Comboni Lay Missionaries

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Central America

We Returned to Manzanillo to Continue Rowing in Peter’s Boat

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LMC Guatemala

On July 4, as Comboni Lay Missionaries, we had the joy of returning once again to the community of Manzanillo to continue sharing the mission, our faith, and our closeness with our brothers and sisters.

In the morning, we held a pediatric medical clinic, where we were able to care for the youngest members of the community. It was an opportunity for service, listening, and companionship, during which we provided medical care, diagnoses, and medication. Each child we cared for reminded us of the importance of a mission that proclaims the Gospel not only with words but also through concrete gestures of love and care.

Seeing the families arrive with trust and hope filled our hearts. As a missionary community, we understand that serving is also a way of evangelizing, especially when God’s love is made present in caring for those who need it most.

In the afternoon, we gathered with the adults of the community to reflect together on the theme “Peter’s Boat.” This moment invited us to recognize that we are all called to board that boat which is the Church—a boat that sometimes faces strong winds, weariness, or uncertainty, but which continues to move forward because Christ is with us.

In the midst of our reflection, we also shared a very special and fraternal moment: we baked an “impossible cake” together. More than just a recipe, it was an experience of connection, teamwork, and shared joy. In the end, the cake was shared among the members of the community, becoming a simple yet profound sign of communion.

This visit reminded us that mission is built step by step, through constant presence, listening, service, and small gestures that speak of God’s love. Manzanillo continues to be for us a place of encounter, learning, and hope.

We give thanks to God for allowing us to return, for every child we served, for every family we welcomed, for every smile shared, and for the opportunity to continue walking alongside this community.

As St. Daniel Comboni said: “The mission is carried out on one’s knees.”

May every visit, every act of service, and every fraternal gesture help us continue rowing together in Peter’s Boat, always trusting that Christ guides our mission.

CLM Guatemala

Three months have passed, and we’re already halfway through the year.

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We’re happy to share a brief account of our departure from Guatemala and arrival in Brazil.

We started last year with the confirmation of our departure, and with that came the documents from Brazil to process our visa—and then the complications began: our vehicles broke down, many of our household appliances failed, work piled up, and our parents fell ill. Amidst a storm, we reached January without knowing the exact departure date. We bought the tickets and had to change them for a month later because the visa hadn’t come through. While we waited, the visa arrived, and a day later we traveled to Brazil.

How comforting it is to know there is a community waiting for you; the prayers of our community and those who welcome us help sustain us. Without a doubt, the first impression is a shock—even though we know the culture, language, and customs, it always hits you head-on, and stepping out of your comfort zone stirs your very core. You remember the beautiful things, the glorious moments, the joys, but in that instant you remember the difficulties, the lack, what you leave behind, and you turn back to God because only He can sustain you.

We arrived to work… getting off the plane and preparing a topic to share at a parish women’s gathering. We found the roof broken and in need of repair, because it rains more inside the house than outside—dampness and other issues—and thank God, Cristina had already cleaned the house, which had been empty for seven months. The car broke down three times, and we’ve only just begun!

With great effort and joy, we cleaned and repaired the two houses to welcome the laypeople who are going through their discernment process to become CLM of Brazil during Holy Week, and amidst these trials, we managed to get our children started on their studies.

Today, after settling in, establishing a routine, and beginning to work on parish activities, we feel more at peace and have a clearer sense of purpose.

We have resumed activities at the Comboni House, a small group of us, a house that carries out social and human development work in the region. We started with the women’s crafts group and are in the process of integrating other educational and community service activities into the house, as it has been closed for a long time.

We are accompanying two communities that are somewhat struggling and short-staffed; we have begun working with the neighborhood association and we are waiting for their issues to be resolved so we can start Spanish and English classes. Meanwhile, we have already begun premarital catechesis, meetings with the family ministry, and accompanying the Comboni spirituality group.

