What is so unusual about this mission is that the Diocese of Arlington Virginia, which runs it, wants a Catholic family to be an integral part of the program. A family with 3 children (12, 10 and 8) has now been there now for 1 ½ year. They have been instrumental in starting a dehydrated soup distribution program by USAID that feeds 1800 people in the area. They provide help to the two local priests who run two parishes in Banica and nearby Pedro Santana, but also serve dozens of smaller communities spread on very difficult terrain in this mountainous region. The family also provides logistical support, food and lodging to groups and organizations that visit Banica on weekly mission trips to build chapels for the communities in the area or to provide medical help 2 hours across the border in Thomassique, Haiti, where an organization called Medical Missionaries (www.medicalmissionaries.info) has recently opened a hospital. Thanks to generous donations, a parochial school was also opened next to the church just last year in Banica. Tuition for children costs $8/month. This is still a lot for families in this community where most people live on about $2/day. (By the way, sponsorships are always welcome).

 What an experience to travel for 5 hours each way on an old American School bus to and from the airport with a team of doctors that was also there during our stay. Groups from all over the country visit at least once of twice a month. After two years of search for a Catholic mission that would be open to a family, we feel blessed to have found Banica. We are now praying to discern if God wants us to spend an extended period of time there. We feel we could help continue the wonderful work that has been started. We want our children to learn about the joy of service, to share their talents and to see what life is like for so many people in the world. We also hope and pray that more opportunities like this will open to Catholic families around the world. We have many non-denominational friends who have done mission work either independently or through the support of their church and community. Us Catholic need to do more of the same.

If you want to learn more about our trip you can see some pictures at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/16840732@N03/sets/72157604001704435

You can also read the daily blog of Fr. Gee and Fr. Murphy in Banica at: http://frgee.blogspot.com/