During the first weeks of January, I had the opportunity to share the spirituality and charism of the Congregation as Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word and the work done by our JPIC Office in Lima, with our lay missionaries in Peru.

These days of sharing allowed for a better knowledge of the Peruvian society, its historic realities and the challenges that are presented to our ministries in Peru. It was also a precious time to experience an inclusive retreat where all the experiences lived during 2016 were received in the light of the Word of God in order to renew our commitment to the poorest and most vulnerable.

Ashirel’s house – Cantagallo, Lima

The first day of meeting, after having lunch with our sisters in Lima, we visited the Shipiba Community in Cantagallo, Lima. The shipomi- koniba communities are indigenous Amazonian communities living in Lima. This population has been recovering from the fire that took place at the beginning of November and left more than 280 families without a roof over their head. Sharing with the artisan women encouraged our pursuits and reaffirmed our intention to continue to strengthen women’s leadership. They gave us lots of hope.

The next day, we visited the National Museum of Archeology, Anthropology and History of Peru in order to dive deeper into the diversity of cultures in the country. In the afternoon we arrived at the Museum of Memory and Tolerance, a space that gathers the last 20 years of violence in Peru. After these visits, we talked about our commitment to this country, its people and the world for a culture of more respect, nonviolence and peace.

After contemplating reality, with the support of Sisters Ivonne and Carmelita, the missionaries had opportunities for reflection in our call to incarnate the merciful love of God in our concrete commitment in Peru.

Museum of Anthropology, Lima

Then we spent 4 days in spiritual retreat, where the concrete faces of human trafficking, the cry of the earth and the victims of violence continued to call us to collaborate with God. To be visible signs of community in diversity. A call that continues to require us to be a presence of compassionate love that engages in the transformation of the world, in the ordering of all things so that the world fulfills its plan to be at the service of the happiness of all women and men.

It should be mentioned that our lay missionaries Diana, Mark, Juan, Selena and Ana Catarina come from different cultures and countries, and have been in Peru since August 2016 with a missionary commitment in Chimbote for two years.

Thank you for helping us to extend the Mission and Project of the God of Jesus as Lay Missionaries of the Incarnate Word. As a Peruvian, I feel very honored to have them among us, sharing the God of life with such simplicity and closeness.

Our prayer accompanies your ministries in Chimbote. Blessings.

Mark, Diana, Selena, Ana & Juan, Incarnate Word Missionaries

Juan and Selena with the Shipiba Community

Missionaries at the Museum of Anthropology

Originally published in the Congregation’s JPIC Office.

On the header: Center of Spirituality – Lima.