MISSION TALK WITH SHELINA | KAIROS GLOBAL | MAY 2019

Author: Shelina Guedes

Intro: Coming face-to-face with the joy of the physically and mentally challenged in Jamaica, Shelina Guedes realised with pain that she lacks gratitude and joy

Recently, I had an opportunity to volunteer with the Missionaries of the Poor (MOP) in Jamaica for two weeks. I travelled from Norwich, UK to Jamaica for this mission.

Once there, I soon realized that prayer was an important aspect of their lives and it was also the central source from which they drew their strength to serve the poorest of the poor. We prayed the divine office every morning, midday, evening and night. In addition, we also recited the rosary twice a day, once along with the residents of the assigned apostolate and then again with the Brothers in the evening. We shared our sleeping arrangements and meals with other volunteers, which was a very satisfying and rewarding experience.

We served the residents of five different apostolates namely Faith Centre, Jacob’s Well, Lord’s place, Bethlehem and Good Shepherd. We helped with some basic chores such as cleaning dormitories, mopping floors, feeding residents, cleaning and cutting nails, applying lotion, shaving men’s beard, applying nail polish to women, preparing medication boxes and dressing wounds.

Initially, I found it difficult to engage with them since most of them were either physically disabled or mentally challenged. It was not only their appearance, but also the atmosphere, that I was struggling to get used to. However, all this hesitation vanished the moment I made a prayer asking God to let me see His face in the faces of these residents. 

Having built a relationship with them over the two weeks, I began to understand the joy of selfless love; all they wanted from us was to spend time with them. For the residents and the Brothers, life was about living each day to the fullest. I recall meeting a blind old lady. When I asked her how she was, she replied, “Thank God for another day that I am alive.” I was deeply moved; she had something beautiful in her, something which I lacked, gratitude and joy. 

There were two occasions where I experienced the tangible presence of Christ. The first one was while applying lotion to an old lady. She was curled up in her bed. When I called out to her, she refused to let me apply lotion on her body. However, as I was leaving, she grabbed my wrist and looked intently into my eye. I felt a strong presence of Christ in that woman. The second one was during the Holy Mass when Fr Roche, a priest from USA, was administering Holy Communion and blessing children with a wonderful smile and with such love. This sight brought me to tears because I experienced the love of Christ in that moment of sharing His body and blood to people of all kind; the rich, the poor and the children.

This journey indeed has been a spiritual retreat for me, because every morning after hearing the word of God during mass, we were encouraged to go out and live the Gospel; to serve the poor, to be the hands and feet of Jesus, to hear painful stories of the residents and spend time with them. This is how I see a follower of Christ; to love and serve Christ by offering service to those most in need. The tireless work of Brothers left a huge impact on me. When I asked what motivated them to leave their families behind and give up their time, talents and life for such a mission they replied, “It is only the love for Christ and nothing else”. 

This mission experience has provided me with a new perspective to life. I don’t think that anyone who goes through such an experience can return to their normal lives and not feel the difference. My house, which I once thought was too small, I now see as a luxury. The fact that I have a room to myself and don’t have to share it with 10 other women is beyond comfortable.

Also, the words of Fr. Richard Ho Lung, founder of the MOP mission, stays close to my heart. “Less is more; the less of materialistic things you have in this world, the more of Christ you will have in your life.” Ever since, I have taken it as a challenge to live a simple life; to know the difference between what I want and what I need. 

“The call to serve the poor is an invitation to happiness” is truly what I experienced. This experience has renewed my zeal to serve Christ even more, whether big or small - “For I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!” (Philippians 4:13)

Shelina lives in Peterborough, UK with her parents and is an integral part of the music ministry in UK. She did her international full-timership in Canada during 2017-18 and works as a pharmacist.