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