VMY SYRIA | INTERNATIONAL VINCENTIAN YOUTH DAY & WORLD YOUTH DAY 2023 EXPERIENCE

This is a story about the power of prayer, a story of hope and faith in God’s will.

My name is Olga Mouty, and I am 28 years old. I am the national president of VMY in Syria. For us in VMY Syria, it has always been a dream to participate in World Youth Day. We worked so hard to make it happen and prayed a lot for it, but unfortunately, this dream was impossible for us as Syrians.

I remember the moment I found out that I had been chosen to represent the Syrian youth at WYD in Portugal because no one from Syria could be there. I cried tears of joy and gratitude as I realized that my prayers had been answered. However, as time passed, struggles started to come up and doubt began to creep in. I felt restless and impatient, and I started to lose hope that this could actually happen, but I kept praying.

Finally, the dream came true and I made it to Portugal. Even though I traveled by myself, I had the opportunity to meet some VMY members, enjoy a memorable time with members of VMY Lebanon, and meet the VMY International Council in Lisbon, creating a sense of unity as one big family.

During the prayer sessions at WYD, I found myself overwhelmed with emotion as I reflected on the journey that had led me to this incredible experience. As I looked around at lots of faces, all united in prayer, I felt a deep sense of gratitude for the ways in which God had worked in my life. And I prayed for all the Syrian youths who could not make it.

After it all ends, I was so happy when I went back to Syria and shared with the VMY members everything I experienced in the WYD and what I learned from it, and I really hope we could make it all together in the next WYD.

Looking back on my journey to WYD in Portugal, I am thankful for the chance to be a part of such a significant and transformative event. It was a memorable experience that continues to motivate and fortify my faith, and I will continue to have faith that God will bring the right opportunities into my life at the perfect moment.

Olga Mouty 

National President of VMY Syria