Go be missionaries!

Howdy Pilgrims!

Hello again you people that read this. Where has the time gone? I've done so much this past month, God has given me so much this past month, I am blessed. I suppose you all might want to hear a bit of what went down World Youth day? Yes, No? I'll tell you anyways..

I was a volunteer along with some other people from different parts of the world, and we helped Father Micheal organize the missionary week that happened the week before the World Youth Day events and continued to help during WYD.. I along with another Nurse Melissa were the designated nurses for 500 pilgrims of the community of saint John. I enjoyed myself as a nurse, I cared for the sick (sort of), I translated for Doctors, and I gained many friends. I was not able to go to many conferences and the ones I went to were in French... (I should learn French one day and I think I know of a good french teacher).

In short World Youth Day was beautiful, it was like God was watching us. On everything we did we could see God was with us. From the station of the cross that rained on us. To praying together at the beach in Adoration, To mass together at the Copacabana beach. God let us come together again as Catholics, it was a big sign. Should we forget it and just go back and live our normal lives? No. We are called to be something more, then to just be normal. We are children of God, and when God gives us dreams we should reach for those dreams with all that we can. "Go be missionaries!"

My dream? My dream is Salvador at the moment being realized. I cant do this alone. In fact I've come to realize I cant do anything alone. I need God, but I also need a community. In Fact this mission, needs missionaries. Not one missionary but a community of missionaries, all working together, sacrificing together, leaning on each other, and most importantly praying to God together.

We recently had some Pilgrims from Laredo Texas, come to experience that "missionary life" for 2 weeks. It was a Blast, we painted a church, we sang with the people in the Favela, we prayed with them, and we praised God with them. Laredo Pilgrims you will all be missed, I will miss your Jokes, to your nagging, to your praying, to your company, and most importantly to the love each one of you showed this Favela and the Brothers, thank you! I will carry you in my heart. That's us after an epic Futebol session.

The mission continues, and like the beating of drum, the beat goes on. We are just finishing up on the touch ups on the inside of the church. It has been raining almost everyday, so painting the outside is out of the question. Maybe another missionary group can come help out on that!

Work on the Magdalene house came to a halt once we left to Rio de Janiero, but once we finish the church its back to work on that house. I am thinking of giving English classes to those who want to learn English. Its a good way to be in the community. So if anyone has any English learning books they would like to send our way please do! (Btw that's Lulu from Laredo she stayed for bit longer woot woot!)

I'm very happy to be back in Salvador my new home. This is where my heart is at the moment. Please pray for the mission, the brothers in Salvador, and for me. Thank you for reading and we are at the Half way marker of this great Journey in Brazil, that I've been blessed with. Now is the time to be missionaries!

Adios Amigos,

Leonardo De la Garza

WYD Missionaries tell their story

Roberto:

What a wild ride it's been for us! World youth is now over, but the message still remains in our hearts. We're now living up to words of our theme,"Go be missionaries". After world youth day, we got to experience probably the most beautiful natural wonder of the world, iguazu falls; which was totally worth the 20 hour bus ride! On our way to Salvador, the missionaries were curious for what to expect from the favelas so we all asked for the "Dos and Donts". The people here in Salvador, which are called "Bahianos" are very different from the ones in Rio. They're very humble and welcoming. The beach we went to is very beautiful and relaxing; we even got to pray a rosary there. We had to move all our stuff back though because the tide kept on coming up. It's been a really nice experience so far and I can't for what's to come in these next 2 weeks! God bless!

Laura:

As we come to our final day, we realize everything we are taking back with us. Sure, a couple souvenirs and some Havainas, but most importantly, everything we have learned. We went through some crazy new experiences, however, it was how we over came it that helped us grow stronger. It started with WYD, and we did as the theme song said, "go be missionaries...." And that's exactly what we did.

When we first arrived all of us were freighted by the Dos and Donts of Salvador. However, this place quickly became our home as we met some beautiful and helpful people, like the Brothers of St. John, the workers, and the people that lived in the favela.

We are blessed to say we got a lot done in the chapel, it will be exciting to hopefully come back one day, and see the community enjoying it.
It is a bittersweet feeling between leaving Salvador, and going home. We are not sure if we will ever come back, but one thing is for sure Salvador and its people will forever remain in our hearts. 

Cesar:

Fala Portuguese!? This is probably the best way to start a conversation with any Brazilian, or at least I thought so. Once I got to Salvador and went to Alto (the favela) things were a bit different.

