It gives me an immense joy and happiness to know that the JRS-JCSA mission steps into 15th year in serving displaced and war-torn people. Down the years, I have heard about, listened to friends, scanned through literature and watched videos on the Afghanistan mission of Jesuits. When I landed there for the mission of accompaniment as Regional Director, I witnessed lots of success stories. These stories are interwoven with the long history of struggle for peace, equity, harmony, freedom, education and above all to live in dignity.

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A BOAT is the image that comes spontaneously into my mind when I think of this mission. Men rooted in Ignatian spirit of MAGIS got into the boat knowing fully well the tempestuous and turbulent political weather. Tossed by the mighty waves of bomb blasts, fear of being kidnapped, highly restricted movement and uncertainty over life, believing in the power of the Almighty Captain, the dedicated men and women with a host of volunteers row the boat deep into the water day after day.

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Cheerful faces of tiny kids in the JRS centres of learning are the hope of future of Afghanistan. Youth, who are trained in technical centre, will script new chapters by giving their resources. Women, who daringly came out from behind walls, will foster reconciliation. The international volunteers, who audaciously strive with Jesuits, will rekindle the hope and revitalize the Jesuit Mission to a new height.

 

As I salute the Jesuit pioneers and volunteers of the mission, I express my sincere appreciation to Fr Stan, who is steering the boat as Country Director and Mission Superior. The same goes for Silvia who is silently and substantially shouldering responsibility, Linto and Ronald, with their energetic immersion in the mission, and the band of collaborators for their dedication to continue the mission of JRS-JCSA. With persistence and flexibility, let us continue to sail our BOAT.