Profound gratitude

Learning about God's love and about life and its many struggles while living among the many peoples and cultures of Guyana.

By Sr. Joan Missiaen. O.L.M.
May 2007

Return to Table of Contents
Print Article

As I reflect on my 50 years as a member of Our lady's Missionaries the word that comes to mind is GRATITUDE...to God, to my family and loved ones, and to the many, many people I've had the privilege to walk with in Aguascalientes, Mexico; Canada: Southern Leyte and Mindanao in the Philippines; and for the past three years in New Amsterdam, Guyana.

Srs. Cecile Turner and Doris MacDonell who have been in Guyana for 14 years paved the way for my acceptance there. I've learned so much about love and about life and its many struggles while living among the Guyanese people with their various cultures and languages. And, yes, I've had my own ups and downs, and have gained strength and insight from many along the journey:

• the women at the prison who are grateful for our weekly visits to pray and chat;
• the women and men at the psychiatric hospital who in their own way show gratitude for the weekly visits, the three sweeties (candies) I bring them, as well as the games we play, such as dominoes - a tradition that was started by the Scarboro lay missioners years ago:
• the men at Mother Theresa's Sisters of charity Home and the women at the good Samaritan Home whose health needs we attend and with whom we share stories;
• those who notice the birds singing or the flowers at the side of the road while my attention is on the garbage strewn about;

I am amazed that amidst their own sufferings, many Guyanese can so unashamedly express their gratitude for the simple things of life that we so often take for granted.

Thank you God for Guyana, Our Lady's Missionaries and all who accompany me on my journey.

Return to Table of Contents
Print Article