Relationships are built on small everyday gestures. A smile of gratitude, a reaffirming squeeze of the hand, an acknowledging nod from an intent listener, these small moments are the connective tissue linking together the power and strength of love. While the work we do on mission attracts attention, the little interactions that make up our togetherness are what fuel the success of our shared accomplishments. Saturday contained moments of dance and song, but also quiet and prayer. We hugged and we chatted, and we also listened and reflected. We left space for the small moments to happen so we might strengthen our relationships with our partners in mission.
The day started off with mass celebrating the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Fr. Jairo Congote, pastor of Divine Mercy Parish in Schuyler, Nebraska, presided over mass. He led us in prayer and in song as we invoked the intercession of Mary in support of our coming work.
At the end of mass, Fr. Jairo blessed candles for each member of our team—Guatemalan and from the United States—remarking on the significance of fire to the two figures in day’s readings: Elijah and Elisha. Lighting and handing a candle to each of us, Fr. Jairo told us to “receive the light of Christ.” Our prayers were that these small flames might combine to set fire to our hearts and the hearts of those we will work alongside in La Libertad.
After mass, our Guatemalan partners introduced us to life in Huehuetenango. They shared facts and figures, but they also told their personal stories of life, faith, and work. While many of them have lived through difficult tragedies and experienced great blessings, what struck us about their tales were moments of gratitude to those who had made an impact on their lives through encouraging words on a difficult day or a moment of patience offered when they were exhausted from the challenges of life. Some of those moments occurred during decades of support for Ixim, testaments to the impact of seeking the will of God and finding His strength in the person of those accompanying us on the same journey.
Our afternoon featured a trip to the formation house of the Disciples of the Good Shepherd, a diocesan congregation of consecrated women religious who serve as teachers, pastoral workers, nurses, and social workers across the Diocese of Huehuetenango. The Disciples have been partners with Ixim for over 20 years. One of their mission houses is in La Libertad, our partner parish for the next five years.
While the smiles and joy of the Disciples will fill your heart, their personal stories and inspirational work will lift your soul. From cultures where women often are excluded from decision-making and leadership, the Disciples are witnesses to the strength and ability of women to lead and serve with joy. As they told of us their work and recounted stories of how they came to join their congregation, they showed us what it takes to follow Christ with each little step, every day.
Gail Klimek, a parishioner of St. Frances Cabrini Parish in Omaha, sponsors one of the Disciples who is in formation. He shared with them how he views each of them as a sister or a daughter. When praying for Jesus to let him see His face, Gail once heard the voice of Christ tell him he has already seen His face. He needed only to look into the eyes of the Disciples to see Him.
Gail finished his story by having all of us missionaries give a small token of our affection to each of the women in the congregation. They reciprocated with smiles and hugs and then lots of dancing. Marimba music played, but then salsa, then the Macarena, then maybe even the chicken dance. It was a fitting end to a day of growing together in preparation for the work to come.
On Sunday we will travel to the parish of La Libertad to begin our week of work with the people of Huehuetenango. We hope we can remain aware of the little ways in which we give strength to one another as we encounter new challenges following the path of Christ.
