|
Humanitarian Effort Results in Faces With Smiles That Are Electric!
I Truly Saw Mother Teresa’s Words Come to Life, Written by Tara Mastoris, 7/2/2010
[News] YARDLEY-- Saint Ignatius of Antioch , Yardley, parishioner and founder of “His Work in Progress,” Walter Miller, and his son, Eric, led nine others on a humanitarian and medical mission to Bosnia May 27-June 9.
“His Work in Progress,” with a mission of advancing the health conditions in impoverished areas and supporting the sick and helping the needy, celebrated its tenth year anniversary in Bosnia.
There have been missions to Peru and Bosnia , with Peru more of a medical mission; “His Work in Progress” plans to expand their efforts by partnering with other medical entities to provide a large array of services and more frequent visits to Peru.
Miller describes the passion that he finds in serving others in Bosnia : “We have established a relationship that provides hope and trust, which is a by-product of our commitment and persistence by returning every year. Our individualized efforts establish that hope and trust.”
There are challenges on the Bosnia mission, however. “His Work in Progress” does not have their own office or warehouse; they depend on the changing time schedules of the local community. Fortunately, “His Work in Progress” challenges beget gifts. Miller describes “His Work in Progress” volunteers growing to remain flexible in daily scheduling to serve the needy: “The end result is the same in our caring and providing for the less fortunate. Those that are inflexible would never cope.”
A forty foot container was shipped to Mother’s Village in Medjugorje, and the 11 volunteers organized over 900 boxes for distribution. This year most of the bicycles, clothes, detergent, cosmetics, and children’s toys were distributed to orphans and to men overcoming alcohol and drug addiction at Mother’s Village. “His Work in Progress” volunteers spent time with the orphans teaching them how to play wiffle ball at Mother’s Village on past trips, but this year, the children were in school when the group visited.
The group of volunteers spent more time putting together bicycles to distribute to the needy children living within Mother’s Village. Miller describes how thankful the kids were: “Their smiles of gratitude were electric!”
The volunteers treasured being in the company of the men at the drug rehabilitation center over lunch as the men made each volunteer a homemade pizza and shared how their past troubled lives due to drugs have been changed because of the values of faith and work that they have learned at Mother’s Village. Father Charles Kennedy, a “His Work in Progress” volunteer, stated that no one would know that these men are in a drug rehabilitation community. The program is unlike any in the United States . The men attend mass and pray the Rosary every day; they learn to put God first. They have a very high success rate going back to their hometowns drug-free after living in the Mother’s Village praying and working community for three years.
Miller recounts his favorite memories of this year’s mission—first and foremost being daily mass at St. James parish in Medjugorje and reflection. “I need to be buoyed by the Holy Spirit as I take on the daily challenges,” Miller says. “There is no way the goals of the mission could come to fruition if it were not for the Lord’s will. Prayer is an integral part of our lives. Each day especially when on a mission we ask God to bless us, our work and those around us whom we help.”
Miller and volunteers who have volunteered with “His Work in Progress” in the past also enjoyed seeing the familiar smiling faces of those still living fifteen years after the Balkans War—those living in the refugee camp in the tiny one-room huts (that have a shower curtain as a door and do not even have a bathroom). Eric describes seeing those he has served over the years, true friends of his: “I have made many friends overseas even though we are hardly able to communicate verbally if not through a translator. Their thanks and gratitude pales in comparison to how grateful I am for them opening their humble accommodations and sharing what little they have with us.”
Volunteers also enjoyed revisiting a family that the “His Work in Progress” community has been serving since they found them starving in 2004—the year a miracle was witnessed. Miller and volunteers had given the family all their discretionary funds, but they wanted to do more for the family before they left Bosnia.
Miller prayed. “God, you know what is in my heart. I want to help these people. Can you bless us with funds so we can buy them food? For you, Lord, have all the money in the universe. God, you know what is my wallet—nothing. Please bless us so we can bless them.”
