He has Risen Allelia! It has indeed been a busy busy busy week with filled with celebrations, work, and a little bit of relaxation. Easter Vigil was beautiful,the church in Manglarato was full. Maribeth and I had a small taste of what parents must feel when their little ones insist on holding the lit candel during the Easter Vigil. Easter day Mass was celebrated at the Sanctuario in Olon. After Easter lunch I spent the afternoon at the beach with Maribeth, Belen, Jovanka, and Chari (three of the consecrated ladies). We took great joy in enjoying all aspects of the quiet beach in Olon, the warmth of the sun, the strong tide coming in and out, and building sculptures in the sand. Truly a beautiful way to rejoice in His Reserection.
This passed tuesday, March 25th the Mission base celebrated its feast day, The Immaculate Conception. Monday the day before the Mission base´s feast day I was able to spend most of my afternoon in the Chapel at the Finca, and afterwards I was able to talk with Fr. Othmar about the spirituality of the community. It is truly beautiful what they try to live, to be like Mary and her Fiat in everything that His will be done in their lives. He gave me two books as well about two saints the community strive to be immitate along with Our Lady, Bl Dina Belange and Bl. Elizabeth of the Trinity. It was beautiful to talk with Fr. he is a very holy man, not pressuring me to join the community but to simply be a saint, to be holy in what ever call the Lord puts on my heart. I have had the same experience with the Missionaries as well... they love their call to consecrate their lives totally to Him in their Fiat when we talk about my vocation and the vows one day I will make in how I will love with my entire life they simply say I must strive to be a saint in whatever call He puts upon my heart.
I am learning more and more it is not the big things that I will acomplish over this next year that really matter... but it is how I love each person He crosses my path with each moment that is going to make the difference. For example, I am not memorizing Cardiac Rhythms or practicing codes but I have the opportunity to simply be and love the children when they come into the consultario. To listen to their hopes, dreams, or whatever they want to talk about. I treasure my time with the new girls from Inter. Menor (7-15 years) as they waited for their check ups with the doctor, or mopping the consultorio floor while Andre simply kept me company. These are the things that matter and I believe He has called me to be present in Ecuador to do. I really moves my heart ... many of the kids come from very difficult situations yet when they see you they open their arms and come running to you with a smile longing to be loved. I often wish I could give them a family where they would be safe and loved... it hurts my heart... but all I can do right now is be an instrument of His love the them right now.
This passed week I also am continuing to learn to truly take joy in simple and small things. Things like running water, making my own cotton balls and sterilizing gaze for the consultorio, mopping and sweeping floors, handwashing clothes.
As for the passed weekend... Maribeth, Fatima, and I left Friday afternoon for Loja and have spent the weekend seeing the city as well as surrounding pueblos. The university of Loja has a distance learning program with the Mission base in Olon so Fatima had some work with them on Monday in Loja so we left a few days early to see the city. I hope to post pictures later this week. Marianita (one of the missionaries) was gracious to take on my Monday morning blood draws so I could go on this trip. Therefore this passed Friday I helped her at the Finca doing blood draws as well as the lab test with the blood. What an opportunity to learn so much!
Please continue to pray for the children, Mariya as she studies for her MCATs, Maribeth as she prepares her heart to leave, the children as they begin classes on Tuesday, the missionaries, the consultorio, and me as well that I maybe and instrument of His love. I miss you all very much and carry you all in my heart of prayer. May the Sacred and Immaculate Hearts guide, protect, and intercede for you always.
love and prayers,
Sara
Monday, March 31, 2008
Friday, March 21, 2008
His Passion and Cross
This passed Sunday we entered into Semana Santa, that is Holy Week, and today we enter into our Lord´s Passion and Death on the Cross. It has really touch my heart in a deep and profound way to watch the people at mass through out the week as well as watching the base prefare for these Holy days. Palm Sunday Mass was celebrated in Manglaralto, where we had a procession through out the pueblo, donkey and all to comemorate Jesus entrance into Jerusalem before His Passion.
Last night, Holy Thursday, was equally beautiful as we celebrated mass once again in Manglaralto. I am always moved when the priest washes the feet of the men in the community, the procession after the Eucharist to repose the Blessed Sacrement for night of Adoration..... We then went to the surrounding towns with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrement for Adoration from 10-12. I went with Jovanka (one of the consecrated ladies), Gabby, and Fernado to Curia. When we first arrived only a two people were at the church waiting for us. So we rang the chuch bell ... waited.. then decided to go door to door and invite the people to come. It was true a beautiful experience inviting them the come and spend an hour or two with our Eucharistic Lord, the night we remember His agony in the Garden. When we returned to the church there was about 13-15 people there. We had a small procession into the church, prepared the alter, sang a few songs (in Spanish of course), read from the Gospel of John about the institution of the Holy Eucharist, and then had a hour of silent Adoration with our Lord. Truly a beautiful time.
