Update from Eric Lastres
Status Update: Reflecting on first weeks in the Interior
On January 28th, myself and three fellow novices reached Guyana with much excited for our long-awaited Novitiate Long Experiment. After a short stay at Arrupe House in Georgetown, we made the 19-hour “bus ride” (really on a 10-passenger van) and arrived to the Interior of Guyana. Before getting here, none us knew much about Guyana or what the mission is like in the Interior, but like any real experience of inculturation, you must see and live it for yourself.
Over the last few weeks in the interior of Guyana, I have encountered the realities of mission life in Aishalton and Lethem, two of our mission areas in the region. The Interior mission is one among Amerindian peoples, most of which is realized in rural villages with very limited resources, including where we live. Most don’t have Wi-Fi, running electricity (only solar), or even roads. There is much I could say, but I would like to share what has most impacted me during these first few weeks here:
1. “By their fruits you will know them” (Mt 7:20) – Hearing the stories and legacy of incredible Jesuits which have literally transformed the lives of tens of thousands over the last 100 years through their work of evangelization has been a constant source of inspiration and motivation for me. Several Jesuits have dedicated their lives to living among the people and through their work, these Jesuits unified villages, provided better education, and most important introduced and grew the faith. Today, we live and cultivate the fruits of their labor.
2. “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations” (Mt 28:19) – I would say the mission in the interior could be described as a “hidden mission”. Why? Because it is a mission unseen by the world. It is a mission who most would probably label “unimportant”. It is a mission where most would never know or see the fruits. But time and time again, as we drive along the Guyanese savannah, I have been deeply touched by one particular thought: “If Jesus were alive today, this is exactly where He would be.” Jesus spent most of His life traveling from town to town. Over the last few weeks at mass, we have heard the hectic movement of Jesus and the disciples. They never stayed for too long in one place. Most of the time they could not even rest. And we might ask, why? For me in Guyana, I have seen the answer so clearly…Jesus would leave no one behind. He went and sought the outcast, the broken, the sick, the lonely, the forgotten, etc. The mission we embrace today in the interior of Guyana is a living reflection of Jesus’ ministry; being with the forgotten and undervalued of the world and sharing His deep love and compassion with them.
3. “As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” (Jn 20, 21) – And lastly, the mission in the interior of Guyana has reminded me of one thing…this mission is not our own. It is not by our efforts or ideas that lives are transformed, but truly by the Lord’s love and grace that leads us. The interior mission is one that requires much effort, movement, innovation, creativity, sacrifice, and charity. But most of all, it is a mission (like all) that requires us to be truly driven by the Spirit. By our own efforts or vision, we can lose sight of why we are here, what the people thirst for or even what God is calling to. But, amidst the discomfort we are drawn into deep intimacy and unity with Jesus through prayer, community, and discernment. Like Jesus, often times the interior mission requires us to sacrifice the place we lay our heads and be one with the people, slinging our hammocks in a village and being with the people.
During the next few weeks, I hope to continue getting to know the mission and the people, and most importantly the ways God reveals Himself and is calling me to be as a Jesuit.
-Eric Abel Lastres