Immediately after church Miller told the story to a gentleman who gave Miller money not once, but twice during the story—a total of $418. Eric converted the money to local Bosnian marks and exclaimed to Miller, “Dad, this is the exact amount of money we gave the family the day before.” Miller thanks God to this day: “Praise God, a true miracle!”
Miller and volunteers returned to the family during this year’s mission with boxes of food containing items such as flour, eggs, cheese, meats, cereal, milk, bread, pasta, and fruits. In addition, they brought clothing for the children, over-the-counter medicines, toothpaste and anti-bacterial creams.
On the last day of the mission, Miller returned to the family with two volunteers, Linda Budd, RN, and Tara Mastoris, a university student. They went to the grocery store and loaded up on non-perishable and nutritious foods for the family. When they reached the road where the family’s home was located, the little boys of the family raced home on their bicycles (provided by “His Work in Progress”) to announce their arrival. The father was shocked and eternally grateful to see the volunteers and a cab full of food.
“We were doing something so small, shopping for a family in need at the grocery store, delivering the food, and visiting for a short while with the family. Yet, it was everything as the children ran home to tell their dad, as the dad smiled. It was love. We loved them. They loved us. I saw God’s love in the family, and His love is everything. I truly saw Mother Teresa’s words come to life: ‘We can do no great things—only small things with great love.’ I witnessed a miracle,” Mastoris, said.
Miller was moved by Father Svetozar Kraljecvik, the Franciscan priest who runs Mother’s Village, when he discussed with him the extensive overall needs of Mother’s Village and the possibility of him traveling back to the United States to make a plea for funding. Father Svetozar expressed to Miller that word needs to be spread about the awe-inspiring example of Catholic Christian charity at Mother’s Village. Miller wants “His Work in Progress” to help manage this fundraising process in the United States.
Miller has many goals for future mission trips to Bosnia , with the first being providing an education to as many children as possible—“Academics in Progress.” The children currently are lucky to get poor copies of textbooks as they mostly rely on Xerox copies; both options are very expensive. “Academics in Progress” would be linked to “His Work in Progress”’ “Pedals Around the World” program, which provides bicycles for children to get to school and for parents to find day labor.
Miller’s faith has increased, life has been touched by the good works of “His Work in Progress.” “Since the beginning, God has been patient with me and has granted me signal graces through prayer to reassure that I am on the proper path of His will. One learns not to be upset when things go awry. This usually means God does not want us to go down that path. It is then that we receive signal graces some of which I call ‘God incidents’ since there are no coincidences with God who lives in the present tense. The most difficult aspect in my life is letting go and saying ‘Jesus I trust in You.’ The more difficult life becomes, the harder it is to let go, so I am a work in progress with the Lord.”
“His Work in Progress”' ability to offer children clothing and diapers, in addition to food, helps to sustain them for a short period of time and helps to lessen the burdens placed on the Mother’s Village humanitarian organization. There is a need for dentists, dental hygienists, doctors (pediatricians, podiatrists, internists, cardiologists, general practitioners) nurses, in addition to everyday volunteers who can help in their own little way.
Handing out food, diapers, sunglasses, and bicycles does not require a special degree other than the degree of total compassion of the heart, other than the ability to free yourself and serve wholly trusting in Jesus.
“The work we do is merely a drop in the bucket compared to what we could do if others were willing to get involved. Because we, even those of us who live paycheck to paycheck, have been given so much more than we often realize, and we are called, like the orphans and refugees in Bosnia , to share it freely. Every time I come home, I can't wait to go back to Bosnia , but it pains me to think of how much more needs to be done. We cannot do it all, but when we can bring that smile and a ray of hope, we can begin to create a culture of compassion and ideally inspire action,” Eric says.
Father Svetozar left Miller with the following words: “I believe that God in His providential way will send His angels. I believe “His Work in Progress” volunteers are those angels.” Want to be an angel?
For more information on volunteering with or donating to “His Work in Progress,” call (215) 741-4947 or visit the website: http://www.hwip.org
|
|
