Letting Go: The Power of Just Being There

“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” Galations 6:2

As long as I can remember, I have wanted to help people and fix their problems. It was the major reason I joined Franciscan Mission Service (FMS) and served in Guatemala for three years. I was young and energetic, willing to do anything to change the world for the better.

I arrived in Guatemala wide-eyed and ready to go. What I wasn’t ready for were the frustrations I’d feel bumping up against issue after issues that I just couldn’t fix. No matter what technique I tried, I couldn’t teach a dyslexic women to read. No matter how many hours I invested in lesson plans, I couldn’t teach kids who had to go harvest their family’s crops instead of coming to school. No matter what approach I took, I couldn’t get the villagers to overcome their decades long prejudices to agree on a Community Center that was meant to bring them together.

To read more of my post, visit Franciscan Mission Service (FMS) at 

While visiting FMS’ website, check out the rest of their wonderful 40 Day Lenten Blog Series entitled “Letting Go.”