VIRIDITAS: SOUL GREENING
Interviewed by Sister Malia Dominica Wong, OP
Hawaii Catholic Herald
I had never thought about coming to Hawaii for mission. About 10 years ago, my Mother General said to me in passing, ”Wansuk, now you are ready to go abroad.“ I replied, “Mother, I’m not ready. Maybe after 20 years I will be.” She responded, “Okay, we shall see.” However, 10 years later her words came back to me, “You will go to Hawaii.”
Last year, the congregation began looking for a replacement for one sister in Hawaii. One day, my Mother General calleed me into her office and told me that I was chosen to go. “Get ready, you are going on your first mission abroad,” she said. I replied, “Oh, Mother, I am not fit to go.” I was trying to refuse. But she continued, “I know you will do well.” Due to my religious vow of obedience, I could not refuse. I was fearful however that I might not be able to live up to the high standards that I heard America holds. It was a long preparation for me.
Now, however as I reflect back, I can see that the will of God really comes through our superiors. Even though there are challenges, problems come and go. We just need to have faith in the Lord. The Lord is there through prayers, and through the support of many, many people. My fears dropped away being here. I enjoy working with others in my ministry to build the kingdom of God.
I feel the Lord has called me and has a purpose for me. Throughout all of my religious life, I really treasure our life in common unity. What strengthens me most is our prayer life — the praying of the Divine Office and the celebration of the Eucharist. I also find strength in sharing God’s love with the people I minister to in the church and others.
Besides community prayer, my personal prayer is important. It consists of getting in touch with the Lord, getting to know him through the Bible and my own reflections. Depending on my time, if not every week, especially when I face problems, I visualize the Stations of the Cross and the crucifix in my prayer. At other times, I sit before the Blessed Sacrament pondering and meditating on the mysteries of the life of Jesus and Mary. Along with saying the holy rosary, these spiritual exercises give me joy and more meaning to life and ministry as I go about my different activities. I find that the Lord is there working beside me, close to me. As in Psalm 23:1, “The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I lack.”
When I told my family that I was going to be a missionary, they were very happy. My second youngest sister also became a religious in the same congregation. Sister Genny will be making her first profession on Dec. 8, the same day I made my first profession.
As the oldest of my siblings, or perhaps to welcome the world, my parents named me “Wansuk.” Some people say my name sounds Chinese or Korean. But according to my custom in India, it means “happy welcome.” Here in Hawaii, I have felt welcomed and feel that it is a blessing that God has sent me here.
Sister Wansuk Kyndait belongs to the order of Missionary Sisters of Mary Help of Christians and is 17 years professed. She was born in Guwahati, India, the oldest of two brothers and seven sisters. Sister Wansuk arrived in Hawaii in February 2021 and ministers at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church and School. She resides at Ferrando Convent in Aiea.
