To be a missionary and go to other countries is a wonderful vocational call. It can bring you to great heights of experience and joy and it can also touch your soul with profound agony. I would like to share with you a story of Sr. Emilie Difficile, smsm a Marist Missionary Sister. Sister has just renewed her vows in Tanzania where she is working with the youth in her mission Diocese of Shinyanga, Tanzania. Sister is from Haiti where her family lives. Her great desire to be missionary brought her to be an SMSM and her mission to Tanzania made her dream come true. She shares her ecstasy and joy with us in a wonderful account of her mission journey, her renewal of vows on December 8th and her ministry among the youth.
January 14, the Provincial called Emilie to see if she had heard of the terrible catastrophe in Haiti. “NO”, her immediate cry was one of agony, “was her family alive, what of her friends and relatives?”. Her brother called and notified her that the parents were safe. Their greatest concern now were her sister and nephew who live in Port-Au-Prince. Miracle of miracles, her sister had left for home, to the north of the Country. the very day of the quake and was safe. The nephew, a University student in Port-Au-Prince, would not be heard from for another 24 hours- he was safe! What a blessing for sister as she shared this wonderful news of her family.
This is part of the sacrifice of being a Missionary. You may be far away and unable to help family and friends in time of need. She is not with other Haitians to share their corporate grief or anguish. Sister Emilie is supported by her Sisters in Community and Her Loving God. She knows that her prayers, her sacrifice and missionary service is helping her Country to go through these difficult times. Sister watches ALJAZEERA, and receives news from the internet hoping that more miracles will happen as Haitians show the strength of their Faith during this time of unprecedented disaster.
Faith is a strong factor in Haitian society for they have endured many trials and great poverty as a nation. As one article stated, “God is crying with the Haitian people. God is considered their stronghold and their protector at this time. “ Let us help our Haitian brothers and sisters in whatever way we can - prayer, support, money and especially in solidarity. How proud we are also at the global display of compassion and relief that has been sent to assist the Haitians. These volunteers are also in our prayers.
Sister Judith Sheridan, smsm
