Redefining the Bar for Generosity

September 06, 2024

Hi Friends!

It's not you...it's me 😭

I meant to reach out sooner, but these past few months have been super packed! It has been an amazing time with lots to take in and process. I got immersed in the many opportunities that the Lord provided - new experiences, people, relationships, challenges, and surprises. I am currently in Kerala, India, interning with 4th Wave Foundation, an NGO focussed on creating socially responsive, self-reliant communities which creates safe environments for children. I hope this learning will help me in my eventual mission placement among the First Nation communities in Northern Canada.  

Finding time to regularly send email updates/edited videos has been pretty difficult, and I want to be faithful to y'all! SOOO, I’m trying out a new method of sharing experiences through pictures with little descriptions, we'll see how it goes. Open to your feedback and any creative inputs as well! Here is the first issue covering my mission exposure in Northeast India! My Full-timership training in Sri-Lanka and the internship time with 4th Wave are next in line...stay tuned!

My time in Northeast India was facilitated by the JY missionary family of Vinish & Rijo Scaria. Interacting with the family, their 5 kids, their stories, and lessons learned while being full-time missionaries over the last few years have helped me develop perspectives about faith, culture, and mission. Their eldest son Riyan joined me during my time at Malang parish, a beautiful interior village in Meghalaya. The residents are primarily from the Garo tribe, a very welcoming people with big hearts. Christianity came into this region around 100 years ago. The food, weather, terrain and amenities all took a bit of adjustment. By God's providence, I got to visit a mission parish in the neighboring state of Nagaland as well. My time in Northeast India was wrapped up by helping with a JY Discipleship Training Program. I am grateful to have been able to immerse myself in a different culture before my formal training in Sri Lanka.  

The commitment of the missionary priests and religious who minister to the spread out villages, redefines the bar for generosity. There are only 2 priests serving around 15 villages. Each village receives the sacraments once every ~4 months. They are involved in the lives of the parishioners accompanying them in their struggles and challenges. I was able to tag along for their house visits and also had a great time hanging out with the parish youth and youth leaders. We saw people living in different conditions, different states of life, different struggles; however one unifying thing in common was the joy and faith present in many of the people.   

Integrating the beauty of Christian faith rooted in the dignity of a person, while honoring centuries old culture is not easy but is the Catholic way 1 Corinthians 9:20-22. A lot of the ministry has to do with teaching the basics of faith and bringing them to life. Amongst some tribal communities, personal hygiene is not practiced regularly, primitive methods of living are preferred, and inter-tribal relationships are strained. Though this is the reality of the mission, the priests in their patience and love, is what helps guide the people. There are families who lack the means to pay tuition to attend Catholic school which provides better quality of education. Despite that, the priests work hard to find ways to enroll them, fundraise and rely on God to meet the operational costs. Everyday life and mission is very challenging for religious life here but they serve with joy and strive for excellence by being faithful to their assignments. May their lives inspire us all.

That’s it for now, till next time

With Love,

Josh