In the early Sunday morning, I was running a long distance along the Shaker Lakes. The weather was pretty although my legs got tired after an hour run. When I was about to cross the street, two cars were passing. As usual, I slowed down and yet did not stop completely, expecting the cars pass by me and then continue to run. The first car did, but the second stopped suddenly. A woman in the car yelled at me, "F*** you, A** H***! Are you going to be hit?" She gave me a mean look and drove away. I was sure that it was the last thing I wanted to do that being hit by a car driven by a cranky woman. In that short time, I was embarrassed, confused, and insulted, not knowing how to respond to it. I just slightly smiled at her, raising my right hand as if conducting the orchestra. I wanted to show my innocence, but she was gone.

During the next an hour run, I thought the situation and what I did. It was funny first of all. On the Sunday, a priest was called by A** H*** with F bomb. Secondly, I was sorry to her whose heart would be more damaged than mine by saying those words because they did not touch me at all. It was pointless and lifeless words that I did not want to choose to keep for me. Instead, I prayed for her peace, inner peace that stays and shapes words and deeds.

St. Teresa of Avila said, "Let nothing disturb you; let nothing dismay you; all thing pass; God never changes. Patience attains all that it strives for. He who has God finds he lacks nothing; God alone suffices." I was glad not to react out of frustration or anger. Rather, I was at peace, so that I was able to pray for her. In the end, it is a matter of choice to be real or not. I was real to be with God's peace instead of human's weakness. The power of choice surprised me as an unexpected gift in the early Sunday morning.

This is the letter from St. Kizito students in Uganda where I interviewed dozens of St. Kizito students and Fr. Don, the founder. It is my joy to let this letter deliver to you today. They are our brothers and sisters and we are their keepers. God bless you.

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I spent summer 2010 in Gulu, Uganda where Fr. Don, my ethics professor at St. Mary Seminary, has founded St. Kizito Counseling Center for the young Ugandans affected by guerilla warfare, disease, famine, etc. The time I was with the young people in Uganda was uplifting and inspiring because their eagerness to be Light and Salt of Uganda was tremendous. Now I would like to share some highlighted moments with you.

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Everywhere in Africa are trees. It is a part of life. In the burning sun, people sit under the tree and find shades and rest. Students learn under the tree; village meetings take place under the tree. It is the center of life in Africa.

Old in Africa are trees that wistness to sad, joyful, meaningful moments of the community. It seems to stand strong not to yield to the suffering and violence. It is quietly there and yet become a part of history. I often touch the trees, trying to feel it. It seems to tell the stories that happened long time ago and still linger in the people’s life. Trees witness to the history of the community in Africa.

Fruitful in Africa are trees that give so much fruit to feed people—banana, mango, paw paw, etc. People drink fruit juices—pineapple, passion fruit, organge, etc—and eat fruit as their staple. For instance, Ugndans eat everyday Matokee that is a smashed banana. Trees nurture people in Africa.

Useful in Africa are trees that provide necessities for people. Africans cook meals by burning branches that warm the house as well. They build the house with trees. Trees are tables, fences, beds, and arts. The decoration of the church is usually done with wooden arts—gorgeous wooden altars, ambors and tabernacles. Trees express African life.

With Dr. Monique and Sr. Rosemary, I went to Atiak the northern city three hours away from Gulu. The village has been suffering from civil war, drought, and femine last twenty years. However, since peace settled in several years ago, the village started growing. Nevertheless, the children are still in trouble because of malnurition and bad sanitation. Dr. Monique with the help of Sr. Rosemary has founded Tree of Wisdom the nonprofit organization that supports the children through a donation of $175 per year to provide a specific child with basic health care, food, clothing and hope for a future. It was Dr. Monique’s second visit since Tree of Wisdom launched in 2009. About hundred children and guardians gather under the tree in the center of the community. The tree seems to embrace the gathering as a loving mother. Dr. Monique said that the children were very different a year ago—sick and sad. But, on that day, I encountered joyful and life-filled children who sang, played and ran around the tree.

How often do I look up the trees, admiring its height, size and variety of shapes! I touch the trees and talk to them, asking them to share its life and wisdom. I climb the trees to look at people and villages from the different perspective. Trees are one of the greatest creatures in the world. Redwood I met in San Francisco lives more than two thousand years. It can contain the whole history of Christianity! I touched the redwood, trying to feel its life as well.

Everywhere in Africa is tree of life. It feeds and nurtures Africans and gives itself to be used to the end. What the trees become is nothing but loving. Growing and bearing fruits for people and giving shades and rest for them are similar to my vocation. As a priest, I want to grow and bear good fruit for the people of God. And if God allows, I am willing to being used to the end like the tree of life.