1 February was the date chosen by Fernanda Graciela Smith, a psychologist by profession, and Nayane Aline Borim, a teacher. The two young women have decided to leave for another country and offer some 'of their time to serve others, the poor and the needy. For a year the two volunteers will face different situations, but with only one desire: to love and serve God in the poor and needy.
It is noteworthy that the missionary vocation is born in a missionary environment, which speaks of the missions, in which you come to know the missionary reality, and where people pray for missionaries. "They grew up in the midst of the pastoral activities in their communities and know the work of the missionaries, but above all they have identified with missionary work." Both young women have lived in Salesian contexts in which they breathed the missionary spirit, animated by the Salesians.
A missionary experience is life-changing. Offering at least one year of your life to serve and to give yourself freely to others is a sign of a great love for God. Fr James Eliomar told them: "Dear Grasiela and Nayane, I hope you can soon start the experience you have been dreaming of for a long time. Embrace the mission beyond your strength, and trust in the Spirit of God. Do not be discouraged in the face of errors and adverse conditions you will encounter in the mission. Be a source of hope for all those who come to you. Always look for strength in the presence of Jesus. Pray a lot, it is the basis of all missionary activity. "
