Editorial
A choice - to move on
By Marie-Paule Sanfaçon, m.i.c.
On certain roads, roundabouts are built to reduce speed; they allow U-turns and drivers to choose the direction they need to take. In our lives, should we not have some roundabouts to examine and to reflect on our life’s journey… have I really taken the right road? If yes, then I must not hesitate and MOVE ON.
I imagine that all the people who walk to find a refuge in a host country must have seriously reflected before leaving everything they have acquired behind, and this, without guarantee of success. They move on without knowing what is in store for them. Many of them certainly experience stressful worries and ask themselves: Have I taken the right decision? Will I regret it? Though they may be close to their goal, the last stage of their journey is the most difficult because it is life risking. However, the hope of a better tomorrow is stronger than fear and they are ready to overcome all obstacles.
Life often challenges us to move on. Sr. Melanie, in the Philippines, questioned her choice before deciding what was best for her. Deacon Paul Ma, hesitated before moving on in response to God’s call. It often happens in our personal life that we must stop to reflect before pursuing the chosen road. Many obstacles can come our way which can slow down our walk: sickness, joblessness, failure, — but not to forget, the Lord is always present to help us move on. Like Peter, like the adulteress woman and the daughter of Jairus who all thought they were at a dead-end — but no, the Lord gave them a helping hand to move on. Didn’t the Madelinot fisherman have a good reason to call Him his Captain?
With confidence, let us move on without fear because we are never alone. The Lord is there, walking with us, moving us on at our roundabouts.
In Focus - HEAD INTO THE UNKNOWN
From mountains to jungle
By Audrey Charland
(PART 2)
The luggage agent carefully opened Sister Rosario’s suitcase as she tried to explain that there was nothing dangerous inside. All the same, he took the time to look inside the plastic bag containing the frozen guinea pigs, wrapped in alfalfa to ease the transport. Once he realized what was inside, he barely looked surprised and let us go on our way.
I should clarify something here. About the guinea pigs, cobaye, or cuy mentioned above — it is very common to eat their meat; apparently it’s extremely nutritious. Yet, I was unable to try this culinary experience. It was impossible for me to imagine this little rodent being served as food after having seen it, crying in the street, held by the skin of its neck, proudly exhibited by a young peasant girl looking for potential buyers!
JULY 3: A DUSTY HORIZON
In the region of Pucallpa, the primary means of transportation is by moto-taxi. I was really intrigued to learn about the usefulness of these vehicles—all in all, they were more or less stable when accelerating and taking corners, even if the city streets were generally paved. At one point, I quickly understood why Sister Ederlina took a cotton handkerchief from her bag to cover her nose and mouth [ … ]
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