During the missions you realize that you are an instrument of God

Family Missions 2008 in Paraguay: Mother, holding your hand, disciples on fire for Christ

Rosario Iluminado Illuminated Rosary Lichter-Rosenkranz
Actividad para los niños Program for the children Angebot für die Kinder Fotos: Franco © 2008

PARAGUAY, Enrique Giménez. "During the missions you realize that you are an instrument of God; He is using you to reach these people, and this is truly fulfilling". The Family Missions 2008 in Paraguay, with the motto: Holding your hand, Mother, disciples on fire for Christ, were once again a time of grace –for the places that were visited and for its inhabitants, but at the same time also for the missionaries.

This year the Family Missions were carried out in Tobati (15 kms. north of Caacupé, 70 kms. east of Asunción) Altos, and Piribebuy, in the region of Cordillera. Eighty youth and 12 adults were at Altos.

I am certain that everyone who has had the opportunity to participate in the family missions feels or have felt at one time what the 80 youth and 12 adults who form part of ALTOS feel.

When someone asks about the family missions, it so difficult to explain, it so difficult to make that person understand everything that you feel and what you experience. Because during the missions an incredible atmosphere is created that is special; it is a grace that the Blessed Mother and God the Father sends us forth and they transform us spiritually, and the family atmosphere increases each day, making us feel at home. Everyone knows each other, and everyone feels comfortable; you have 79 siblings, which although it may seem unbelievable; they are available all the time to laugh, to counsel, to talk, to play or cry.

Each house that you visit is special

Every house that you visit is special, the Blessed Mother has something special prepared for you and your group at each home that you visit, the warmth of the people of the town cannot be equaled. During the family missions I received the warmest embraces of my life, I could see the most sincere smiles, and their eyes showed the depth of the soul, in each one of you, who in spite of the precarious conditions of life are also anxious to change Paraguay. They want to improve our situation! You see the happiest face that you have ever seen in every child, who perhaps has never received a toy in all his life. In every grandmother, lying prostrate in her bed, some who cannot see, walk, hear, or understand you, but the moment that she senses your presence begins to cry with happiness. Suddenly you feel so small as to carry out something so big; during the missions you realize that you are an instrument of God, He is using you to reach these people, and this is truly fulfilling.

This Lady who makes us do things that are madness of love

I can only say one word: THANK YOU! Thank you to all the people who gave themselves completely so that the missions could be become a reality, thank you to all the new missionaries, who with their youth and their spirit of thirst for the mission renewed the missions giving it fresh air, thank you to all the former missionaries who continue being loyal to the Blessed Mother, and to the flag of their missions, demonstrating that very great value to thousands of youth, thank you to the other leaders, the young as well as the adults, who gave all they had so that the "Nothing without Us" could be accomplished and the missions were carried out in an excellent way…; but above all to that Lady who never leaves us, who is always with us, who makes us do things out the madness of love like this one, who makes us laugh, who makes us cry with happiness. Thank you Blessed Mother! For this little piece of heaven on earth, that we could experience in the mission! MOTHER, HOLDING YOUR HAND, DISCIPLES ON FIRE FOR CHRIST!

Translation: Celina Garza, Harlingen, TX, USA