life. Africa continues to give me much. My ongoing Vincentian formation is in full gear!