U.S. Couple Takes Risk, Sells Possessions and Become Missionaries in Peru

[mdgspencer]

see thecompassnews.org/2017/08/couple-takes-risk-sells-possessions-become-missionaries-peru/

He left his successful sales career in Wisconsin so that he and his wife could become Catholic missionaries for the Catholic Church in Peru. "Moving to Peru was quite an adjustment, according to Taylor. ‘We spoke no Spanish… It was a shock culturally, it was a shock mentally, it was a shock physically, it was a shock spiritually. But the Lord gave us the grace to handle it.’”

There was devastating war and rampant sex abuse and infidelity in that place. “Taylor said the situation was overwhelming when they first arrived. Our initial thought was, ‘We need to leave right now. We have young children.’ We felt very unsafe. But then we realized, if we leave, no one’s coming to bring the love of Christ to these people and their children. There’s no one coming to tell these little girls, ‘You’re not an object, you’re intelligent, you should study, you can learn, you can be whatever it is you desire to be.’”

 

[1neophyte]

How beautiful it would have been if they became missionaries in the U.S.

 

[EIF5A]

How beautiful it would have been if they became missionaries in the U.S.

Is their sacrifice somehow deficient in Peru?

 

[1neophyte]

Is their sacrifice somehow deficient in Peru?

I don’t know if their sacrifice is, but their Spanish is certainly deficient. I live in an area with many “missionary” priests, which is code for “priests who speak English very poorly.” They are very faithful and dedicated priests, but you can only understand a third of what they say. This country is famished for people who want to give their lives to the mission of evangelization, and it would be wonderful if those who were called to such a mission didn’t flee the country. Though I will admit, going off to Peru makes for a much better story and yields much more public recognition, so they’ve definitely got that going for them.

 

[EIF5A]

Though I will admit, going off to Peru makes for a much better story and yields much more public recognition, so they’ve definitely got that going for them.

It couldn’t possibly be because of divine providence.

Nope, it’s for public glory. What selfish attention seekers.

 

[Arizona_Fat_Gir]

Basically, it’s not for public glory since the public doesn’t care a fig about what sacrifices people make. They just think, oh, how foolish. They gave their all to go to that country and give up everything. They are stupid!

Actually, though, it makes sense to try to help those in the US because there are many right here who need someone to teach them about God. They don’t seem to know anything about Him; but that’s why it may be worse in Peru. I don’t know.

 

[twf]

Did the local diocese request their presence? If so, wonderful!
If not…even if their intentions are very good and their sacrifice very real…it strikes me as a bit of an odd move in a Catholic context. There’s a bit of the “white man’s burden” Evangelical vibe going on here (just based on my superficial reading of the OP). I could be completely wrong…and again, I don’t at all doubt their intentions, but the Catholic Church raises up local clergy, and it is the job of the local Church to evangelize and care for its territory.

 

[jaimeleglise]

It sounds like they were desperately needed in Peru. Very unselfish people.

 

[SyroMalankara]

I don’t know if their sacrifice is, but their Spanish is certainly deficient. I live in an area with many “missionary” priests, which is code for “priests who speak English very poorly.” They are very faithful and dedicated priests, but you can only understand a third of what they say. This country is famished for people who want to give their lives to the mission of evangelization, and it would be wonderful if those who were called to such a mission didn’t flee the country. Though I will admit, going off to Peru makes for a much better story and yields much more public recognition, so they’ve definitely got that going for them.

What an odd thing to say. I pray these missionaries thrive in Peru, and all whom they interact with are blessed. You are “starved” for evangelization, but those people are starved for both FOOD and Spirit. Their basic physical needs are not fully met. I’ve done missions in Bolivia - it is nothing, nothing like mainstream USA/Canada/EU – water is not readily available, no meat, no dairy. It’s a different calling altogether.

 

[SyroMalankara]

Did the local diocese request their presence? If so, wonderful!
If not…even if their intentions are very good and their sacrifice very real…it strikes me as a bit of an odd move in a Catholic context. There’s a bit of the “white man’s burden” Evangelical vibe going on here (just based on my superficial reading of the OP). I could be completely wrong…and again, I don’t at all doubt their intentions, but the Catholic Church raises up local clergy, and it is the job of the local Church to evangelize and care for its territory.

Its not SOLELY the job of the “local Church” - if that were that case, Germany, Ireland, and most European, many American cities would be in major trouble - many priests are borrowed from Africa, India, Philippines, etc. which the American Church could NOT do without.

p.s. Taylor’s book title seems completely appropriate here:

(Please Note: This uploaded content is no longer available.)

 

[twf]

Its not SOLELY the job of the “local Church” - if that were that case, Germany, Ireland, and most European, many American cities would be in major trouble - many priests are borrowed from Africa, India, Philippines, etc. which the American Church could NOT do without.

p.s. Taylor’s book title seems completely appropriate here:

https://s3.amazonaws.com/images.ecwid.com/images/1497066/262348452.jpg

True, but those priests are invited by the local diocese. For example, here in Vancouver, the Archbishop has entrusted a couple parishes to the Indian Province of the Discalced Carmelite Friars. Another parish has been entrusted to the Dominican Friars of Quebec. These friars are missionaries but invited by the archbishop. That was my primary point / question. Ultimately it is still the “local Church”.