Thank you for being a part of our Franciscan Mission Service family! You’ve been an important partner in promoting peace around the world this year.
As an expression of our gratitude and hope, each day of Advent we will share on our blog a prayer from one our missioners, staff, friends, or a person we serve on mission. Also, we have created a video for reflection with Christmas prayers we have collected from around the world.
I hope you are moved to spread our joy this season by sharing our video on Facebook and Twitter, or by forwarding this email to family and friends. We also invite you to post your own Christmas prayer on our website.
We are delighted with the work you’ve helped make possible this year. Our missioners in Bolivia, South Africa and Zambia are truly following St. Francis of Assisi’s example by journeying with those who are materially poor, and by promoting peace and social justice.
The joy of learning
Missioner and teacher Sandra Bradford has learned that a dictionary is a precious thing in Zambia, costing three days’ wages of a common laborer. The only dictionary in her English classroom is the one she carries so that her 100 students can look up the meanings of hard words they encounter in their brand new textbooks or magazines.
One morning, a bright student asked, “Mrs. Bradford, do you know the definitions of all the words in the dictionary by heart?” Sandra answered that she knew most of the words in the articles and stories they were reading together. But just like her students, she had to use a dictionary to look up words used in science, math, economics and government. The girl said, “That’s a relief. I was afraid I would have to memorize the whole dictionary, because I want to be an English teacher like you some day.”
Sandra serves in Zambia with her husband Bryce, who teaches tenth grade math. While Sandra has set up a library with donated books, Bryce has assisted in starting a computer lab. These rare resources will create new opportunities for local students.
Your support of FMS has also been instrumental in helping us prepare to commission three new missioners. In January, they will begin their ministry of presence in Bolivia and Kenya.
Once again, thank you for all that you have helped us be in South America and Africa this year!
May your Advent be filled with the love of Christ!
Peace and all good things,
Kim Smolik
Executive Director
