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MISSIONARY EXPERIENCE
A Polish StudentYour light must shine before others that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly father (Mt 5.16).
Missionary life is a beautiful adventure with God and His holy
people. In sending missionaries into the field, God blesses them
with an enormous gift of wonderful people. I myself, although
still a "babe missionary," have already experienced
this gift.
I have been in the U.S. for one year and a few months. After I
finished philosophy in my home country, my religious superiors
allowed me to continue my seminarian education in the United States.
Before I arrived in the U.S., I had no idea how my life would
be.
Because I had to study English, I arrived at Divine Word College
in August, 1995. On the first day, I realized that many students
were Asians. I remember it was very exiting to meet people from
Asia for the first time in my life. The majority of my classmates
were Vietnamese, so I had a chance to get to know these "exotic"
people. Day by day I learned more about Vietnamese culture and
people. I was observing my classmates and other Vietnamese students
as well. The more I talked and shared with them, the more I felt
interested in their culture and in themselves.
After a few weeks, I found myself eating rice, cooking noodles
and speaking some Vietnamese words. I was amazed with myself.
I didn't understand why I did all of these things! After a few
more weeks, I was surprised with my self again because I began
to make real friends with some Vietnamese! They told me their
stories about the Vietnamese war, communist victory, and the journey
of thousands of Vietnamese for free dom. Thus, I knew the reality
of the Vietnamese drama. Back in my country, we never learned
about the tragedy of this little Asian country.
Learning about their journeys, I realized why my friends were
so gentle, simple and pious. God taught them by what they had
suffered. At that time, I knew that I loved them and their culture.
I felt blessed by God because He let me share life with wonderful
people who made me change myself. Yes, living with Vietnamese,
I changed not only my notion of Vietnam, but also the way I related
to people and the way I lived my missionary vocation. To be specific,
I saw that they were able to share things with others; it was
enough to say "I like your T-shirt" to become its owner.
I saw and experienced that they cared very much about each other,
especially, about younger ones. I saw that they very much respected
priests and other religious per sons, and teachers as well. I
saw them praying in the chapel at night. I saw that they were
a really sup port ive community. I could multiply examples to
infinity.
However, my point is not in the examples them selves, but rather
in the goodness and love that were the source of my friends' good
deeds. I started sharing things, instead of collecting them. I
began to show that I cared about others. I became a younger brother
to some and older to others. I realized that there are people
who want priests and who respect them; this strengthened my vocation.
I began to treat my religious commitment more seriously. Finally,
I started to appreciate community and participate in it giving
as much of myself as I could.
I thank God that I was granted with the gift and blessing of my Vietnamese friends. I was given much, and I would like to give much back. I will pray to God to let me go to Vietnam to serve His people. And to God I pray that He bless all Vietnamese at the beginning of this Lunar New Year, the year of the Water Buffalo. At the very least let me ask you for something. Please be proud of your culture and keep it alive because there are people who look at you and learn from you - I am an example.