I must have first heard of John-Roger when participating in Insight I in Buenos Aires in July 1991, facilitated by Alex Padilla, although I only consciously took in his name and the existence of MSIA and Discourses a couple of months later.

That was the first Insight in this city, with 100 participants. Sometime during the third day, I was aware there was some ‘energy’, something beyond understanding that upheld what was taking place in the room. I asked Alex about this, and he simply said, ‘See me after the seminar is over’.

I don’t recall if I approached him, but part of the story is I invited three friends to come to the graduation (which included the candle lighting ceremony). None of the three seemed to be as shaken by everything as I (having just completed my Insight!). I talked about my experience with one of my friends shortly after, and recall saying, ‘For me, it was an experience of love, of Jesus Christ being in that room.’

A couple of months later, one of my Insight companions talked to me about Discourses, written by John-Roger. I laughed scornfully and said, ‘Buy some little books that I can’t share with anyone? No way!’

Another couple of months went by, and I took Insight II. It was not a particularly happy experience (!), except for one period of time when I felt kind of transported, very lifted.

In March 1992, Michael Hayes came to Buenos Aires, invited by Alex Padilla. I was called and asked if I could translate for someone doing some ‘past life sessions’ (I always recall that morning I woke up with a sense of expectancy, of ‘what am I going to be doing today’? So I was free to just say ‘yes, I’ll go’).

What an experience! Into my ear poured Michael’s version in English of ‘past lives’ , etc. speaking to the person sitting across from him, and out of my mouth would come the Spanish equivalent. I had no idea what Michael was talking about or what I was saying in Spanish. But the name John-Roger kept coming up.

I think I translated for 2 or 3 days. Someone didn’t turn up for one of the sessions, so Michael suggested I take it. Still nothing registered. However, by then I had a “trick” question prepared for Michael: I had decided that if he could answer it (I didn’t think he could, after all, it was a matter only God and myself knew about…), then I would consider looking into these ‘little books’ and J-R. You guessed: Michael answered my question, it was such a shock to hear the “right” answer that I had to sit down, such was the  energy that flooded through.In April 1992 I started on Discourses.

Five months later, John Morton and staff came to Buenos Aires, and several of us (including many companions from that first Insight) received our Ministerial Blessings. I recall I had a sharing with John, and his words were so clear that when handed the Ministerial Form to fill in after the event, even though I had no idea what it all meant, I had no doubt I was following my heart’s desire. That visit was my first physical connection with a Traveler.

My first physical contact with J-R came two years later. I moved to Santa Monica to take the Masters Course in September 1994, living in Santa Monica and being a caretaker for a little baby to earn my living.  I attended a seminar or ministers meeting shortly after arrival, and J-R came – it was the first time I had seen him physically.

I decided to volunteer to go up to Windermere on the Thanksgiving weekend that November. Totally unexpectedly, we were told a couple of hours before our Thanksgiving lunch that J-R was coming to spend the day up at the ranch.

So I had the first-hand experience of sitting down at a table with J-R and his family (I remember his brother and sister-in-law were there), as well as Jsu García. At some point, J-R and my paths crossed and he spoke to me. I was in awe and know I replied, but have no recall! But I do remember sitting inside one of the houses with a group of people, I was holding forth about something; and very patiently, waiting, Jsu asked me first if I had finished, then he spoke. It was my first experience of understanding the love behind the Traveler’s teachings, the allowing each one their space. What a living lesson! Yes, so many loving lessons, and still more to come.

Love all you MSIAers!!