The difference between the Kenyan home of Franciscan Sisters Imelda Ngwitu and Ancilla Abonyo and their current location in Southwest Georgia might be even greater than the 12,000 miles that separate them.

The Sisters relocated from an overwhelmingly Catholic culture to a place where the faith remains something of a mystery. They were dropped in a vast, rural community where the public transportation they were familiar with was but a fantasy. Perhaps most meaningfully, they found themselves in an area rooted in negativity, a sharp contrast to the optimism they had grown up with, even under the often trying circumstances of 20th century East Africa.

Last December, they arrived in Early County, in Southwest Georgia, one of six counties served by the Glenmarians from two churches, Holy Family in Blakely and St. Luke in Cuthbert. The Sisters’ assignment in Blakely is part of an effort by Glenmary in its mission to bring the Catholic faith to those areas of rural America where it has yet to take hold. The Sisters are authorized to stay and work in the US for three years, though that could be extended if desired. Glenmary reached out to the Sisters’ congregation, the Franciscan Sisters of St. Anna, in their home in Kenya.

Sister Imelda admits to suffering culture shock upon arrival. But she reasoned that she would go wherever she was asked and God would teach her what she needs to know about her new environment. And now? “I am happy to be with them. It feels like home already,” she says.

Though determined to jump right into their outreach efforts, the sisters understood as true foreigners they needed to work with Catholic missioners already at the work locally. That includes Deacon Scott Watford, Father Mike Kerin, and Brothers Jason Muhlenkamp and Levis Kuwa, plus existing parishioners. But it didn’t take them long to forge strong bonds with the people in the community, even though many residents’ only previous exposure to women religious was through the distorted lens of Hollywood.

The unfamiliarity also sparked curiosity. Native Georgians intrigued by the presence of the unassuming women were driven to ask about them. So the Sisters get queried where they’re from, what they do, and occasionally, “Are you Muslim?,” the last a byproduct of their unfamiliar dress. In fact, the Sisters have taken to handing out cards that explain exactly who they are.

Reaching the people

In addition to the locals, the Sisters have made an impression on the existing mission community.

“They are good missionaries. They’re very personable and approachable and people just love them right away,” says Deacon Scott, who serves as the pastoral coordinator for the mission. “They open doors I wouldn’t be able to open.”

As with any Glenmary community, much of the work is done off the church property, in the neighborhoods, community centers, or any other place where a resident has yet to experience the Catholic faith. Opening the doors to the church and expecting neighbors to flow in is not reality, so the Sisters will attend community meetings or make regular trips to nursing homes.

“When we go to people’s homes when they are sick, they really appreciate that. When we take Communion to the Catholics, and even the non-Catholics who we have visited, they really feel it’s a blessing. That’s a very important ministry in this parish. When we pray, it’s a way of reaching to the poor of Christ. Christ says the poor are mine. It’s not just the poor in the streets, it’s the people who are spiritually poor. That’s very common here. People might have physical wealth, but when they don’t have Jesus, there’s a lot of emptiness,” Sister Ancilla says.

Sister Imelda spends much of her week with C-Hope, a Glenmary-associated ministry that does one-on-one and group work helping fight addiction and poverty. Both are far too prevalent in Southwest Georgia. Sister Imelda is particularly well-suited to this ministry, having worked as a counselor back in Kenya.

Working against the Sisters’ ability to serve is the need to drive everywhere. They have tried to rectify that by obtaining driver’s licenses, though they’re still getting up to speed on America’s car culture. Likewise, the Sisters are learning Spanish and Sister Imelda has been adding piano playing to her list of talents, all of this to better serve the people they encounter in their duties inside and outside the church.

“They are very flexible, creative, and open to where God is calling them,” describes Brother Jason.

Overcoming the hardwired cynicism of many area residents is one of their biggest challenges. These Franciscans attack it by extolling the peace that comes with faith in Christ. “If you believe in Jesus, it doesn’t matter your circumstances,” Sister Ancilla says.

Yet they are just as effective in eliciting a change in attitude by their actions.

“The Sisters come in with such a positive attitude. It’s amazing to see how responsive people are to them,” Dorann Cobb, a parishioner at Holy Family, observes.

Fostering the faith

As much outreach as they do, the Sisters don’t ignore the spiritual aspects of Catholicism. They have added adoration on Fridays, the Rosary after Mass, and aid Mass and communion services. Earlier this year, Sister Ancilla guided a young man through RCIA and into the Church during Holy Week.

But to the Sisters, their most important undertakings begin with the youngest members of the community. “The best way of reaching out is through the children,” Sister Ancilla says. “When we leave this mission, we will have planted the faith that will last forever.”

To that end, the Sisters have, with help, begun a children’s choir, hosted Vacation Bible School and a puppet ministry while also teaching Sunday School.

Their ability to sow the seeds of faith in the young people was perhaps best exemplified by Lynn Cobb, Dorann’s daughter. When I met with Sisters Imelda and Ancilla, I was also greeted by Lynn, who proudly exclaimed she had just celebrated her 35th holy Communion, a tally perhaps we all might keep.

“The Sisters have been really helpful in guiding her and making her understand what holy Communion really is,” says her mother, while outlining a few of the projects Lynn has also been involved with since the Sisters’ arrival. “Now she wants to maybe become a Sister.”

Daniel Markham, seasoned journalist, is editor-in-chief of Metal Center News. His book 52 Masses: A Journey to Experience Catholicism Across America featured Glenmary’s mission in Rutledge, Tennessee. He volunteered his services for this Georgia article.

This article first appeared in the Winter 2024 issue of Glenmary Challenge.