The franciscans.org World Missions webpage illustrates that Franciscans work to improve the lives of others as well as evangelize all around the world.

The Kitwe landscape

One might wonder, however, why does a person become a missionary? The work is often difficult, dangerous and fraught with failure. Missions are also often found in extreme climates where intense heat, humidity, and torrential rains abound.

Brother Tony Droll's vegetable fields at the Franciscan mission in Zambia

are growing well

Brother Tony Droll has been living as a missionary in the African country of Zambia for 44 years. He has recorded two short reflections on why he chose the missionary life and what it entails. Brother Tony's voice alone expresses the joy he finds in working to improve people's lives.

One of Brother Tony's fellow missionaries, Friar Juniper Cummings,

admires flowers in front of a prayer hut at the Franciscan mission

The Franciscan mission where Brother Tony lives and works is located in the town of Kitwe. Kitwe is in the Copperbelt area of Zambia, which is in the north of the country right by the frontier with the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The Franciscan mission itself not only grows crops, it is also a place of education with the St. Francis Community School for many local children.

Brother Tony Droll with students from the St. Francis Community School

Brother Tony Droll and Friar Martin Day in a classroom full of students

at the St. Francis Community School

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Podcast Description	Play MP3
Going to Zambia Description: Friar Tony Droll speaks about how he was inspired to become a missionary as a high school sophomore (2 min. and 59 sec. long).
Mission Life Description: Friar Tony Droll discusses his life as a missionary in Zambia (4 min. and 38 sec. long).