The year 2020 will go into the history books! Like most countries, Kenya was not spared the Corona pandemic. Though compared to many other countries, especially in the West, they were not very badly affected.
Covid-19 arrived in Kenya early March 2020 and ever so slowly started spreading from the capital city, Nairobi, to the towns and villages. The country went into a severe lock down from April through July 2020. Businesses, educational institutions, and churches, among others, were most affected among others. Some institutions were closed.
The Carmelite Delegation in Kenya was not spared. When the lockdowns were announced, all the students in formation were sent to their families where they stayed for the duration. Other religious institutions and dioceses did the same to avoid infections and the spread of the disease. "We felt it prudent to have the minimum number of people around", remarked Fr. Boniface Kimondolo, O. Carm.
The General Delegation has six priests, three deacons, one brother with simple vows, three novices, and eight postulants. They are divided into two communities which are located near to each other. Nearby these communities they have one parish which also serves an outstation. This is a small church which is two kms away from the parish center and serves a population of around fifty families.
"It was not easy to live through such moments. We were without our people. We could only pray and do a few activities in the community", commented Fr Boniface.
A parish in Kenya is seen as a charity center. Covid-19 brought many difficulties to many families. "People came to us asking for financial help and food. We could only share the little we had. From time to time, we received donations from some generous people. This greatly helped those who were most affected!", stated Fr. Boniface.
Fr. Boniface revealed that "people were always at our door. The needs were great. Many people lost their jobs. Families were forced to live together for long periods of time. Arguments arose between children and parents as well as between the couples themselves. The church became a centre for counselling on a daily basis. Through it all, the Carmelites did their best. Still today we are ministering almost the same way with people coming to our door asking for help", he concluded.
After the lockdowns which were difficult, the government started slowly opening up some counties and towns. The students came back in July 2020 for the feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. Since then, life started getting back to somewhat normal in the Carmelite communities. The churches were partially opened and people returned. Also the students “returned” to school through studies on-line.
In Kenya, as well as many parts of Africa, large numbers of people attend church on Sundays. The church in Nkoroi has a capacity of one thousand people. They used to celebrate three Masses every Sunday in normal times. When the church re-opened after the lockdowns were lifted, they followed the ministry of health protocols. Therefore the church only had seating for three hundred people.
"We had to create space in the church hall. But we still could not accommodate all the faithful. We came up with the idea for a drive-in Mass. This could accommodate any of the parishioners who drive", stressed Fr Boniface.
The idea worked well and until today they have several celebrations, including the drive-in Mass. The people drive up in their cars to a prepared field. They park and listen to Mass from inside their vehicles through the speakers. They only leave their cars to receive Holy Communion. After receiving, they get back into their cars. When Mass is over, they drive out and others come in for the next Mass. They now have two drive-in Masses every Sunday.
"Life seems to be slowly returning to normal. We hope all will be well soon!", concluded Fr. Boniface.
