Marj Humphrey, with Elvira Ramírez, Maryknoll Lay Missioners’ executive director, at the Maryknoll campus in Ossining, New York, days before Marj was to be ceremoniously sent on mission for the second time.
Dear Friends,
As the first snowflakes begin to fall to earth, I am filled with gratitude for this past year, including resolution of a previous health issue and am now beginning to prepare for my “post-retirement” life. Many of you have been instrumental in my discernment leading toward this decision and I am grateful for your thoughts, prayers, and encouragement.
As many of you now know, I will be returning to East Africa in January. Since 1987 so many people in this part of our world have welcomed me to call their home ‘my home’ and have accompanied me over many remarkable, challenging, joy-filled years. My heart is bursting, and I am full of gratitude for this opportunity to return once again for a couple of years and share life with very remarkable people. I cannot begin to tell you how many wonderful, at times difficult lessons I have learned there. And I am deeply grateful to Maryknoll Lay Missioners (MKLM) to allow me to join with them again in service.
Since 1987, many of you have accompanied me over many years, both in my service in Africa and then in MKLM administration at Maryknoll, New York. Your care and support have meant so much to me in Kenya, South Sudan, and New York.
Some of you have been colleagues, some donors, some dear friends who have kept me in your hearts and prayers. Nothing I have done would have been possible without you!!
My plan is to depart in mid-January and begin in a new location and with a different type of service from my earlier years. Though I will continue to offer medical and health care support wherever I am able, I will begin in Northern Uganda serving on a team that is training community and parish leaders in Restorative Justice, Conflict Resolution, and Trauma Healing in an area that has suffered incredibly and in unspeakable ways from horrendous violence.
The Archdiocesan Justice and Peace Team in Gulu, Northern Uganda, has invited me and an MKLM colleague, Joanne Blaney, to join them for a three-month special training project as they endeavor to work with their local population to find alternatives to the violence that has ravaged their community for decades. The plan is for our team to train 80+ parish and community leaders in Restorative Justice, Conflict Resolution, and Trauma Healing skills. After “in class” training, we will travel to the various parishes and communities, both rural and urban, and follow up with them, to aid in setting up their own programs. My personal role will be mostly focusing on trauma and healing, but also as participant in Restorative Justice training. Joanne is an international expert on Restorative Justice and has done remarkable work. I am honored that she has chosen me to work with her on this project. I will also help with local healthcare initiatives in the area as time allows.
After the three-month project, we will spend a month in the Palabek Refugee Resettlement Camp located between Gulu and South Sudan. We are in on-going discussion with long-term workers as to the ways our skills can assist the health and well-being of the refugees.
In June, I will relocate back to Kenya, specifically to Kitale where I served for many years. Once I am in East Africa, I will be in conversation with the diocesan and social service departments, the local Maryknoll Lay Missioners team there, and the local bishop. I will begin by listening, to discover what they feel are the most prevalent needs where I might be of service. They are interested in, among other things, health education, women’s groups, and trauma healing. All to be revealed in time!
My timeline is as follows:
- Mid-January: arrival in Kenya, begin processing immigration documents, and visit possible projects for me in Kitale.
- February 8: arrival in Uganda to begin work with the Archdiocese of Gulu Justice and Peace Team.
- May 2 to May 3: Palabek Refugee Resettlement Camp.
- Early June: return to Kitale, Kenya.
I invite you to join me on this journey. I will be sending out newsletters, updating my activities and news, every couple of months and would be so happy to include you in these updates. Your prayers and encouragement are so very important to me!
Please let me know if you do not wish to be on my newsletter mailing list. And, of course, I would love to hear from you! You can write me at this email address [email protected], or my MKLM address [email protected]. I welcome any questions.
Please keep me and the people of East Africa in your prayers.
Wishing you all the miraculous Joy of Christmas!
Blessings and Peace,
Marj
“When people of faith come together seeking a way forward to rebuild the fabric of the community, they create opportunities to see something of themselves in the “other” that fosters compassion and leads to … forgiveness ….” – Sr. Giang Nguyen, MM
If you are interested in donating to my work:
Donate here or by check to Maryknoll Lay Missioners, Box 307, Maryknoll, NY 10545 with “Ministry of Marj Humphrey” on the memo line.
Marj Humphrey is a Maryknoll lay missioner in East Africa. Starting in 1987, she served as a missioner there for 20 years. Upon her return to the United States, she served on Maryknoll Lay Missioners’ board of directors, then as director of missions for six years until she retired. 2025 marks her return from retirement—and to mission in her beloved East Africa.
Karibu sana Marj!
Congrats on your Sending and “vaya con Dios.” You are such an inspiration, Marj! I know you will do a world of good in Uganda and back in Kitale. Love and prayers for your journey!