One year ago today, I landed in Tanzania. We spent our first day in the city of Arusha, before traveling to the foothills of Mt. Kilimanjaro to stay with the Franciscan Capuchin Sisters. We spent two days with the Sisters recovering from jet-lag, taking day hikes, and acclimatizing to the higher elevation. The Sisters are originally from Switzerland, so the landscape at their convent is stunning, with views of Kilimanjaro and pathways lined with flowers transplanted from the Alps.

Before I left for Tanzania, a friend from Notre Dame (who has summited the mountain) told me that the trip would change my life. I was curious how; and even when I first returned, I wasn’t sure I was “changed.” But I should have known I was, because for a long time I wasn’t able to write (or even talk) about my trip. In fact, it has taken me a year to be able to sit down and share my thoughts on my Kilimanjaro adventure. I’ll start with Epiphany.

The day after we arrived, we celebrated Epiphany with the Franciscan Capuchin Sisters. The first thing I noticed when I entered their chapel were the Christmas decorations. Far from the red poinsettias and the evergreen wreaths we have in the United States, we were surrounded by simple yet charming, multi-colored homemade decorations; clearly ones of celebration. While I noted their difference, I smiled at their joy and genuineness; themes I would find throughout Tanzania.

We celebrated mass in Swahili (doing our best to follow along), and my overwhelming memory is that of the Sisters clapping and singing. I tried to learn the words, but the best I could do was clap and smile, soaking in their joy and genuineness. It was one of the most spiritual experiences and masses I have attended.

This weekend when I sat in our poinsettia- and evergreen-filled church, listening to the congregation quietly sing - if not just mouthing - the songs, I was transported back to the foothills of Kilimanjaro. I smiled thinking of the Sisters singing out loud, clapping and truly worshiping and celebrating Epiphany. So I sang a little louder, garnering a few looks, but I didn’t care because the joy of the adventure returned to my heart.