By: Cristina V. de Leon

A Novice
I am Cristina V. de Leon, a second year Columban novice, presently based here in Handworth, Birmingham, England. Aside from the courses, I have been involved in various ministries around the area since the middle of 1992 – the time I cane here in England.

Life Experience
One of these is to help out in the local Catholic schools here in our area. I offer my time in helping the Religious Education teacher in their activities, like preparing the mass or for some school programs. Sometimes, the teachers would ask me to share with their classed about my country, Philippines, about my journey into religious life and some times I just meet a small group of students for some sharing. This school is a multi – racial, multi faith and multi – culture community .27.3% are Catholics and the remaining 72.7%  consists of students from other Christian denomination, faiths and traditions like Islam, Hinduism, Sikhism, Buddhism and a few Rastafarians.

Impressive Atmosphere
The atmosphere in this school is very impressive, as I observe the students and the staff in this school community, I would say the religion and even race are not barriers at all in their relationships. They relate to one another freely and spontaneously.

Every Friday
Every Friday there is a mass fir the Catholic students but everyone is always invited to come. Every Friday morning there’s always a good number of students turning up for the mass. They participate in the singing especially.

Special Blessing
During communion, those who are non – Catholic students would approach the priest (school chaplain) and ask for his blessings. It is really very moving to see them united in this way. Every time I come home from this school I could not get over how these students participate in their Religious Education Classes and on some other important occasion/celebrations.

Pentecost Event
The week before the Pentecost, the Religious Education coordinator asked me to discuss with the students the Pentecost event. At their very young age they are able t relate the Gospel message to their life stories and experiences, using their journal book. I felt privilege to be with these students.  In so many ways they are enriching me in my journey into religious life. They are fully aware of our differences in terms of religion but you could always hear them saying “There is only one God...your God is the same as our God.

By: Fr. Efren de Guzman, SVD

 Fr. Efren de Guzman, SVD has been in Angola fir many years.  Now at a time when the country has been torn apart by civil war, he sees his work as bringing reconciliation. An impossible task you would say that true - impossible without faith that Jesus has Risen and that we walk with him in the darkness but towards the light.

God’s love and peace be with you and all your beloved ones! Sometimes words are not enough to express what I have experienced here for the last months. I seem to forget the last time I wrote you.

Wartime Schedule
As usual, my normal work is to organize our team work during the week: MON-TUES: Food assistance and visit the orphans and children of the refugees; WED: Bring Food, check water in the leper colony, Funda and other villages; THURS-FRI: Bring food, medicines to the villages of the refugee, prisons, hospitals, check the literacy project; SAT: Formation of the catechist , Apostolate for foreign “contacts workers”; SUN: Mass, Pastoral work, sharing of the ups and downs of our co-workers, projects for the future.

Unforgettable Experience
Let me just share with you an unforgettable but very sad experience. It was on a Friday evening the military blocked my way to Kifangondo and u saw lying on the road three or more dead bodies wearing the “opposition” T-shirt. The next day, one of our Filipino friends told me that as he passed by the TV network stations, he saw soldiers shooting at the cars of the opposition and this started the spread of fighting between the government and the opposition party if Luanda. We thought it would begin a third civil war. However, through the mediation of the United Nations, the Church and the international community, this catastrophic event, was somehow evaded for the meantime. But as of the moment clandestine killing is still going on.

Tribal Origins to War
We learned from the Bishops of Malanje, Bishop Salessu that our confreres and Mission Congregation of the Servants of the Holy Spirit (SSpS) sisters are alright and also busy with their mission work. He also informed us that his residence was riddled with bullets. Luckily, the Bishops was unhurt and the people in his house. Later, he was brought fir questioning to the Municipio. And then, he was made to walk back again ti his house which is more or less three kilometers from the municipal building. All this happened because he is from the south. A different tribal area. Tribalism between the tribes (MPLA) Kimbund and (UNITA) Umbundi has reached the point where, seemingly, to be born in a particular place is enough to bring you torture and death.

