Orientation visit in the Province of  Chile.

Bro. Robertus Kuncoro, FIC & Bro. Agustinus Suparno, FIC.

 

Introduction

One of  the result  recommendations of the General Chapter of  2012 was  a form of attention to the small provinces such as Chile and Malawi. Furthermore, the General Council held an orientation program of activities such as visiting missions offered to the brothers in their respective provinces namely FIC Indonesia, Ghana and Malawi.

The purpose of this program is to learn more about the culture, customs, and Spanish language  used as a mean  of communication in daily activities and the work of  the brothers in Chile. After seeing, experiencing and feeling the situation in Chile, it is expected to have a desire and hope to take part in the apostolic work in the Province of  Chile.

The  first stage of  the  orientation  activities was held on October 1, 2014 until March 28, 2015. The activities were done during this program, were knowing  the daily activities (in the work, the prayer, the meals, the recreation) brothers in Chile  and to learning  the culture and  learning Spanish language.

Living Together with the Brothers

Before coming to Chile there were fears that haunted  our minds because we did not know the exact character of the brothers in Chile. It turned  out that the fears vanished, and after the meeting, on the contrary,  we felt "happy". We felt happy because of  the sense remarkable  brotherhood  shown by the brothers in Chile, that we felt confortable.

Enthusiasm, friendliness and openness of the Chilean brothers really made us feel at home to stay together.  At the time of reception in the community of  San Antonio –Talca,  we met and got to know almost all  the brothers  in the Province of Chile. Most of the brothers were  present to welcome us. They welcomed us as missionaries who would  conduct orientation visit in Chile. In the encounter with the brothers in Chile  we felt as it there was  no distance between us, very intimate and close. The brothers never forgot "abrazo" and called "hermano" which means  you actually live among the brothers in Chile.

Challenge

The daily  language use  in Chile is Spanish and the biggest  challenge was about  communication. For the brothers who had the orientations, there were frequently mis communication with the brothers in Chile. Unclear communication with the brothers, with the staff of  teachers and students at school.  

Interesting experiences, there  are not many Chilean  who know Indonesia, they are more familiar to Bali Island than  Indonesian, and they think  that Indonesia was part of  Bali. Once  we were given the opportunity to give presentation about Indonesia.Wow ... it was  a good opportunity to introduce Indonesia, we thought confidently  we accepted  the offer.  After that,  we did a lot of preparation. We learned  English so much because English is a language of  international conversation. 

At the time of the presentation,  in front of  the class, we greeted the childrens enthusiastically ..."Hello .... how are you?" ... But no one answered, I repeated my greeting, "Hello....how are you?" Eh... they even laughed. we were so confused .. “dead style”. 

Later  we know that the Chilean  are not accustomed to use  English because they are proud of  their own language, Spanish.

The Continuance  expectations of  Mission  in Chile

The orientasi  visit program in the Province of  Chile was very good. From  the Province of Chile itself, they felt happy because with the presence of the brothers from other countries, it gave  meaning and color separately in  from common life, communities become more alive.

The apostolic work of  the brothers in Chile are very good, very actual and really  needed by the community. However, if  it is not accompanied by the availability of the energy from the brothers there, who will continue to proceed to the future?, who will keep the spiritual heritage of the founders of the congregation?. Meanwhile, in the Province of Chile, the  calling to be brother are limited.

The expectations for the future will be better if the candidates are more  prepared for the orientation visits particularly for the  Spanish language,  because  the language becomes the main asset for the brothers to be able to communicate and work in the middle of the presence and diversity of the brothers in the Province of Chile.

Closing

We are thankful and grateful to be able to follow the orientation of the visit in the Province of  Chile. Sharing experiences with the brothers from other countries is a blessing and mercy of God. We are grateful for the kindness of the people we met, companions who enable us to complete this mission well. Armed with their unique personalities, as well as comprehend  the encounter as an opportunity to proclaim His love. Then, the grace and mercy of God we found  in the engagement with them during orientation visits. Thank   you. God  Bless.