In May this year, two Columban Lay Missionaries from the Philippines, Luda and Jena, arrived as missionaries in Korea. Here is their story so far. 
Luda's Story
I am Luda L. Egbalic from Malaybalay City, Province of Bukidnon in the Philippines. I am 42-years-old and come from a big and happy family of 12 and also blessed by having 11 lovable nephews and nieces.
My mother didn't want me to go on overseas mission. She wanted me to serve in the Philippines where I could be close to home. However my mother has come to understand my heart’s desire of devoting myself to serving our loving God as a lay missionary. When I arrived in South Korea I brought with me their blessings. I am always grateful to our loving God who has always blessed and provided for my family’s daily needs and most especially our good health, peace and oneness.
I had a stable job as a primary school teacher for 15 years, but I decided to resign and enter into the life of a lay missionary – a lifestyle which some of my friends would call a life of sacrifice and instability. I was a Redemptorist Lay Missionary for four years in the Philippines. After that time, I prayed hard and discerned for a year whether or not to continue with my plan of going on overseas mission or to stay with the Redemptorists. In my life I have learned to present my plans and have entrusted myself to God. Let His will be done, that is the sentiment I keep in my heart.
After meeting Columban Lay Missionaries in the Philippines, I decided to apply to join them. After the nine month orientation programme, I was sent to South Korea for a three-year term.
Leaving familiar people, places, works and comforts in my own country made my heart heavy and full of separation anxiety. However, when I arrived here and met many kind-hearted and understanding Columban priests, lay missionaries, Columban sisters, Korean friends and friends of other nationalities whom I met at Konkuk University where I am taking my language studies, I say my thanksgiving prayer to God each day for providing me the gift of these people.
South Korea is such a beautiful country with hospitable and hard-working people, innovative and artistic even in the preparation of their food, religious and sincere in their faith, beliefs and traditions.
Finally, I believe it is God’s will that I am here in Korea. I commit to live my missionary life to the full with the rest of the missionaries. So, help me God and pray for me Mama Mary and St. Columban. Amen.
Jena's Story
I am Jenanydel Sandupo Nola, 26-years-old and a T’boli from Maitum in Sarangani Province, the Philippines. T'bolis are an indigenous community in the Philippines. I have one older brother and two younger sisters. My older brother, younger sisters and I studied at the Notre Dame Business Resource Centre Foundation Incorporated.
In March 2010, I graduated from Dadiangas University with a Bachelor of Arts with a major in Economics. In June of the same year I started working.
Before joining the Columban Lay Mission programme I worked at Notre Dame Business Resource Centre Foundation Incorporated which is run by the Marist Brothers. I worked as a day care teacher and community organizer. I taught for two years and did one year as a community organizer.
In 2010, while I was busy working with the children in my community I began to think about becoming a nun. It is a dream I first had in high school. However in December of that year I was invited by a nun named Pelenatita Petelo, a former Columban Lay Missionary, to attend a meeting about the Columban Lay Mission programme. This meeting reminded me once again about my desire to serve God and from that time onwards I discerned, listened and prayed. It took me two years before I decided to send my application. In June 2013, I started my nine month orientation programme in Cubao, Quezon City, Philippines.
Luda and I arrived here in Korea on May 20, 2014. Korea, it seems, is a place where the people, culture and traditions are totally different from my own beloved Philippines. However the warm welcome that I received from the Columban missionaries in Korea has made me feel comfortable and at home.
Upon arriving in the new Lay Missionary Centre, there was much work to be done cleaning and arranging the house. This has been a good start for me because it has kept me occupied and I haven’t had time to dwell on thoughts of my family and home. To stay in a place where everything is strange is not easy because of the degree of adjustment needed. I have to patiently learn the language. I also enjoy the food and have changed my ways of relating to others.
Over the first three months I can see that little by little I am learning to live my life by adopting a new way of living. Although it is difficult relating to Korean people because of the language barrier, I know that little by little I am improving and the difficulties can be overcome. As of now I can see that I am being well taken care of by our loving God and by the love and care I have received from the people who surround me. Thank you and God Bless.
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