What experiences have marked your mission years?
Undoubtedly, the "experience" that has marked me and moves me every day is the proximity of Jesus Christ who has given me the grace of the missionary vocation and who is always present on my path ... I think I have lived with intensity the proximity to African people in the various social, political, cultural and religious environments where my mission has led me.
What is your love for Africa?
In the concreteness of this proximity, my African brothers have given me everything and continue to "evangelize" me. Thousands and thousands of children and young people who love life, who are faithful and make you happy; but among them, many suffer, are lacking in everything, face a dark future to which it is not easy to provide an answer. Salesians have to stay with these young Africans forever: they deserve it. Poverty which Africa unjustly suffers ... Even in the Ivory Coast I discovered and lived what the war is, the suffering of innocent people who are killed, wounded, displaced and refugees who have lost everything and remain marked forever.
What is it that gives you the excitement and optimism to continue?
I think it is to deeply feel the "missionary vocation" since I was "sent" by the Lord to work in his field as a simple worker: I do not have "special qualifications" to be a missionary, but Jesus himself undertakes to make up for my limitations. I believe and feel that the Spirit is at work and gives me strength. The truth is that I feel comfortable as a worker in the Lord's field.
In what places did you work?
I was fortunate enough to live missions in both rural and urban environments: Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso, Mali and now Guinea Conakry, and wherever I was, I felt welcomed in the home of everyone, by those who formed me; it made me question my life, my work, my going forward. Anyhow, what sums up everything that keeps me going is the Lord Christ who gives me joy and peace each day. "The mission continues" is my motto.