People and Pastors are Killed
Because if this Tribalism we have lost a lot of our catechists and pastors especially from the south who are working with us in our mission stations here in Kifangondo, Cacuaco and Caxito. Last week, two of our active parishioners were killed near our house; they two are from the south. Now this is also happening to the people from north who are living in the south. Some of those who are lucky were able to leave the place, by just walking through the bush. Many of those who tried to escape this way. Died on the road of dehydration, hunger and disease especially the old and the children.

Bishops Ask for Peace Dialogue
The Bishop’s of Angola had a conference and the main topic discussed was the killing of thousands of Angolans due to tribal warfare. As a result of the conference. They sent out a string pronouncement, denouncing those are responsible for these deaths. They also called attention to the use of the mass-media which are always in favor of the ruling party. Hopefully, this strong pronouncement of the Angolan Bishops will bring dialogue and reconciliation between the opposing parties: the MPLA and the UNITA.

Many Deaths
Internationally, the news stated that there were one thousand deaths in Luanda, but in the reality there were around twelve to fifteen thousand soldiers and many civilians who died because they happened to be of the other tribe.
This is a very sad happening for a country which has experienced only a year of democracy. There is still a lot to learn.

Prayer Needed
Along this line I ask more for these suffering people and also for us missionaries here. And I ask too for your prayers fir some of our friends who died in this conflict. and we, too, missionaries are hoping for a  truly reconciled Angola so that the true spirit of Christ’s coming will be experienced by everyone.

By: Sr. Adoracion de los Santos, DC

Sr. Adoracion de los Santos, a Daughter of Charity has been missioned in Taiwan for more than 12 years. Her first assignment was in a small Parish in Southern Taiwan. She did nit stay long in this parish because she was then preparing for her language studies. However short the time was, she still learned many good things from the simple people whom she worked with.

Mandarin
I studied Mandarin in the language school for eight months. In the start I found it very difficult to learn this language. The manner of writing the strokes and symbols is very complicated and confusing. But then, as time went by, I learned to get interested in it, especially that time when I started learning how to read and write Chinese characters.

Pescadores Island
After my language studies I was then missioned in a far away island called Penghu or Pescadores Island. The people in this island area are very simple. Buddhism is the pre- dominant religion. In every village you will find two or three big and sophisticated Buddhist Temples. The main source of livelihood is fishing. The people are very religious. Before they go out fishing they go to the temple to pray for a good catch and at the same time they burn paper money and light ling rolls of firecrackers as an offering. They believe that there is a powerful living God who is always ready to help them in many ways. So we try to explain to then in a very simple way that this living God is the same living God that we missionaries know and believe in. And that our presence among them speaks on behalf of this living and faithful God.

Mysterious Work
We do not have converts in terms of Baptisms, however, we do establish good relationships with the people through our weekly clinic home visits. We do believe that we begin to clear the ground for evangelization and that our Lord who is already present in the midst of these people will continue His mysterious work.

Eight Years
I worked fir eight years in this mission and in those eight years I have done different types of apostolate. I worked in the center for handicapped children as a part time staff therapist. I was asked by my superior to collaborate in the Parish Pastoral Outreach Program visiting the prisoners in the Provincial Jail every weekend. We then organized a catechetical program for theses poor prisoners.

Home for the Aged
After eight years in this mission I was sent back to the Philippines for study leave. After I finished my Social Worked Degree, I took the board exam. Thanks God I passed the exam. I then returned back to Taiwan and was assigned in the Home for the Aged in Northeastern Taiwan. I love this apostolate and I enjoy serving the old folks.

The Children
However after almost two years working with them, I was again assigned in Taipei City to serve the poor children in Lourdes Home, this is a child-caring institution designed to serve deprived children. Here we have orphans and children from broken families and a few children of “single parents”. I find this apostolate very difficult and challenging because most of these children have deep seared behavioral problems. I think it is good to be challenged once in a while so that I will not always feel comfortable with my own self, but trust in God’s help.

Precious Gift
This assignment with the children brings insights. The call to serve God in the countryside is the same as the call to serve God in the needy poor in the urban area. The wisdom of the old people and the naïve beliefs of the children plus the hopeful faced of the prisoners and the total trust of the handicapped children that I serve in the past twelve years all make a precious gift from God to me.

By Fr. Enzo Corba, PIME
EAC Director

You are a secular priest, you are a lay person, you are a sister but for a long time you’ve been interested in becoming a missionary or becoming more missionary than you are: WELL EUNTES IS HERE TO HELP YOU.

