SH: What does it mean to be a missionary?
To be a missionary is to leave your own land and go where God sends you, to love the people that He loves and entrusts to us. I am from São Luís, Brazil. I have had 9 years of missionary life in several cities in Brazil. I currently live in Maputo – MOZ.
I feel very fulfilled and happy living in this beautiful mission that God entrusted to me. Today I can say with all the certainty of my heart that it is worth being a young woman consecrated to God!
SH: What were your first impressions of the people?
When I arrived in this land of mission, I became aware of the contagious joy of this people who, even though they have suffered so much, never lost hope. I see, however, that there is a risk of not believing in one’s potential and one’s own talents, and not being able to develop them because of poverty.
SH: What are the main challenges in this mission land?
The major challenges I see are social inequality and moral degradation. The cost of living is very high: medicine, food… and this leads many people to selling their body for their own sustenance. This saddens the heart of God.
SH: What kind of activities and experiences does the Shalom Community carry out in the country?
What we have to offer is the experience with God and also help to restore the dignity of those who have lost it. That is why we promote Life Seminars in Holy Spirit, have a prayer group for young people, a radio program, follow-up of people with HIV and provide assistance to children at risk.
We also work in the psychiatric hospital, offering courses dealing with inner healing and one devoted to consecration to Our Lady. We carry out activities with the street people; we train outside the community and every Thursday we have Worship of the Blessed Sacrament which is open to the public.
SH: What fruits can you reap in this land from the offering of your life?
Among the greatest fruits to see is the people having the experience of God, to be able to touch the lives of people who all too often have almost nothing to eat and wear, yet have a deep faith and joy. The fruits are many, in the life of the people and in mine. In short, I can say that we Africans – because I feel like I belong among the people here- we have a deep faith. This is the greatest grace of this people and it very much enriches me.
Translation: Jhoanna Climacosa
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Do you want to take this mission with us? Support us!
If you’d like to donate by bank transfer, here are the Banca Prossima codes:
COMUNITÀ CATTOLICA SHALOM – International Assistance
Current Account: 100000008887 | Bank: Banca Prossima
MILAN BRANCH | 20121 – PIAZZA PAOLO FERRARI 10 – MILAN
For the transfer from abroad the following codes must be used:
IBAN: IT40W0335901600100000008887
BIC receiving bank (SWIFT): BCITITMX