Leaving for Honduras in the morning...........!!!!!!!!!! I can't believe the time is here!! This summer literally FLEW!
I've only been home for 5 days in the past 2 months. These 8 short weeks have been a whirlwind of adventures, blessings, and reunions. I finished working at Sts. John and Paul on July 9th, and went directly to our annual family reunion with my dad's 8 siblings and their kids for 3 days. From here I went to New York City to stay with the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal for a week. The day after I got home, I traveled to Germany for a wedding, visiting friends in France, Spain, and Portugal on the way, as well as Our Lady in Lourdes and Fatima. The bride was one of the girls I went to the Emmanuel School of Mission with last year in Rome, and out of the 20 total students from our year, 17 of us were reunited at the wedding, from as far as Australia and Brazil!!! It was a beautiful moment, to be together to celebrate this sacrament with our sister!!! I returned home for 4 days, then drove to another wedding in North Carolina, this time for a friend from Catholic Heart Workcamp (another huge reunion!), and flew from here to California to meet my family for vacation. And I got back this morning!
Phew! There were literally times when I woke up and had to use all my brain power to remember where I was and who I was with! God blessed me soooooo much in so many ways, and really filled me up, to be able to give myself on mission. I knew that I wasn't just randomly going on all these journeys just to have fun, but that God wanted to teach me specific things and make me grow in ways that I would need for the mission.
One experience in particular really taught me to be ready for mission ALWAYS, even when my emotions don't really feel like being on mission at the moment. After the wedding in Germany, I went to a Youth Forum in Germany that was run by the Emmanuel Community (the Catholic community that I belong to). To be honest, I was excited to go mostly to meet up with many friends from across Europe who I met last year. I didn't really question why God was bringing me there. I got there expecting to hang out with friends, and to receive a lot from the different teachings, prayer times, etc. God had other plans.
I got there, and immediately the superiors asked me if I could help out with various services. First, I was asked to lead a one hour workshop on Theology of the Body during the week. Sure, why not? Next I was asked to join the praise and worship team. Ok, I can do that. After this, it was requested that I help lead a prayer/sharing group. Yep, I think I can squeeze that in there. Soon after, I was asked to help make video diaries documenting each day. And finally, to take the cake, I was asked to MC the evening programs........in front of almost 1,000 people. And I found out only hours before the first evening! Ahhh!!! Needless to say, I was overwhelmed. But in the craziness of all these little missions, I found my purpose in coming here. God has given me SO MUCH, it's time for me to give back, to serve others. Ya, it would have been great to sit around with friends and go to different talks - but I both gave and received so much more by using my gifts and talents for God! I learned that I need to be ready to give my FULL self to serve Him, all the time, especially when I least desire to. Only in this way can I truly live out the call to Love.
So, as I leave for Honduras, I am going with a lot of peace - peace because I know that God is calling me there; peace because I know He will provide as long as I rely on Him; and peace because I know that "it is in giving that we receive."
Know that you will all be in my prayers each day. And your prayers for me are VERY much appreciated! :) This is the only way I will have the courage, faith, and energy to be able to serve FULLY each day.
A big hug to you all! I'll update you next time from Honduras (maybe in Spanish....kidding!!!!)
Peace of Christ be yours,
Eric