EUNTES is a beautiful gift of the PIME Fathers to Asia: It is a missionary formation center set in Zamboanga but at the service of the Asian Church. It is headed by the kindly and gentle Fr. Enzo Corba who here tells us what being a missionary is all about. It’ll be worth your while to hear him out:

Social Worker?
The missionary is often identified as a dedicated social worker. Orphanages, school, dispensaries, health centers, cooperative, roads, wells and many other initiatives flourish in a placed where a missionary are also the founders and organizers of many of the local churches.

Spiritual & Moral Power
Do the people of Asia appreciate the missionary as a “Man of God”?  Many give a resounding negative answer. Why?... A man of God must be: a man of prayer, silence, meditation, a man detached from the many common amenities of life. A man with only spiritual and moral power.

True Human Liberation
People everywhere have lost their trust in politician and in ministers of organized Religions. Politics and Religion failed, they say. They trust more science and spirituality. Science discovers the truth in the outside world, spirituality, spirituality discovers the truth which is inside in us. Science is the accelerator, spirituality the steering wheel. Only spirituality can give the right direction to science. People remember with devotion the great holy men and women of the past and their teaching. Their messages brought true human liberation. On the contrary most Kings and Generals are remembered with regret for the miseries they brought to the people.

Seeker of Truth
This is the reason why the Euntes Asian Center (EAC) program is a mission formation program. All the activities such as study, research, classes, manual work, and community life...are opportunities offered to the participants to grow in their spiritual life. Our firm belief is that, only person, woman or man, religious or lay, married or unmarried in a search of God, at the feet of the Master, a seeker of the truth which lives in us, can be a missionary.
It is not a duty of a missionary to find the solution to the many political, social, economic problems. Many others can take of that.

Suffering Servants
Jesus become the Suffering servant of Yahweh and thus brought us salvation. The missionary too is called to be one of the suffering millions and thus become a suffering servant. The main thrust of Euntes Asian Center program is spiritual. All the other significant learning offered at are very important but subsidiary. Knowledge will never substitute Spirituality, and it will prove useful only to a person with religious and moral values.

Six Points
The EAC programs of studies focuses on the Evangelization which is considered from six points of view:
Proclamation
Total Human liberation
 Dialogue
 Inculturation
 Ecumenism
Communication

Experience Counts
The teaching staff is composed of twenty four missionaries working in Asia or with Asian experience, it surely would be easier and less expensive to run the course with a few resident professors. But missionaries with an experience of ten to forty five years have been the Euntes choice because they are the people who can communicate an applied knowledge that may inspire the participants to commit themselves to Evangelization. The EAC wants to prepare missionaries from the Asian Churches, and this is the service it offers them.

Uprooted Tree
The Euntes Asian Center Program of studies is demanding, but its usefulness depends in the spirituality if the participants. To offer services to the people for their social economic betterment without being prepared to develop their spiritual moral life it will be like caring for the branches of an uprooted tree.

Even Dangerous
The specific area of action for a missionary is the religious spiritual one. Without it human development or progress will be crippled and, in some instances, even dangerous
To say Euntes Asian Center is to sound a call for spirituality.

To offer services to the people for their social economic betterment without being prepared to develop their spiritual moral life would be like caring for the branches of an uprooted tree.

By Fr Joseph Panabang SVD

Both Write or Wrong
At the Northern Region of Ghana is a town called Tamale. Two Filipinos from Accra came up for a visit to Kintampo and were telling us how they saw a sign – board, “To Tamale”. How is it possible Father, tama nga at male pa?” correct yet wrong), they inquired. I replied, “maybe it is like a poet saying, ‘honey, your are near yet too far”.

A Word from the Wise
I was sharing my insights and ideas about life with Sr. Alice Amarga, RVM with great enthusiasm as if I knew what Life really was about when suddenly she cut in, “I finished high school in 1952. I was in two during the war...” Sheepishly, I changed the topic for I was not yet born then.