Salvador oh sweet Salvador, such a wonderful place where I learned the true meaning of seeing the good in others. I was a bit nervous at first when i went to the favela; however, it amazed my how much respect they have for the Brothers.

I remember Leo telling me that the purpose of painting the chapel was not so much about us doing the work. It was about showing out presence to the community.

It was amazing to see how close the youth community started to grow once they saw us working as a community. We had to adjust some thing to their likings so that they can see that the church and being a catholic is fun!

Back to Work!

Dear Friends,

It has been a while since our last post!  The brothers, along with Leo, have been in Rio de Janeiro for the 28th WYD with Pope Francis and the rest of the Community of Saint John.  It was an eventful month!  Now we've been back for just over a week, and we've had the help of seven missionaries from Laredo and one from Princeville!  We've been working on preparing the space downstairs in the Convent for the missionaries who will be coming to join us in September and early next year.

We've also been working on repainting the chapel in Alto!  Here are some pictures:

And here is a shot of a bunch of us when we were visiting the falls in Foz de Iguaçu (one of the seven wonders of the world!):

It's Going to be a Good Day

This is my blog post for the month of June.

Every month something new happens, I suppose God is looking out for this community in No Alto de Esperanza, because something is happening. We are receiving more volunteers! Whether it be in church or in the Magdalene house the youth is slowly coming to help and partaking in the ownership that is the Magdalene house. A couple weeks ago we had some of the youth come and sing at church, some had tambourines others were singing with microphones, it’s always a struggle to get them in, but if God has not given up on the world why should we.

“Oi Leo!” is what some of the kids as we pass through the streets while they play futebol. “Oi Leo, você precisar de ajuda hoje” which means means “Hey Leo today we are going to help you.”  I can’t help but kinda cringe and say, “Sim,” “Yes.” God teaches us patience in all we do. Fabio says I need to learn patience because I’m going to have boys when I get older….. So work with about 5 young lads in the house is pretty neat. We want these kiddos to own this project, what better way than to have them work a bit. Some of them paint, some are digging, some sanding (they all hate sanding, even I do).  

Needless to say we have a lot of paint on the floor.

A few weeks ago I finally got them to sand, we were all standing on a scaffold;  Andres 10yrs, Fernando 12yr, and me. Then the kids start to sing/yell on this frame, singing and dancing on this thing, whatever work I suppose. By the end of the sanding I was singing and dancing on it. The work is longer with them, but it’s a little bit more enjoyable?? It is.  It’s beautiful to see that I, no, we as a community helping are very much accepted there, people know that the brothers and the missionaries aren’t there for anything other than helping people, and praying with people.

We had a missionary Maureen come and work with us, and many people in the community could not believe that a woman was doing man’s work, even me. She would usually come out of the Favela looking dirtier than me. (Might be because I always brought a spare shirt). While she was here it seemed like some of the community boys and girls were finally wanting to help out, Lets pray that we can keep this fire/fervor going! God is great!

As for the protests in Brazil, what can I really say? Corrupt governments ruin civilizations, they are building Futebol stadiums when schools and hospitals are falling apart. This is not my fight nor my country, but I can observe from a distance. Mom don’t worry I won’t do anything stupid……. 

May

I’ve been gone for quite a while, and its sometimes difficult to put my experiences into writing.

This past mother’s day the drug “king pin” of the Favela gave a rose to every mother. So every mother received a rose and had it nicely placed on a vase. It was interesting to see that there was a rose on the feet the statue of our blessed mother Mary. I wouldn’t be surprised if the rose was bought by drug money. Many people in the Favela feel that the Police do more harm. Last weekend the police threw 2 gas bombs inside a futbol game in the favela, afterwards came a small firefight. I was not there at the time but this is what Fabio (my friend from the Favela) told me.

