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Margreth Kibola
was born in Tanzania,
After her first commitment, she was sent to Gumo, in Ghana,
where she worked as a teacher.
She did her final commitment
in her home parish in Tanzania, 2 January 2009
She tells us why she has choosen a pot,
three stones and fire
as symbol for her Final Commitment
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A POT, THREE STONES AND FIRE
A pot? I am a gift given by the creator. I did not choose to be what I am as a person. This makes me feel like clay waiting to be moulded by the potter. What comes out of the clay is the reflection to the potter's desire. The owner then chooses how to use it and the manner in which to take care of it. A pot is very useful. At home in the Chagga land, it is used to make most of the local dishes. People use it to store precious foodstuffs and also to make the local beer. A pot is a very delicate commodity. Thus this symbol reminds me of my giftedness and how my life can be of service to many despite my fragility.
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Three stones? The traditional
pot cannot stand alone; it needs support whether used for cooking or
something else. It is a reflection of the Triune God as well as of our
communion with each other in the community and the Congregation. I receive
support from friends and family members. Without any support, the pot
can easily break and so can I.
The fire? Before the pot is used, it
has to pass through fire to be strong. The fire and the pot are friends;
the more it touched by the fire, the stronger it becomes. My challenge
is to allow the transforming fire of God's love to shape and mould
my life each day so that I grow to become more like him. The Lord
invites me not to be a stagnant pool of water but like flowing waters
that share life with those I live with and those I am sent to. |
How did I come to know MSOLA? After my two years of college, I became aware of some stirring call within me. In my search about different congregations, I finally met a friend who gave me the address of our sisters. She had met our sisters in Singida (in the central part of Tanzania), but had the old address of Kipalapala in Tabora. We had left the place already for many years. In spite of the wrong address, my letter reached our sisters in Arusha. I then started my journey with Sr. Maïte Sanz De Pablo, with the Vocation Animator of the MSOLA in Tanzania.
Why do I desire to be part of the MSOLA Congregation? Since my journey in 1996 to this day, two major things have happened in my life: I became aware of God's unconditional love for me and his constant stirring call deep within me to follow him to be of service beyond my little world.
I found peace and joy in this grace of being part of the mission of the Congregation in Africa.
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My dream for our MSOLA family is
to be and become ever more the "ALL TO ALL" to our sisters and
brothers where we are, to be ever challenged and inspired by St. Paul,
Lavigerie our founder, and Mother Marie-Salomé. Following the generous
spirit of our ancestors in faith, may we respond with courage to the needs
of our afflicted Africa today! I believe, our little contribution will
make a big difference in all those we touch with our lives, from young
to old. May it be so! God bless Africa and bless us!
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