Embracing God's Surprises

My name is Volanteena Croos, a missionary from Sri Lanka currently serving in Vietnam. Over the past 10 months, I have had the privilege of embarking on a transformative journey, witnessing the unfolding surprises of God in ways I never imagined. As I reflect on this incredible experience, I am excited to share the profound lessons, challenges, and blessings that have shaped my mission and deepened my faith.

A Journey of Faith and Surrender

From the moment I became a Franciscan Missionary of Mary (FMM), I understood the demands of my vocation. On the day of my final commitment, I felt a distinct call to a universal mission. Like Mother Mary and the prophets, who faced their own fears and questions, I, too, found myself questioning God. Yet, amidst the uncertainty, I heard an inner voice affirming me with the words of Jesus to Saint Paul:“My grace is sufficient for you.”

As time passed, I realized how much my formation had shaped my understanding of my vocation as a Franciscan Missionary of Mary, rooted in its unique charism. However, just before I embarked on my missionary journey, God confronted me with a profound shock that shattered my spirit, tested my faith, and deeply challenged my “yes.” My elder sister, a 37-year-old young mother, was diagnosed with a serious illness!

At that moment, I felt as though God placed my family and His mission in two hands and asked me to choose which mattered most. I was overcome with fear and, like Mother Mary, struggled to embrace this unexpected turn of events. Yet, the words of Mother Mary of the Passion echoed in my heart: “The struggles and pain crushed me but did not overwhelm me.” Drawing strength from the Eucharistic Lord, as Mother Foundress did, I consciously renewed my “yes” to God’s Will!

Looking back, I now see that my offering would not have carried the same depth of meaning if God had not surprised me with such a profound event. This trial became a cornerstone of my journey, teaching me to trust in His grace and to find purpose in surrendering fully to His Will!

A Missionary Journey Filled with Joys, Challenges, and Surprises

Be ready to belong to international and intercultural communities (Constitutions, Article 24). I am deeply grateful to God for the many opportunities I had during my time in Sri Lanka, where I experienced the richness of interculturality. Those moments were profoundly enriching and have helped me better understand and embrace the call to live interculturality in my mission today.

Like missionaries around the world, I, too, encounter moments of joys, struggles, and cultural surprises. Yet, I can confidently say that the joy of being an FMM transcends all barriers. In all my experiences, witnessing to this joy has made me a happy missionary. Pope Francis’ words often echo in my heart: “Where there are religious, there is joy. We are called to know and show that God is able to fill our hearts to the brim with happiness; that we do not need to seek our happiness elsewhere.”

Some sisters lovingly remark, “Teena is always smiling, always happy.” Indeed, everything I experience concludes with this profound truth: God’s joy sustains us.

A Mission within the Mission

One of the surprises of my missionary journey came through the simple, unexpected question of a child: “Are you a nun? Do you know Jesus?” These questions made me reflect, asking myself “Do I really know Jesus”?

I am currently teaching English in a small Montessori school for elementary students in Vietnam. As Vietnam is not a Catholic country, many, including the headmistress, are unfamiliar with Christianity or Jesus. I feel deeply privileged to introduce Jesus where He is not yet known.

Our Constitutions, Article 4, resonate powerfully with this mission: “As missionaries, ready to go anywhere and to everyone to announce the good news of salvation, we are sent in priority to those to whom Christ has not yet been revealed and to those among whom the Church is least present.”

On my first day, as mentioned above, a little boy recognized me as a nun. He approached me and asked, “Do you know Jesus?” I was taken aback by his question and found myself silently rechecking if I truly knew Him. Hesitantly, I answered, “Yes, I know Him.” To my surprise, he responded, “I know Him as well.”

Every day, God presents me with surprises and challenges, calling me to embrace them with faith and trust. Through these experiences, I hear His call, unfolding His plans, one at a time!

Trusting in God’s Providence

The life of a missionary is filled with uncertainties, yet we hold fast to the assurance that the God who called us will always journey with us. In moments of doubt or difficulty, I find strength in the words of the hymn by Stuart Hamblen:

“I do not know what lies ahead,
The way I cannot see;
Yet One stands near to be my guide,
He'll show the way to me.

I know who holds the future,
And I know He holds my hand;
With God things don't just happen,
Everything by Him is planned.
So as I face tomorrow,
With its problems large and small,
I'll trust the God of miracles,
Give to Him my all.”

As I conclude this sharing, I carry with me the certainty that God’s grace is sufficient, His joy is unending, and His plans are always for our good.

Sr. Volanteena Croos, FMM