Listening to the Gentle Voice of Love

Greetings everyone,My name is Christine. A Gen from Tanzania.

It is my great hope that, with God’s help, we are all doing well. As we approach the end of this year with joy, and as we live through this Advent season preparing to welcome the Child Jesus, may He be born anew in our hearts and in our lives as Gen.I believe that at this time of year, we have many things to share.

Personally, I would like to offer a few reflections from my own experience.I work in the health sector, where annual leave is normally granted only once a year. In 2025, it was my turn to take leave, and my initial plan was to go home and rest with my family in another region.

However, before making the final decision, I felt an inner prompting to offer an act of love during my one-month leave. On the one hand, I desired to go home and rest; on the other hand, there was a gentle voice in my heart urging me to do something more.I then thought of offering this act of love by going to live with the elderly Focolarine (Focolare of Angelella) at Mariapolis Piero in Nairobi, Kenya. Often, as Gen, we have opportunities to make our Gen experiences in Gen houses, but this time I felt inspired to make my experience in the home of the elderly.

I shared this idea with my Gen Assistants, and they were very happy to see that we young people can also choose to make such an experience.My idea was warmly received. I also shared it with my family, explaining that my intention was to make this experience and that I would not be returning home during that period. My family responded with great joy and encouragement, assuring me that this was truly possible.

When I finally had the opportunity to go and live with them, helping with various tasks, I was filled with deep joy. This experience helped me grow personally. In turn, they supported me greatly by sharing different forms of meditation and reflection, especially those that speak to the lives of young people today.During that one-month leave, by choosing to live in the Focolare of the elderly, I received new comfort in my heart and renewed strength. I learned many valuable lessons, both in my spiritual life and in everyday living.

Personally, I would like to encourage my fellow Gen not to hesitate or be afraid to make such an experience by living with the elderly or simply visiting them. Our elders are deeply happy when we are close to them, and we, in turn, gain so much from their wisdom and life experience by listening to them. Whenever we have the opportunity, let us offer ourselves in loving service to them.

UNO