After traveling quite a bit, we arrived in Lima, Peru. We were warmly welcomed by Mrs. Ana and Mr. Fisher from the CLM in Peru. It was the first time we had spent Holy Week away from our country and family.
We celebrated Palm Sunday at the chapel near our home. We enjoyed the songs and prayers. People were very happy to meet us. They gave us a brief moment to introduce ourselves.
On Good Friday, we went to the Pamplona neighborhood for the Stations of the Cross. It was a new experience. Everywhere we went, we shared food and joy.
On other days, we visited the families of the CLM members who live in Lima, and we also went to the scholastics’ house and the provincial house. We also visited downtown Lima to do some sightseeing and see some very beautiful places.
So far, we’re having a very good experience. We like the food in Peru. The climate suits us well. We’ve learned about the culture, about money, and how people pay for food and other things.
We’re currently studying hard to improve our Spanish. We want to learn Spanish well so we can provide the best missionary service possible. We’re learning a lot about the culture and history, and we’re also interacting well with the people.
The 2026 Fraternity Campaign invites us to reflect on one of the most profound truths of the Christian faith: “He came to dwell among us” (John 1:14). The prologue of John’s Gospel reveals the heart of the mystery of the Incarnation. God did not remain distant from human reality. The Word became flesh, took on our condition, entered history, and chose to dwell in the midst of humanity. He did not come as a passing visitor, but as one who decided to share the life, the sufferings, and the hopes of his people.
The Incarnation is, therefore, God’s great gesture of closeness. In Jesus, God draws near to wounded humanity, especially to those living on the margins: the poor, the excluded, and those forgotten by society. Christ is born into a simple reality, grows up among the little ones, walks with those who suffer, and proclaims a Kingdom where the least are placed at the center. This logic of the Gospel breaks with the mentality of power and indifference, and reveals a God who chooses closeness, compassion, and service.
This perspective deeply illuminates Comboni missionary spirituality. Inspired by St. Daniel Comboni, the missionaries are called to make the same movement as Jesus: to go out to meet, to live among, and to walk alongside the poorest. Comboni understood that mission does not take place from a position of superiority or distance, but through the concrete sharing of life with those most in need. His missionary dream was clear: to save Africa with Africa itself, valuing the peoples, their cultures, and their dignity.
Within this logic, Comboni lay missionaries play an essential role. They bear witness that mission is not exclusive to religious or priests, but is a vocation of the entire People of God. The lay missionary is one who, immersed in daily life—at work, in the family, in the community—becomes a living presence of the Gospel. He embraces mission as a way of life, bringing the presence of Christ to places where the institutional Church often cannot reach.
The Incarnation teaches us that God does not transform the world from a distance. He commits himself to human reality. In the same way, Comboni lay missionaries are called to dwell in the existential peripheries, to draw near to the sufferings of humanity, and to build concrete signs of hope. Being with the poor is not merely an act of social solidarity, but a profound dimension of the Christian faith. In the faces of the poor and vulnerable, we encounter Christ himself, who continues to challenge us.
In this sense, the theme of the 2026 Fraternity Campaign, “He came to dwell among us,” also becomes an invitation to every Christian: to allow Christ to continue dwelling in the world through our actions. When we draw near to those who suffer, when we share life with the forgotten, when we fight so that all may have dignity, we are extending God’s presence in the midst of humanity.
For where life is defended, where dignity is restored, and where the poor are welcomed, there God continues to dwell among us.
With hearts full of joy and hope, we continue our mission in the beloved village of El Manzanillo, living another day of encounter, service, and faith, always walking hand in hand with the Risen Jesus.
In the morning, we visited the families of the community, carrying with us the Paschal candle, a sign of Christ’s living presence. With each visit, we entered homes bringing the Light of the Risen Jesus Christ, sharing words of comfort, faith, and hope. It was a deeply meaningful moment, where we were able to listen, pray, and accompany each family, reminding them that God never abandons His children and that the Resurrection is a promise of new life for all.
In the afternoon, we shared a time of fraternal fellowship with the community, engaging in arts and crafts using basic materials, fostering creativity and everyone’s participation. We also enjoyed moments full of joy with the children, playing games, where their smiles and innocence reminded us of the beauty of serving with love and simplicity.
Thus we concluded a blessed day, filled with fraternity, dedication, and mission, where once again we were able to bring the Good News to this neighborhood, proclaiming with joy and conviction:
Jesus Christ is Risen! He is Risen, indeed!
Inspired by the witness of St. Daniel Comboni, we recall his words and his missionary spirit, which encourage us to go out to meet those most in need, to bring the Gospel with courage, and to always trust in God’s work, even in the midst of challenges. He taught us that mission is built on love, closeness, and total dedication to the service of others.
