07 Aug Grande Canarias, with the migrants, opening our hearts
This mission has left a deep mark on us. These were three especially meaningful weeks, during which we were finally able to put real faces to so many dramatic stories we had long heard in the news. We accompanied young boys, mostly minors, all with something in common: being foreigners in this land, living paralyzed by the lack of legal documentation.
They are young people who want to learn, work, integrate… and who deeply miss their families. We were moved by their kindness, their gratitude, the wide smiles with which they welcomed us each day, and their tireless will to learn from the little we had to offer.
As we came close to their vulnerability, suffering, and wounds, we strongly felt the desire to do everything possible to protect their infinite dignity. It moved us to draw near, to try to bring out the best in each one, and above all, to make them feel they are not alone on this journey.
If we were able to do anything, it was because we lived it together, in community: a community of 11 people, united in mission, characterized by welcoming each person as they are, by attentive and generous service, by the joy of being together and, especially, by shared prayer. That prayer allowed us to rest in the Lord and to learn from Him to “go about doing good,” thus building His Kingdom in the small things of each day.
Week of July 26
(To view the post on Instagram …)
During this week, the word that stood out the most was protect — not only in its literal meaning, but in what it represents for each of us, aligned with Gospel values that move us to act and interact with open hearts.
If we dig into the etymology of “protect,” we discover two ideas: “pro” and “to weave.” (in Spanish protegere). In the context of life shared with people from different cultures and backgrounds, it’s not just about care — it’s about weaving bonds through simple gestures, which sometimes evoke unexpected responses filled with meaning and depth, transforming the ordinary into the extraordinary.
Threads of different textures blend with our own, forming a fabric that makes us aware and thankful for how the Lord makes Himself present in our little community — with, through, and in others.
“I see God as so great, and myself as so very small.”
Arrival
(To view the post on Facebook or Instagram…)
Landing in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria was not just an arrival at a place of service, but a place of welcome and of opportunity: to be there, and to be shaped by others.
Our hands interlace to try to build the Kingdom of God together.
This volunteer experience is not only action — it is also prayer and community, both fundamental pillars to draw closer to God, to be a living presence to others, and to discover the value of sharing life. A shared search for hope in the face of a reality that is seen in every encounter, in every person…
The welcoming has been the first path walked. Not only opening up to others, but also opening our hearts, listening without judgment, looking with mercy, and offering a space where others feel embraced with dignity.
“Our hearts cannot be limited to a small number, but must be given to the whole world.”
Follow us!
If you want to learn more about our missions or get involved, write to us or follow us on Facebook or Instagram
