“Feel at Saaka”
For Holy Week I traveled with two of my close friends Matt and Damian as well as Fr. David Burrell, C.S.C to join the priests and novices staying at Lake Saaka. As I have visited Lake Saaka once before I was somewhat prepared for the beauty of the surroundings and the peacefulness that hovers this special place, however, this time was even more rejuvenating than my last.
The company and good conversations seemed to flow the entire week we were there; some shedding light onto new perspectives on how to approach my project while others presented innovative ways of thinking about life in general. Currently, there are 14 novices and two priests staying on this compound. The novices are there discerning their devotion to the Lord and preparing for their first vows to priesthood which will be held in late July. There was plenty of time between morning prayers and the Liturgy of the Word where I found myself cuddled up in a chair on the porch, with a warm cup of tea, looking out towards the Rwenzori Mountains and Lake Saaka. The time presented a wonderful chance to truly dig deep, let my mind wander off to distant places, and feel sincerely alive in the gracious presence of Mother Nature.
Saturday afternoon a few of us went for a hike up one of the many neighboring hills in the area. After an hour walk out and a slightly taxing climb we reached the top of one of the tallest peeks and we all stood there peering out to the magnificent green abyss. The overwhelming feeling of the bright blue sky, huge puffy white clouds sailing by, we watched a storm evolve in the distance. For some time there was an appreciated silence among us. Standing there I realized that I was in one of the most gorgeous places I have ever been, surrounded by an essence that only He could have created. While taking the time to soak it all in, my mind was racing yet still in the midst of comprehending where I was, who I was with, and who I am becoming.
After our time of reflection all but one of us took on a downhill hike towards a large rock which we were determined to climb. As we approached we had to decide whether to go left through the thorns or right through the tall grass each presenting their own small dangers. As we chose the path with the tall grass, taking on the risk of coming across snakes, we reached our destination after helping each other reach the top by offering our hands for stability. Once we were all safely upright, we embraced the moment. The view was even more spectacular and the small life we found there on the rock was flourishing. We discovered there was a beautiful tree growing between the rock formations and Kennedy, one of the 14 novices, and I decided that we wanted to climb across to sit on one of its branches. He went first to show me the way and as I reached out my hand to grasp the tree trunk I froze. The earth was far below our stance and I was afraid that with one slip up I would be bouncing down towards a painful fall. However, these words of encouragement came from my new friend, “Throw your fear away.”
“…Throw your fear away…” how could I not then squash my fear, reach out for his hand, and extend towards my destined place? As I scooted along the trunk, I stretched my leg so that my foot could find the sturdy rock under it, and there I went. A few moments later, I was standing there next to Kennedy, having learned a valuable lesson in a flash before my eyes…”throw your fear away.”
As the days slipped by and the evenings came to a close, we were all simply enjoying each other’s presence. There was a comforting understanding and acceptance among these young men that I felt that I was being embraced by a cloud filled with love.
A few of the novices took the time to talk with me about their ideas regarding my approach to working with the Lazarus Community. After listening to their advice I began to realize that it is better to start small and make sure that the initial project will stabilize itself. I understand the importance of dreaming big, believe me, I have been doing so all of my life; however, I find it vital, especially working with this vulnerable population to create a safe haven open to expanding once it is sustainable. Therefore, as things have been changing throughout these last several weeks, instead of trying to purchase 10+ acres of land, we willshoot for 5 acres. Developing an organization that we hope will one day ensure positive change for generations to come, we believe this is the best approach. I’ve heard “good things come with time,” and “the best gift to give is the gift of time,” repeatedly throughout my young life, and as I fall in love more and more each day with Uganda, I know that time is what I am here to give.
Therefore, as I continue to walk through this journey, traveling throughout Uganda, meeting wonderfully blessed souls, learning from those around me, and experiencing life in a new way I appreciate the support you all have been sending my way with your love and prayers. I feel truly blessed to have been able to spend Holy Week and Easter with such an invigorating and inspiring group of people and I continue to reflect upon each day as it comes. Some days are more challenging than others, but as I have mentioned I am falling in love with this country more and more, with the people I meet, with the potential of Lazarus Community, and with life itself.
In a brief update regarding my work, currently, the project proposals in which I have been diligently working on are coming together with the mentoring of many, and I pray for its success. These project proposals and executive summaries will be sent out to different organizations hoping to receive donations to purchase the acres, and provide stability in our organizations finances. I am also working on having the website for Lazarus Community up and running with the help from a dedicated colleague very soon. With May approaching, so is my 3 month marking point, and as James would say, “time is escaping us,” therefore, there is no time like the present.
May there be peace within each and every one of you.
Blessings and Love,
Anne Therese
Kennedy and me
Loving Life 
We made it!
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