Arrival & Welcome!

Ok, so I think you all will appreciate my first hours in Cameroon.  No sooner was I leaving the airport and having my first conversation with Fr. Bibi, the Chancellor of the Archdiocese of Bamenda, when he said “I am going to pull over and get some wine because after such a long time traveling we all need to relax with you.”  Yeah, I thought to myself I like this guy already, LOL!!!

And to make matters even better, I was pleasantly surprised to find out that the wine which we were to drink was a really nice wine from the Bordeaux region of France!  I think this is at least one thing that the Cameroonians still appreciate from there earlier colonizers. 

Toasting to my new African friends!

Cameroon or Bust

Wow, it’s here! 

Formation program complete, remaining items placed in storage, doctor appointments finalized, vaccines received, malaria pills stocked up, bags mostly packed and then ... a mild panic attack … “OMG, I’m really going!”

OK, once that passed I was back to my excited self and relishing the fact that it is time to expand my horizons and be immersed in Cameroonian culture.  The farewells have been fun but also a little stressful as I wanted to make sure I had not missed anyone (apologies if I did). 

So as I sit here on my last few days in the USA and run through my final checklist, all systems are GO:  Next stop Africa!!! 

Talk to you all soon from a new land.

Hello World

This is Marco signing onto my first blog ever ! 

So apparently my adventurous spirit (which I am going to “blame” my parents for, hee, hee) and God’s call are leading me to a new chapter of my life.  For several years now I have been interested in doing missionary work overseas.  After looking at various options, discussing with my spiritual director, and discerning for several months, I have felt confirmed that my desire to serve and my openness to learn from other cultures has led me to the Lay Mission Helpers.

Beginning this last January I started a well-designed formation program that is preparing us to serve overseas.  We have had some excellent and very enthusiastic teachers who have been sharing on topics such as Mission Theology, Cross Cultural communications and Christian Ethics, to name just a few.  As I sit in these classes my spirit is feeling more and more drawn to the new experiences that await me.  It has been suggested often, that these experiences will change me in a very profound way and it is this change that is at the heart of why I feel so drawn to doing missionary work.  I sense God leading me to a place that will stretch me and convert areas within me that still need to be brought into His light.  So despite the inevitable anxious moments I occasionally have, I am eager for this new chapter to begin and I ask you all to keep me in prayer that I may serve faithfully and be open to the growth that Christ has planned for me!