I am Sister Elda Kanisia Msemwa, born in Tanzania. After my first profession and missionary experience in my homeland, I was sent as a Missionary in Mozambique. I arrived in the promised land that the Lord had prepared for me on 25th March 2023.
I had mixed emotions, I was very happy to come to this land, open to what the Lord had prepared for me, and at the same time, I also had fear. I was aware that Mozambique was experiencing a period of instability and lack of peace, especially in the northern part of the country. But I had great faith in the Lord.
The first steps
I was welcomed with great joy by the Sisters who were waiting for me, and by these dear people of Mozambique who welcomed me with smiles and simplicity. This welcome made me immediately feel at home. I couldn’t speak much because I didn’t know the language. I used to communicate through smiles and offering love. I stayed a few months in the capital, Maputo, to learn the Portuguese language.
I thank the sisters and the people who helped me a lot in knowing and practicing the language. They encouraged me a lot to speak, correcting me when I made mistakes with such ease. Within a short period of time I was able to understand and express myself.
In Maputo, I participated in the life of the church in various ways, sharing life with the people and with other religious women.
What touched me and gave me much joy was the simplicity of life , the welcome that makes everyone feel at home, without distinction , the liturgy animated in a very lively way, full of cultural symbols, with very profound meanings, the Church open to ministers, where everyone can carry out a service, especially women and lay people.
I also had the grace of participating in the care of the sick sisters. It was a moment of grace to be able to participate in the final stretch of their lives, right up to their last moment. I learnt so much from these sisters: faithfulness to their vocation and mission until the end , great love for Christ even in times of pain, great love for the Consolata and our Founding Father, St. Joseph Allamano, and love for the people entrusted to them. It was a gift that challenged me, at the beginning of my missionary life in this land.
In Massinga
After studying the language, I was sent to Massinga in the province of Inhambane, 500 km from the capital, a city with a large movement of people. I joined a community of four Sisters. I was warmly welcomed by everyone, both the Sisters and the Christian community.
The community offers service in the parish , where we collaborate with three diocesan priests, visiting the communities, families, the sick, groups… We also work in the nursery school , and in the reception center for girls who come to study in Massinga.
We participate in people’s moments of joy and sadness, in the celebration of life: weddings, sacraments, birthdays, and in difficult times of mourning and political instability.
Moments of celebration are of great value , because these people recognize that life is a gift from God, and celebration is a time to say “thank you,” together as a family, with relatives and friends.
With the students
I spend most of my time with the girls in our Center who come from rural areas with no secondary schools. Their families can’t afford their education, so as a community, we welcome them and make them feel at home, allowing them to attend high school here in the city. Some of them ask to join our Consolata family.
The hard work is making them feel welcomed, loved, supported, and valued , giving each of them space to grow at their own pace, listening to them and trying to address their concerns.
I am very happy to be able to be part of building their future , it gives me so much joy to see the growth of these young women and the transformation of their minds and hearts.
My lesson
Mission is a learning experience: through these girls and the people around me, I have learnt a lot, especially the values. They’ve taught me a lot about respect for others: when you greet a group, you don’t just say a general greeting, but you greet each person, asking how they’re doing. I’ve felt this is very beautiful, because it shows the value of each person. And many more other beautiful examples.
I thank the Lord for giving me the opportunity to live and share my life with these people, who have helped me grow so much in my missionary vocation. Over these years, I have learnt that mission isn’t just about teaching or doing things ; it’s also very important to listen with the heart, to be present, to make sure each person feels welcomed, listened to, and valued.
Here, we don’t count the hours, but we give time. The people have taught me to give time to everything I do, because sometimes we rush here and there, forgetting the value of the individual.
Sr. Elda Kanisia, mc
