By Erika Anderson

JACKSON—Olga Myers’ new ministry began with the dream to have her own chapel and has led her to serve in a way that she never expected.

The coordinator for nine years of the Atlanta chapter of the Magnificat ministry for women, Myers and her husband, Roy, have formed the Friends of Guatemala Mission, a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving the people of Izabal, Guatemala.

“This is completely new, going to a Third World country and ministering to people,” said Myers, who began serving the church as a religious educator and then was inspired to establish a Magnificat chapter in the archdiocese. “Magnificat is ... wonderful, it’s joyful, but this is so new and such a challenge.”

Last summer while boating on Lake Jackson, two doctors from St. Mary’s Church visited the Spanish-style mission chapel, Santa Maria del Lago, Roy Myers had built for his wife on the lakeside. Deeply moved by the chapel that reminded them of churches in their native Puerto Rico, Drs. Bernardo Maldonado and Jorge Moreno asked to come back so their wives could share the experience.

The couples returned for a social and a Mass in the chapel, celebrated by Father Milton Alvarez, CMF, spiritual advisor to Magnificat and a native of Guatemala, and his 29-year-old nephew, a Guatemalan priest.

After hearing of the devastation brought upon Guatemala by Hurricane Mitch from the priests, the doctors expressed their desire to serve as missionaries.

Roy Myers suggested that he and his wife make a reconnaissance trip to see what help was needed. They went in March, along with Father Alvarez, and visited Our Lady of Fatima Parish in Entre Rios, the parish served by his nephew, Father Jose Angel Leiva Baltazar.

“The people greeted us with such love,” Olga Myers said. “I’ve never seen anything like it. They have no water and they live in huts with dirt floors, but they were so happy and welcomed us.”

The Myers visited surrounding villages and an existing clinic and decided to begin their work there—providing the clinic with medicines, equipment and greatly needed supplies. On the flight home, Myers and her husband decided to form the nonprofit Friends of Guatemala Mission in order to raise funds and support. Because of the doctors’ involvement, supplies have begun pouring in.

“It is the Holy Spirit,” Olga Myers said. “We haven’t done much to get supplies, but my basement is full.”

Still the need is great. Two doctors and four nurses, along with the Myers, will make a mission trip July 12. A crate needed to ship the heavy supplies and equipment must be rented and other supplies, such as medicine and other equipment, are still needed. Myers estimates the cost at $25,000.

“We’ve gotten a wonderful response, though it’s nothing near what we need,” she said. “God has provided up to this point and I know he has a plan for the rest of it.”

Myers, who was raised in a Latin community in Tampa and speaks Spanish, believes the Holy Spirit has led them to serve the people of Guatemala and that her Magnificat ministry has prepared her.

“It’s an area of evangelization that I never thought I’d be called to,” she said. “But Magnificat is an evangelization tool that sends us out.”

The service team for Magnificat is now hoping that others will volunteer to assist the ministry, which offers quarterly breakfasts for women, featuring Catholic speakers, throughout the year.

“Right now we are just praying that God will lift up leaders,” Myers said. “We know he has already selected the next leaders. It just hasn’t been revealed to us yet.”

Donations made to the Friends of Guatemala Mission are tax-deductible. Those who send $50 or more receive a Guatemalan-made tote bag with zipper closure.

Send supplies or checks payable to Friends of Guatemala Mission-Vicariate of Izabal, Guatemala, Inc., to P.O. Box 1431, Jackson 30233. For more information, call (770) 775-3783.