5113(III)_SALVO Lay Missionary Volunteers send-off to Myanmar
June 11, 2019
Cebu, Philippines, 9 June 2019 -- After the SALVO missionary send-off Eucharist from Lourdes Shrine in Cebu (June 9 - Pentecost) two SALVO lay missionaries were commissioned for Myanmar. One of them shares her 'mission call story':
"What a great privilege to be sent on mission in this Year of the Youth. To exercise being loved, gifted and empowered specially through “A Project of Life” (APOL) Program of the Salesians. Please pray for me that I may be steadfast in this scarily exciting journey. Know that you will always be in my prayers too. May I be like Saint John Bosco in his love for the young people.
The mission sending continues with your YES. Join us by sending a message to Salesian Lay Volunteer to find out more about this program.
HOW DID MY ‘YES’ STORY BEGIN?
It was last July of 2018 when I had the opportunity to pull myself away from the hectic work schedule to participate in the Taize Meeting bringing with me the question of “What am I supposed to do with my life, Lord?” I was able to reflect on how fast yet stagnant my life had become. I knew I wasn’t truly happy.
[YEARNING] One of my friends in that meeting shared the joy she received through full time volunteering. I got excited about the thought of it but I let it subside. [EMPOWERED] At the end of the weeklong activity, our Retreat Master gave a token to each one of us. Most received Taize post cards while I had a Don Bosco stampita. Maybe I wasn’t much favored- I thought to myself. I mean, why a stampita? And of Don Bosco? I can have even a box of it when I reach home (I thought to myself). [SERVANT] A close friend of mine later shared his experience of being a missionary volunteer through the Salesians. He lit the spark in me and he led me to apply for SALVO.
Early this year, I received confirmation and ever since then I was excited. Suddenly, when I thought it was all just beautiful butterflies, somewhere in between I had this uneasy feeling. I don’t feel that courageous anymore. It seems such a lonely path. But then again, where God leads, He guides. I asked significant people how they think of the journey. First was my manager- if there is something crazy about this, that is the fact that I left work without a proper turn-over. I messaged her to say how sorry I am for not being able to make time for the turn-over documents and to my surprise her reply was affirming. Second, my parents. I called them up to ask if they were okay with me being away and not being able to help the family, and crazily they replied, “If it makes you happy then go”. Third, to my very close friends to whom I considered my confidants. And they think that this is just part of the “funny” phase I go through when I get too attached. And then lastly my spiritual director, who reassured me of the Lord’s divine will in all the decisions I have made.
When I so wanted to give up, the Lord strengthens me through the support of the people I love so much. Most especially friends who are so willing to listen to my endless blabber over milk tea and wine. And for that I am forever grateful. YES for the mission. YEARNING EMPOWERED SERVANT for the mission." Related news article:
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