As Lay Missionaries of Guatemala, we wish to reaffirm that our entire missionary community remains united, walking together in faith, supporting one another, and keeping in our prayers every family, every child, and every person who is part of this beautiful mission.
We move forward with renewed hope and open hearts, knowing that every step we take is a seed of love sown in the name of the Risen Christ.
May God bless the village of El Manzanillo and each of its families.
I had the opportunity to meet Mariana and Adelaida years ago, back when they were forging their own path to respond to the calling God was presenting to them; it has been a journey of constant growth in which both have had to overcome the obstacles they encountered.
Adelaida was the first one I met from March to May 2011, when I was doing my three-month missionary internship in the community of Vicente Guerrero. She was part of the catechism group preparing for her First Communion; the formation included leadership training so that upon completing the course, she could become a catechist. It is important to mention that, as missionaries, people saw us as nuns because they often called us “Mother.” Understanding the reality of her culture, she made me realize that it was necessary to speak with the community leaders so that the role she could fulfill would be recognized. A meeting was called in which I participated; the community leaders, the authorities, and those in charge of the church were present (only men could hold these positions); after a three-hour discussion, it was agreed that, as a woman, she could be responsible for catechetical formation in the community. She has now held that position in her town for 15 years; today she participates in the parish council, the diocesan assembly, and missionary congresses; her community supports her because she represents her people.
Mariana’s experience was different; she was part of the youth missionary group at the seminary and engaged in vocational discernment with the América Misionera group. When I served in formation in 2017, I recall that she participated in the CLM informational retreat and began her journey with the Comboni Lay Missionaries group, having to overcome her own personal, family, group, and social obstacles. She participated monthly in the retreats and in the group’s weekly activities. Her perseverance led her to take firm steps, and today she is serving as CLM in the parish of San Miguel Arcángel in Metlatónoc, where she will serve for three years.
They already knew each other from attending the same meetings where both participate in the parish. This week, something different emerged during this Lenten season: they carried out a team service for 7 days, offering formation sessions in the communities of Vicente Guerrero and Linda Vista in preparation for Holy Week—these are spaces where teamwork strengthens the individual. During the day, they engaged in various activities, including the following:
+ Sharing the themes of the Holy Days of Holy Week.
+ Training the catechists of Buen Vista to lead their own celebrations.
+ Games with the children, such as a Bible verse lottery.
+ Praying the Dawn Rosary (in Mixtec) at 6 a.m. in Vicente.
+ Harvesting chilacayote.
The importance of continuing to share the Gospel wherever God sends us allows us to meet people who are open-hearted and helpful. You, too, can join this great project. TAKE THE PLUNGE.
It has already been four months since the opening of our community in Chelopoy, Kenya. This time has allowed me to understand more deeply what mission truly is. Each day here reminds me that it is not primarily about activities or projects, but about encounter – meeting another person, their story, hopes, struggles, and faith.
My daily ministry has many dimensions: pastoral, social, and educational. Yet above all, it is about presence – simply being close to people and sharing their everyday life. It is in this simplicity that I discover the deepest meaning and value.
On Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, together with Sister Rebeka and Mercy we visit families. We meet for prayer, conversation, listening, and sharing what daily life brings. These visits are extremely important to me, as they allow me to better understand the lives of the people, their joys and concerns, and their faith – often very simple, yet deeply authentic.
Sundays have a special character. After Holy Mass, together with Sister Benedicta, we try to visit the elderly and the sick in their homes. Most often, they are lonely women. In such moments, I clearly see how great the value of another person’s presence is.
An important part of my mission is also the education of young people. On Thursdays and Fridays, I teach basic computer skills at a girls’ school. For many students, this is their first encounter with technology. We learn how to type, use simple programs, and discover the opportunities the modern world offers. In today’s world, where technology plays an increasingly important role, even basic computer skills can open doors to further education and new opportunities. This gives great hope and a sense that this work truly impacts their future.
Of course, missionary life is not only about beautiful encounters but also challenges. One of them is the language barrier. It is not always easy to express what I carry in my heart or to fully understand another person. Sometimes words are missing, and uncertainty appears. Yet in these moments, I learn that communication is more than language – it is a smile, a gesture, presence, and openness. These often build bridges where words are not enough.
These first months show me that mission is, above all, relationship. It is presence, listening, and walking alongside others. It is being with another person in their daily life – both in joy and in difficulty. And although each day brings new challenges, it also brings many beautiful moments that are born in encounter.
Iza
Chelopoy, Kenya
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