Brother Godfroy-Abel Dimanche talks about his experience as a formator and his involvement in pastoral activities with Afro-descendants.

I am from the Central African Republic and have been a formator at the Comboni Missionaries’ International Centre for Brothers in Bogotá, Colombia, since 2020. 

I was previously based in Guayaquil, where I coordinated the Afro-Colombian Cultural Centre. Moving from Guayaquil to Bogotá was quite a challenge for me. I came from a coastal area where people are warm and lively, and where I made friends easily. They called me “nano”, which is a loving way of saying “brother”. 

However, people in Bogotá are a little colder and more distrustful, although they do have their values. I have adapted to the different realities and cultures in each place. In Guayaquil, I worked in direct pastoral care; here, the priority is formation. 

Fortunately, when I arrived, a Comboni missionary helped me greatly to adapt to my new role of accompanying missionary brothers. In our formation community, we are all foreigners. All of us, except one Guatemalan, are Africans from different countries, but united by our continent. 

I start the day with personal prayer, thanking God for the gift of a new dawn. After reading and meditating on the Word of God, and participating in community prayer, we all have breakfast together.
 Fridays are special because we celebrate the Eucharist with our neighbours and then serve hot chocolate in our dining room. This is an opportunity for us to discuss issues affecting our neighbourhood. 

One of my duties is to organise the kitchen to avoid wasting food. I try to attend the community lunch with the brothers who have returned from university, as I enjoy sharing meals with them. On the last Sunday of each month, I lead training sessions for Afro-descendant pastoral workers from the Engativa, Suba, Altos de Cazuca, Bosa and Usme communities. 

I am also the coordinator of the Commission for Afro-American, Caribbean and African Religious Life of the Latin American Confederation of Religious. This commission aims to encourage and promote Afro-descendant religious life in the Americas and the Caribbean. 

At the Comboni level, I lead the continental Afro-descendant pastoral team. Together with my fellow confreres, I am committed to supporting Afro-descendant communities. These two areas fill me with satisfaction as both an African and a missionary. 

The Comboni brothers also elected me as their representative for the Americas and Asia. We hold virtual meetings to share work experiences and reflect on our vocation as Comboni missionary brothers. 

I am happy to support my fellow trainees and share my experiences of faith as an African with everyone God brings into my life through my mission.