In January, Women from Chad, Congo, Nigeria and Cameroon gathered for a weekend of reflection and discernment in the West African nation of Cameroon. For a few precious days, in spite of a noisy, smoke-covered African marketplace just down the hill, they had the opportunity to spend quiet time listening to God and contemplating their future vocations.
The women are students, teachers and nurses. They each met vocations coordinator Sr. Marie-Therese Gnamazo, in different life circumstances over the last few years.
Rita Djiraiknan, a nurse, met Sr. Marie-Therese in 2021 when Sister, on a visit to Cameroon, contracted Covid and Rita cared for her. Others know Sister from her work in the Diocese of D’Eseka before she joined the Congregation. Michelle Duru found the Sisters of Providence through the internet and emailed Sr. Marie-Therese.
Provincial Councilor Sr. Margarita Hernandez led the retreat for the English-speaking women.
All the attendees spoke several languages, including the native dialect of their village. French is the common language of Cameroon, a former French colony. The women from Nigeria spoke English because that nation was colonized by the British. Nuptia Miafounikilas is also working on Spanish which delighted Sr. Margarita, a native of El Salvador.
The trip to the retreat was not simple for some. The women from Nigeria, for instance, travelled three days on buses from their villages, navigating police and military checkpoints along the way. Others were in the middle of exam season and could only attend part of the event.
The retreat was held at the facilities of Afrique Future, a non-profit which has established hospitals, schools and retreat centers throughout Cameroon. Fr. Emanuel-Marie McBock McBock leads the organization. (www.afriquefuture.org )
The noises and constant movement of the city below contrasted with the quiet atmosphere at Afrique Future’s retreat center. Presentations and reflection time were provided so that the women had time to ponder. They also meet individually with Sisters Marie-Therese and Margarita to discuss where they were on their spiritual journey. Morning prayer and Mass celebrated by Fr. Emanuel added to the graces and blessings of the weekend.
The first missionary Sisters of Providence arrived in Cameroon from the Emilie Gamelin province in 1970. They settled in Étam Kuma, in the diocese of Yaoundé. Other Sisters worked different ministries. Today there are now four Sisters of Providence from the West African nation. The Sisters of Providence carried on the Providence Charism until 2015, when they had to leave the country.
The women on the retreat expressed a deep respect and interest in the charism of the Sisters of Providence. The retreat gave them a boost on the spiritual journey. Please keep them and all people discerning a vocation in your prayers.
