Missionary Spotlight: Chuck O’Hern, CBC Jamaica Mission Team Leader

Commissioned by Christ proudly introduces Chuck O’Hern, veteran missionary and CBC mission team leader to Jamaica this April. In June 2019, Chuck traveled to Bánica, Dominican Republic with CBC’s mission team and he shares his experience.

What was your favorite part about Banica?

My favorite part of the mission trip to Banica was having the opportunity to make new friendships while making a difference in the lives of people less fortunate than myself.  Discovering new things about myself through helping others.  Taking a risk at doing something new and challenging and having the results exceed my highest expectations.

Tell me about the team you worked with.

Meeting the people for only a few hours in the weeks preceding the trip and then spending a week with them in very close quarters was a risk that I was so thankful to take.  I discovered that the individuals that made up our mission team had very similar goals in mind for what we wanted to get accomplished through our mission trip experience.  It was very refreshing to find out that these individuals also wanted to put into practice some our Catholic social teachings through our actions with the people we met in this foreign country.

Tell me about the people you met.

The people from the country we met had a lot in common with my fellow missioners and myself.  The most significant factor was our common Catholic faith.  I learned that not speaking the local language was not a hindrance to how I accomplished my goal of sharing my faith through helping others.  The local people were very responsive to my overtures with lots of smiles and willingness to share their appreciation of our efforts though the gift of food.  Everywhere we went the locals showed their appreciation to us by providing us a meal.

What surprised you about the culture?

The most interesting feature about the culture was that for a country with so few actual amenities in the villages/towns we visited, they were able to practice their faith more effectively than we are able to with all of the conveniences we have at our disposal.  The local people had a better understanding of the importance of practicing their faith through social interactions.  I never encountered a local person that had any type of ulterior motive or tried to take advantage of our kindness.  Most could only show their appreciation with a smile or a handshake.  I was amazed at their honesty.

What was difficult?

It was difficult at times staying focused on what we were actually trying to accomplish with such significant environmental challenges. We had to overcome such things as living and working without air-conditioning, having only river water to shower, eating foods that were not available back in the states.  Understanding that though we only had a few hours to make a difference in these people’s lives, what we did accomplish was very important.  We sometimes have a hard time understanding that small tasks provided with a genuine heart are many times more valuable than providing a monetary donation.  The mission of being present with others is hard to measure but extremely important.

What is most difficult about being back home?

The most difficult thing about being back home are the ongoing questions that I pose myself about if I could have done more while I was there.  Only having the knowledge, (no first hand feedback) that what we accomplished in that week really made a difference in those people’s lives. Wondering if I can ever attain the simple deep faith that those who have fewer possessions, physical amenities than I have is possible for me to achieve.

How do you want to remember this experience going forward?

I want to remember this experience going forward as positive step in the development of my faith.  This experience was only one opportunity of many that I will have to enhance my relationship with God and at the same time make a difference in someone life less fortunate.  To gain a better understanding that the size of the actions I take are not as important as reasons for taking those actions.