4922(I)_The joys and challenges of missionary ad gentes
Interview with Fr. Thomas Huan, a Vietnamese missionary in Western Africa
November 18, 2018
Lagos, Nigeria, 18 November 2018 -- Last September 2012 was sent the largest number of 17 Vietnamese Salesian missionaries ad gentes, in one single missionary expedition n. 143. Fr. Thomas Huan is now belonging to the AFW province (English speaking Western Africa: Ghana, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Liberia and Gambia) is one of them.
How are you now after first six years of your missionary life ad gentes?
It is six years since our seventeen members of ‘Good Shepherd’ batch left Vietnam for their different missionary destinations. During these years, some of us had short time to meet and some of us had no chance for this. Normally we were sent “two by two” in to each country or province where we may stay in different communities. Although the “two” have been living in different geographic places and was not easy to meet or share often, we knew we have only one mission and have been united through prayer.
At the beginning we have been like strangers in the new land, but gradually became part of the new country and culture we were sent. We became a ‘surprise for young people and others around us. Until now we are encounter many questions. This offers a good chance to share, to encourage young people for vocation or to invite them “live as responsible citizens”.
How was born your missionary vocation ad gentes?
Yes, missionary life is a vocation, when God calls each of us in a different ways and the way we respond also may not be the same. I remember exactly when I was a novice at Ba Thon, when Fr. Francis Nhat (Easter Africa province missionary), when he was preparing for his ordination in Vietnam. One day he shared with us about the mission in South Sudan. My heart was touched and said to myself: ‘I will be missionary ad gentes!’ Even though that desire already burning in my heart, I have to finish my studies first. And in the same time I put more effort to live closer with other community members since I know that as a future missionary I need to accept many different characters, to make my missionary life more fruitful.
How did you start your missionary life in Nigeria?
Culture, food, weather are first things that anybody living in a foreign land need to consider seriously. If we cannot adjust, then first the missionary himself would suffer. Then I was reading some books before my departure and asking those who know that place beforehand. After my arrival in Nigeria I have try to observe the new land. Thank God I did not found any problem with local food, although one time in first two year I had to be recovered in the clinic. Another challenge were the confreres and even young people who were laughing at us. That is nice in any time like that since that is the chance for us to learn something or to share with them about ourselves. I learn how to share with humble heart without teaching or imposing, because some of us are not accepted immediately in the new mission land.
I remembered when my made and myself were in first three months attending the English course, one priest in the community said “We don’t need you, we have already so many confreres here!” It was very painful but I have received a strong encouragement from my provincial after writing to him about this situation: “If they don’t like you, no need to defend you or to be sad, just live and behave well, so all others might love you!”.
The issue of food it may be the big problem for others, but thanks God for me was never a challenge. More than one confreres told me that “you come here to eat our food” and I accept.
What did you learn for the African Salesians and young people?
For each missionary this is one of the purposes of our missionary life. I say this not because somebody forces me to learn, but because I would like to be enriched for the needs of young people. We cannot support each other if we don’t not understand each other well.
Living in the East or in the West Africa, I perceive that that character of the people is not the same. The people from the East can be calmer and in the Western Africa can be more extrovert. But all Africans are in general very friendly and good. One interesting point is that in Africa we are always welcome. Everywhere, in all communities I came, from the confreres to the young people I was always warmly welcome.
I appreciate that the young Africans face their life struggles (like lack of proper jobs, poor living conditions, missing even basic needs) with courage and proactive attitude. These struggles may form the people to become more active and trying not to lose every possible opportunity. They can fight for their rights, they are very energetic when are playing sports. During the meetings they can talk and express their opinions without fear that the other companions may get hurt.
Advice to the young Salesian of the EAO region, who consider a missionary vocation?
First, this is just a sharing and not advice. When are you send to Africa before knowing anything about this continent, don’t be shocked or surprised by the different reality. Just come to the new mission place with an open mind.
Secondly, learn how to take care of oneself and others because we cannot wait for other to take care of you! And try to care about other people, so you could easily melt their hearts of ‘stone’ and become their closer companion.
Thirdly, share and speak humbly out your opinions, suggestions in order to build up the community and make sure that after the meeting all arguments are over. I mean, we Asians usually don’t speak out directly up to the point then when we cannot keep again our problems might explode! We may also speak behind, gossip or find some way to revenge after that. Sure that these are not the attitudes of the community builders.
At the end of my sharing I feel that without mentioning prayer, I would miss the main point of my missionary life. Sure, when I am in great trouble, God is only one I can talk to and God is the only who can understand me. In the same time when I am living happy moments, God is the first person, I’m sharing my joy!
