Of late we hear the sales pitch, "Buy One, Get Two." I am the beneficiary of this type of transaction: I got two mission lives for the price of one.

After ordination I was associated with Maryknoll seminarians until my assignment to Taiwan-China in 1954. I thoroughly enjoyed living, moving and having my being with people in that culture. I confess that I was comfortably enculturated in the milieu. The physical part of the culture, like food, language, customs, traditions, came easily: I, like a bull in a china shop, was young and feisty AND heir to the Maryknoll Old China Hand mystique.

After pondering a transfer which took eight years to implement, happily in 1991 I found myself in Africa - land of heart's desire. The move was free of motive and reason. Instinctual. Like an old bull heading for the storied elephant burial ground. The plunge was youthing and invigorating. Everything was new: my only course was to take the cotton out of my ears and put it in my mouth. I shed the burden of teacher and leader to become the learner. I am free to fly like a bee and sting like a butterfly. Sheared of role and responsibility, I am right now the most contented I have been all my life.

Edward's Ministry             Edward's Biography

Visit the Maryknollers Currently in Shinyanga, Tanzania