Back home, special time in the US, update about the Work&Shop, and SIGN UP!
- Susanne
- Dec 23, 2025
- 7 min read
Updated: Dec 24, 2025
"Home is where the heart is..."
On December 6th, I arrived in Mwanza after a four-day trip from El Paso, Texas, USA.
I couldn't have wished for a better birthday present than being reunited with Lau and the kids! I've missed them so much these past two months. I'm grateful that everything went well at home, and extra hugs for Dad Lau for taking such good care of him! Nelson had to get used to me again and found it a bit strange that I was suddenly back.
Due to the unrest in Tanzania following the elections on October 29th, I had decided to return a few days early, as further unrest was expected on Independence Day on December 9th. Fortunately, it remained calm, but people's worries and fears were palpable. There were heavy police presence, all shops were closed, and people stayed home.
What happened during and after the elections has been terrible. On October 29th and 30th, security forces used live ammunition to suppress widespread protests against alleged fraud, leading to a 24-hour lockdown, a curfew, and a nationwide internet blackout. President Samia Suluhu Hassan was re-elected with over 97% of the vote after the main opposition candidates were disqualified. The number of civilian deaths is unclear, but figures in the thousands are being cited.
Personally, I found it a frightening time, being far from my family, but I tried to find comfort in the fact that they were safe at home and had enough to eat for the coming days. They heard a lot, but saw nothing. For many, the situation was different and even more dangerous. Loved ones have died and personal shops have been destroyed. Let alone the people who depend on their daily income to survive, and the prices of products have risen. The impact is immense, and many are uncertain and anxious about what the future holds. On the other hand, I admire the Tanzanians for their resilience and positivity, and for identifying as a people who live in peace with one another.
"What a life-time experience... eight intense but inspiring weeks with a group of beautiful people"
Where do I begin? I've learned, experienced, heard, seen, done, and met so much! As you know, I spent two months in El Paso for an orientation and training program run by Maryknoll Lay Missioners (MKLM) . The trip there went well, and I was warmly welcomed by other lay missioners. I stayed in an apartment complex with seven other participants, including a family with two children. Six candidates came from various US states and will be send to serve in Bolivia, Kenya, Brazil, and the US-Mexico border. Another candidate is originally from Germany and, like me, is returning to Tanzania. "Back," indeed, because she also has extensive work experience in Tanzania. Her name is Jana, and I shared a room with her. It was nice that we were together, so we could share so much.
Each day began at 8:30 a.m. with a prayer/reflection prepared by one of the group members. We then had a morning and afternoon program with interesting lectures on various topics: Maryknoll (history, vision, mission, charism, etc.), mission history and the present, Catholic Social Teaching, non-violence communication, community organizing, intercultural development, storytelling, restorative justice, anti-racism, theological reflection, trauma healing, the Enneagram, conflict management, communication/fundraising, and much more! We also received interesting work assignments based on the material and reflections we had to write. For me, it was also a time to recover and have time for myself. I had physical and emotional space for prayer, spirituality, 'mBraining', and yoga. I tried to embrace that as much as possible! The other participants were also such lovely people, and we shared so much together, cried, and laughed!
In the evenings and on weekends, we were free to explore El Paso and the surrounding area. El Paso is on the Mexican border, and the border wall was visible from our neighborhood. At night, helicopters flew over, patrolling the border. On Fridays, we volunteered, and Victor and I worked at Annunciation House, a wonderful organization that provides temporary shelter for migrants, immigrants, and refugees. It used to be very busy, but now that the borders are largely closed, it was mainly people dropped off by ICE officers. These were primarily men who had been picked up off the street by ICE weeks or even months ago and flown to a detention center in Texas without any information. We heard horrific stories about how they ended up there and how they were treated. How wonderful it is to be able to offer them a safe place, a good meal, a shower, and a clean bed. I barely speak Spanish, but with gestures (and Google Translate, haha!) you can get pretty far... There were also families in the shelter waiting for documentation to return to their native country. The shelter is run by volunteers, and almost all the necessary supplies are donated. So hopeful to see, despite all the misery happening in the US (and elsewhere in the world...).
El Paso (with Juarez on the other side of the wall) is a place with a long history of migration, which is visible in its diverse neighborhoods, including impressive murals that tell stories of years of oppression and injustice.
