Snapshot of a classroom

The classroom windows were open to the hot, sunny air.  The concrete walls are mostly nothing but air, with white shutters that mute the daylight and let the breeze blow through.  The school is an active, vibrant place.  The children are full of energy and chat animatedly.  Everywhere students roam and play and work: boys in their brown collared shirts and girls in their purple skirts.

The moment that the class quiets down and leans forward is sweet.  I'm touched by their interest.  Of course they've asked why I want to be a priest.  I tell them that years ago I was taught by wise people how to really pray.  Not just to say the words but to really tell God how I was feeling, as a friend to a friend.  Not only that, but to sit in the quiet and not say anything... and listen for what God has to say back.  God speaks uniquely to each of you, I said.  Through symbols and images in your imagination.  Through the thoughts and feelings that surface in your mind.  And in your desires.

The more I talked to God, the more I felt it would be good to be a priest.  It's not that getting married and having children would have been bad; far from it.  But God has a unique way of calling each of us.  And when I ask God to help me to say 'yes' to His unique call, the response I have gotten has continued to lead me on this journey toward being a priest.

The students are bright and curious and interested.  I must pay careful attention and try to listen to them.  They have been very good in listening to me.

The adventure begins

Don't call me Ishmael.  I'm Eric.  I'm a Jesuit novice from Canada and I'm in my second year of the novitiate program.  My mission (and indeed I've chosen to accept it) has been to travel to Kingston, Jamaica for a period of four months, beginning in January and ending in June.  I am to teach 'Christian Living' at a local Jesuit Highschool, as well as live here in the Jesuit community and attend to various campus ministry needs.  This is my story.

At the beginning of my journey, I had no idea what classes I'd be teaching or what I'd be doing every day.  I clutched my passport and Jesuit contact information tightly and hoped for the best.

I had a few troubles getting to the right flight at the airport.  I remain very grateful to all the kind people who helped me out in my time of need.  But suffice it to say I made it.

When I left Toronto, it was -18 C and freezing rain.  When I arrived in Kingston, it was 28 C, sunny and humid.  It was delightful.  As we drove in from Kingston airport we came across a sort of land-bridge highway that was in the midst of being raised.  Large cranes piled heaps of rock and earth all along the way.  On either side, the sea stretched out: creating a bay towards the city and an endless horizon in all other directions.

The big green mountains of this country are very visible in Kingston, giving the city-scape a peculiarly natural feel.  The city itself is constantly abuzz with the noise of people, traffic, music, construction, and even dogs and chickens, all day and night. Some neighborhoods show clear deterioration and oppressive poverty.  Some areas are beautifully gardened with flowing fountains.  Most places are in between.

The community where I live has a central garden with a few palm trees in it.  The rest of the building is arranged around it in a square.  The rooms are spacious, stone affairs, often with one wall completely open to the garden, mixing outdoors and indoors.  My room is small and clean, with white painted walls and simple, dark wooden furniture.  I have a writing desk and a chest of drawers and a very comfy bed.  There is no glass in the windows, but they have locking red shutters and a screen to keep the bugs out.  So far the insects are not bad but I'm told they'll come in force in February.

I'll write more about my adventures and tell you about the school next time.  In the interim, I can only highlight the profound kindness and generosity of the people I have encountered in this land, both within and without the Jesuit community.  My most prevalent feeling is gratitude.  God is good.