A Lesson on Defeat
Along the deep forested area on my way to the villages, one can see quite a number of wild animals especially between twelve and three o’clock in the afternoon when the sun is burning hot. Once I skidded to a halt, pulled out my catapult and aimed, and shot a the head and the bird feel down mightily. But it took me time to unstrap myself from the seatbelt and I had to get more stones just in case. Then standing over the fallen King of the air, I said, “hello, my friend, how are you?” Thereupon, it moved, reared its head and up it flew away before I could grab it. after relating everything to my Catechist at the next village, he gave me a consoling reply, “Oh Father, the hawk does not belong to you.” And so it is we missionaries learn from the people about  the sacredness of the animal Kingdom and the need to protect them but its hard to submit when you’re a good shot with a catapult.

A Matter of Grammar
It was night time in Sunyani town when confident of my Twi (local language) I asked the man, “mepa kyew, wonim Cathedral anaa?” Excuse me, Do you know the Cathedral?” but the man replied in annoyance, “menye Cathedral” “My name is not Cathedral” So much for my Twi!

Filipino-African Liturgy
After a detailed explanation of all the symbols use in the wedding rite like the ring, the Arrae, the literal tying of the couple’s hands, I had a problem to retriever the money which unfortunately was understood by the people as a gift to the new couples. The Catechist being a new recruit seemed unable to explain it well. I was forced to make  an impromptu interjection: we hand back the money to the church.” “I forgot to explain that,” said the Catechist in apology after the Mass.

Filipino Delicacy
In Busuama, one of my promising villages, I was passing right through the middle of the village with my headlamps on high beam. Suddenly came into my view a lovely dog running away wit ha smoked Grass-cutter (an animal as big as a rabbit but more delicious). The people saw it and within a minute, everyone was taking up the chase. The dog was concerned and was forced to drop the meat and so save his life.  “Do you like Grass-cutter meat Father?” “No, but I do like dog with Tanduay.” Though I don’t subscribe to the view of that pessimist who said: “The more I know about men the more I like my dog.”

By: Brother Ruben Caluyong, FSC

Final Profession
January 9, 1993 was a very significant day for me because it was then I made my final profession of vow as a De La Salle Brother. It was also the occasion when I was given a mission send off as I was about to embark on a missionary journey to Papua New Guinea, also known as the Land of the Unexpected.” On the day of my departure for Papua New Guinea, I did not feel anxious nor excited. Deep in my heart, I knew that the prayer of so many supporters accompanied me on my journey.

Bro. Raffy Reyes
I was met at the airport in the Highlands town of Mt. Hagen by Brother Raffy Reyes, a fellow Filipino missioner, and he brought me to the school where I was to work for the next two years. As I had imagined it to be, Rosary High School is a school out in the bush. Despite the fact that the school is an isolated valley surrounded by towering mountains, I was surprised to see that the school had its own satellite dish and new computers.

US English Versus Australian English
My first year in Kondiu was a difficult adjustment period into culture, that of the Australian Brothers I lived with and that of the Papua New Guinea Highland people. The school system is different from ours; it bases on the Australian system. I was also confused with the terms people were using. For instance, a notebook is called an exercise book,” to take a spin” means to drive around leisurely, the schools schedule is referred  to as the “timetable”  a pile of garbage or trash is called “rubbish,” the head of the school is referred to as “Headmaster.” And the athletic intramurals are known as “sport Carnivals” there were times when I though of just keeping my mouth shut.

I Needed Help
I was assigned to teach Religion to grade eight (or Second year) and English to grade seven (first year) students. There were other responsibilities given to me, such as, supervision of boarders and to be with the students when they worked in the school farm for “work parade.” At times, these new experiences made me feel like I was drowning in a totally different environment and I needed some help. I was grateful for the guidance and help that Brother Raffy provided. I was like a child learning to open to the guidance of those with more experiences.

Tribal Clashes
There was a times when the situation in the was unstable and difficult to cope with. Tribal fights may erupt any time between rival clans. If a teacher’s clan is involved in the tribal fight, he has to leave the school, and stay close to his people for protection. If he remains in school, there is a possibility that members from the other tribe may come and kill him. Fortunately, these fights have not resulted in the closure of the school. Events like these have made my stay here more challenging.

Loneliness
When Brother Raffy left for studies in Manila, everything became more difficult for me, I felt isolated living outside my own culture that was still a part of my “baggage.” I had no immediate Filipino contact in the area. My only source of consolation was the stream of letters I received from the Philippines. The feeling of loneliness taught me to appreciate letter writing.