During our Thanksgiving break, I went to the Grand Canyon with a small group. James's brother works there and was so hospitable that we could stay at his place. It's beautiful there! Indescribably vast. We went on some fantastic hikes. The 10-hour drive there was beautiful, through diverse landscapes. We also experienced a "real" American Thanksgiving celebration, Halloween , and a light festival in El Paso!
I could tell you much more, but that would make this newsletter very long. Call or email me, and I'd be happy to tell you more!
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Maryknoll lay missioners are striving to create an inclusive and anti-racism world, they live with those most excluded in society to transform unjust structures together. All missionaries leave their homes to live and work with local people elsewhere in the world for at least three and a half years. Maryknoll has projects in various countries in Africa, Asia, and America, including projects in; children's education, advocacy for immigrants and refugees, healthcare and care for people with disabilities, prison ministry and restorative justice, healthcare and education for people with HIV/AIDS, nutrition, and care for vulnerable elderly people. On this page, you can read more about their mission and vision .
Maryknoll has been active in Tanzania since the 1970s. We're currently discussing with the Catholic Diocese of Mwanza to which existing projects I can contribute to; with my background in Public Health and community work, particularly with young women, something wonderful will undoubtedly emerge. I'll also be working part-time at the Work&Shop Creative Center (read about the progress in the last part of this blog post!).
Our stay abroad and the execution of our activities and projects depend largely on donations. If you would like to support my mission work—and that of the other lay missioners—you can do so by making a one-time or recurring donation via the link below (click on the yellow box below). We are deeply grateful! For questions about donations, please contact me or the Maryknoll organization directly.
I'm going to close down my personal website (this one) in a couple of months because it's time for a new chapter and there are new channels available to continue sharing my stories: the Maryknoll Lay Missioners newsletters. I invite you to sign up for my Family & Friends list via the link below. You can also use this link to indicate your preferences for the information you want to receive.
If you have any trouble, please let me know; I'm just a message away at +255747996751.
Update: Work&Shop Creative Center
"Working hard towards our planned opening in Feb/Mar 2026!"
After our last fundraising round in July, we once again raised a fantastic amount! Donations were received from the collection at the Beemster Church , the sale of a large batch of fresh blackberry jam raised a whopping €1,200, and the sale of African baskets raised a total of €650. In addition, many generous donors from our friends and family, and an (anonymous) foundation donated over €15,000. We also recently received a surprise donation from a family here in Mwanza. It's fantastic to see how involved and committed everyone is to our cause – a heartfelt thank you to everyone who contributed!
The second round of collaboration with Wilde Ganzen has been initiated, and the final construction phase has begun. All news about the Work&Shop is shared on its website, www.workandshop.co.tz. and on social media (workandshop_Mwanza) - so keep following us!
I'll end this blog post with a special prayer (source: 2024 Pax Christi Calendar). Given the increasing violence in the world, a counter-movement is needed that demonstrates that non-violence is far more powerful than violence ...
PRAYER “What is nonviolence?”
Voice 1: What is nonviolence?
Voice 2: It is a strategy for social change that rejects violence.
Voice 3: It is a philosophy of active peacemaking.
Voice 4: It is a spiritual discipline.
Voice 5: It is a way of listening empathically.
Voice 1: It is an active response to violence.
Voice 2: It is a force more powerful than violence.
Voice 3: It is communicating without violence in attitudes, words or actions.
(pause)
Voice 4: What does the Gospel say about nonviolence?
Voice 5: “Blessed are the peacemakers.”
Voice 1: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.”
Voice 2: Jesus said, “Put down your sword.”
Voice3: Jesus said, “Turn the other cheek and go the second mile.”
Voice 4: Jesus said, “Love your enemies.”
(pause)
Voice 5: How can we walk the talk of nonviolence in everyday life?
Voice 1: By actively working for justice.
Voice 2: By working for disarmament and the end of nuclear weapons.
Voice 3: By being active listeners and always open to dialogue.
Voice 4: By building relationships with those who are supposed to be enemies.
Voice 5: By seeking out and accompanying those who are excluded.
(pause)
Voice 1: What is nonviolence?
Voice 2: The way of love.
Let the Christmas season's feelings of love, generosity, kindness and hope extend beyond December into daily life, fostering unity and compassion year-round and focusing on people over things... Warm greetings, Laurent, Susanne, Jacob, Willy, and Nelson.
Photo: Our African-style Christmas tree with all handmade ornaments :)
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