Compassion

Three years ago, I spent a year in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, doing mission work with the organization, Heart's Home USA. So many memories came flooding back as I remembers all the people that made such an impact of my life. It was such a challenging, rewarding experience. Honestly, I sometimes am surpriesed by how much I miss my time there. So many simple, beautiful memories. I have been blessed.  

For as long as I can remember,  I knew I had wanted to serve and live among the poor in another part of the world. It was Sr. Regine who found my profile on a Catholic volunteer networking site.  I clicked on the information video in her simple e-mail, and just a few minutes into it I knew I had found what I was supposed to do. Through my time of formation, I found a community that spoke to my heart. A place where we were taught to love others not for what they can do, but simple because they are. Formation taught me that I was everything I needed to make a difference in this world through this time of mission. My only goal was to love. And I knew I would do that whole heartily.

My time of mission in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, was difficult as I adjusted to so many differences. Our home in La Colonia Trinidad was simple, and I learned to wash clothes by hand, take cold showers, and eat the simple foods day after day, just like our neighbors. I struggled to learn Spanish, and repeatedly felt that I was not able to live my mission fully because I had no idea what was going on around me. Slowly, however, I found myself more engaged in my mission because of my struggles. So many of our neighbors were bitterly poor. They struggled to get by with little education and little opportunities.  They worked as hard as they could, but were not able to change their circumstances. I was able to relate to them in ways I would not have expected. I too did not have a voice. I too was not able to change my circumstances. They needed someone to recognize their significance in this life, as we all do. I found that my simpleness allowed me to connect with them more closely than I could have imagines. 

Coming home, I have found that so many people here in America are suffering from other forms of poverty. Loneliness. Poor self-esteem. Hopelessness. We may try to pretend that everything is all right, but on some level each of us is poor. I have found that my time with Heart’s Home has opened up my heart to see and respond to the hurt around me. To family members and friends who are dealing with the challenges that come with deployment. To women who cannot have children. To young people who have been laid off and cannot find work. To a co-worker whose husband passes away after a sudden, unexpected illness. So many people are hurting and desperately need someone to take the time to show them that they are loved and valued. I am thankful that my time of services has taught me how to do that.