James Mwangi

My names is James Mwangi.
I am 24 yrs old born to my parents Paul and Lucy Mwangi. I was born in Kenya the last of five kids. I was raised in the Catholic church which is something I'll forever be grateful for. My Dad is a cradle Catholic, but my mum is a convert from presbyterian. My spiritual journey has been interesting all along but its my search and hunger for truth that has brought me thus far by the grace of God. Although I was given the foundation of Christianity and the fullness of it in the Catholic Church, I went through the normal struggles associated with spiritual growth.
     My childhood was normal, but we moved a lot. In my early childhood, we practiced our faith at home which included praying before meals, praying before bed, going to Church on Sundays and any other time if there was an activity. At that age, that was all I needed, but it wasn't until I was about 12yrs old when true devotion really became a part of our life.We started having family prayer not only within our family, but we joined with two other families that were both Catholic and started having evening rosary and prayer every night. This went on for the next few years until I left for high school and eventually moved to the U.S when I was 15yrs, and then came the change.
    Once we came to the U.S.A, from the culture change to my entering into my teenage years, my faith life took a turn for the worse. I became lukewarm at best and eventually stopped going to Church religiously. I would go if it was convenient but most days the sleep got the best of me. Partying and vanity took over and God became a distant thought; but not for long. Once I turned 17yrs, by God's grace I fell into the company of people who were on fire for God and righteousness and the spark for God was ignited in me. Most of them however were not Catholic and I barely knew any Catholic Christians of my age but my experience was great in this company and I'll forever be grateful for them, but then came my crisis.
   A certain restlessness became my constant companion, I knew something was missing, but I couldn't identify it. Although I never left the Catholic church, I would go both to mass and to other services with my friends and had great experience. It's in this quandary that I started noticing differences; not so much in people but in teachings and interpretations. I would be torn because I wanted both worlds. I would go to non denomination services and leave filled with excitement, enjoy the music and see the fruit of conversions. I would however often leave with a broken heart from the mockery of the Catholic church by some people and also the many testimonies that included people who had left the Catholic church. I eventually put together that most who had left often did when they were not practicing their faith, and while I was happy that they had found some faith, I knew deep inside that they had left a treasure. On the other hand, I started going to mass in the Catholic church with more attention, and I would be amazed at the reverence and often be awestruck by the truth that would strike my senses as if I was hearing it for the first time. I sensed something beyond normal while in this setting. But now what?
    This was put to rest one Wednesday evening when I went to my home parish and they had adoration. As I knelt in prayer, peace came over me and I was certain that I was in the presence of God. I now understand those words from John 6:51 (I am the living bread that came down from heaven...... and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world). That evening, in what appeared like bread, I had encountered Jesus Christ. I've since learned that Jesus Christ is present body, blood soul and divinity in all the tabernacles in the Catholic churches around the world and this was what nobody else could give me; This bread of heaven who came to give us life who is the son of God.  Now my goal is to tell the whole world that Jesus loves them, and that the Catholic Church  has the answers.