Imagine a Church spanning nearly 77,000 square kilometres of arid land, bordering South Sudan, Ethiopia, and Uganda. This is the Catholic Diocese of Lodwar, led by Bishop John Mbinda, dedicated to bringing faith and vital services to the remote communities of Turkana County, Kenya. It’s an area of immense challenges, where the Church truly meets people at their crossroads.
Life here is tough. Temperatures soar, and basic access to water, health, and food is a daily struggle. Many of the diocese’s 33 parishes are so remote that Sunday collections can’t even cover the fuel for outreach. Bishop Mbinda shares heartbreaking stories, like women and children collapsing from hunger during a Confirmation ceremony. Yet, amidst such hardship, he notes, “the joy with which they receive the Good News… are what keep us going.”
The diocese isn’t just about spiritual sustenance; it’s a lifeline. They’ve innovated with nomadic catechists who accompany families on the move. Through its Caritas initiatives, the Church runs over 18 health facilities in areas with minimal government presence and operates one of the county’s most robust water programs, drilling and maintaining wells. They also support environmental care, encouraging tree planting.
Lodwar is also home to Kakuma Refugee Camp, one of Africa’s largest. Here, the Church works tirelessly with partners like UNHCR, providing education, vocational training, and advocating for dignity, especially as global funding cuts impact services.
Despite dwindling resources and formidable obstacles, Bishop Mbinda sees immense potential in the “longing of the people to receive the Good News.” In Turkana’s harsh expanse, the soil may be dry, but hearts are open, and the Gospel continues to find fertile ground, sustained by joy and a powerful mission of presence.