Guitar Classes
After Brother Raffy left, I temporarily tool over his classes. Also took over the guitar and singing practiced for the students to prepare for the school Mass on Sundays. On a number of occasions, I volunteered to drive the school vehicle late at night to bring sick students to the town hospital. I found that to be a very fulfilling task. These experiences enabled me to gain more self confidence which allowed me to do more and to develop my God- given talents as well. I also began to realize that I was able to cope with the challenged of missionary life.

Tagalog for Pidgin
Learning to communicate in the local language called Pidgin was a revitalizing experience. It bridges me with the local people. A number of my students and some teachers volunteered to teach me in exchange for some Tagalog words which I taught them. Through this interaction, I realized that God was already in this place before I arrived and that I could learn more from this blessed land and people.

More Exciting Works
As I enter my second year here in Kondiu, I continue to be open and confident in the face of the many challenges to come. This school year, I was tasked to take charge of the school library I have already installed a more efficient system to make the library’s resourced more accessible to the students and teachers. I have also been asked by the Headmaster to help on the documentation of different school projects in preparation for the school’s conversion to becoming a senior high school with Grades 11 and 12.

Open Heart
I look back at my immersion in a new culture as a journey with the Lord. He taught me to have an open heart to the signs of the times, it is without a doubt that God is present at all times in my struggles and successes. Finally, this journey fulfills the promises I made when I said m final vows”... to procure Your glory as far as I shall be able and as You will require of me,”

Fr. Romeo Nimez, CICM

GUATEMALA IS WIDELY Known as the “Land of Eternal Spring. Because of its beautiful attractions, the varied and pleasant climate, the breathtaking scenery of ocean views, lakes and active volcanoes and the beautiful women. But, to many inhabitants of Guatemala, this country is also called the land of eternal bolos, bolas, and balas, that is, drunks, rumors and bullets. This combination makes Guatemala a truly interesting, unique and complicated country.

Fr. Romeo Nimez, CICM was born in Anao – aon, Surigao del Norte. He was joined the CICM group in Maryhurst Seminary, Baguio City and his novitiate and theology in Maryhill Seminary, in Taytay Rizal. Fr. Romeo’s first mission assignment was in Guatemala. He as been the Provincial Superior of the CICM mission for six years and recently he was appointed as parish priest in one of the marginal urban areas of the city.

Bolos
In a typical village one can easily observe, particularly on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evening that men and women flock together to the local “hot” spot known as bar. There they drink in order to fill their heats desire, to drawn their problems, sadness and solitude. This common practice aggravates the problem of the prostitution. Women from El Salvador, Nicaragua and even from the Dominican Republic all share in the spending sprees if the Guatemalans. Indeed, drinking makes family life impossible: husbands freely spend the money they earn on the wine and women while their wives and children are starving.

Bolas
In this country, people easily distort the truth, they are easily convinced that what they tell as lies are the hard facts. This practice if rumor mongering naturally creates confusion and conflicts in the lives on many. At times people no longer known what is true and what is false. People kill because of rumors.

Balas
This is the old problem as of peace and order, in this country almost all conflicts are solves by means of bullets. Both military and the guerrilla groups try to maintain “peace” by means of guns. Thousands of innocent’s victims have died due to the fact that everybody wants to win. Meanwhile, the common delinquents take advantage of this situation by imitating the military abs the guerillas. They rob banks, stores and people on the street. The result is that people are afraid to walk in the streets, even in the early hours of the night. They prefer to stay at home where it is safe. It is considered a good day when there is no murder here.

Julio Rodriguez
In spite if this rather cruel and confused situation id the country, families with hope and principles hold onto what is right and fulfilling. For example, there is the family if Julio Rodriguez, the sacristan if one of our CICM parishes, Julio did nit lose courage and hope when his wife left him a few years back and immigrated to the United States to seek a better life. He has his three children to take care of and he manages to fulfill his role as father and do his work as a sacristan. After he rings the church bells for the first Mass at six in the morning he goes to the market to buy food for the family. While the Mass is going on he is busy in the kitchen preparing breakfast for the children. He has taught his children responsibility, too. His oldest son has been trained ad an altar server so that he can serve the Mass while his father prepares for the morning meal. His other children help in cleaning the church,, inside and out. Sometimes on holidays he takes the children for walks in the park just so he can spend time with them talking and laughing. From time to time, his ex-wife remembers to send a few dollars from the states for school tuition for the children but even without benefit of schools, Julio has worked hard to give his children a solid Christian upbringing.

