A Threshold Moment

Fr. Tim H. was a former missionary in Lima, Peru

Some time ago as I was looking through some of my pictures with a friend, he remarked “You have them separated into before Perú and after Perú!” He was right. When I returned from my mission to Perú in 2010, it seemed like I was starting a new chapter in my life; so there was before Perú, in Perú, and after Perú.

Now, ten years after returning from mission and as a recently ordained parish priest, it was my great privilege to invite to our parish Emma K., a new Con-solatio missionary, before she left for her mission in Chile. It was such a joy to meet her at this threshold moment of her life. I knew intimately the excitement, the nervousness, and the anticipation of heading out into the unknown field of the mission. I knew the anxieties too: Would I be able to raise enough donations to support my mission? Would I be able to learn the language? Would the people accept me?… and so many other questions.

I look forward to seeing how the Lord resolves these questions for Emma over the next fourteen months of her life. I am happy to be a part of her mission on this side of the world, as so many were for me when I was in mission in Perú. Moreover, I am grateful to have a parish full of generous men and women supporting Emma along with me. May the Lord make fruitful the mission entrusted to us all, whether here in these United States or far away in the missions of Chile or Perú!