Trip 20 - Day 3 (6/14/2025)
Light and energy were themes that ran through our third day of mission and our first full day in Huehuetenango. As we learned about the lives of our hosts and the challenges the people of their diocese face, we were called to carry the light of Christ with us and share our energy to spread the joy and hope of the Gospel.
Our day began with light. Without daylight savings time, the sun rises early in Huehuetenango this time of year. Birds serenaded us as the morning light got us moving at the retreat center where we spent the night. While we’re in a larger city, rooster crows commonly join in with the songbirds leading to a different morning symphony than many of us are used to hearing back home.
Fr. Frederik Gandini, a priest from Huehuetenango and member of the Ixim Huehuetenango leadership team presided over mass to begin the activities of the day. In his homily, Fr. Gandini encouraged us to love and serve courageously. He reminded us that we go forth as witnesses to Christ, who supports us in even the most challenging times. While we go to a people with deep faith, Fr. Gandini explained, we are a reminder to them of the boundlessness of God’s love.
At the end of mass, each missionary received a candle, lit from the paschal candle. Fr. Gandini asked us to carry the light before us to illuminate our path and warm the hearts of those we will serve. Again, he reminded us that all things are possible with the light of Christ before us.
Following mass, we spent the day getting to know the people, the church, and the region of Huehuetenango through stories, presentations, and details. One of the reasons for the long travel days is the desire for our missionaries to go to where our presence might be the most impactful. We travel to where our energy and enthusiasm might electrify a place where struggle and distance from power and wealth have drained the fuel of life. While the data we are presented and the stories we hear might be shocking and hard to comprehend, they renew us with a sense of purpose for the work we will begin in a few days.
Though the long days of travel might have left many of us drained ourselves, we were recharged by our afternoon with the Disciples of the Good Shepherd, a group of diocesan women religious Ixim has supported almost since its inception. The community of 40 women, 25 of whom have taken permanent vows, work throughout the Diocese of Huehuetenango as pastoral workers, teachers, and leaders in many service fields. Their passion for service and enthusiasm for our mission had us smiling and dancing throughout the afternoon.
Paul McCrory, an equally enthusiastic parishioner from St. Frances Cabrini parish, met his match in one of the games we played with some of the Disciples in between learning about their lives and work. He remained unaffected by his defeat, however, and was ready to dance once the music started playing before we shared dinner with the Disciples. As we grow closer together as a missionary community, we need each other’s energy to keep one another going. We are sure Paul will be a regular source of power in the days to come.
On Sunday, we head to our mission site of San Sebastián Coatán. After another long bus ride, introductions and mass, we begin our work with planning meetings in the evening. Please pray for the light to shine on our travel and the energy for a successful start to our service.
