There are some missions that are easier than others to perform. On this occasion we will talk about the mission of two young people belonging to the Scalabrinians Congregation, a community founded in Piacenza Italy by Bishop Juan Bautista Scalabrini, in order for Italian immigrants to preserve their Catholic faith wherever they went. That is why those who belong to this congregation are dedicated to helping those people who due to different circumstances are forced to leave their place of origin in search of opportunities that allow them to help their families. While they do this, they also develop different activities in their community and provide help to people in need by doing other social works.

This is precisely one of the several missions that Dinh and Jovani have, two missionaries who have come, the first from Vietnam and the second from Indonesia. They arrive in Colombia with a point in common in the three countries: the consumption of rice, which is widely spread in these nations. Like Colombia, they are also tropical countries that enjoy beautiful and lush landscapes.

But what motivated these two young missionaries to come to this South American country to learn Spanish? In the first place, their desire to help others, the migrant, those who are in a vulnerable situation, who feel marginalized, displaced and sometimes on the verge of losing their hope. Also because they want to study theology at the Javeriana University in Bogotá, and that is why, first they have started taking Spanish classes in a local school, in order to acquire a level of the language that allows them to continue with their studies. which will take about 5 years.

For most people it is not easy to leave their country, their family, customs and in general everything that for many years has been part of their lifestyle. They have made the decision to travel with these defined purposes, making the effort that this work requires, but also understanding that it is a divine call, which has brought them directly to Colombia. They are clear that whoever sows a seed reaps its fruits. In their case, they already planted it when they left their countries to come to our nation, and they have already begun to reap the fruits of this sowing.

So this is another of the important missions that they have; learn Spanish, which, unlike other languages ​​such as English, French, and by far Portuguese, which have similar words in Spanish, the language of Vietnam and Indonesia come from a family of languages ​​with a system totally different from the first mentioned . It is for this reason that, for students from these countries, the effort is greater when having to learn the Spanish language.

However, this is not an obstacle for Dinh and Jovani, who are determined to learn the language of Cervantes at any cost, and for this they have the advantage of being in an immersion situation, in addition to being part of the intensive Spanish program they are studying, thus facilitating the acquisition of the learning spanish, and helping them to understand the culture of the country, the way of life of its inhabitants and their most common customs of their day to day, understanding that the study of a language also includes understanding the way in which its speakers behave and the how they use it.

His habits include getting up very early. From Monday to Friday at 5 in the morning they are already on their feet, awakened by the capital's cold that leads them to have their first coffee in the morning. They perform their respective prayers, celebrate their mass and prepare to go to school and take their 4 hours of Spanish. In the afternoon they return to their community and prepare different activities related to social work and helping immigrant and displaced communities, in addition to doing the Spanish homework assigned by their teachers. Their routine is not rigid, but they are disciplined; They understand that every moment is important, and every moment lived must be used to the maximum. Many times when you are in a country other than your own, each experience you have is valued more, no matter how small or insignificant it may seem.

When the time is right they will return to their countries to visit their families and share a good time with them; For the time being, they will continue in the coffee-growing country, learning the language and the sayings of its people, who have welcomed them in an affectionate way, the same in which they would have welcomed a Colombian missionary who traveled there into their nations.

For now they will continue learning and perfecting Spanish and preparing to begin their theology studies in a few months. They know that it is only a matter of time before they can understand the way in which Colombians communicate, not only with their words, but with their body language, their gaze and their smile, another factor they have in common with the Vietnamese and the Indonesians.

It is not an impossible mission; It is a matter of courage and perseverance, factors that accompany these two missionaries, who for the moment, what they do not understand naturally using Spanish, they understand through the language of faith, which is universal, also motivated by leaving footprint in Colombia, through its actions for the benefit of those who need it most; your neighbor.

Palace

Vietnamese Scalabrinian Missionary

Jovan

Scalabrinian Missionary from Indonesia

Here we can find the testimonies of Palace y Jovan, each one speaking in their mother tongue, commenting on their experience in Colombia during the time they have been here, and what they hope to accomplish in this country during the time of their stay.

They have only been in Colombia for a couple of months, preparing to enter the Javeriana University to study Theology, but they have quickly adapted to the coffee-growing country and already feel at home.

If you want to learn Spanish with a definite purpose or simply because you like this language, you can do it at Nueva Lengua. Here you will find the ideal course for you, and you will get to know the culture and the way of life of Colombians, friendly people who will open their doors and welcome you with a warm smile wherever you arrive.