Here at the SVD Provincialate, Confreres, friends and guests come and go. Every visit, either a quick one, an over night or longer, an announced or otherwise always leave an indelible mark of gratitude on the hearts of us who belong to the Pindangan community. We do appreciate every visit which we look forward to its many returns.
I consider it a special privilege to have been granted a time for an interview with a missionary who stayed a couple of days with us just recently while on home leave Fr. Juan Libangan, SVD. Let me share that interview with you:
Fr. Emil: Originally, where do you come from Fr. (Juan) Ayok (his nick name)?
Fr. Ayok: I was born in a village called Matalibeng, Malibcong, Abra. I belong to the
Mabaka Tribe of Abra.
Fr. Emil: Which Ordination Class do you belong? And what is special with the name of your class?
Fr. Ayok: Our Ordination Class is called the “Vox Dei” and we commit to live up as
“witnesses of the Word” through out our lives. There were 14 of us and
were ordained in March 2005.
Fr. Emil: How did you get your first mission assignment?
Fr. Ayok: Let me make a long story short to answer a little bit “tricky’ question. I entered
Christ the King Seminary as an Associate. I remember my Formators were asking
where would I like to work as a missionary one day. I thought about Africa.
Then, when we were asked to make our “Desiderata” I made an inquiry where
in Africa would be open, and Mozambique was on the top list. I also learned
from my inquiry that usually first and second choices are considered so I put
Africa, Mozambique in particular as my second or third, and I got it.
Fr. Emil: So, how long you have been in Mozambique?
Fr. Ayok: I have been doing mission in Mozambique now for two years. My first year
was spent for language studies in Portugal.
Fr. Emil: What impressions can you share regarding the country, weather, people, etc?
Fr. Ayok: Mozambique is a huge African country with a total land area of 881 thousand
square kilometers, with a total population of not less than twenty million
wonderful people. Though economically poor, the people have a high degree
of longing for the God. I see their culture, a culture of love demonstrated in
way they play their music, sway their bodies along with drum beat and how
they display their arts. About 20% of the total population belongs to the
Roman Catholic Church.
Fr. Emil: Very interesting indeed! If you would single out a joyful and memorable
Mission encounter/experience what would that be?
Fr. Ayok: I see mission as act of dying in myself only to resurrect through my mission
works. And I am very thankful how my superior and confreres welcome me
in the community and later on… have given me the chance to know the mission
stations, cultures, history, life, etc., well before I formally started my work.
Fr. Emil: Can you mention some mission challenges you encountered in you initial years
if there’s any?
Fr. Ayok: As I am slowly getting immersed with the life of the Church and of the
people, I find that Interfaith dialogue is a challenge. As a missionary in a
society made up of people of different Religions and cultures it requires of me a
high sense of sensitivity and prudence.
Fr. Emil: How did you cope up with challenge mentioned earlier?
Fr. Ayok: I for one believe in the ‘Evangelization before Christianization’ principle. The
Word of God is the common ground. The Church programs are very helpful.
For instance, the three-year Catecumenate program gives enough time for
desirous men and women to get rooted on the Word of God by attending
regular Church Services and after a period of three years the Church will
decide whether or not they can be baptized. That the Government listens to the
Church is a plus factor for us missionaries in doing our missions.
Fr. Emil: Is this first Home leave? How do you find it so far?
Fr. Ayok: I am very happy to be back even for a short time. Going back to my root is like
fetching water from a spring to quench thirst and to get strengthened. Now, I
can go back to Mozambique refreshed and energized!
Fr. Emil: Before you go back, any message you wish to impart with our mission partners?
Fr. Ayok: Oh yes. To you our dear mission partners and collaborators in the missions. Thank you
for you assistance spiritual as well as material. With your prayers and support we are able to do our missions. Please continue to journey with us so that with you altogether we accomplish our mission here on earth. I will go back to Mozambique with much hope that you will continue to pray for me and for all the people of Mozambique. Thank you, God bless you.
Fr. Emil: Thank you also Fr. Ayok for your time and message. We will accompany you with our prayers and love as we repeat the Lord’s Missionary Mandate, “Go out to the whole world; proclaim the Good News to all creation. He who believes and is baptised will be saved…” (Mk 16:15a) God bless you!