Don Manuel
There is also example of Don Manuel, the gardener if the CICM Provincial House in Guatemala City. He comes from Solola, one of the most violence-stricken provinces of Guatemala. Don Manuel and his family fled the violence of the barrio and settled down in the capital. He was a catechist in the barrio, but he had to bury his Bible and other catechetical material in order to find new life in the city as an “internal refugee.” His hope for a better future helped him be strong and faithful to his Indian identity and religious training. His wife and children retain their Indian traje (dress) even though there is a strong danger of being rejected and persecuted because of it. Early in the morning his wife goes to the market to buy vegetables, fruits and meat and then resells them in the streets of the neighborhood to help support the family. Meanwhile, Manuel worked hard as the gardener and handyman. Although he work full day, he still find a time, especially on Saturdays, for catechetical work in the neighborhood if the Provincial House. He visits families, prepares their children for First Communion and animated the Christian community to practice their faith. Amid the hardship and pain of being uprooted and cut off from his culture in the province, Don Manuel has not forgotten his life’s work: to care for his family and spread the word of God.

Basic Family Value
Despite the existence of bolos, bolas and balas there are still many Julios and Manuels in this beautiful country. Due to the extreme poverty, the insecurity of repeated military dictatorships, family disintegration caused by constant emigration to the United States, and Mexico, the basic family values of togetherness, love, respect, unity, martial fidelity and responsibility toward the children are constantly threatened.

 Land of Eternal Spring
It is s long and difficult struggle to keep the family intact. But here is hope that sooner this country will indeed become again the “Land of Eternal Spring,” where every one lives in harmony, in peace, and in love.

By: Fr. Bart Toledo

The bishop’s advice to me days before my installation as parish of Vila Brasil always echoes in my mind. “Nao precisa correr. Tem que andar devagar. (You don’t have to run. You have to move slowly.

Here I am still moving slowly seven months of being “vigario” of the Paroquia Sao Jose, Vila Brasil, Barreiras.

Lots of Misunderstanding
With my lack of the language and my limited exposure to the parish, I was open to lots of misunderstanding, I was at a loss when a woman came looking for a priest to Baptist a dead child. I never did and never would do such thing for baptism to my understandings is for the living.

However, I learned later that “batizar” which literally means to baptize is commonly used also to mean to pray over or to bless. Several times I was requested to “batizar” statues and rosaries. “Rezar missa” which means to celebrate Mass is used also to mean to bless the dead.
On several occasions I made a commitment which didn’t turn out right because they didn’t understand what I was trying to say.

Working with Sisters
Vila Brasil is the poorest area of the city and the place where the “invacoes” the migrants from interior who squat on government or private lands are located. We have Austrian and Brazilian Benedictine Sister working in the area for already thirteen years. Working with them is easy if they remain conscious of your limitations and your struggles. But they can be a burden when they forget that you are new and that you need time to learn things.
I got bogged down with them when they started suggesting thing I wasn’t yet ready to do and when they expected me to be like the former priest who was “muito querido to them, I had a meeting with them to explain my needs but with my limited Portuguese it seemed I wasn’t much understood.
My hope is that when I can express myself better and when I get well-adjusted, we could work better together.

Surprises with My “First”
I had many surprises during my first fiesta, first wedding, first communion and even my first masses in the different communities. Brazilians are a “barulhento” (noisy). They love to make noise at fiesta, at Mass and movie houses.  They don’t seem to know how to listen and to concentrate. It takes time to get their attention. My patience is always put to the test.
My wedding was a disappointment – no mass and very much like civil wedding.
My first communion was a disaster- no order solemnity. What matters much to the parents and the communicants are the uniforms and the picture-taking.
It’s often difficult when you are used to order, to discipline and to organization which to some are “caprichos” (mere caprice) around here.

