Our mission team accompanied Fr. Joe to a barrio chapel for Mass
this evening. After nearly a month of living here in Sagay, it has become the
norm for us to attend Mass in a language we do not understand and afterwards to
meet parishioners and dine at their homes, capable only of communicating with
them in simple phrases. My dinner conversation in Visayan generally includes “good afternoon,” “delicious food,” and “thank you very
much,” but not much else.
After tonight’s Mass ended, we filed out of our pew, and some
children came over to greet us. I noticed one girl in particular about 10 years
old wearing a pretty pink outfit. I felt compelled to say hello to her, though
I didn’t know why. “What’s your name? Unsa imong ngalan?” I asked. She put one
hand to her mouth and began gesturing to get the attention of another little
girl. And then I understood.
“Deaf you? Your name what?” I signed to her.
“S-h-a-i-r-a E-u-n-i-c-e.”
“She your sister?” I signed, motioning to the other girl.
“No, friends,” Shaira replied, explaining that her siblings were
at home. A few moments later, when some women entered the chapel, she excitedly
pointed out one in particular and signed “my mom!” by way of introduction.
Seeing the smiles on the faces of both mother and daughter filled my heart with
joy.
Sometimes as a missionary, you wonder if your presence can really
make a difference in the lives of the people you serve. Aside from the retreats
we give and the classes we teach, does our daily existence actually have an
impact on the people of Sagay?
And tonight I know that it does. The smile on Shaira’s face as
she waved goodbye to me said it all. To her, I was not only a pale-faced
missionary from America; I was someone who could communicate in her own
personal language, surprisingly better than I could communicate with the people
around her.
I never knew exactly why I took sign language classes in college,
but I loved learning to sign and hoped that someday I would be able to use it.
Turns out God had a plan from the beginning. When you give your life to
missions, be prepared for Him to make use of all your gifts and talents --
nothing goes to waste.
“Then I said, ‘Ah, Lord God! Behold, I do not know how to speak,
for I am only a youth.’ But the Lord said to me, ‘Do not say, “I am only a
youth”; for to all to whom I send you you shall go, and whatever I command you you
shall speak.’” - Jeremiah 1:6-7
How grateful I am that He chose my voice and that He is giving me opportunities to speak!
Providence! The good God is very good and always provides, though we don't always know how. Thank you for sharing and know of our prayers for you here at Pius XII.
ReplyDelete