Saturday, June 27, 2009
I visited Mission Izabel in Colombo with my friends Clarissa (+Naudal and Carmen Regina's daughter) and Emersom (her fiance). Colombo, a town of about 200,000, outside Curitiba. The Mission is a safe haven for many families and young people, where they can escape the threat of crime and drugs. Thirty five percent of the people are unemployed and many more are working as unskilled laborers for $200 US per month, or even less. The mission is poor, and it moves from house to house, avoiding violence and struggling to survive. Having lost much of his sight, the 81 year old priest is vibrant, deeply dedicated to the people of Colombo who are all served without exclusion. The Mission was founded on the promise, "I will be with you until the end of time". Odilon+ participates fully in that commitment. The stranger was received with warmth and uncommon hospitality, and I left with a very grateful heart. In their poverty, they have found the riches that they willingly and generously share.
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