People call her Kawen, considers herself as part of God's army, ready to give her all in service especially in her community and diocese, Karen is one extraordinary woman. Read her mission story...

Tell us about yourself and your journey of knowing Christ

When I was a kid, my friends asked me if I wanted to serve during the fiesta Mass while playing outside; remove in the streets and I said yes right away. I started young as a lector during Sunday mass. I am thankful for them for asking me. I thought, “from then on, there was no turning back.” I started regularly attending and eventually became part of the Parish Youth Ministry. My life changed. Strangers turned into friends, and friends became family. I am amazed by how God touched my life and felt that it had to be shared. Until now, I am still happily serving the Lord in the ministries I am part of. I am passing on to the younger generation what my Ates and Kuyas taught me, hoping to inspire children in every little thing that I do.

Adult couple coordinators taught us how to be strategic and exposed us to different communities such as: Schools, etc. They exposed us to different communities, Schools, Gawad Kalinga Site, Molave Youth Home, Tahanan Walang Hagdan and Southeast Asian Institute of the Deaf. I learned to relate to all types of people, and I realized that everyone deserves to be loved.

What or who made you decide to be a missionary?
Can you share to us your journey of becoming a missionary?

When I became a catechist in high school, I knew that this is the lifestyle that I wanted. I wanted: simple and content.

What makes you feel like a child?

Serving the Lord has its ups and downs. But guess what? I can tell my sorrows and joys to the Lord like a kid and tell Him everything (pwede magsumbong).

What are your simple joys?

Good music, good and good food.

In your missionary adventure, what were your joys, struggles, challenges and even difficulties?

I was able to go on a mission trip to a small town in Palawan on my birthday. We had a youth camp in a barangay hall where every youth in that town helped to cook and attended the camp. They were excited to come meet us and share stories to us from Manila.

There are a lot of challenges being a youth leader, one of them is learning how to discern. You must open your heart and mind to listen to God's plans. You'll know that God is working when you receive grace.

Being a servant-leader takes time and energy. We must give our best years to the Lord by starting young.

How do you define joy?

I want to laugh and cry at the same time with overflowing gratitude.

In who and what you are now, what are your other dreams or do you still have anything you want to achieve?

Continuing my mission to serve the Lord in my different ministries.
I still want to discover more opportunities for people around me to know and love the Lord.
Being able to continue St. Joseph's Workshop in our Vicariate and form new youth leaders.

What is your message to young people who are now feeling lost, who are still finding their purpose, who doesn't know what to do with their lives?

You deserve genuine love. Only Jesus Christ can give that to you.
Tara na! Serve na. Di ka na magiisa.

What is your message to young people who wanted to serve but do not know how?

Go to your parish. Enlist in different organizations. Do the first step. Find one that suits your personality. Go beyond your borders.

If you have a favorite Bible verse, what is it and why.

With God, all things are possible. (Matthew 19:26)

3 Comments

Merlyn C. Notario on December 4, 2021 at 10:00 am

She is truly a God loving servant. Dedicated and hard working in every activities in the parish, vicariate and in the Diocese. A loving daughter and a caring friend. Love you Kawen.🙏❤️😘
William Garcia on December 4, 2021 at 12:49 pm

“Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.”- 1 Timothy 4:12
Gloria Abaquin Cenizal on December 6, 2021 at 9:15 am

How I love you! That is the passion I want everybody to have: to serve the Lord with gladness no matter what! Keep serving and continue to be a blessing to others! I am so proud of you!

Karen Buensuceso | #YPMissionary

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