Beginning the Journey...

Tomorrow, Tuesday, February 2, I embark on a new mission that will take me to Dilla, Ethiopia where I will be joining the Salesian sisters as a volunteer missioner through the VIDES program. My primary assignment will be to teach English at a technical college but I have been advised to “expect the unexpected” while on mission.  This is a new challenge for me since I have never stepped foot on the African continent.  In addition, my only experience in the classroom has been at work leading sessions on due diligence and anti-money laundering topics.  But I’m confident that somehow, these skills will transition well to my future classes.

Never would I have thought that being a missioner was in store for me but God does work in mysterious ways. But I can say that my journey started when I consciously decided last year to be closer to my faith and underwent the process of getting my confirmation.  I selected St. Vincent de Paul, patron saint of charitable work, so it is fitting that I decided to undergo this mission to do charity work in Ethiopia, a country that also has a long history with Christianity. Incidentally, tomorrow is also the Feast Day of the Presentation of the Lord, and in some ways, I feel that I am also presenting myself to the people of Ethiopia to do God’s work there.

I could not have embarked on this tremendous adventure though without the support of my close friends, family and colleagues. There will be challenging obstacles along the way but I hope to also find many of God’s graces on this journey.   This mission has finally begun and I can’t wait to share as much of this experience as I can with all of you!