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The majority of people in Guatemala do not have extra cash, but they make an effort to buy some small gift for their children at Christmas. One time, a week or so before Christmas, I was with a group of children, and I asked them, “What would you like for Christmas? ”They became excited. “My mommy promised me a dolly,” one little girl said. A boy was hoping for a used bicycle. On and on they went. One little boy, about 7, had not spoken. Finally he said, “Padre, know what I want most for Christmas?” Slowly, a little tense, he told me. “I want my mommy and daddy to stop fighting and arguing at home.” Silence fell upon us all.

Edward Moore, M.M.

 

In a remote village called Nanyangachor in south Sudan most of the people have never seen the glittering tinsel and colored lights that adorn our shopping malls and homes for weeks before Dec. 25. But the children of Good Shepherd School located in the village all know the story of the birth of Jesus. Even the smallest child in pre-school when asked whose birthday we celebrate on Dec. 25 will give you a resounding answer—“JESUS!” One Christmas Eve a crew of our older children was sent to clean the church and set up the Nativity scene in preparation for the great celebration. What a surprise I got when I entered our little church that night and found it resplendent with crepe paper streamers and balloons of all colors strung from one side of the church to the other. But my greatest joy was to see the beaming smiles of the children as they looked proudly at me. What a great birthday party for Jesus this was going to be!

Mary Ellen Manz, M.M.

One of the indigent men to whom I regularly give charity here in Hong Kong called to ask if he could come by for help. I agreed. I put the money in the only used envelope I had, without looking closely to notice it was one I had received at the funeral parlor. The Chinese characters on the envelope, referring to the deceased, said: “Have a happy and peaceful death.” I didn’t realize my blunder until the phone rang while we were having supper with guests. I recognized the beggar’s voice, but he was talking so fast and excitedly that I asked one of the Chinese guests to listen for me. The guest was smiling as he told me the problem: “He said your peaceful and happy death wish brought him a lot of bad luck, and the only way it can be washed away is for you to give him more money.” It was a reminder for me to be more conscious of the Chinese sensitivity to their culture, especially around the subject of death.

Elmer Wurth, M.M.

As part of my work here in Brazil, I visit families in a rural section of São Paulo. Recently I visited a family that lives out in the middle of lettuce fields. As I drove down the hill to their house, the dirt road was dry. A half hour later, the road was muddy. The farmer had turned on the sprinklers to irrigate his fields and the water sprayed the road.I decided to risk climbing the hill. As I pressed the gas pedal, the car inched up and slid back. My companion tried driving and slid back into the field. The car tires were immersed in mud.We went back to the house to ask for help. About 15 boys and men came. They laughed when they saw my car! Nonetheless, they sank their bare feet into the mud and literally lifted my car out of the field. As I thanked them, one man asked, “Why didn’t you use the other road?” “What other road?” I inquired. “The dry one that runs parallel to this one.”  And he gave a healthy chuckle!

Angel Mortel, M.K.L.M.

Wanted: Missioner Tales
MARYKNOLL magazine publishes Missioner Tales from Maryknoll priests, priest associates, Sisters, Brothers, Lay Missioners and Affiliates about their experiences in mission. We welcome tales from volunteers who have done short-term mission trips and from missioners working in cooperation with Maryknoll or tales that convey the Maryknoll mission spirit.

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