God's Providence: Domestic Mission

     A highlight from the week was when we went to serve at the last camp. Mrs. Kathy served us dinner at her house which is near the last camp. It was once again raining, just like it had been every day since we arrived, but we needed to leave to go prepare for Mass. After most of the team left, I loaded my bus with 14 boys and we started to follow them when the bus got stuck in the mud. When the boys realized it, they started to ask me, excited for adventure, “Do we have to push the bus?”. I agreed and thankfully they managed to get the bus free with only one boy covered completely in mud because he was right by the wheel. We started to leave when suddenly the bus became stuck again, even deeper than the first time. I started to worry because Fr. Dwight was also stuck behind us, unable to pass us on the narrow road, and there would be no Mass without the priest. I filled with doubt, telling the guys, “we might not make it to Mass”. Yet, we persevered and “locked in”, starting to look for rocks and sticks to place under the wheels. At that point, God’s providence kicked in to help us get to Mass in a surprising and beautiful way. Fr. Dwight had spare clothes that the boy covered in mud could borrow. They went back to Mrs. Kathy’s house and then Mrs. Kathy brough out cat litter (apparently a good tool to have handy if you get stuck in mud). We added it to the rocks and sticks under the tires, mobilized for one last push, and we were free! The boys roared in triumph, embracing one another and patting each other on the back.

     Then, we were faced with the next obstacle – our GPS was no longer working because we were in too remote of an area. Once I realized I was lost, I stopped on the road. A few moments later, a large man in a white truck with a silver cross tied round his neck offered to lead us to the next town where the camp was. He drove us as far as he could, but then we had to stop again because we didn’t know where the camp was. I thanked him and asked him what his name was. He said, “Everyone ‘round here calls me Bubba”. He gave a big smile and left. Then, seconds later, another man in a white truck approached. I recognized him from before – he had come from the camp to look for us. We followed him the rest of the way and made it just in time to have Mass before the sun went down.

​     After Mass, one of the migrant men named José spoke with me. He said thank you for the music and shared how he missed leading worship with his church back in Mexico, but now he just works all day then goes to bed. He also shared how he hadn’t been to Confession since he left Mexico in February. Father had previously told me that he preferred to not offer confessions this trip since he wasn’t confident in his Spanish, but I decided to ask him anyway just in case since José brought it up and Father agreed to it (by the end of the mission, Father heard multiple confessions in Spanish!). I was filled with joy. THIS is why we do this. This is the focus of our mission: these men don’t have access to Jesus in the Most Holy Sacraments of the Mass and Confession. Those who have material goods often help those who don’t have them, but so few focus on aiding the spiritual poverty of the poor. These men don’t have transportation so they can’t go to Mass or Confession even if they long for it like José. All Glory to God.

Nick Higgins
Domestic Missions Coordinator