Sister Patricia Lemus, a Guatemalan Comboni missionary, has been in Sri Lanka for over five years and in the town of Hatton for just over a year. She shares the challenges of her mission on the Asian continent.  

Hatton, a relatively small town located at an altitude of 1,270 metres, was founded during the British colonial era for the production of coffee and tea. Its name derives from Hatton, a town in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. All tea plantations are named after Scottish locations.  

Life here is very different from my home country of Guatemala. In Sri Lanka, four religions coexist peacefully: Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity, and Islam. This intercultural and interreligious context, where diverse faiths live in harmony, significantly impacts our missionary work.  

The first prayer of the day is that of the Muslims, recited around 4:30 in the morning. It is the prayer that awakens me each day. It is a special moment to feel a sense of communion with the Muslims who pray at this hour. A few minutes later, around 5 in the morning, Buddhist meditation begins with repeated mantras that allow me to connect with them as well. This helps me reflect on all the people who seek transcendence.  

We understand that Buddhism is not a religion, but Buddhists strive for something greater. Subsequently, the Hindu prayer follows, with hymns and rituals dedicated to all the gods. Finally, we hear the church bell calling us to participate in the Eucharist each day. This marks the beginning of every day we share with brothers and sisters of other faiths. It is a dialogue of life connected to transcendence and the divine.  

Interestingly, before leaving their homes, these brothers and sisters of other faiths also recite their prayers. In every household, there is an altar where they pray with specific gestures and words. Just as the day begins with prayer, it also concludes in the same manner. This is an integral part of life and culture. People’s lives revolve around religion, coexistence, and celebration. These are special moments that foster growth as a community.  

All this sharing of life and prayer holds great importance for me. It allows me to feel in communion with the four different groups and their respective cultures and religions, each endeavouring to give meaning to life. Life encompasses not only work, study, or leisure but also something sacred that transcends us.  

We, the Comboni Sisters, have two missions in Sri Lanka: one in Talawakelle and another in Hatton, where I am currently based. We arrived in Hatton on 4 February 2024 to offer services in the fields of education, social pastoral care, and interreligious dialogue. There are two of us sisters here, and together with the four sisters from Talawakelle, we form one community.

Our multicultural presence, with members from four continents working collaboratively, is undoubtedly a seed of fraternity. Our community is situated directly in front of a Hindu temple and enjoys a privileged view. The tea fields resemble beautifully manicured gardens. However, behind this beauty lies immense sacrifice and profound injustice. Women are the most exploited group in tea harvesting.  

Early each morning, they begin eight hours of work in the fields for a meagre wage. In the afternoon, we see them returning from work under the sun or rain, carrying heavy loads. Their living conditions are highly precarious.  

In Hatton, there are four large schools. Many students travel from surrounding towns to study there. I work in one of those schools, and when we arrive, we see a moving sea of students. I call it the “white river” because the students heading to class form this vast, flowing mass. In the school where I work, most of the students are Hindu; I can affirm that we all seek God in diverse ways.  

There is also a unique cultural characteristic in Sri Lanka: the tea culture. No day in the mission can pass without tea. Tea is an essential part of the local culture, so wherever you go, you will always be offered a cup of tea. I thank God for the missionary vocation and for the people we encounter every day, who welcome us with joy, generosity, and friendship, thus manifesting the presence of the Lord.