And today we remember His Passion and Death on the Cross for us. I spent the morning in Montanita on the beach reading Our Lord´s passion according to the Gospel of John. It was a beautiful opportunity to invite the people to the Passion Play at the Sanctuario and Veneration of the Cross in Manglarato. Montanita is a town greatly in need of His love... so it was a beautiful opportunity, to sit on the beach, reflect, prepare my heart, and also be an instrument in His hands to speak to those He crossed my path with about His love.
The passion play put on by the children was incredably beautiful as well. One little boys, Jamil, has cerebral palsy and was at the play as well. It really touched my heart to watch Him. He was so intently concentrating on Jesus all through out the play... when Jesus fell, when He was mocked, when Veronica wiped His face, when He was crucified. To see Jamil so intently watching touched my heart as you could tell He knew exactly what was going on ... that this was how God showed His love for us all.
We will soon be going to the Veneration of the Cross. I have only heard how beautiful it is because all the people come to venerate the cross. This is beautiful because not everyone that goes to Mass each Sunday recieves Our Lord in the Holy Eucharist because many of them have not gone to confession prior to be able to recieve Our Lord. But to think they all come this evening to Venerate the Holy cross of Our Lord is a beautiful thing to my heart.
I have to go and get ready. May the Lord bless you abundantly with the graces from His pierced Heart through out this Easter Tridium. May you be close to our Lady at the foot of the cross and let her be your mother guiding you ever more close to Her Son´s most Sacred Heart, and may your heart be prepare for this Sunday when we rejoice as He has risen. May the Sacred and Eucharistic Heart and Sorrowful and Immaculate Hearts guide, protect, and intercede for you always.
love and Prayers,
Sara
Last night, Holy Thursday, was equally beautiful as we celebrated mass once again in Manglaralto. I am always moved when the priest washes the feet of the men in the community, the procession after the Eucharist to repose the Blessed Sacrement for night of Adoration..... We then went to the surrounding towns with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrement for Adoration from 10-12. I went with Jovanka (one of the consecrated ladies), Gabby, and Fernado to Curia. When we first arrived only a two people were at the church waiting for us. So we rang the chuch bell ... waited.. then decided to go door to door and invite the people to come. It was true a beautiful experience inviting them the come and spend an hour or two with our Eucharistic Lord, the night we remember His agony in the Garden. When we returned to the church there was about 13-15 people there. We had a small procession into the church, prepared the alter, sang a few songs (in Spanish of course), read from the Gospel of John about the institution of the Holy Eucharist, and then had a hour of silent Adoration with our Lord. Truly a beautiful time.
And today we remember His Passion and Death on the Cross for us. I spent the morning in Montanita on the beach reading Our Lord´s passion according to the Gospel of John. It was a beautiful opportunity to invite the people to the Passion Play at the Sanctuario and Veneration of the Cross in Manglarato. Montanita is a town greatly in need of His love... so it was a beautiful opportunity, to sit on the beach, reflect, prepare my heart, and also be an instrument in His hands to speak to those He crossed my path with about His love.
The passion play put on by the children was incredably beautiful as well. One little boys, Jamil, has cerebral palsy and was at the play as well. It really touched my heart to watch Him. He was so intently concentrating on Jesus all through out the play... when Jesus fell, when He was mocked, when Veronica wiped His face, when He was crucified. To see Jamil so intently watching touched my heart as you could tell He knew exactly what was going on ... that this was how God showed His love for us all.
We will soon be going to the Veneration of the Cross. I have only heard how beautiful it is because all the people come to venerate the cross. This is beautiful because not everyone that goes to Mass each Sunday recieves Our Lord in the Holy Eucharist because many of them have not gone to confession prior to be able to recieve Our Lord. But to think they all come this evening to Venerate the Holy cross of Our Lord is a beautiful thing to my heart.
