A Journey of Faith and Service

Botswana

The group began their mission in Botswana, where they visited local communities and SVD (Society of the Divine Word) houses. They stopped at the St. Arnold School in Tonota and met with many local people, especially in the SVD parishes. The group attended daily Mass, distributed basic necessities like food and soap to struggling families, and provided backpacks and school supplies to children in need. Their mission also brought them to meet the local bishops and pay respects at the grave of Bishop Anthony Rebello in Francistown.

Mozambique

In Mozambique, the group expanded their efforts to include infrastructure projects that brought tangible improvements to the community. In Maputo, they spent time with students at the San Antonio parish school, engaging with the children by speaking English and forming new friendships. They also worked on several projects to improve public services, including upgrading the networking system at a community radio station and installing solar panels to ensure more reliable energy access. Additionally, they contributed to construction efforts by lending a hand at an SVD community house for students studying far from home. They even found time to install new lighting in a local church.

"The people we met were incredibly happy, kind, and generous, despite the challenges they faced," Andrew said. He noted the resourcefulness of those living in poor areas and how they made the most of what little they had.

One of the biggest lessons he learned was the importance of the "ministry of presence"— simply being with and living alongside the people is an essential part of missionary life. Flexibility, adaptability, and a deep connection to spirituality were key aspects of his journey.

Andrew noted that the people they met took their time with everyday tasks, a difference in their culture from his own American upbringing. Another notable difference was the safety in Mozambique, where Andrew described buildings that were barred or surrounded by large walls to protect against rampant crime.

This was Andrew’s first mission trip, and while it confirmed that he’s not yet ready to fully embrace the demands of missionary life, it strengthened his desire to grow in his vocation. "This experience helped me understand the importance and difficulty of missionary work in the world today," he said.

While it presented many challenges—physically, mentally, and spiritually—it also affirmed Andrew’s interest in serving God's people.