Volunteering with Augustinians of the Assumption in El Paso – Getting There
On August 13th, I left my home to embark on more than just a 5-day, 40-hour road trip from Boston, Massachusetts to El Paso, Texas. This was a pilgrimage and a symbolic journey to start my missionary work at the St. Francis Xavier Migrant Shelter, a transitional shelter for migrants run by the Augustinians of the Assumption. I left everything I was comfortable with to trust Jesus deeper than I ever had before. As I traveled through cities and endless hours of countryside, each stop became an opportunity to encounter the Lord in new communities, churches, and the beauty of God’s creation.
I was accompanied by one of my best friends, Alice, for a few days of the road trip. We packed up the Toyota Corolla and started off on the journey. Seeing the highway signs across the Midwest and hearing the change in accents made it very clear that we were not in New England anymore. On our third day of travel, we found a hidden gem off a random highway exit in the middle of rural Illinois. Next to the endless corn fields, we spotted a tiny chapel with a Divine Mercy image and quickly pulled in to investigate. This was called the “Traveler’s Chapel”, and we were encouraged by this small sign that Jesus was present with us during our travels.
After Missouri, I was on my own for the duration of the road trip. The time alone provided me space for prayer and solitude to contemplate my fears and excitement for my next adventure. My first impression of Texas was the drastic weather change, and local wildlife, consisting of cacti and armadillos on the side of the road, as opposed to the pine trees I was used to.
On my last day, the Lord took me on a side quest to a place more rural than I have ever seen before. When looking at google maps, this church I selected appeared a bit closer than anticipated, but as I was already on the highway headed there, I decided to go for the adventure. The church I found had no paved parking lot, only dirt, and consisted of one tiny room with 7 attendees. I was there early, so I joined a family in praying the Rosary in Spanish prior to Mass. This was when I knew everything that I was familiar and comfortable with was about to change, and I would be challenged. I was reminded of a famous quote by Pope Benedict XVI, “The world offers you comfort, but you were not made for comfort, you were made for greatness”. I felt Jesus very present during this moment, as he was affirming my call to mission work and emphasizing His protection these next few months.
I arrived later that day in El Paso, assured and motivated to start my next adventure. I pulled up to my new temporary home, inspired by these moments of God’s beauty during the trip, revealing the graces He provides when we boldly choose to trust Him.
God Bless,
Julia Hennessy
