Mission Monday: A Quinceañera at the Franciscan burn center

Bolivian children recovering severe burns are sometimes brought to the Franciscan Social Center in Cochabamba to heal. Missioner Nora Pfeiffer, who lives at the center, shares with us this "Mission Monday" a recent special birthday celebration.

The 15th birthday girl and the cake made by Nora

Here in Bolivia, a girl’s 15th birthday is particularly special because it marks the transition into a new phase of life. Not everyone likes to have a big party (fiesta de quince años) but some girls choose to celebrate with lots of people and beautiful dresses etc.

One teenage girl is recovering at the center from being electrocuted one day while herding sheep. The electric company had not properly protected the cables and she stuck her stick into the grass and struck the cable which knocked her out completely. She lost her arm and parts of her toes, among other complications.

For her recent 15th birthday party, she asked me to be the “madrina de torta," which means I would bring the cake. We’ve known each other for quite a while now and have a good relationship, so I agreed.

The quinceañera and Nora

I had quite an experience of being madrina!  I was stubborn and wanted to make the cake instead of buying it. My expectation was that there would be 15 or 20 guests, but I later found it would be as many as 70. Three of the kids helped me out a lot so in the end it all worked out, but what a labor of love it was.

At the party, I was so happy though to see the birthday girl all dressed up in her fancy dresses, surrounded by people who clearly admired her courage for continuing to live her life and overcome adversities daily.

She continues to play basketball whenever I take them to the court, and she is definitely enjoying being a teenager.

She teaches me that when the unexpected takes something away from you, that doesn’t mean that life ends there, rather you adjust and continue on.

To learn more about Nora's mission in Bolivia, read her blog A Walk in Bolivia.

Four Days in Bolivia - What Kitzi's Learned So Far

After arriving safely in Bolivia, our newest missioners started their Spanish-immersion classes at the Maryknoll Language Institute yesterday. In her first blog post abroad, Kitzi Hendricks summarized her experiences so far.

Kitzi dancing to traditional Bolivian music with her host family and neighbors in Cochabamba

Here’s what I’ve learned so far in Cochabamba:

1. Cows use the streets along with cars. They also reside in stables that have no fences and are about two feet from some of the busiest streets

2. I don’t know if there are any rules for driving here…if there are, there aren’t many. Drivers use their horns for everything. Nobody has the right of way. The roads don’t make sense at all. I don’t think there are any speed limits. There are no seatbelts.

3. Dogs sit in the middle of the street even when cars are coming. The cars avoid the dogs.

4. Bolivians LOVE their instant coffee.

5. Bolivians ALWAYS eat. I can’t even tell you the number of times that I’ve said “Estoy bien, gracias” y “Estoy lleno (I am full)” and pointed to my stomach. The food is amazing, but there’s only so much I can fit in my stomach! My host grandparents ask me multiple times, say “Servite”, and put the food in front of me. I usually abide for the first few times and then gratefully decline with a smile and a full stomach.

6. Llamas ride in boxes on top of cars. I’ll try to get a picture of it next time I see a car with llamas on the roof.

7. Besides in some showers, there is no hot water in Bolivia. The hot water in my shower, along with the showers of others, is powered by electricity.

8. Bolivians LOVE their Coca-Cola. I don’t think I’ve ever had so much soda in my life as I have in the past three days. Luckily, the Coca-Cola here tastes so much better than in the states because of the real sugar!

9. We have parrots here!

10. The fruit juice is unbelievable—peach juice, orange juice, mango juice. You name it. So wonderful. There's a fruit called Tumbo, that makes a really great fruit drink...my host dad Raul made it for lunch today.

11. Whenever you say goodbye, you say “Chao.” Never adios.

12. Greetings always include at least one kiss on the cheek. I’ve learned that if you shake a person’s hand, you kiss the left cheek once. If you give a hug, you give a kiss on the cheek as you go in for the hug and one as you go out of the hug.