We are getting to know the place again, reconnecting with the people. It brings us joy and strength when they greet us warmly, and above all, it presents us with a great challenge: to do our work well for the glory of God. The provincial came to visit us, which undoubtedly gave us even more encouragement to move forward and organize together the work to be done as a Comboni family.

We celebrated these three months with the Feast of Corpus Christi and the parish festival of Los Centinelas, a time for fellowship, sharing, and encouraging the community.

There are many emotions, sorrows, longings, and reunions; every missionary needs time to calm the spirit, to settle into the mission field, to find clarity of mind and heart. We love to work and be with people, to accompany them and evangelize them, but above all to be witnesses to God’s love.

May St. Daniel Comboni continue to intercede for each of us, for all his missionaries, and may the upcoming celebration, the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, be a time of unity for the entire Comboni family, which struggles with daily challenges, precariousness, and so many other problems that Comboni himself endured.

With love and great hope in God,

The Camey Figueroa Family

CLM of Guatemala in Brazil

A Day of Faith, Learning, and Hope in Manzanillo

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Last Saturday, June 6, we, the Comboni Lay Missionaries of Guatemala, had the joy of once again sharing a day of mission in the community of Manzanillo.

In the morning, we held activities with the children of the community, exploring the theme of the Angel’s Annunciation to Mary. Through games, songs, dances, moments of prayer, and times of reflection, the children were able to better understand Mary’s generous response to God’s call and discover how they too can say “yes” to Jesus in their daily lives.

It was a morning filled with enthusiasm, smiles, and active participation, where each activity became an opportunity to sow Christian values and strengthen the faith of the little ones.

In the afternoon, the gathering continued with the adults of the community. On this occasion, we reflected on the theme “God dwelt among us,” delving into the immense love of God who drew near to humanity through Jesus Christ. Dialogue and reflection allowed us to share experiences of faith and strengthen our sense of community.

As part of the day’s activities, a practical workshop on making traditional sweets was also held, with the aim of providing an additional tool that can contribute to the economic development of families in the community. This initiative seeks to foster new entrepreneurial opportunities and strengthen local capacities to improve the living conditions of the community’s residents.

We give thanks to God for this beautiful mission experience, for every child, young person, and adult who participated, and for all the people who made this activity possible. We continue walking alongside the communities, sharing the faith, promoting human dignity, and proclaiming the Gospel with joy, following the example of St. Daniel Comboni.

“Save Africa with Africa,” said St. Daniel Comboni. Today we continue to believe that true development arises when communities discover and strengthen the gifts that God has sown within them.

CLM Guatemala

Fraternal embrace, joy, and readiness to serve

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During April and May 2026, our community experienced moments of formation, reflection, and missionary service that strengthened our faith and commitment to our neighbors.

On Saturday, April 19, 2026, a formation day focused on human, Christian, and missionary maturity was held at Casa Comboni. We explored topics such as self-esteem, self-worth, and vocational discernment, reflecting on God’s call and the importance of persevering on the missionary path. We also strengthened our community formation by sharing teachings inspired by Father Damien and Carlo Acutis, as well as preparing formation materials for the CLM in San Luis Petén.

Later, on Saturday, May 2, 2026, at the De León Community in El Manzanillo, San Lucas Sacatepéquez, we experienced a beautiful missionary day under the theme “Holy Spirit, Soul of the Mission.” Through prayer, cleaning, visits, fellowship, and workshops, we shared moments filled with joy, service, and love for our neighbors, discovering Christ in every person we visited.

As part of the celebration of Mother’s Day, we gave special thanks to all mothers for their love and dedication, and in a very special way to our Mother Mary, the first missionary and the first tabernacle, an example of faith, humility, and obedience.

May these experiences encourage us not to give up, to continue walking with hope, and to keep serving with joy those who need it most.

“God’s works are born and grow at the foot of the Cross.” — St. Daniel Comboni

CLM Guatemala

Returning to the Village of El Manzanillo

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Another Day Walking with Jesus

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.

CLM Guatemala