Sisters' Stories
Interview with Sister Johanna - experience in Kimberley, Western Australia, Pakistan & South Africa
For the sake of those who haven't met you - tell us your name and where you live.
My name is Johanna. At present, I live in Melbourne.
You spent some years in the Kimberley of North West Australia and more recently you had time with the Sisters in Pakistan. What is the most important thing that mission life has taught you?
Living in both the Kimberley and Pakistan showed me how much we really need each other. This taught me the value of praying, playing and working together and especially the importance of encouraging and supporting one another while always respecting our differences.
Through sharing other culture's faith-view I became strongly aware of God present in all of creation, that each person, animal or thing reflects who God is for me.
What is the biggest challenge for people working in those missions?
I believe it is important to be always mindful that we are guests in another's country, that yes, we have something to offer but we too need to be open to change, be prepared to reveal our vulnerability and need of those with whom we minister
What faith practice most sustained you in the hard times?
Two areas of faith practice sustained me. First, being part of, and being supported by, a community that prayed together. Second, my personal prayer - being faithful to, giving time for, and being alone with God.
Being a missionary means a lot of travel. Is there something precious that you took with you each time you moved?
The gifts I received from the people whose lives I shared cannot be packed in a suitcase.
Friendship, love, and enrichment of my own life through imbibing the mystery of the other, the privilege of having been part of so many people's life-journeys in a meaningful way, are precious treasures that I will always hold deep within me.
For those who would be missionaries in cultures other than their own, what words of wisdom would you offer?
Open your heart in love and allow the other to be gift and presence to you. Be true to yourself and respect the others for who they are.
What do you admire most in a committed, vowed person?
It is faithfulness to God, wholehearted giving of self in love to others, not counting the cost, that I most admire in a committed vowed person.
Have you ever had a mentor?
In my formative years I would have seen Sister Stella as my mentor. Her faithfulness, love of the people and gift of being present to me, sustained me and modeled for me how life could be lived well.
This year, having a spiritual companion, for the first time, has been one of the most precious gifts to me.
If you had a magic wand and could change whatever you want, what would you change now?
Sorry, no magic wand ... but ... IF I could change the hearts of all people ... guess I need to start with myself.
Maybe a wish that we could all love, respect and see God in each person, each living creatures and all creation - so that there would be peace everywhere.
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