Two EAO Salesian missionaries among Amazon youth

By Fr. Augustin Togo

Wasakentsa - Ecuador, 9 March 2020 -- The 'Querida Amazonia' (Beloved Amazonia) Apostolic Exhortation of Pope Francis brings the attention of the universal Church to the missions in the heart of the Southern American continent. Also Ecuador has a large portion of its territory covered by the Amazon rain forest and precisely there is located the most ancient Salesian missionary 'Apostolic Vicariate' (established already in 1896) of Mendez.

Two EAO missionaries - Fr. Augustin (originally from Indonesia) and Fr. Tien (originally from Vietnam) are now working side by side among the Achuar youth in the Salesian community of Wasakentsa. Even in these remote jungle corners the Movimento Juvenil Salesiano (MJS) or SYM in English is alive. The recent zonal meeting of SYM Achuar brought together in the community of Wichimi about 50 young people and young adults from the villages of Saapapentsa, Mamantsa, Karakam and Setuch. The moments of joy, reflection, sharing, sacramental reconciliation and dialogue with the Lord make the young Ashuar people feel the love of God.

Just like the young people all around the world, also in the Amazon forest soccer has many fans. So, thanks to the initiative of our Indonesian missionary a true 'Football school' was launched at Wichima following the 'international standard' to make the spirit of the Oratory more alive. Through Education and Evangelization in Salesian way the young people of the Amazon regionare also growing up as upright citizens and good Christians.

We invite you to pray for new missionaries - who would be part of the 151st Salesian Missionary expedition (September 27, 2020) at Valdocco. So far (including 4 Vietnamese postnovices) there are only 25 candidates from all around the world! Lord, send me! - a nice prayer to be taught.

• Ecuador - Wasakentsa: Launching of the soccer school (P. Togo as the mentor)

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