--- title: What Thomas Awaipo and the Families of Tanzania Taught Me about Lent description: As we conclude the season of Lent, Lisa Hendey reflects upon lessons she has learned through her participation in the CRS Rice Bowl program. --- [![catholic-mom-logo-v2](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/images/catholic-mom-logo-v2.svg "catholic-mom-logo-v2")](https://www.catholicmom.com/) [![facebook](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-facebook.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/CatholicMomCommunity) [![twitter](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-twitter.svg)](http://twitter.com/CatholicMomCom) [![instagram](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-instagram.svg)](http://instagram.com/catholicmomcommunity) [![youtube](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAuUqHCVPDzyMgSMaMZxxug?view_as=subscriber) [![search-icon](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/search-icon.svg)](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2015/04/01/what-thomas-awaipo-and-the-families-of-tanzania-taught-me-about-lent#) # What Thomas Awaipo and the Families of Tanzania Taught Me about Lent Apr 1, 2015 1:30:46 PM  |  by [Lisa M. Hendey](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/lisa-m-hendey) [![world view wednesdays redesign](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/world-view-wednesdays-redesign1-550x260.png?width=550&height=260&name=world-view-wednesdays-redesign1-550x260.png)](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/world-view-wednesdays-redesign1-3.png) As I reflect back on the season of Lent this year, I marvel at the beautiful bounty the 40 days have reaped in my life this year. In the last week of January, I stood in the farm fields of Tanzania alongside men and women whose families are served by [Catholic Relief Services](http://www.crs.org/)' amazing [Rice Bowl program](http://www.crsricebowl.org/). I had volunteered several months prior to bring Rice Bowl to my parish. Little could I have known when I took that step to say a little "Yes" how my world would be so impacted by the work done by Rice Bowl. In this [poignant video from CRS](https://youtu.be/RB1g3-czZH0), Thomas Awiapo, a CRS staffer who knows personally how their work can change lives, answers the question **"What Is Lent?"** https://youtu.be/RB1g3-czZH0 Tomorrow, Lent officially ends. With Holy Thursday, we commence the [Triduum](http://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/liturgical-year/triduum/), a period of even more intense prayer and anticipation. This year, I can look at my Lenten devotions for the first time in many years and see a profound connection between my chosen Lenten fast and the simple goal I had to unite my devotional prayer with other people around the world. I will readily admit that I stumbled a few times along that path. But there were also many times when I was tempted to "give up" and instead thought back to the small, smiling faces of the children I met in Tanzania. Instead of giving in to my deep weakness, I asked God to bless their lives and to embolden me to be stronger in my commitment to bringing them lasting comfort, shelter and peace. As I put my little bits of sharing into a small cardboard container, I thanked God for changing not only their lives, but mine as well. [![My Tanzanian Friends](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/IMG_0936-533x400.jpg?width=533&height=400&name=IMG_0936-533x400.jpg)](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/IMG_0936.jpg) My Tanzanian Friends If you are reading this today and feel as though your Lent has not been all that you hoped it would be, I want to encourage you that it is not too late to unite these last few days before Easter with those around the world who know deep need in their lives. Today is not just the end of Lent. *It is the beginning of our "Yes" to cooperating with God's plans for our lives.* As Thomas Awiapo and the families of Tanzania have taught me: **[Lent is Life Changing](http://www.crsricebowl.org/).** *Copyright 2015 Lisa M. Hendey* ### Share this article [![Share on Facebook](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/facebook-24x24.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2015%2F04%2F01%2Fwhat-thomas-awaipo-and-the-families-of-tanzania-taught-me-about-lent%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on Twitter](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/twitter-24x24.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2015%2F04%2F01%2Fwhat-thomas-awaipo-and-the-families-of-tanzania-taught-me-about-lent%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2015%2F04%2F01%2Fwhat-thomas-awaipo-and-the-families-of-tanzania-taught-me-about-lent%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=What%20Thomas%20Awaipo%20and%20the%20Families%20of%20Tanzania%20Taught%20Me%20about%20Lent) [![Share on Email](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/email-24x24.png)](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2015%2F04%2F01%2Fwhat-thomas-awaipo-and-the-families-of-tanzania-taught-me-about-lent%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail%20&body=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2015%2F04%2F01%2Fwhat-thomas-awaipo-and-the-families-of-tanzania-taught-me-about-lent%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail) ** #### About the Author ![Lisa M. Hendey](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/Lisa%20M%20Hendey%202024.png) ### [Lisa M. Hendey](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/lisa-m-hendey) Lisa M. Hendey is the founder of CatholicMom.com, a bestselling author and an international speaker. A frequent radio and television guest, Hendey travels internationally giving workshops on faith, family, and communications. Visit Lisa at [LisaHendey.com](http://lisahendey.com), on her Substack at [LisaHendey.Substack.com](http://lisahendey.substack.com/), or on social media @LisaHendey for information on her speaking schedule or to invite her to visit your group, parish, school or organization. [Find Lisa’s books on her Amazon author page](https://www.amazon.com/Lisa-M-Hendey/e/B002ZM9FH0). [**](http://facebook.com/lisamhendey) [**](http://twitter.com/lisahendey) ## Related Blog Articles [ Ron Hansen Answers "What Is Lent?" Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2015/03/04/ron-hansen-answers-what-is-lent) [ Who are your Innkeepers? Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2018/02/14/who-are-your-innkeepers/) [ Archbishop Paul Coakley Answers "What is Lent?" Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2015/03/03/archbishop-paul-coakley-answers-what-is-lent) ## Comments ## Donate now [![Support Catholic Mom](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/275132/10016573-1c5c-4aa5-baba-c2ac91fe7545.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/275132/10016573-1c5c-4aa5-baba-c2ac91fe7545) [![CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c (002)](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c%20(002).png?width=1806&height=731&name=CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c%20(002).png "CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c (002)")](https://www.catholicmom.com/) ##### Subscribe to Catholic Momcast on iTunes or Spotify [![itunes-logo-black](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/logos/itunes-logo-black.svg)](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/catholic-momcast/id1362352357)[![spotify-logo-black](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/logos/spotify-logo-black.svg)](https://open.spotify.com/show/15CoipHL7z61IDcYErV0b8?si=hqaQJSxDQgq7S1hxCwsoxQ) ##### CatholicMom on Social Networks [![facebook](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-facebook.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/CatholicMomCommunity) [![twitter](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-twitter.svg)](http://twitter.com/CatholicMomCom) [![instagram](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-instagram.svg)](http://instagram.com/catholicmomcommunity) [![youtube](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAuUqHCVPDzyMgSMaMZxxug?view_as=subscriber) ##### About Catholic Mom [Who We Are](https://www.catholicmom.com/about-us) [Contact Us](https://www.catholicmom.com/contact) [Support CatholicMom.com](https://www.catholicmom.com/support-us)   ##### Associated Links [Holy Cross Family Ministries](https://www.hcfm.org/) [Family Rosary](https://www.familyrosary.org/) [Family Theater Productions](https://www.familytheater.org/) [Congregation of the Holy Cross](https://www.holycrossusa.org/) [Father Patrick Peyton, C.S.C.](https://www.fatherpeyton.org/) [The Peyton Institute for Domestic Church Life](https://www.peytonfamilyinstitute.org/) ### **Stay connected!** Don’t miss a thing! 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