Reflection on Vocations
In May 2007, for five weeks, Sr. Lise Le Riche, Daughter of Wisdom went to Peru with University students from Canada, hosted by the sisters of her Congregation there. They lived in Lima with the sisters at their public school of 1100 impoverished girls and participated in activities with the surrounding communities. They visited the sick in their homes, collaborated with teachers in classrooms, helped in the soup kitchens (comedor) and neighboring clinics…etc. Every day, prayer, sharing and commitment was lived among themselves. The objective of the group was also to look into their own lives and see how God in calling each one every day. They were striving to live in the spirit of the first Christian community (Acts. 2, 42-47).
By Alana Beddoe
As I was walking one evening with some drops of rain hitting my face, a song came on by JP de Fleuriot called "The Storm". A couple lines hit me and made me think about my experience in Peru and my vocational call:
"The clouds come in, the storm begins
I wrap my arms around the cross
The waves crash in, pushing me to doubt
the call
I wrap my arms around the cross
I must press onward, I must
strive forward
I must live my life in faith, cause
You are by my side"
The last few lines remind me of when I returned from Peru. I did not suffer from culture shock but I did rush into my summer job the very next day. This was difficult because I had very little time to reflect on what I experienced and I have found it stressful to return to the hectic schedule I have to lead. But I realize I must "press onward" and "strive forward" with the life I have in Canada, if only to make small changes along the way.
The song also reflects my experiences in Peru, I am a nursing student and I always envisioned that at some point during my career as a nurse I would work overseas in a developing country. When I heard of this opportunity from Sr. Lise, I thought how perfect I could do nursing related mission work right now. I felt a deep sense that this was what God was calling me to do this summer.
When I arrived in Peru, the sisters in Nana greeted us very warmly. There was a real community feel in the convent that we were staying in and in the convent of La Era de Nana where the postulants stay. I felt comfortable in my new environment even if I did not speak Spanish very well.
However, during the second week the mission trip became a harder experience. We had started working in the clinic and the language barrier proved more difficult than I originally thought it would. I was discouraged and started to doubt whether I was called to the mission or to missionary work in the future.
As the weeks went by, I found ways to communicate nonverbally and the experience improved. I found that God was teaching me the importance of touch and physical closeness, which I can use in my nursing career.
The song by JP de Fleuriot reminds me of how we must wrap our arms around the cross when difficulties come in our lives. It is only in Christ where we can find real comfort and solace in our troubles.
I found my Peru Mission trip gave me a great understanding of what sisters do and how they live their vocational call. Becoming a religious has been something on my mind for a long time although I do not know if that is what God is calling me to do. I know that if I put my trust in God, He will lead me to the right decision.
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