To read more about Kitzi's mission, visit her blog Trials and Triumphs of a Songwriter...Serving in Bolivia. 

A visit to the MLK memorial

Two of our domestic volunteers, Rachel Roa and Bridget Higginbotham, recently visited the new Martin Luther King Jr. National Memorial here in Washington, D.C. Bridget offers a reflection on their experience. 

Photo by Bridget Higginbotham

One benefit to volunteering is D.C. is that I am constantly surrounded by inspiration. From the beautifully spiritual people I've met through FMS, to the monuments and memorials dedicated to our nation's leaders and thinkers, my faith and I are forever being affirmed yet challenged at the same time. It's an extremely gratifying growth experience.

The MLK memorial is one of the most motivational places that I have visited since beginning my year of service in October (another great one was the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial, only a few yards away.)

Like so many Americans, I was familiar with King "I Have A Dream" speech. The memorial is created to visualize a line toward the end that said, "With this faith, we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope."

Photo by Bridget Higginbotham

King's image has been carved into a huge piece of rock dragged out of a looming mountain — he has physically become a stone of hope cut from a mountain of despair. The Lincoln Memorial is behind him — just as it was one he gave his famous speech — and from across the tidal basin he faces the Jefferson Memorial.

The designers intended that the when people visited King's memorial, they would learn something about King.The 450-foot granite Inscription Wall is engraved with fourteen of King's most notable quotes from other speeches, and these brief yet powerful and passionate messages changed my perspective of King. He work was not limited to the Civil Rights Movement in America. He wanted peace and justice for everyone. He wanted to change the world.

"I have the audacity to believe that peoples everywhere can have three emails a day for their bodies, education and culture for their minds, and dignity, equality, and freedom for their spirits." -Norway, 1964

 Here are Rachel and I with the last of King's quotes. It says, "True peace is not merely the absence of tension; it is the presence of justice." It was part of his last sermon delivered in Washington, DC at the National Cathedral in 1968, only four days before his assassination.

So many of King's quotes resonated with me because they aligned with the Franciscan and mission values I am learning at FMS.

This one reminds me of how our missioners are taught to respect the culture and beliefs of the people they serve.

"If we are to have peace on earth, our loyalties must become ecumenical rather than sectional. Our loyalties must transcend our race, our tribe, our class, and our nation; and this means we must develop a world perspective." - Georgia, 1967

This one reminds me not only of my year of service, but of our missioner's commitment to lifelong mission in North America. By sharing their experiences on mission their new heightened understanding of "global solidarity" and our unity as one people on this earth, they have the power to change their community.

"Make a career of humanity. Commit yourself to the struggle for equal rights. You will make a greater person of yourself, a greater nation of your country and a finer world to live in." - District of Columbia, 1959

I hope that as we celebrate the birth of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. we can all commit ourselves to live out his powerful, inspirational words.

Franciscan Friday: Prayer for Missioners

Michael Redell

Kitzi Hendricks

Susan Slavin

Missioners Michael Redell and Kitzi Hendricks arrived in Bolivia today while Susan Slavin makes her final preparations for Kenya.  As they begin their two-year mission journey abroad, please join us in praying the Franciscan Prayer for Missioners:

Lord, make our sisters and brothers serving in other countries instruments of your peace. . .

In the midst of conflict give them serene spirits.

Where there is hatred, let them sow love. . .

Grant that our missioners be bridges of reconciliation.

Where there is injury, pardon…

Make our missioners a truly healing presence.

Where there is doubt, faith. . .

Gift our missioners with absolute trust in your providence.

Where there is despair, hope. . .

Keep our missioners ever-mindful of your empowering presence in the world.

Where there is darkness, light. . .

Grant that the witness of our missioners illumine the way for all they encounter.

Where there is sadness, joy. . .

Keep the spirits of our missioners lifted by the grace of their vocation.

O Divine Master, may our missionary sisters and brothers not so much seek to be consoled as to console...

In the midst of the pain which they witness.

