After 4 years of missionary life in Brazil
By Cl. Bartolomeo Nguyen Quang Lam Son, SDB
Cl. John Baptist Nguyen Duc Tan, SDB
Manau, Brazil, 27 January 2017 -- Two Vietnamese Missionaries prepare their perpetual profession in Brazil - Manau (Amazon Region) next January 31st in Manaus, Parish Church of Don Bosco. They among the 5 Vietnamese Salesian missionaries send to Brazil since 2011. Scholastics Bartolomeo.
Cl. John Baptist (Joazinho) is sharing his past 4 years missionary life experience:
It's already 4 years i'm living a missionary life in Brazil. I was sent by Fr. Pascual Chavez, the Rector Major, to the Amazon region of Brazil. Here in Manaus I was welcome with open arms. After an initial missionary course in the capital of Brasilia (Portuguese language for foreigners and introduction into Brasilian cultures and traditions) i have started my practical training in one Salesian school. I took this time as wonderful opportunity to learn the language. Then after two years I had a problem with renewal of my visa, it took 8 months in Vietnam for getting a new visa permit. During that time I was deeply longing to return to my mission as soon as possible. Then after my arrival I was send to the Mission of Maturaca in the diocese of Sao Gabriel da Cachoiera for another year of practical training among the Yanomami ethnic group.
Maturaca is a 'clan' community of 300 Yanomami people. Our Salesian community is an international, composed of Rector (Brazilian), one Salesian Brother (Italian) and myself (Vietnamese). The joy of missionary life among the indigenous people and possibility to work among the poorest young people strengthen my missionary vocation!
Yes, I cope with quite challenging task of inculturation. For me especially due to language difficulty. Studying Portuguese language and need to learn another Yanomami language, was so difficult. With my limits i was trying to speak and write day by day to improve my language skills. Sometimes i was much stressed, since I didn't understand much and the others were not able to understand myself what I was speaking. During that challenging period of time I was strengthen by the Eucharist, prayer and fraternal life.
Now i'm preparing to say my YES to Jesus and to the Young forever. Indeed to live the Salesian vocation is happiness, especially in the Salesian mission. I'm very happy to live my missionary vocation ad gentes with the heart of Don Bosco. And before my perpetual profession I'm asking God to strengthen my vocation every day through prayer and fraternal life.
Two young missionaries Cl. Joazinho and Bartolomeo are among the 100+ Vietnamese Salesian who are living as missionary ad gentes out of their beautiful country. We pray that their youthful witness will help more young people to follow Jesus Christ as his missionary!
