Introduce yourself?
My name is Ngo Duc Thuan Joseph and I come from the province of Vietnam, and in this 154th missionary expedition, I am destined to Tunisia, North Africa province.
What inspired you to make this choice to become a missionary?
I think that missionary dimension takes an important part in our Congregation, because if there were not missionaries in the past, there would not have been our Congregation today. Becoming a Missionary is like joining an adventure. I want to challenge myself by stepping out of the safety zones from my country, and move towards new lands for the sake of Christ and Don Bosco and that has motivated me to opt as a missionary.
Are you happy about the new place where you are going? Have you any fears and inhibitions of the place, culture and place?
I’m happy with the place that I am sent because I believe that is God’s will. However I’m worried also because I am being sent to a region where the Catholics are a minority.
How did your family members, friends and confreres react when you told them about your missionary vocation.
My family members, friends and confreres support me a lot on my decision to be a missionary. Most of them are very happy when I tell them about that. At the same time, my mom is quite worried my being sent to foreign lands, because she doesn’t want me to live far away from home.
What are your plans and dreams about your missionary life?
For my missionary life, my primary plan is to live well as a good Salesian and develop my abilities as much as I can. I ’m very interested in 3D animation and I also want to study deeply about that subject. I think it will be of great useful for helping young people.
Have you in mind some great model of missionaries whose style and life you want to follow?
I was inspired by some Salesians, especially those who are working in China. Like them, I want to become simple, humble and hard-working in my missionary life. I also want to share my passion, enthusiasm, happiness and joy to the people with whom I will live with.
What is your message for young people about missionary choice and vocation?
The missionary aspect is an essential element of the Catholic Vocation. Wherever you are you must be a missionary, and if one realized this and nurtures this desire then the seed of missionary life will bear fruit. Now the time has come, and I am making this decision to be a missionary. I trust in God’s guidance and providence, and I am courageous and confident because with God nothing is impossible.
