perfil, Maynor Ballesteros

Lay Missionary Profile: Maynor Ballesteros
Maynor Ballesteros Villamil is 27 years old and a native of Siguatepeque, Honduras; he is one of a family of six children.Maynor met the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal at the very first Pan de Vida (Bread of Life) Eucharistic youth retreat the Friars conducted in Honduras in 2001 as part of the commemoration of the 500th anniversary of the first Mass on the America continent, which took place at a site on Honduras’ north coast. That retreat changed Maynor’s life and plans. Prior to that he had been involved in his local parish, St. Paul’s, and was planning a career in the military. In fact he had taken the entrance exam for the academy and gotten the highest score in the country! But his encounter with Jesus in the Eucharist pointed him in another direction. The question for him was no longer, “What do I want to do?” But rather, “What does Jesus want me to do?” Maynor spent some time living with the friars in Comayagua, not far from his home town, and participating in their life and ministry. When Missioners of Christ established a permanent presence in Honduras, Maynor discovered his vocation as a lay missionary. He’s been part of the Missioners community for the past five years. During that time he’s served in remote parishes in rural areas and been involved in evangelization programs and outreach efforts for children and youth, while participating in Missioners’ daily prayer schedule which includes Mass and Eucharistic adoration. Fr. Herald Joseph Brock, CFR, was one of the friars whom Maynor met on that first Pan de Vida retreat almost ten years ago. They worked together on many occasions during the time they were both in Honduras, and stayed in touch as Fr. Herald began his new mission in Sudan. In 2009 Maynor began to experience the stirring in his heart of a call to missionary service beyond the borders of Central America, and inquired about the possibility of coming to Africa. He came as part of the Missioners of Christ team in January of 2010 and will be working as a lay missionary in Sudan for six months.
Maynor brings a strong, well-formed faith, a deep love for Christ and His Church, a disciplined prayer life, a willingness to step out in courage and take a risk for Jesus, and much experience in ministry and missionary work. We are very glad to have him with us! When he returns to Honduras to continue serving there as a lay missionary he will carry with him in his heart the experience of the suffering but indomitable Christians of South Sudan.
escrito por Padre Heraldo CFR