Truth is Always Truth

I wanted to share a poem that is on a bookmark I was given. It is quite beautiful.

Truth is Always Truth
You know My Way is simple
There is no black and white
Truth is always truth
And right is always right

So keep it simple, Christian
Don't sugar-coat My Word
I've shown you what to say
Now stand up and be heard

This is not an option
There is no other choice
This is My command to you
It's time to use your voice

Go forth and preach the Good News
Let others see Christ's light
Share your hope and joy
It's time to set things right

I do not want to complicate
Your life throughout this day
But only if you do my will
Your peace in me will stay

Littleness

Littleness. A theme that has been coming up a lot lately. It is so contrary to what we learn growing up, but I am more and more convinced that it is the way of God. After all, the God of the universe became a baby, grew up in a poor town, humbly taught the people, and died on a cross. When we stop and think about that, it should probably blow our minds. And little seems to be the only way to live here. Daily we rise, we pray, we serve, we pray some more, we rest. We try to make a small difference for those who cross our path. The problems of this neighborhood and world are so big that if we look at the big picture, we become discouraged extraordinarily easily. It is like the story of the boy and the starfish.

One day a man was walking along the beach when he noticed a boy picking something up and gently throwing it into the ocean. Approaching the boy, he asked, "What are you doing?" The youth replied, "Throwing starfish back into the ocean.  The surf is up and the tide is going out. If I don't throw them back, they'll die." "Son," the man said, "don't you realize there are miles and miles of beach and hundreds of starfish? You can't make a difference!" After listening politely, the boy bent down, picked up another starfish, and threw it back into the surf. Then, smiling at the man, he said, "I made a difference for that one."

Like yesterday, I got into a random conversation with a fellow volunteer tutoring the kids. I think she just needed to talk because she told me her life story and all her difficulties. I just listened and nodded. I may not have changed the entire world, but I hope I helped her. Mother Theresa also exemplidied this. We showed a video about her to a group of young adult leaders from one of the parishes. She was so little and humble in her service to the poor and God used her for incedible things.

Yes, littleness seems to me to be somehow, contrary to reason, necessary to be a missionary.

Finally Here

I am back in Honduras now after being in the States for a wedding. It is so good to be here and to be able to start settling in. I've been getting to know my fellow community members and adjusting to our daily routine. I am with some incredible people.

We started work on our ministry schedules the other day. I will be doing a lot of work with the scholarship program so neighborhood kids can go to school: tutoring, correspondence between here and the States, working with the kids on their required community service, and home visits. I am really excited about this work because I view education as key to a better life for the individual and a more human world for us all. In addition, I will be helping with a couple of the youth groups and whatever other stuff the Missioners are doing. For example, I know that there are a couple retreats to put on, training to lead, and mountain missions to do before December. Estoy muy emocionada para empezar.