Share the Journey

LYNDA REYES-GERALDEZ

I volunteer for foreign mission work whenever the opportunity arises through a Catholic organization.  God has given me a supportive spouse who allows me to spend time away from home. He has also gifted me with this passion for mission and adapting to different cultures and lifestyles.

I never fail to find new insights during these mission trips.  Although much of the tedious preparation happens before a trip, it becomes a team effort when we reach our destination.  We depend on the initiative and cooperation of the locals.  

My recent journey to MONGOLIA was quite challenging.  I was to conduct a Women’s Empowerment Weekend for the Good Shepherd Parish in Ulaan Bataar. But the church volunteers were not able to come, and the translators did not come on time.  We had to improvise quickly and made arrangements with substitutes and materials and equipment for the conference!

Ulaan Bataar is the coldest capital city in the world. The temperature dips to -50* between December and February. I have experienced -13* but never any colder than this.  Coal powered heating plants are used all over, causing pollution in the area.  This irritated my eyes and throat quite badly.  I managed to survive; however, having my medical emergency kit with me and keeping my windows closed all the time.

Yet, after surviving all these challenges, it was as if God returned my acts of faith with a reward of his own. While living inside the parish compound, I saw the parish priest, Fr. Roland’s own way of serving his parishioners.  He is a living example to all those he serves from preparing meals, marketing, and celebrating mass.  

As Fr. Roland said, and I totally agree with him – a life well spent is a life spent on others.