A faithful servant of Christ and a true Friend and Ambassador of REAP
As a team, we were greatly saddened on April 29th by the news that Sister Francisca was no longer with us, but at a deeper level rejoice in the knowledge that she has passed on to be with the LORD.
For the almost 8 years that we have known her, Sister Francesca has been a faithful friend and colleague of REAP. Several times when I have been visiting Subiaco, she has introduced me to someone as “my Director”. She has truly been part of us in a very special way.
We first met Sister in 2016 when she was sponsored to attend one of our Natural Medicine training seminars. From that week together she stood out as someone with a genuine interest in serving others and wanting to learn as much as possible so that she could do so. She was always hands on and attentive both in the plenary sessions and in practical work. She wanted to be actively involved so she could learn. When she introduced me as her director, I could not resist from pointing out that she was our A* student.
Following that first seminar with us, Sister returned to the convent and immediately requested the use of the land at the end of the compound for planting medicinal plants. She developed that wonderful resource with enthusiasm and came down to Kisumu to visit us for more plants to include. Since she had developed such a useful resource, we could not resist talking with her about using the Centre for our training from that time onwards, and whenever she could she attended the seminars.
Sister completed three seminars as a participant to become a TOT and from then on has assisted us in the training. As well as the wonderful medicinal garden with so much growing in it, she also developed a productive medicinal garden beyond the hospital which was also a very valuable resource producing natural medicines for many and an excellent place for training.
Her influence has spread far beyond what we were able to share with her, and she continued learning more and networking, becoming widely known for her knowledge and love of people. Many have sought her help and having registered MAYDS her legacy will certainly continue to help many. I remember that at the start of the Covid pandemic we were together for a seminar and discussing our response. As we shared together, we came up together with the other participants with a practical response based on our collective experience. She continued to be very strong advocate of our training, and many people have come into our sphere as a result of her passing them on to us.
Beyond our work together, we remember Sister as a true friend with whom we could relax and enjoy a good laugh. She has done so much to help bring us understanding of the ministry of Catholic sisters, which otherwise would have remained a mystery to us protestants. We have shared together in deep fellowship and she has really made us feel we are one in Christ in a very special way. We will greatly miss her wonderful smile and her wisdom in so many areas of conversation that we have shared over the years.