To be understood, as to understand…

In the trying reality of their missionary lives.

To be loved, as to love…

Each person without thought of class, race, or religion.

Help our missioners believe the all-important truth:

That in giving, they receive
That in pardoning, they are pardoned
And that in dying, they are born to eternal life.

Amen.

Mission Monday: Busting Myths

Our Associate Director Mariam Mitry busts the myths she frequently hears about mission:

In the past couple months, I have had the pleasure of speaking with more than 100 students interested in volunteering internationally after they complete their undergraduate studies. I find that whenever I'm recruiting -- whether I'm talking to college students or retirees -- I hear the same myths over and over again, and it's time to clear them up.  

MYTH 1: Mission is converting people to Christianity

With FMS, you train to serve in ways that are respectful of cultural and religious differences.

MYTH 2 : Mission is starting projects that the host country doesn't want or need.

With FMS, you serve with Franciscans in established ministries that local people invite you to join.

MYTH 3: Mission is just for priests and nuns.

Mission with FMS is for anyone committed to working for peace, solidarity and justice. In the past 20 years, FMS has sent more than 130 lay people to serve in 19 different countries.

MYTH 4: Mission is giving up two years of my life.

You'll learn more about yourself on mission. You'll build lasting relationships, deepen your faith life, and strengthen your communication and leadership skills - not to mention your cross-cultural awareness. What better way to prepare for a career in an increasingly multicultural society? 

Mariam recruiting at Catholic University of America's Long Term Service Fair  in November 2011

When I'm recruiting, I explain that St. Francis truly believed in journeying with those that are physically poor, and in peace and social justice. This is a tradition that FMS continues through our missioners.  

One way I describe FMS is as a "Catholic Peace Corps." From there, I delve into talking about the incredible 13-week training we provide, the support we offer to missioners during their two-years abroad, and the partnership we have with religious Franciscans in the field that opens the door to amazing service opportunities.

I get most excited about potential missioners who are passionate about human rights, environmental justice, or they have a heart for a country where Franciscans are already working, such as Bolivia, Zambia, Kenya and Jamaica. With these people, I can see the possibilities for service forming in my mind.  

Are you interested in learning more about serving overseas? Let us know and we'll get in contact with you. 

We are currently accepting applications for our Fall 2012 formation group, who would leave for mission in January 2013.

First Christmas in Zambia

As we wrap up the Christmas season, our missioner Sandra Bradford shares how she and her husband Bryce spent the holiday. In Zambia, they serve as high school teachers and help run the retreat center for the St. Francis Friary.

Our liturgical Advent celebration was a wonderful preparation for Christmas. I made new banners with the Alleluia verses for Mass from December 17 through December 24 (the “O Antiphons” of the office) and hung them one-by-one on the stand of the advent wreath on the proper day and sang the correct verse of “O Come, o come, Emmanuel” at the Alleluia.

The friary chapel with its African creche that Sandra decorated for Christmas.

Bryce helped me decorate the public areas of the friary—real greens over windows, Christmas tree with multicolored balls, and shiny garland on grates of doors and window. We put a small crib set on top of the TV and another one on the serving table in the dining room. Everything looked great.

Christmas morning we went for  the 9 a.m., three-hour Mass at the parish. There were baptisms and first communions of school age children, including Justin, the 10-year-old son of our cook Jane. We gave him a card with K5,000—enough to buy a soda. The whole service was in Bemba—good thing we knew the readings and guessed at the content of the sermon. The singing was lovely, but I'm not sure what the specific meanings were. No Christmas hymns sung that I recognized the melody.

The rest of Christmas day was very quiet. The Zambian priests were at the mission stations until late in the evening.With very simple meals, no gifts, cards or holiday music in the house, I was lonely for family. Thank goodness we were able to talk some on Skype with my mom, dad and brother George in Florida, but the reception wasn't great so it was fairly short call.

