The S.O.S. Ministry of ‘Presence’ is a spiritual, mental, emotional, and physical state of ‘being with’ the indigenous Maya. Through the ‘entering into’ the Maya culture not to change it, not to rescue the perceived oppressed and not to criticize the Maya way, beautiful bonds of solidarity are formed with one another in a profound and life changing way. As Travel team members, together with the Maya men and women, ‘enter into’ a rich mutual sharing of their faith, life’s challenges, joys, and sufferings, they not only begin to see one other and the world in a different light but also come to a deeper understanding of themselves and their connectedness to their brothers and sisters in Christ.
The following personal stories from Travel Team members tell of their unexpected, profound and sometimes heart-wrenching encounters with Christ while on mission. They are inspiring stories that strengthen our faith for they reveal the Holy Spirit at work ‘binding up our wounds and setting the captives free’. They reveal that Christ IS alive, teaching us and uniting all His children. It is the Living Christ who is transforming us through the poor who by U.S. standards seemed to have little to give but who paradoxically have everything we want and long for – a strong faith, a simple life, and strong family values.
"Bond with a Maya woman"
"A lesson in giving"
"A study in contrasts"
Bond with a Maya woman
During the June S.O.S. mission trip, I was part of the group who met with the villagers who participated in the Family Spirituality Activity. The focus of this Activity was the life of Christ through the Mysteries of the Rosary. We wanted to have a mutual exchange of how we each live out these Mysteries in our own families and different cultures. During the presentation of the First Joyful Mystery, the Annunciation we read from Scripture, Luke 1:28 how Mary, although she was scared when the angel Gabriel appeared to her and told her she was to be the mother of Jesus, she accepted and trusted that God would take care of her. I then told the village women, about how in my life God had given me 11 children in all, and that seven of them were born in 7 years and how I had two more children after 4 years. When the youngest was 2 years old, I became pregnant again and did not feel well. I was very sick and had little help. It was a very difficult time for me and very difficult to take care of my family. I cried and prayed a lot. I accepted and trusted that the Lord would take care of me. After I spoke, the Quiché leader got up and to my surprise he asked why it was that the day before when we introduced ourselves, I said, I had 9 children and today I said I had 11. I told him through the aid of our translator that the last two were twins and had died shortly after birth. They were curious about my age and I told them I was 70 years old. They were surprised since their life expectancy is between 50-60 years of age because of disease and hard living conditions. Then a lady got up and spoke at great length about how she could identify with me because her husband had been killed in the civil war and she was left with many babies too. She told about how hard her life was and how she trusted through her faith that God would take care of her and her family. When she finished speaking, I went over and hugged her. Everyday after that we looked for each other and shared a hug. I shall never forget this trip and this special moment I shared with my newfound friend in Christ in Guatemala.
-Nini Lisy, 7/26/99
A lesson in giving
"No one is so poor that they have nothing to give and no one is so rich that they have nothing to receive." (Pope John Paul)
The truth of these words were witnessed and experienced by the members of the Travel Team this past August. We had the honor of being invited into the homes of some of the Maya. Poor as they were, we were always offered something, like an apple. At Mass one morning, we recognized one of the men whose home we had visited and watched him deposit some coins into the collections basket. We knew what a sacrifice this was for him; for now his family would have less. Ironically, it was in his giving that we too received. We received an unforgettable lesson in the true meaning of Christ-like giving. Giving from our excess is not real giving because sacrificial giving takes from what you yourself need. No wonder the poor are so close to the Father. They are so much like His Son.
-Anonymous, 9/12/00
A study in contrasts
"We saw the face of Jesus in the indigenous Mayan people of Santa Cruz del Quiché and we are forever changed by their love and kindness," one of our team members said on the most recent mission trip to Guatemala. Our "grandmother" team member, as she named herself, said "I feel rejuvenated in my faith and thankful for all I have. Even though I've been through cancer and the death of my husband, it's deeply moving to see what all these people have been through, and still have such gratitude, love, and graciousness. I am so thankful that I was able to go, and felt that there was much mutual sharing of love and service to one another."
One of the team leaders commented that this was a trip of many contrasts, mainly because our schedule was dramatically changed when we arrived in Guatemala. However, she went on to say that this really emphasized an important point, that our trips to Guatemala are not about our lesson plans, agenda, visual aids, but that it's all about the sharing hearts, making a connection with our brothers and sisters, reaching out with God's love and listening with a compassionate heart to another's pain.
Another powerful outcome of these trips is the building of teamwork. Before the trip, much preparation is done at meetings and especially in our spiritual retreat the week before Guatemala. This time of reflection and Scripture plows our hearts and plants the seeds of God's word, preparing us to share and listen. For me personally, the most profound impact came when a Mayan grandmother, Sebastiana, shared her personal story of forgiving others that had hurt her deeply. In watching her face I saw only kindness and mercy.
She obviously had been able to do what Jesus said - to forgive your brother from your heart, just as our heavenly Father forgives you. Sebastiana projected grace and humility and brought conviction to my heart. I let go of hurts and resentments tucked away in my heart, and experienced reconciliation and forgiveness.
This was a conversion experience for all of us. And, as one team member put it, this was a spiritual retreat. You have the opportunity to reflect on what really matters most, loving God through loving your brothers and sisters in Christ, serving Him out of gratitude for his blessings, and remembering the importance of being a compassionate listener when someone needs to share their feelings.
Everyday in teams of four or five, we facilitated classes in family spirituality, Scripture, health promotion, and teaching methods. However, before that we would pray that "we would go forth depending on God, remembering the dignity of the person, serving them with humility as priest, prophet, and king."
Prayer covered every activity while we were there and we are most grateful for the Eucharistic adoration at home. Continue your prayers for the coming mission trip(s).
-Kathy Blanchard, 5/9/00