Living Alone
Living alone in a “Casa paroqual” and doing most are also first experience for me. a lady comes to clean and cook. A young lad accompanies me in the evening
Most of the parish activities here are done in the evening-masses, meetings, and courses. One has to get attuned to a different rhythm of activities.

Do Less, Pray More
Despite of the difficulties encountered I’m learning much and beginning to enjoy things as they come. Everyday I set myself to welcome God’s surprises.
I’m moving slow but learning reasonably fast the language, the culture and the way of being Church here. I do less but prayed more. I always relish the company of the Lord at my chapel, of the Blessed Mother at my grotto and of St. Joseph at my altar. As I confront my helplessness daily, the need of God’s power become always very urgent.

His Time not Mine
As the day in the mission increases, I’m becoming more and more convinced that as missionary I should act and do things not ad I want them but as God wants me. The mission is God’s not mine. I am nothing but a dispensable instrument.
I have to move slow to let God move fast,. I have to stop more often to let God show His way. I have to wait and see that things will turn our right in His time and not in mine.

By: Sr. M. Stephanina
 
My Story
It was a fine day when we landed at Lusaka airport. The provincial of the Saharan priests together with the priest met us. He took us to a simple house, six kilometers from the city,. Our house is a low cost house but we like in because it is just like the dwelling place of and ordinary Zambian and therefore puts in solidarity with the local people.

Serenity
Lusaka is a lovely place, quite, scenic, conductive to convent life. The people are united, no tribal clashes as in so many other African countries. The president of Zambia declared this nation a Christian country.

Long is Good
There are lots of other Christians as well as Catholics Inculturation is being implemented in our churches and mind you it’s very meaningful. Our mass is celebrated with dancing and last for more that two hours. For the Zambian the longer the liturgy the better it is. Once I asked why the Holy Mass is so long the answer was this: “We walked for may miles to attend the mass, why can’t we stay longer to worships God on this day, longer than the hours we have walked. “This gave me jolt because when I was in Manila, I did not like to attend mass when it was longer than one hour. But for the Zambians the longer the sermons the better, because for them listening ti the word of God is the best event of the day Sunday.

Black is Beautiful
We have set up and internal distribution center for our publications. Priest, sisters and laity are coming over to our place to get books, they are hungry for good books. Wherever we go we are welcomed with a friendly gesture. Our people have beautiful dark faced and lovely kinky hair. Black is beautiful as the saying goes.

By: Daphne Culanag

Snow Covered Peaks
Last mid-term break thirteen of us (3 priests. 3 nuns, 4 OTPs & 3 Lay Missionaries) went in a week long trip across the Northern Provinces of Pakistan to the Chinese border. We really had much fun though we spent most of it traveling (by wagons or on foot. On June 29 we left Hunea (where we had been sleeping in tents) for a seven hours wagon trip to the Chinese border and there celebrated Mass in a snow covered field, more than 16,000 feet above the sea level.

Longest Line
It was a most memorable trip for us nine Columbans as we recalled our beginnings and our new Vision 2000. Sr. Divina prayed the Our Father in Cantonese, and Auring and I had the chance to play in the snow as we came ahead of the group before Mass. I celebrated my first birthday (my 31st) in Pakistan and the owner of the Inn where we stayed for four nights wished me life a long as theirs in that place, Hunea, where the people have the world record of longevity .

His Care and Love
During the trip, we saw the wonders of God’s work here in Pakistan: the mountains, the brown, green and snow covered peaks, the trees, the many colored flowers, magnificent trees the Indus River, streams and springs (where we often stopped to draw our drinking water). All spoke of God’s love, beauty, goodness, faithfulness and generosity. The camaraderie, the joy, we shared spoke of His care and love. Indeed, God’s presence among us can be seen, felt and witnessed all around us if we are only open, and we can miss it if we are too engrossed with our own selves, our plans and projects. He offers truly the fullness of life to those who are ready and desirous of it.