I have to go and get ready. May the Lord bless you abundantly with the graces from His pierced Heart through out this Easter Tridium. May you be close to our Lady at the foot of the cross and let her be your mother guiding you ever more close to Her Son´s most Sacred Heart, and may your heart be prepare for this Sunday when we rejoice as He has risen. May the Sacred and Eucharistic Heart and Sorrowful and Immaculate Hearts guide, protect, and intercede for you always.
love and Prayers,
Sara
Sunday, March 16, 2008
An Average Day at the Rosa Mystica
I've been here just a little over a week and feel so overwhelmed... Overwhelmed at what work the Lord has called me to, overwhelmed by the great need there is here, overwhelmed by the children and their love,overwhelmed by the beautiful mission and honored to give what little I have to serve with them, and overwhelmed by how small I am.
This passed Thursday we saw off our dear beautiful Mariya as she lives out her Fiat to Him in following His call to med school. It was really difficult, and we still tear up thinking about having given her up to Him. So please offer her and her studies, and MCAT up in your prayers.
Mariya and I had five days together here at Santa Maria del Fiat in Olon before she left. Like I said before I am so utterly overwhelmed ... what a beautiful call to be a small part of it all ... I am indeed humbled and often think "why me? why here?¨ but I don´t need to know I simply have to be faithful to my "Fiat" my "Yes" here.
Right now the kids are gone on holidays so we only have consults with the doctor on one day a week in the afternoon. Otherwise we have consults three days a week in the afternoon when the kids are in school. We get our meds from the Finca (farm)the other part of the mission base. At the Finca there is another clinic open to the public, pharmacy, lab, and dentist (this is where the Doctor works in the mornings). Depending on what the Doctor orders my mornings can be very busy. If I have to draw blood then I must do it early in the morning Monday, Wednesday, or Friday when the lab is open then take it to the Finca (about a 15 minute car ride) in a cooler. There I drop off the blood and then pick up the perscriptions. This at least is my basic understanding of my routine at present but I indeed anticipate it will change.
There is a missionary (conscrated lady) that is a nurse at the Finca, Ruth, as well as a lab technician Marianita who have been so helpful and patient with my Spanish. Ruth has offered to take me with her to visit pueblos when she does vaccinations and public health visits. At the Sanctuario where I work is another missionary Jovonka who is a doctor. Another missionary has a friend who is a dentist who would like to do a rural medical mission and would like me to help. I have also started to work on Botoquins (first aid kits) for all the kids homes here on the mission base with the help of our patient pharmacist, Jorge. I have begun a list of medications at the consultorio as the first step in organizing our little pharmacy on base and keeping better records of what we use and need in the consultory. It also has been a great tool to learn the Ecuadorian medications. Also a new history and physical form for the patient files is greatly in need. Needless to say there is much to do and many needs here... I just need to listen to where He calls me to serve and trust in His grace to bless what little I can do.
Please continue to carry us all in your prayers. May you be abundantly bless as we enter into this Holy Week and follow our Lord on His passion, death, and glorious reserection. May Our Lady guide you and teach you to walk close to her Son. May the Sacred and Immaculate Hearts guide, protect, and intercede for you always.
Love and Prayers,
Sara
This passed Thursday we saw off our dear beautiful Mariya as she lives out her Fiat to Him in following His call to med school. It was really difficult, and we still tear up thinking about having given her up to Him. So please offer her and her studies, and MCAT up in your prayers.
Mariya and I had five days together here at Santa Maria del Fiat in Olon before she left. Like I said before I am so utterly overwhelmed ... what a beautiful call to be a small part of it all ... I am indeed humbled and often think "why me? why here?¨ but I don´t need to know I simply have to be faithful to my "Fiat" my "Yes" here.
Right now the kids are gone on holidays so we only have consults with the doctor on one day a week in the afternoon. Otherwise we have consults three days a week in the afternoon when the kids are in school. We get our meds from the Finca (farm)the other part of the mission base. At the Finca there is another clinic open to the public, pharmacy, lab, and dentist (this is where the Doctor works in the mornings). Depending on what the Doctor orders my mornings can be very busy. If I have to draw blood then I must do it early in the morning Monday, Wednesday, or Friday when the lab is open then take it to the Finca (about a 15 minute car ride) in a cooler. There I drop off the blood and then pick up the perscriptions. This at least is my basic understanding of my routine at present but I indeed anticipate it will change.
