“Vocation is where our greatest passion meets the world’s greatest need.” – Frederick Buechner
This week we have been responding to a call to serve, a call to engage the world. Each of us has come to Guatemala with different strengths and passions, but we have come together in confronting the experiences and challenges we have faced over the past week.
On Tuesday night, we watched a documentary about Father Greg Schaffer, the man who gave life to San Lucas Toliman through his spirit, compassion, and loving work. Prior to leaving Minnesota, he was happily serving as a religion teacher and priest, ready to live out his life in this role. However, he was called to do more. In 1962, Father Greg accepted a position in a mission church in San Lucas. Over the course of fifty years, Father Greg gave his life to the San Lucas Mission. Alongside the Guatemalan people and other North American missionaries, he helped transform San Lucas from a town without electricity, running water, adequate homes, healthcare, and education into a dignified community. When Father Greg died on May 24, 2012, he left behind a legacy that brought San Lucas and surrounding communities dignified work, homes, healthcare, education, hope for a better future, and much more.
Seeing how much one humble and loving man impacted a community, and an entire country, was absolutely heartrending. Father Greg’s story helped me to remember that we all have the power to change the world. Father Greg never imagined the impact he would have on San Lucas, or the impact the Guatemalan people would have on him. He simply came to San Lucas and responded to what the Guatemalan people needed. In the process, the Guatemalan people won his heart, and he in turn gave all of himself to the people. We are all called to serve others, and accepting that call, that vocation, is critical. Serving others can take many forms, and no single form of service is the “right” way. However, any time you can share joy and love with others, you are sharing a part of yourself.
It has been an absolute pleasure to accompany this incredible group of students along with Father Kesicki. It has filled my heart with joy to serve in and be transformed by Guatemala again, and to watch as a fresh group of students has confronted the difficulties of service, social justice, and solidarity. I have seen everyone share pieces of themselves as they have opened their hearts and minds to the San Lucas Mission and to the Guatemalan people. This week has certainly transformed our entire group in the bonds we have made with each other and with the Guatemalan people, in the memories we have shared, and in the commitment we feel to continuing to remember and to serve San Lucas and Guatemala as we return to our “normal” lives, changed forever.
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