Home Away from Home
Last July 17, a Sunday, the Filipino community, here in Murree has a picnic at the grounds behind Oxford Villa and what fun we all had among ourselves. Dodo, (the only priest around) the Columban sister Divs and Perlita, us five lay missionaries. Sr. Lyn, a medical mission sister and Raul, a Carmelite brother. We had chicken barbecue, inihaw na mais, a lot of mangoes, ginisang okra, spaghetti, softdrinks and a lot of Filipino music. We even put up colorful paper bandaritas on one side of the “picnic ground.” We had fun too with the games a group relay we called “Magtanim ay Hindi Biro,” musical chair- trip Pakistan, the boat is sinking, and Filipino tongue twisters like repeating “ “ Pasko Paksiw” , ang relo ni Leroy Rolex”, and Minekaniko ni Monico ang minica ni Monica “. We will be sending you photos of the unfilled day when they are developed.

By: Fr. Rudy Fernandez SJ

A Filipino Jesuit teaching in Japan for a half a century, decided to tell the truth to the students-with beautiful results.

Summer Camp
One of the most important items of the summer curriculum for the junior high students is the summer camp. Our school has a campsite by a lake up in the mountains about fifty kilometers from the city. The boys stay at the camp for four days. Half of them stay at the unfurnished log cabin with just straw mats for sleeping and half of then stay in tents. After a couple of days they exchange places, those in the cabins go to the tents and those in the tents to the cabins.

I Went Too
This year, I went too, I went to the summer camp, this time with the second year students, 14-15 years old. That may well be my last time. Teachers 57 and over are not required to go, though they are always welcome id they offer to. I am now 65, and I have been going to summer camp for over thirty years now.

Climb Mount Kammuri
Activities vary from day to day. This year on the first day boys worked: gathering firewood for the campfire, repairing trails and steps leading to the cabins, digging holes for garbage. On the second day the boys climbed Mt. Kammuri, a 1,339 meter high mountain in the area. Taking their lunch with them they left at 8:45 and the last weary group struggled in at about 4:00 pm. On the third day there was a sportfest: sumo, tug – of –war, volleyball and orienteering.

Campfire of Songs
During the campfire the boys sing songs, put on skits and other stunts. There is no electricity in the camp. No TV, radio, after dark the only light the boys have is their flashlight. During their free time the boys may fish, or play ringtoss or cards or whatever game they can improvise.

The Last Night
On the last night it was my turn to give the final talk after the campfire. They had just been having so much fun I did not know if I could hold their attention. I started with “To everything there is a season: a time to be born and a time to die; a time to laugh and a time to weep; a time to  shout and now, a time to be silent...” I told the boys not to take for granted but to be grateful and I gave the example of how other had worked hard to make this beautiful camp site. Then I told them to be aware of their own individual history. Being young, their history is still short, but their dreams and hopes are long, and someday those would be their history. I asked them to allow me to go back to when I was about their age.
Healing our Memories
At my age now, I said, my history and my memories are longer than my dreams. I told them of the war reaching our shores and hones when I was twelve in 1941. my father dying when I was fourteen because the Japanese Navy had refused to give him leave  to take supplies to the sick people of Culion Island in a small fishing ship. Instead they had forced him to load his cargo onto a Japanese ship, which was sunk by an American submarine off Mindoro. My hating the Japanese for that. I told them about Japanese soldier trying to break into our house and shot by a guerilla soldier in the thigh, how the Japanese soldier blew himself to bits with his grenade rather than be captured. This was when the battle for Manila was till raging in 1945, How my mother suddenly cried out over the dead soldier: somewhere in Japan someone-a mother, a wife, a child will be wait, waiting and wondering why this man doesn’t come home. Just like us Papa, she said.

Became a Jesuits
How I had not paid much attention to those words then. How at seventeen I become a Jesuit. Then came the call from Rome for volunteers to Japan when I was nineteen, and so here I am with you tonight.

Instant and Spontaneous Clapping
There was a hush I had never felt before in any talk I had given. it was like I was all alone with the dying  flames of the campfire. I was wondering if the boys had all fallen asleep. Until I said, that’s all and they instantly and spontaneously clapped their hands. And they dispersed, a couple of boy s shyly shook my hand.

Next Year
The next day after breakfast we prepared to go back to the city. We folded the tents and stored away the tables and benches used in the dining quadrangle. We gave the whole camp site a thorough cleaning- the cabins, the toilets, grounds. Later in the bus going ti the city I wondered if maybe I should to go again next year and share myself and my history with still another group of boys.