There is a missionary (conscrated lady) that is a nurse at the Finca, Ruth, as well as a lab technician Marianita who have been so helpful and patient with my Spanish. Ruth has offered to take me with her to visit pueblos when she does vaccinations and public health visits. At the Sanctuario where I work is another missionary Jovonka who is a doctor. Another missionary has a friend who is a dentist who would like to do a rural medical mission and would like me to help. I have also started to work on Botoquins (first aid kits) for all the kids homes here on the mission base with the help of our patient pharmacist, Jorge. I have begun a list of medications at the consultorio as the first step in organizing our little pharmacy on base and keeping better records of what we use and need in the consultory. It also has been a great tool to learn the Ecuadorian medications. Also a new history and physical form for the patient files is greatly in need. Needless to say there is much to do and many needs here... I just need to listen to where He calls me to serve and trust in His grace to bless what little I can do.
Please continue to carry us all in your prayers. May you be abundantly bless as we enter into this Holy Week and follow our Lord on His passion, death, and glorious reserection. May Our Lady guide you and teach you to walk close to her Son. May the Sacred and Immaculate Hearts guide, protect, and intercede for you always.
Love and Prayers,
Sara
Sunday, March 9, 2008
Back from the Jungle off to the Coast
“To live without faith, without a patrimony to defend, without a steady struggle for truth, that is not living, but existing.” Bl Pier Giorgio Frassati
“The faith given to me in baptism suggests to me surely: by yourself you will do nothing, but if you have God as the center of all your action, then you will reach the goal.” Bl. Pier Giorgio Frassati
Indeed I am living my dream! This passed week was so beautiful in my many many differnet ways. I finished my third week of Spanish classes and decided not to return to Quito after the Franciscan University Mission Trip for another week of Spanish classes. I really felt the Lord telling my heart it is time to go out and serve. It was indeed bitter sweet because I have really enjoyed my time at the clinic with Dr. Luis, my afternoons with Renan and his family, and my evenings in the Arroyo household. Another factor that contributed to my decision was that Mariya will be leaving for Med School this week. I thought a few days of overlap in the school clinic with her would be a wise thing.
The group from Franciscan University of Steubenville arrived late evening March 1 and we greeted them at the airport. I love going to the airport because here in Ecuador when they are expecting someone the whole family goes to greet that person at the airport. There were about 50 people in total, med, nursing, theology, spanish university students, as well as three doctors, six nurses (including Mariya and myself), a nurse practicioner, and four priests. The group through out the week divided into three teams and did two over night trips and one day trip to the communities. We left for the Amazon Rainforest Sunday morning first to Tena then to Misahuallí. From our hostel we could see the town park that is famous for its crazy, endearing, and cleptomanical monkeys.
It was the first time Franciscan has sent its medical mission to the Orient (they call it the Orient here because for them it is the far East). The Priests from Misahualli care for over seventy pueblos many of which are a few hours hike through the rainforest. I was blesed to serve on my two over night trips with Fr. Clavier, one of the priest. He is very young, only 27, and has been a priest for almost 2 years. He has a heart filled with zeal and love for our Lord and His people. He has been pastor of the communities for six months and has just begun to go and visit the communitiest for a second time. He works so hard, yet never complains, simply serves with a smile and joyful heart.
The community which really touched my heart this year was called Buen Pastor - Good Shepherd. We began our hike to the community at 1:30 in the afternoon and did not arrive in the community until 5:00pm that evening. It was a beautiful hike beneath the rainforest canope but it definately was not a cake walk! A fair amount of the hike was a scrabble up muddy mountain slopes. It brought to mind the scene from the movie ¨The Mission¨ when the priest scales the waterfall to get to the village. I loved every minute of it, heart pumping, trying to keep your balance, sinking in the mud, crossing the Napo river numerous times, and discerning your next step. It made me really think about our lives as Catholics, constant discernment, the need for others, and the grace to simply focus on the present moment you are living.
That night when arrived in Buen Pastor the people were waiting for us. They were so gentle, shy, and hospitable. I really felt the Lord´s peace and presence there. We had mass by candle light, settup clinic for and hour using the community´s generator, had mass again the next morning, clinic from 8:00-12:30 then left. I was only there for a few hours but my heart was so deeply touched by the people. I told Fr. Clavier I did not want to leave, he later said he thought one day I will return for a longer period to time. I really do hope so.
I thought how much good could a person do living in a community like Buen Pastor for a few months. The clinics are such a short period of time, they do help, but living with the people one could be a greater instrument in His hands. I hope and dream one day to do that ... perhaps as a missionary family... to live with and amoung the people. Is that not what Jesus came and did for us?
