It
is with heartfelt gratitude that I can report that the Nissan truck that was
paid for by the generous donations of so many family members, friends, and the
extended family of Lay Mission Helpers has arrived after 7 weeks of extensive mechanical
and body work. Not only were the repairs made, including a whole new engine,
but there was enough donated to provide for fuel and miscellaneous expenses for
the near future; thus, achieving the goal of alleviating any further strain on
a Diocese burdened with plenty of other challenges.
The
truck will not only provide immediate dividends in day-to-day operations of the
Unity Centre, the Damongo Diocese’s sole source of income, but will also allow
me to travel to outlying parishes to make much needed repairs and provide
regular maintenance for buildings in need. My own appreciation is secondary. If
I could only adequately express the gratitude that the people here feel for the
kindness of strangers who live so far away willing to go outside of their own
busy lives to help them, I would. My words do not suffice. Please allow
yourselves a moment of satisfaction that you have indeed participated in God’s
love in no small way by going beyond your own daily challenges to help your
needy brothers and sisters on the other side of the world.
While
I was discerning my present calling, a priest gave me some very daunting and
valuable advice: ‘When God gets hold of you, He will always ask more.’ He
failed to mention the other side of the ledger: attempting to fulfill such an
obligation is more enriching than one could possibly realize. Indeed, it is us
getting hold of God, who is always patiently present within us; realizing our
individual callings to slow down, listen, and act according to our own unique,
divine gifts.
Life
is full of challenges here, but I live in a gratitude which grows by the
moment, knowing that each day I humbly attempt to live in a way that
continually nourishes my very soul. My only hope is that, in my own small way,
I can provide small comfort to those who have become like family. Rest assured,
they provide no small amount of comfort to me, as do you all.
In
the end, we are each indispensable links in the chain of God’s love, which is
the energy of the universe. It is my fervent hope that, during this holiday
season, you can focus not so much on the world’s chaos and those things which
cause anxiety, but concentrate on the infinite goodness within yourself and
those loved ones that surround you, knowing that that is what nourishes the
world; that is what endures. Please keep the Lay Mission Helpers family in your
hearts this holiday season. Their work is very noble. The fulfillment
immeasurable. And again, THANK YOU!
PEACE
LOVE & AMDG
To
continue making a difference in this ongoing project or support my other works,
log onto: www.laymissionhelpers.org, follow the link to ‘Mark McGraw’s Mission’ and
press ‘DONATE’.