From my understanding, in the beginning of each year the police are bribed to stay out of the Favela, if the demands of the police are not met, a firefight will commence. A couple of times I have seen a police man walk into the Favela carrying a gun in his hands. What do I think of it all?  The government is corrupt, the only organization that is big enough to assemble itself properly is the Catholic church, I feel because of this the bishops have a lot of power to sway people’s hearts and minds, I can see how and why the church here can get political. Is this a bad thing? My brain says yes, my heart says no. Its very easy to be looking from a far and say that Christ is not to be used as a platform for a political agenda, but amidst the chaos of it all when so many people are crying out for help “Socorro.” When they are all waiting for the messiah, the change in their lives when they are praying to God, When we are praying to God. Is it fair that you reader live in such a nice place, while these people have to struggle? I digress.Pray for answers

 Finally we have received some volunteers from the Favela. I have hope, but it takes time to sway the hearts and minds of people. It also takes time to see how God is working in your life. I think for most people in the Favela they look at us and wonder what our angle is. I am a gringo, a white man, I don’t exactly look like a Brazilian, but slowly I am taking in their culture and language. There is a young boy on the steps of the Favela who is a look out. I see him every day and say hello to him. Eventually after I understand the language well its possible to show them scripture and the word of God.

I have a friend named Daniel who is my new guitar instructor, so I’m learning classical brazillian guitar music. Daniel also took me out to go dancing with some of his friends. We danced to Forro. Forro is pronounced like foho. Its quasi salsa, and a lot of fun. I was dancing with several people they have a lot of patience with me. I’m having a great time here in Brazil, I’d be lying to you if I was just working in the favela and praying. There is a lot of culture to take up here in Salvador. J

In Closing I leave with a poem that a french volunteer gave me inspiration to write.

We are never alone

I took this journey alone

Not knowing who or what I’d see

I took this Journey alone

To see who im supposed to be..

But then I saw you here

Where I was supposed to be

The Journey I took wasn’t alone

It was them, you, and me

You had your task

I had my mask

You had your jobs

And I had my sobs

But now you’re not here

and my path is not less clear

The envy turns to fear

And now I wish you were here

But you showed me the most important part

It was not about creating or making,

Or baking, or art.

Its about doing things with love

A smile is a start

So I take this Journey

and I place you in my heart

So I take this journey

And today is when I start…

This week at a glance.

Hello! My name is Maureen Poirier and I’m the newest addition to the mission team here in Salvador! I flew in just last week from Detroit, Michigan and will be staying with the Community of St. John for 6 weeks in total. I’m very blessed to have the opportunity to pray with and serve alongside the Brothers, Leo, and the people of the Salvador Da Bahia!

It has been 7 days since my arrival and much has happened.  I’ll break it down a little:

Work on the house:

The Magdalene house is coming along well! The projects of the week included; sanding down all the inside walls of the building in efforts to prepare them for a new paint job, mastering electrical wiring and laying a cement floor outside. The project I was most involved in this time around was sanding down the walls and I think we might safely say that with one more day of work we can call the sanding done!

Our lovely cement path, nearly finished 

A few volunteers valiantly sanding away!

A room to be sanded, and an image of a woman with a light - reminding me of the virgins awaiting the bridegroom with their oil and lamps! Come, Lord Jesus!

But, of course, the efficiency of the project isn’t all that matters here. O no. The journey counts as well! I’ve witnessed that the time shared in working has allowed for many thought provoking conversations, fraternal camaraderie, and welcoming and getting to know the community as they begin to get involved! This week has seen 5 surprise volunteers, 3 of them being local tweens (ages 12 and 13) who came by asking if they could help out for an afternoon – Alessandra, Joyce and Sammi are our new friends, and  God willing, they will come back!

Adoration in the Favela:

Friday nights here we adore Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament in Alto’s Church. It only makes sense to do so!  Because, it is Christ who is our life source and our mission’s breath!  Any work we accomplish, any relationships we make, any good we might do is first initiated by Christ. He inspires our hearts and we respond by the gift of His grace. I’m so happy that we might adore Him together in the favela. He is truly the one who unites us, who directs us, who thirsts for us to remain with Him. During adoration the community from the neighborhood led us in a Rosary. My favorite part was when the women sang between the decades ... I'm pretty sure all God's angels were smiling in these moments J  I sure was!

Mother’s Day mass:

On Mother’s day, we had mass in Alto’s Church with the Community. It was a beautiful liturgy after which about 20 children performed a group dance for their mothers and presented them with little gifts. Following, there was much lively music to celebrate J My prayer is that Mary our Mother might watch over and protect all those living in the favela, that she might bless this mission with much peace, and great hope!

I look forward to keeping you updated in the coming weeks! As for now, this is me signing out. May Christ's peace be with you in all things!

In Him,

Maureen Regina

Work 5/14/2013

Here are some photos and video of the work we did today at Mary Magdalene House:

And the guys working on the ovens for the bakery: