Garage Sales, New Priests, and TV Interviews: A Few Mission Highlights
Malaybalay Garage Sale
(An update from Kring and Ramon Leano, Filipino Missionaries)
“Today we are selling some of our stuff in preparation for our mission in Camiguin island. Our stuff is just worth 5 pesos but Ramon and I worked hard for our small things and it took us years to have what we got. It may sound hard to let this all go because this is ALL our treasure but we want you to know your Father and Savior Jesus Christ. Its easy to let this all go so you can fully follow Him where ever he wants you to serve Him and you know in your heart that you may have lost your treasure on earth but you got more unmeasureable treasure in heaven.”
Cajun Fun Day
FMC was featured on the local news this past week during our Cajun Fun Day at Palmetto Island State Park with the new missionaries of our largest Intake to date. Enjoy this short clip featuring Donovan Bailey, a missionary from Wichita, KS.
Update from the Amazon Jungle, Ecuador
By Ryan Lawless
Matt and I spoke with the Monsignor Celmo, the Bishop of Tena, last week. We discussed the future of the mission in Ahuano and the presence of missionaries. He is very pleased with the presence of FMC. He also understands that, in a very real way, we are just getting started, even after 8 months. He wisely reminded us that our attention should be focused on the families, the domestic church. Then, the faith of the community will come together and grow much more quickly and effectively. From there, the hope is to continue on the path of disciples making disciples:
[pullquote1]”Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.” – Matthew 28:19-20[/pullquote1]
How can we expect to build a church if we don´t begin with the individual stones, nails, wood, etc., the very ingredients that make up the church. Sometimes, I get stuck on only looking at the big picture, or the blue prints for that matter. The plan becomes, or appears at times, daunting, because there is so much to do. But, if we begin with just putting one piece in its proper place and then move on to the next, carefully attending to each, before we know it, the church has been built.
Therefore, we must hold ourselves accountable and responsible for the little things, so the greatest thing of all, the inheritance of heaven, may be entrusted to us as well (see Luke16:10-12). Of course, we can not do it unless we work with Holy Spirit. Can you imagine trying to build a church that goes against the forces of nature, gravity and friction. It wouldn´t work. With the Holy Spirit missions is not daunting, nor should we have fear, because it is God who desires for all men to come to know His Son, Jesus Christ, and to be saved. It is His mission and we are His instruments. Monsignor spoke with us concerning this matter. Let´s lay a strong foundation, and the community of Ahuano will begin to come together. Praise the Lord!
Padre Walter is our new priest. His previous parish was in Puerto Viejo, Ecuador. Matt and I are looking forward to the changes that he desires to make, not that his way is better, but that it stirs up the soil for a new and refreshing approach to our ministries and to helping the people. Pray for us that this transition with Padre Walter will be smooth and the Lord may us this new community to propagate the Gospel message.
This week we have masses in several different communities, as we begin the next round of visiting all of the many communities that surround Ahuano. Again, there are a total of 75, some of them three hours away, and that is by walking. Many of them only receive the Sacraments once every three months. It is hard for only one priest to attend to these far off communities. Please pray for us to better catechize those who are so far off and don´t have a lot exposure to the presence of the Church and Her teachings, especially that they may come to hunger more for the Scriptures!
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