Saturday, July 10, 2010

Matty's Reflections on Mission

As a married couple we face interesting and different challenges to mission life.  However, the benefits are worth every last ounce of strife.  My wife and I can definitively say that our marriage has been strengthened by this experience.  God has gifted us with more patience for each other and an interdependence that is only achieved by much conversation, action together, and sacrifice.

During our experience, Chile was struck by the 6th largest earthquake in recorded history.  The effects were devastating we worked with those affected and provided support as a gift of solidarity that we offered through the foundation of Las Rosas.  We were able to touch people that other wise would not have received that kind of loving support.  This required much sacrifice on our end, and we were exhausted by the end of this service.  However, as a couple we faced those challenges together and we grew together.

Sacrificing your time, your energy, your comfort, and your professional life, gives one the ability to see what is truly important here on earth.  Which is of course fulfilling the mission of Christ, in serving others.  This is achieved by individual works of kindness and love.  It is not the responsibility of organizations and governments.  We firmly believe Jesus' message to love one another as he loved us.  It is a message to the individual, a call to action, saying love each other, be kind, be generous, be tolerant.  It is in mission that we have chosen to try and follow this path, it is not easy or for the faint of heart as any religious will tell you { Especially sisters and priest that are Salesian or Jesuit} But this path is the most rewarding path of all others.

Therefore, the tangible gifts that God has given us are new language skills and abilities, new cooking techniques, a greater appreciation for culture, a love of God's children.  The most intangible gift is greater love and service to others.