I have indeed written much... and have much more to share and reflect upon. I am now living in the Rosa Mystica in Olon on the Mission base. I´ll write more about this later. All I can say I am so blessed, humbled, and filled with joy to be called to serve here and serve the children I have so far encountered. I am so small but I will continue to say ¨Yes¨....
Please keep Mariya in your prayers as she leaves to go back to the States to study to take her MCATs and by His grace follow His call to be a doctor. I carry you all in my heart of prayer and am close to you all in the Eucharist. May the Sacred and Immaculate Hearts guide, protect, and intercede for you always.
Love and Prayers,
Sara
“The faith given to me in baptism suggests to me surely: by yourself you will do nothing, but if you have God as the center of all your action, then you will reach the goal.” Bl. Pier Giorgio Frassati
Indeed I am living my dream! This passed week was so beautiful in my many many differnet ways. I finished my third week of Spanish classes and decided not to return to Quito after the Franciscan University Mission Trip for another week of Spanish classes. I really felt the Lord telling my heart it is time to go out and serve. It was indeed bitter sweet because I have really enjoyed my time at the clinic with Dr. Luis, my afternoons with Renan and his family, and my evenings in the Arroyo household. Another factor that contributed to my decision was that Mariya will be leaving for Med School this week. I thought a few days of overlap in the school clinic with her would be a wise thing.
The group from Franciscan University of Steubenville arrived late evening March 1 and we greeted them at the airport. I love going to the airport because here in Ecuador when they are expecting someone the whole family goes to greet that person at the airport. There were about 50 people in total, med, nursing, theology, spanish university students, as well as three doctors, six nurses (including Mariya and myself), a nurse practicioner, and four priests. The group through out the week divided into three teams and did two over night trips and one day trip to the communities. We left for the Amazon Rainforest Sunday morning first to Tena then to Misahuallí. From our hostel we could see the town park that is famous for its crazy, endearing, and cleptomanical monkeys.
It was the first time Franciscan has sent its medical mission to the Orient (they call it the Orient here because for them it is the far East). The Priests from Misahualli care for over seventy pueblos many of which are a few hours hike through the rainforest. I was blesed to serve on my two over night trips with Fr. Clavier, one of the priest. He is very young, only 27, and has been a priest for almost 2 years. He has a heart filled with zeal and love for our Lord and His people. He has been pastor of the communities for six months and has just begun to go and visit the communitiest for a second time. He works so hard, yet never complains, simply serves with a smile and joyful heart.
The community which really touched my heart this year was called Buen Pastor - Good Shepherd. We began our hike to the community at 1:30 in the afternoon and did not arrive in the community until 5:00pm that evening. It was a beautiful hike beneath the rainforest canope but it definately was not a cake walk! A fair amount of the hike was a scrabble up muddy mountain slopes. It brought to mind the scene from the movie ¨The Mission¨ when the priest scales the waterfall to get to the village. I loved every minute of it, heart pumping, trying to keep your balance, sinking in the mud, crossing the Napo river numerous times, and discerning your next step. It made me really think about our lives as Catholics, constant discernment, the need for others, and the grace to simply focus on the present moment you are living.
That night when arrived in Buen Pastor the people were waiting for us. They were so gentle, shy, and hospitable. I really felt the Lord´s peace and presence there. We had mass by candle light, settup clinic for and hour using the community´s generator, had mass again the next morning, clinic from 8:00-12:30 then left. I was only there for a few hours but my heart was so deeply touched by the people. I told Fr. Clavier I did not want to leave, he later said he thought one day I will return for a longer period to time. I really do hope so.
I thought how much good could a person do living in a community like Buen Pastor for a few months. The clinics are such a short period of time, they do help, but living with the people one could be a greater instrument in His hands. I hope and dream one day to do that ... perhaps as a missionary family... to live with and amoung the people. Is that not what Jesus came and did for us?
I have indeed written much... and have much more to share and reflect upon. I am now living in the Rosa Mystica in Olon on the Mission base. I´ll write more about this later. All I can say I am so blessed, humbled, and filled with joy to be called to serve here and serve the children I have so far encountered. I am so small but I will continue to say ¨Yes¨....
Please keep Mariya in your prayers as she leaves to go back to the States to study to take her MCATs and by His grace follow His call to be a doctor. I carry you all in my heart of prayer and am close to you all in the Eucharist. May the Sacred and Immaculate Hearts guide, protect, and intercede for you always.
Love and Prayers,
Sara
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