By Dillon Johnson
Diocesan Seminarian

About seven months into my first year of major seminary at the North American College in Rome, I found myself as most first-year men do with the looming question of what my summer would behold. It has been a long-standing tradition at the college that those who have completed their first year of studies remain for the summer, typically, in Europe.     

One of my close friends from the Diocese of Duluth was — in my eyes — was crazily toying with the idea of spending his summer in Southeast Asia — Cambodia. He jokingly suggested that I join him for this “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.” This was followed by a quick laugh and a subsequent “No!”

The Lord, however, had different plans. I turned to Fr. McCormick. I was unprepared for the quick response that rang through the telephone, “I think Cambodia would be great!”  

Fast-forward a few months, plane tickets were booked, accommodations were made, and we were bound for five weeks in Asia. Our destination was the city of Siem Reap where we would be living and working with the Davidson Family, a family of seven originally from Minnesota but who had pursued lifelong mission work and had been based in Cambodia for two years. With confidence in the Lord, I knew that this summer belonged to Him and that I was along for the wild ride.

The family’s main ministry is medical clinics in rural villages; however, they also work closely with the local church. We experienced life. We experienced death. We worked with babies, children, teenagers, young adults, couples, and the elderly. We were present for weddings, catechesis, and funerals. We spent a week with the Missionaries of Charity at their Home of Hope for those rejected by society due to physical and mental disabilities. We taught health classes and tutored kids in math. We built structures and fences and painted. The Lord truly put it all before us.       

It was not an easy summer. This was my first experience of a non-Christian culture. More than 98% of the country is Buddhist. Most if not, all have never heard the name of Jesus Christ. At times, it felt hopeless in a dark spiritual world, in a place that does not know God. Yet, with a very small church and a government attempting to oppress and restrict what belongs to God, we saw the Light. From the constant joy in our interactions and the desire of the people to know more about the faith, we saw His Light. A Light that cannot be extinguished. A Light that consumes. 

Cambodia gave me experiences that I could never have imagined. I met and prayed with people with whom my path might never have crossed. I spoke a language and ate food that I didn’t even know existed.

I saw the beauty of mission and experiencing the world. And yet, I was reminded that my mission is the Diocese of Rapid City. This is the place the Lord has called me to serve, hopefully, as His priest one day. I will never forget the encounters and experiences and I know the Lord will use them one day to aid my ministry. He is so very good.