I am Fr. Wellington Alves, from Brazil, I am the first born in my family. We are four children, three boys and one girl. My parents dreamt of a successful future for me and they put their efforts into my education. (I got my formation in ‘Data Processing’ - computer). However, when I was eleven years old, in 1983, I received a magazine from my Parish Priest, called Fr. Francis Lens, reporting about the war in Sudan and the difficulties of the missionaries there. Then I decided that I wanted to go to that place to work there. I told only my mother about it. I didn't want to become priest but only a missionary working for a ‘Non Government Organization’, or something like that. 

However, when I was twenty years old, during a meeting of young people, we asked my Parish priest, Fr. Pedro Settin, why priests do not marry. He said: "Because there are many people in the world who need a friendly hand to get up." I told him: "Father, if you can do it I would like to do it as well!" So I entered into the Comboni Missionary Seminary and started my formation to became priest. I did three years of philosophy, two years of noviciate and four more years of theology. I did all my formation in Brazil.

When I was starting the theological course I heard again about Sudan and so I wrote a letter to the superior of the Comboni Missionaries in Southern Sudan, Fr. Ezio Bettini. After a long dialogue I was allowed to go to Sudan. Now, here I am, working with the Sudanese people.

I am very happy here. The people among whom I work are called the NUER PEOPLE. They are very welcoming. When I arrived here last year they were at the air-strip waiting for me. They were more than 1000 people. They said: "We prayed God for many years to send us missionaries. We are very grateful to God because He sends us you to help us." At this time that I am living among them I am not only teaching but learning a lot from them.

I see that the call of God in my life was gradual and he really wants me to stay here in Africa working with these people. I know also that God continues calling young people to come here. "We are married without women, drunk without wine, rich without riches, and happy because we are doing the will of God."  I am waiting for you... Come and let us go to work together. People here are waiting for you too. They pray every day for you to come.

God bless you all and help you in your daily life: 

Fr. Wellington Alves - mccj