It’s been four years since I even thought about applying to the Mission Volunteer Program. If you were to ask me back then why I didn’t apply, I’d honestly say “meh… not now”. Fast forward to now, if you were to ask me why I didn’t apply back then, simply put, I was doubting in myself and personally really scared. So for the past four years, I have been pushing applying to the MV Program to the side. I guess, when I really think about it, there is reason. Through the years, it was a real test for me in terms of all aspects in my life. Although somethings did improve a lot such as my family life and I was able to build lifetime friendships, others suffered such as my prayer life, service and I did not perform to the best of my capability.
Near the end of 2017, I started questioning my life. What is it that I was doing? Where was I called? What am I supposed to do (thinking it would be my last year on youth)? Was I ready to move on? It all hit me in November, I was blessed to be able to attend the Youth Camp of my home chapter of Brampton here in the Greater Toronto Area. From this camp I was really reminded about the reason why I said yes to serving in the first place. It was because of the youth, the ones a part of the service team and the participants of the camp. God was calling me to serve Him by serving these youth, not just of Brampton, but for any youth that I encounter.
So here I am today, answering the call to mission and not putting it to the side anymore.
Lord, guide me and protect me. Allow me to serve You and to never stray away again. Strengthen my prayer life, my relationships and my service to You, O Lord. To You alone I love, and to You alone I serve. Amen
“The more ready you are to give yourself to God and to others, the more you will discover the authentic meaning of life.” -St. John Paul II
Christian Medeiros