Liliana Ferreira does not fear the challenges of Mission

Liliana Ferreira wrote to her friends, the Comboni Lay Missionaries (CLM), to tell them how Mozambique and her missionary work are filling her heart. Writes Liliana:

“I have been giving computer science classes since January 2011. This month I will start the formation of the third group of two classes with 10 students each. These are for the most part students or unemployed people who take advantage of their free time to improve their formation in a context where the job market is very scarce. Actually, if we look at the current needs, to know computer science is always a plus.

This computer science course was, and still is, a major challenge in order to organize it, prepare it and give it the necessary structure. It is a new experience, but I have accepted it wholeheartedly. At first I had some problems adapting, because I wasn’t used to spend so much time locked up in a classroom. I always worked in the open air. I had never taught and, knowing only the basics, I had to study a lot in order to teach well. I am doing my best and dedicating myself in order to obtain good results. It is interesting to experience personally that, in the missions, one does not only teach, but also learns.

When I started, I had some hesitation appearing in public, in a classroom, but in time my self-confidence increased and today I feel at ease facing my students. I try to call them by name, in order to establish a good rapport. During these months, 41 students have already passed through this classroom. All of them, in one way or another, have left a mark in me with their life history, by their commitment to their schoolwork and also for their natural difficulty to concentrate.

At the end of the course, they always ask for a feast for the handing out of the certificates, but this I leave to the initiative of the class. They bring something sweet to share and great happiness to celebrate. We chat in a very friendly atmosphere. Naturally, it is also a time for goodbyes.

I never thought that I would have liked teaching so much, but God knows what we are capable of giving and paves the way. In my case, he led me to teaching and, in this way, he helped me to grow in self-confidence and to win the fear of speaking in front of a group. For this reason I will continue to give myself to the challenges that He will send my way, embracing the Cross as divine strength that builds my faith and keeps me moving.”

Liliana Ferreira: liliana.f@hotmail.com; lilapt@yahoo.com