Peace and good.
My name is Michał (which means "who is like God" in Hebrew) Banach, and I am 39 years old.
In 2015, I cried out to the Lord God, saying, "Save Sergiusz's life and take mine instead," and at that moment, God showed me His mercy and gave me a new life. "This poor man cried out, and the Lord heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles" (Psalm 34:6). The Lord lifted me up from the depths of sin.
In 2019, I was invited to join the Community of Mercy in Wolsztyn. A few weeks later, I attended a retreat in Częstochowa led by Father Antonello Cadeddu. His words deeply touched my heart, urging me to proclaim that God is good, that He is love, and that we are unconditionally bestowed with His love every day, which we are to pour out onto our neighbors.
I also heard that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life... Those words made a tremendous impression on me, and since then, I have been living them out daily. They guide me in my actions and open me up more and more to the needs of my brothers and sisters.
While driving a truck across Europe, I sought to bear witness to God's love whenever an opportunity presented itself. During that time, a desire grew in my heart to go on a mission to Ukraine, but it never materialized.
While attending a retreat in Warsaw, I learned about the Covenant School associated with volunteering. Shortly afterward, I filled out an application, went through an interview, and was accepted. As I began my education, I learned about four places where the residents are in dire need of both material and spiritual support.
I immediately chose Venezuela, even though I knew nothing about the country, its language, culture, or customs. However, that's precisely why I am in this school—to best prepare myself for participation in the mission. In a short period, I discovered that I had unknowingly been helping people from that country through Caritas for a year. The incredibly difficult situation of native Venezuelans deeply touched my heart. The conditions they live in, the number of hungry and uneducated children due to a lack of basic necessities—it all overwhelmed me. The more I learned, the stronger my desire grew to go there and dedicate myself to this mission.
Earlier this year, I had the opportunity to visit Mexico, and that journey further confirmed that my decision to go abroad was the right one. I met a boy named Wilmer on the streets, who was originally from Venezuela. He was astonished by my desire to go to the country he had fled, due to extreme poverty. I felt an even stronger need to serve the people of Venezuela, to awaken hope and love for Jesus in their hearts, even through material support. I have an inner conviction that God is sending me there—to His beloved children who are waiting for comprehensive support.
If you would like to support me...
The most important and precious support is sincere prayer from the heart, which I earnestly request. I would be grateful for receiving Holy Communion offered on my behalf, fasting, and any other form of spiritual support. However, my dear friends, as long as we live in this world, besides nourishing our souls, caring for our bodies, which are the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit, is also necessary. Therefore, on behalf of those brothers and sisters who have faced failure, who have lost their way and strayed...
„ Each one should give as much as he has decided on his own initiative, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." (2 Corinthians 9:7).
Let us remember: "It is more blessed to give than to receive" (Acts 20:35). When we share money or other goods with our neighbors, our hearts turn toward Jesus, for "where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" (Matthew 6:21). Our hearts belong to Christ, and He compels us to perform acts of mercy.
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Why "POTERION"?
Mt 10, 42: "If anyone gives so much as a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is a disciple, then in truth I tell you, he will most certainly not go without his reward."
Mt 26, 39: " And going on a little further he fell on his face and prayed. 'My Father,' he said, 'if it is possible, let this cup pass me by,"
Mk 10, 39: They replied, 'We can.' Jesus said to them, 'The cup that I shall drink you shall drink, and with the baptism with which I shall be baptised you shall be baptised"
...in all these words from the Holy Scripture, the words "cup" and "chalice" are expressed by the same Greek word, "poterion" (orig. ποτηριον). Offering a cup of cold water to the thirsty, as a small act of mercy that will not go unnoticed or forgotten by God, is juxtaposed with the cup of the Lord's Passion and the cup of His Blood.
And when we come to the Eucharist with our cups of hearts stained with sin, longing for love and mercy, we approach the Lord's table and receive the grace from the cup of God's mercy.
Peace and goodness!
Thank you for the gift of prayer; it's very important to me. Thank you for being there and remembering. I'm sending some photos from our volunteering mission. Thanks to your help, many children received small gifts. There is a great poverty here, far from the city center, and the conditions are very difficult. Many children are orphaned. The oratory we are in helps feed the children, but it's only enough for three days a week. It's a wonderful country, and the people have big hearts; they share what they have. As you know, we are here to give them hope that everything is possible with God!
Prayer is much needed here, as well as preaching God's mercy!
Sometimes, they don't even have windows in their homes, and six to eight people live in one room without a bathroom, water, or electricity. Please pray for all the people we encounter here. 🙏
Venezuela
The immense political crisis, hyperinflation, and unstable oil market have pushed Venezuela to the brink of a precipice of poverty, with ordinary families suffering the most.
Venezuela is currently among the countries with the highest food deficit, alongside Sudan, Yemen, and Syria. Only one in five Venezuelans can afford to purchase an adequate amount of food. The basic food basket for a family of five costs around $250, while the minimum wage is only $7 per month.
The number of migrants or refugees from Venezuela has already exceeded 7.1 million and continues to rise.
The prolonged crisis has resulted in severe food shortages, hyperinflation, and lack of electricity and water. Access to healthcare, education, and employment is limited for Venezuelans. The average family cannot afford even basic food items, and the economic problems have led to a general increase in crime in the country. 95% of the population lives in poverty, with no prospects for improving their living conditions.
Children are the ones who suffer the most, being particularly vulnerable to malnutrition and violence. Consequently, many families choose to migrate to neighboring countries in search of a chance for a normal life. They often undertake the journey on foot, carrying their belongings on their backs and facing the dangers of migration. Colombia has received the largest number of Venezuelan migrants, with over 2.6 million already welcomed.