My Car, My Partner in the Mission

The road that stretches before me.

As a devoted missionary brother of the Society of the Divine Word from Brazil, my journey has led me to serve in the vast lands of the SVD Kenya Province for a decade. In my roles, such as the biblical coordinator for Kenya and Tanzania and as a steward at the Divine Word Boys High School, I’ve discovered that the ability to navigate the land is a vital skill for those on a mission.

Each week, the road stretches before me, sometimes welcoming and sometimes trying, as I traverse distances between 300 and more than 1,000 kilometers.

A few years ago, life gifted me with profound lessons in patience and humility. During the construction of the Mombasa Road expressway in Nairobi, what seemed like a simple U-turn transformed into an eight-hour meditation on stillness, covering a mere 900 meters amidst a sea of vehicles.

On another day, after a demanding day of labor at our Common Formation House in Nairobi, I found myself entrapped in a night-long traffic vigil, meeting the dawn only upon reaching the school.

Through my journey, I’ve had the privilege of stewarding a variety of vehicles, from buses and tractors to pick-up trucks, each serving as a vessel for the community’s outreach rather than for personal comfort. The essence of missionary life is woven from threads of sharing, trust, and the wise stewardship of all resources granted to us, including the vehicles that carry us forward.

In my hands lies the wheel of a 15-year-old vehicle that has traveled 259,400 kilometers — a faithful companion to my mission across the diverse terrains of Kenya, be it the arid savannas or bustling cityscapes. Despite its years, the vehicle’s reliability is sustained through diligent care, mirroring the commitment we must nurture for our missionary vocation. The investment of $3,000 over two years for repairs and maintenance is a testament to this dedication.

From these experiences, I have learned to place the needs of the mission above my own desires, living out the ethos of a devoted missionary. It has taught me that the true measure of worth is not found in the vehicle I choose for myself, but rather in The One that amplifies the work I am called to do.

This trusty companion has been more than a vehicle; it has been a sage mentor, guiding me to reflect deeply on my calling. Through its functions and demands, it mirrors the responsibilities, choices, and patience required in my spiritual path. As I navigate life’s highway, it reminds me that the questions of who I am, why I am on this path, and where I am truly destined are as vital as the journey itself.

As I steer this vehicle, so too I must steer my life with purpose and faith.

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