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Name: VIDES Volunteers at Formation/Service Camp (FSC)
From: US June 06
From: US June 06
Volunteer Missioners at camp
Joe with camp kids
"We just finished the Asherton formation/service camp.
It was 108-110 degrees hot in that quasi-desert place.
However the fire burning within blazed with great enthusiasm,
joy, and generosity pouring from all sides. Better than a cool
breeze, it made us forget the difficulties and discover the
blessings:
• a wonderful group of Volunteer Missioners,
• the families making sacrifices to offer us dinner in the evenings,
• the kids excited and grateful for every little thing done for them,
• Father Salvador celebrating his 25th Anniversary of Priesthood,
• Sulema and Immaculate Conception Church office staff getting
people to help us,
• S Lourdes and S Mary (CDPs) letting us use their quarters
without any limitations,
• the Dominican Sisters (OPs) joyfully being available before
camp began to help with anything and eagerly helping with the
kids during camp;
• S Thuy, S Carmen, S Mary Lou (FMAs) and the Postulants,
Michelle, Lan Vy, and Valerie with an eye and a heart to feed us
and help wherever was needed.
• Amanda Ziemba Randall, Amanda (Mandy) Isaac, and Val
Gomez returning volunteers to be the Spirit Team—helping in a
hundred ways besides sharing of their mission experiences and
presenting Culture Stress, Servant Leadership, and Ecuador
service respectively.
On the last day I said, “I am exhausted, but my heart is
overflowing with thanks to God for all the blessings (just
mentioned) which he has bestowed on us!” Truly, the warmth that
emanated from everyone went beyond any measurable degrees
and made everything not only bearable but made us forget the
hard times. It made it all worth it, awesome and filled our hearts
with hope!
Let me add a thought from one of our Volunteer Missioners,
Suzanna Kennedy, as she remembers the same magic
experience of last year. “Sister Gloria, how are you? How was the
Formation Camp? I was very nostalgic thinking about Asherton
with everyone. I can't believe it was a year ago. I have to tell
you, I went to a Formation weekend here in Rome, and although it
was good... ours was amazing! There is an element of Faith that
the US group (thanks to your accompaniment) has that is so
strong and something I will never forget. I know that the US
volunteers really have a sense of "mission." So, a year later,
THANK YOU. For all you do and for all that you do that we, the
volunteers, don't even know. Your example of mission is inspiring
to all of us.”
Thank you for your kind thoughts. Now I respond. It is I who am
most grateful for your openness and receptiveness, for your
youthful, strong faith and enthusiasm, for the generosity and
desire to make a difference that you ALL bring! I ask Mary to
accompany you on your missionary journey, to let you radiate her
Son’s Presence onto all you accompany in your service, to let you
feel her loving presence in spite of the inevitable difficult moments
that you will encounter, and to let you feel our THANKS!
Blessings to all of you!
Sister MaryGloria Mar and FMAs
It was 108-110 degrees hot in that quasi-desert place.
However the fire burning within blazed with great enthusiasm,
joy, and generosity pouring from all sides. Better than a cool
breeze, it made us forget the difficulties and discover the
blessings:
• a wonderful group of Volunteer Missioners,
• the families making sacrifices to offer us dinner in the evenings,
• the kids excited and grateful for every little thing done for them,
• Father Salvador celebrating his 25th Anniversary of Priesthood,
• Sulema and Immaculate Conception Church office staff getting
people to help us,
• S Lourdes and S Mary (CDPs) letting us use their quarters
without any limitations,
• the Dominican Sisters (OPs) joyfully being available before
camp began to help with anything and eagerly helping with the
kids during camp;
• S Thuy, S Carmen, S Mary Lou (FMAs) and the Postulants,
Michelle, Lan Vy, and Valerie with an eye and a heart to feed us
and help wherever was needed.
• Amanda Ziemba Randall, Amanda (Mandy) Isaac, and Val
Gomez returning volunteers to be the Spirit Team—helping in a
hundred ways besides sharing of their mission experiences and
presenting Culture Stress, Servant Leadership, and Ecuador
service respectively.
On the last day I said, “I am exhausted, but my heart is
overflowing with thanks to God for all the blessings (just
mentioned) which he has bestowed on us!” Truly, the warmth that
emanated from everyone went beyond any measurable degrees
and made everything not only bearable but made us forget the
hard times. It made it all worth it, awesome and filled our hearts
with hope!
Let me add a thought from one of our Volunteer Missioners,
Suzanna Kennedy, as she remembers the same magic
experience of last year. “Sister Gloria, how are you? How was the
Formation Camp? I was very nostalgic thinking about Asherton
with everyone. I can't believe it was a year ago. I have to tell
you, I went to a Formation weekend here in Rome, and although it
was good... ours was amazing! There is an element of Faith that
the US group (thanks to your accompaniment) has that is so
strong and something I will never forget. I know that the US
volunteers really have a sense of "mission." So, a year later,
THANK YOU. For all you do and for all that you do that we, the
volunteers, don't even know. Your example of mission is inspiring
to all of us.”
Thank you for your kind thoughts. Now I respond. It is I who am
most grateful for your openness and receptiveness, for your
youthful, strong faith and enthusiasm, for the generosity and
desire to make a difference that you ALL bring! I ask Mary to
accompany you on your missionary journey, to let you radiate her
Son’s Presence onto all you accompany in your service, to let you
feel her loving presence in spite of the inevitable difficult moments
that you will encounter, and to let you feel our THANKS!
Blessings to all of you!
Sister MaryGloria Mar and FMAs
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"Experiencing, Sharing Life in Christ"