Monday, December 26 was truly joyous! The Baptistine novices came over. They helped prepare for the “American” Christmas dinner I was cooking for the noon meal: ham, turkey, mac and cheese, green bean casserole, pineapple and cream cheese, cranberry sauce, Brussels sprouts, squash, carrots with raisins, puff pastry appetizers (found at the grocery store in the freezer section by accident while I was looking for frozen green beans), with stuffed dates and an English style fruit cake for desert.

Our community was all in a festive mood, as were the guests. The friars had forgotten to tell me that they invited the Principal of our St. Francis High School and his family to join us. We needed to set up another small table at the last minute, but there was plenty of food for all twenty-two of us.

We received gifts of a live white rabbit from our mechanic Martin (we'll eat it after the leftovers from Christmas dinner are gone), and a homemade Christmas cake and bottle of wine from the sisters—we re-gifted the cake to Martin's family since the friars also received a cake and we helped them eat that one.

Not being clergyman's wife, I didn't realize that it's common for family celebrations to be delayed until the day after the Feast Day if you have a parish to care for—and obviously that included our priests as well. Next year I'll be better prepared for the contemplative December 25 and a celebratory December 26.

Sandra and Bryce will continue to serve in Kitwe, Zambia through 2013. You can support their mission with a gift to FMS today. 

World Day of Peace: Educating Young People in Justice and Peace

By Ryan Lothian

"Dear young people, you are a precious gift for society. 

 Do not yield to discouragement in the face of difficulties and do not abandon yourselves to false solutions which often seem the easiest way to overcome problems. Do not be afraid to make a commitment, to face hard work and sacrifice, to choose the paths that demand fidelity and constancy, humility and dedication. 

Be confident in your youth and its profound desires for happiness, truth, beauty and genuine love! Live fully this time in your life so rich and so full of enthusiasm."
- Pope Benedict XVI's address for the celebration of the World Day of Peace 2012

On this Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, Catholics across the globe pray together in the World Day of Peace. The theme for 2012 is “Educating Young People in Justice and Peace,” a perfect alignment with the mission and work of Franciscan Mission Service. 

In the tradition of St. Francis and St. Clare, we promote peace and justice year-round. We engage in a mission of presence, accompaniment, and advocacy. Strong theological and cross-cultural training, we believe, lead to respectful and effective mission service.

In his address, Pope Benedict XVI talks about what it takes to become a peacemaker. "In order to be true peacemakers, we must educate ourselves in compassion, solidarity, working together, fraternity, in being active within the community and concerned to raise awareness about national and international issues and the importance of seeking adequate mechanisms for the redistribution of wealth, the promotion of growth, cooperation for development and conflict resolution."

We recognize these very needs and address them during our 13-week formation program for our missioners-in-training. Our missioners are taught that, when we enter other cultures, it is more important for the people to see us, get to know us, and to be known by us; this is the essence of a ministry of presence.

Rather than coming with the intention of implementing program after program, missioners who engage in a ministry of presence spend time with and listening to the people, empowering them to believe in themselves, to identify solutions, and to value their own opinions.

For the poor people in Bolivia, Zambia and South Africa, our missioner are the witnesses that the pope calls for, "[T]oday more than ever we need authentic witnesses, and not simply people who parcel out rules and facts; we need witnesses capable of seeing farther than others because their life is so much broader."

Michael Redell and Kitzi Hendricks, our newest missioners

As we joyously send two new young people into the mission field this month, we look forward to training more in the fall. It is our hope that in 2012 you continue to journey with us and lend your prayerful and financial support to Franciscan Mission Service, where lay people — of all ages — work for peace, justice and hope.

"All you men and women throughout the world, who take to heart the cause of peace: peace is not a blessing already attained, but rather a goal to which each and all of us must aspire. Let us look with greater hope to the future; let us encourage one another on our journey; let us work together to give our world a more humane and fraternal face; and let us feel a common responsibility towards present and future generations, especially in the task of training them to be people of peace and builders of peace." - Pope Benedict XVI


Are you discerning your call to promote justice and peace? Talk to us about going on mission.