Despite the challenges we have faced this year, it is still a blessing. Here are some shares from our Fondacio Asia members talking about their 2020 learnings:
A little history :
Fondacio's trip to Asia
Fondacio's journey began in Asia with the birth of the two communities in the Philippines and Malaysia in 1981. Growth during the first decade was due to the presence of French Fondacio members who came to Asia as full-time lay missionaries. The main orientation during the first decade was the transmission of the spirituality of Fondacio and the formation of local leaders. The 1990s were a period of integration of this spirituality in the Asian context and the process of inculturation continues into the third millennium. The first 25 years were a period of rooting communities in the local Filipino and Malaysian church.
The 1st Asian Congress in 2006 marked 25 years of Fondacio in Asia with a clear challenge: to serve local churches in Asia. The launch of the Fondacio Formation Institute, Asia (IFF Asia) in the same year was a step of faith to be of service to local churches in Asia - a response to the message of the Holy Father for the 3rd millennium "to go into depths. The challenge of this message was a call to mission: to move from Fondacio active in local parish life to being sent on mission to other countries.
Since 2000, visits have been made to Myanmar and later to China. In 2003, the leaders of Fondacio Malaysia and the Philippines took a step of faith to start a mission in Myanmar and continue mission trips to China. To date, the Institute has welcomed young people from 16 Asian countries. IFF Asia is a sign: a covenant of our commitment to serve the local Church and society in Asia. Today, we are a community on mission engaged in community building, evangelistic activities, youth education and social development projects in Malaysia, the Philippines, Myanmar, Laos and Vietnam.
Lessons of 2020!
Roslyn (a Young Lives Myitkyina intern) tells us how she overcame the overthinking that made the year difficult for her.
Virgini (Young Lives Yangon Staff) shared how this year's challenges have made her family stronger.
Jecy (IFFasia Alumni) tells us that 2020 was the year she needed. It was the year she thought about slowing down, never taking life for granted, and loving more deeply.
Imelda (member of the IFFasia training team) shares how she learned to adapt to situations and find hope wherever life takes her.
Joseph (former student of IFFasia) tells how he discovered and nurtured his relationship with God.
Melo (Fondacio Asia staff) tells us that she has learned to be content, happy, grateful for all the blessings she has and to trust and believe in God's protection
Jason (National Coordinator of Fondacio Philippines) said that this year has taught him to take better care of himself and to love himself.
Roger (National Coordinator of Fondacio Myanmar) explained that he also finds benefits in difficult and painful situations.
We thank our members who shared their stories and lessons from this year. No, it was not a typical year and there were also many difficult times.
But if we take the time to review how we lived this year, you are sure to find many gems along the way.
20/20 generally means that our eyes have clear vision. This may be exactly what this year has done to our lives. To allow us to see what really matters most.
And you ? What is the most important lesson you learned from this year? Maybe you just need to look again to see the benefits this year.
No responses yet