Columban Lay Missionaries

Stations of the Forest

Voices of women

Reflections on our journey . .

Once we stop judging who is right or wrong, then we can better understand everyone's difference. This is how I truly live my mission. Woong(Korea/Taiwan)
'I left the candle-making workshop knowing that most of them I met will spend most of their lives in poverty but at the same time they gave me heart'. Ana (Peru/Philippines)
Being a missionary means trying to be a citizen in a foreign land, trying to respond to the needs of the people where we are sent'. John(Philippines-Brazil/Peru)
'My journey with the women, adolescents and adults is revealing to me that when people celebrate life inspite of difficulties and poverty their is HOPE. When they continue to share their joys and passion to live, it is because of the love and compassion of the God of life'. Irma(Philippines-Brazil/Peru)
'Mission for me is to keep searching the deeper meaning of life and its purpose, as we continue engaging with the people whom we are sent and companions we journey with'.Columba ( Korea-Philippines/Burma)
'I was not under the illusion that I had any great solutions for the problems in this world today but I thought that I could contribute something positive and learn something as I went along'. Seamus (Ireland/Pakistan)
I can't but change a lot in this unique place, but I believe God works through me to plant the seed in my friend's heart to inspire their dreams of life. Min sook (Korea/Ireland)
My mastery of the Korean is not good. Communication is a struggle for me. But through it all I found that an encouraging smile, a helping hand and a shared laughter helped to make a mixed group into a team. Who needs lnguage when you are having fun'. Claire(Ireland/Korea
We see in this process God calling us to live the values of tolerating, respecting, supporting each other in our own family life, and from there we will be prepared to carry our mission. Mauricio and Nathalie (Chile/Britain)
To listen is to have an open mind and heart. There can be no authentic listening when we are so full of ourselves that there is no room for others in our hearts. Gracia(Philippines/Ireland)