I am Stephen Kiogora Muriungi, born in 1980 in Meru, Kenya, which is about 200 kilometres
northeast of Nairobi. Being the third born in a strong Catholic family of five, three sisters and one brother, I was initiated in the faith at a very young age through practices such as praying Catholic prayers together as a family before every meal and before going to sleep. My mother is a strong Catholic and my father remained faithful up to the time of his death in 1991.
At the age of seven, I started my primary education studies and in 1996 I started my secondary education studies. During my second year in secondary school, I was in charge of the Young Catholic Students (Y.C.S.) where we ministered with the poor and in particular with the street children in the town where our school was situated – this I found to be a very enriching experience.
After my secondary school studies finished in the year 2000, I became an active member of the youth group in my local church community of Wathine, [Wah thee nee] founded by the Oblates; while involved in the youth activities, I met Fr. Bill Stang OMI who was helping young men with vocation discernment. Because of his concern for young people and his willingness to share his life with us, I was inspired to join the Oblates. He also gave me documents and books about the founder and I was impressed with de Mazenod’s concern for ministering to the poor. Right now I am continuing to discern my vocation at the Scholasticate in Yaounde, Cameroon.
Cameroon is an agricultural country situated in the central part of Africa. It’s hot since it borders Chad, which is largely covered by the Sahara desert, though there are rains here throughout the year. At present, it’s quite hot (sometimes 38°C to 42°C during the day), which is the same case in most of the African countries during this time of the year.
Cameroon is a bilingual country, French and English, and this gave us, even at the beginning, the opportunity to communicate with most people since the majority speak at least one of the two languages without difficulty. We spent our first six months learning French and in June of last year we started with Philosophy classes. Right now I am in my second semester, which began on the 14th of February. Our Philosophy classes are in French and at the beginning it was not easy because of the difficulties we had with the language, but with time it became easier and our hope is that it will continue to do so. For those of us coming from Kenya, French is our fourth language. We grew up speaking Kimeru and in school we learned Kiswahili and then later, English.
As I look forward to life as an Oblate, I am ready to work wherever there is a need, though I would particularly like to work more with those in formation, accompanying them in realising the plan of God in their lives.
(Submitted by Bro. Stephen Muriungi OMI)
I was born in a Catholic family of six, including my father and mother, on December 20th, 1978. I hail from the Eastern part of Kenya under the foot of Mt. Kenya. In school I liked to do the things children like doing most, playing games and singing in groups, but above all, I liked my books. Then I joined high school for grades 9 to 12; as a boarder this meant a stay away from home. It was not long before I finished my grade 12 and it was in this setting that I first came into contact with the 
identify with: their generosity, hospitality and love for the poor, “…the poor with their many faces;” as it is expressed in our Constitutions and Rules. Above all, I was drawn by our founder’s courage, and daring – his courage and daring to love and to be generous; “Leave nothing undared!” he emphasized to those whom he had gathered. This courage is remarkable and I find it an imperative, especially to us Oblates so popularly referred to as “The specialists in difficult missions”. To be one of those who participate in this Oblate mission is my desire.
and living in a Scholasticate with an international community of fifty-nine Oblates. Members are from eleven different countries, across and outside the continent. The Oblates have evangelised in Cameroon for sixty years and the province covers Cameroon, Nigeria and Chad. They are found in a number of parishes and in institutions of education. Despite the difficulties, Oblates are committed and faithful to their mission of bringing Christians to a full awareness of their dignity in society and calling them to participate fully. They draw joy and happiness from those with whom they work and let themselves be enriched and touched by the warmth of the poor. In the words of Rule 8A, “…for they can make us hear in new ways the Gospel we proclaim.” I see Oblates reaching out to those who need them most.