Recently, I interviewed Father Ernest, SMA of Nigeria, about his missionary experience: here is his testimony.

Please introduce yourself to us and give us a brief family background

I am Fr. Ernest M. C. Egbedike, SMA. From Izhi in Ebonyi State of Nigeria. I am the fourth child of six from my mother. I was born in the Health Technology College in Oji River in Enugu State of Nigeria. I grew up and had my primary education in my village Okpoduma and after then lived and studied away from home. 

My Father, Augustine was a teacher before I was born, he later became a politician and hitherto he is a Native Court Bench Member. 

My Mother, Angelina was a teacher and before I was born she became a nurse. She died in the year 2000.

I like soccer, to read and write when I can. I began to aspire to join the SMA in 2003.

       When and where were you ordained?

I was ordained on the 6 of July, 2013 at St. Patrick Catholic Church, Cable Point, Asaba, in Delta State of Nigeria. 

       Where did you do your first missionary experience?

My first mission experience was in Côte d'Ivoire–West Africa. 

       What were the challenges that you faced in the mission both positive and negative?

The basic challenge I faced in my first mission was the rate at which I was given different responsibilities within a short time without 'special' training and the second was the funding of some of the projects I was mandated to initiate. In February of 2014 I was appointed the Media director of the Region and was asked to understudy the long-time chaplain and co-founder of "Service pour un monde meilleur” (Service for a better world) in Côte d'Ivoire   in view of continuing his work as a result of his retirement at the end of the pastoral year. That I successfully did with his help and that of lay members of the group but with a lot of challenges. 

By September 2014 I was appointed the Vocations and Mission promotion director with the mandate to develop the SMA youth group and Mission support group. During the time I ran radio programs with “Service Pour un Monde Meilleur” Group, organized activities for the aspirants and the SMA youth and travelled around the country to meet support groups, youths, aspirants and SMA Confreres who helped me to keep up with my mission animation activities. The car I used was so old and over -used and sometimes the response from people was not encouraging. I found so much joy in Ivory Coast despite the challenges. 

   

   What made you carry on despite the challenges you encountered?

I carried on because I had the fraternal support of the SMA Confreres especially my parish priest and one of my former formators who was working in Ivory Coast. On the other hand the motivation to live my missionary life and live my priestly ministry was just strong. The third force was the support of the superiors who always listened to me and commended me even if they may not add or change anything. The fourth was the people I worked with. They were so committed that I found so much joy in doing more. 

Where are you currently in mission?

I am presently working as a Parochial Vicar at Immaculate Conception Parish, in Everett which is under the Archdiocese of Boston in the United States of America. 

         What is the difference between what you are doing now from what you did previously?

The difference is in the responsibilities and the scope of work. I have a relaxed ministry at the moment and I have the basic means I need supplied. In the last five years I spent time driving to towns and places to meet aspirants, youths and supporters in some cases. The youth program, especially in Nigeria where I had two to three years to develop and expound their program was very demanding. I had to raise funds, look for resource persons, get convenient venues for youth activities, plan their transportation and sometimes support their feeding plan. On the other hand as vocations director in Nigeria it was good having many aspirants but planning their interviews and hosting them was always a tough one. 

       What challenges are you facing in your new mission?

My number one challenge is the adjustment of my mission orientation; what attracted me to the SMA was mission in Africa and among people of African origin and as it is I am in the United States in a multicultural parish environment with very few Africans. The second is the winter. 

       Compared to your previous mission, do you find satisfaction and fulfilment in what you are doing?

I am only here for two months now so it might be too early to compare; meanwhile I have been fulfilled as a missionary working in different places regardless of the challenges. 

       Do you think SMA and its mission is still relevant today?

Yes!  The SMA and its Mission is still very relevant today. I strongly feel that the SMA should work on her mission strategies and mobilize members more effectively.

       As the SMA prepares for the General Assembly what would you like to see happen in the SMA in General?

I would like to see a General Assembly where members come round the table of discussion first of all as members of the one single SMA family rather than as spokes persons of unites of the SMA. Unites serve for enhanced administration of personnel and structures but needless be independent entities driving an exclusive protectionism that might make it less open to dialogue on a common strategy and a way forward to build a strong SMA that will remain effective and reliable in the continuation of the propagation of the message of our Lord Jesus Christ in particular to the most abandoned without leaving out other opportunities as we may be so presented by the same Jesus Christ. 

I hope that the delegates will be open to dialogue, willing to brainstorm extensively on issues, make sacrifices and will be generous. And for now I have no doubt that they will be what I hope for.

By Dominic Wabwireh, SMA