Sister Mimi Ballard has ministered in Chillán, Chile, since 1993, with the past dozen years on her own after Sister Ruth Gehres came home to the Mount.

Sister Martha Keller, assistant congregational leader since 2022, was concerned that Sister Mimi was serving alone, but those fears were assuaged after she spent April 1-14, 2025, in Chile.

“I can tell she is well taken care of,” Sister Martha said. “Everybody helps her.”

Sister Mimi had been at Maple Mount for five months, a longer stay than her normal holiday visit due to a scheduled surgery. She asked Sister Martha to come to Chile to experience the ministry to the women at Casa Ursulina that has been the great love of Sister Mimi’s life.

“Their relationship with Mimi is so beautiful,” Sister Martha said. “There was a great fear that she was not coming back. They respect her, and they have great confidence in her spiritual guidance. She was glowing to be back, even though she is still recovering from surgery. She is so enthused by their energy.”

During Sister Martha’s years in parish ministry, she visited Mandeville, Jamaica, four times, the sister diocese for the Diocese of Owensboro, Ky. It is the second poorest country in the world, behind only Haiti. This was her first trip to Chile.

“I did not compare it to Mandeville, it’s so different,” Sister Martha said. “In Mandeville, we went to build a home, but we had no connection to the people. They are a lot poorer in Mandeville than in Chile.”

The Ursuline presence is abundant in Chile, Sister Martha said, where Ursuline Sisters have served since Sister Luisa Bickett arrived in 1966.

“I just felt the spirit there. It’s so warm, you feel the relationship so much,” Sister Martha said. “Sister Mimi walks to church, to the market, and for her pastoral role. The women hug you when they meet you, and when you leave.”

When Sister Mimi first arrived in South America, she was mainly in youth ministry. She eventually developed the crafting ministry for the women of Casa Ursulina, and now her role is more pastoral outreach, Sister Martha said. Casa Ursulina classes began about three weeks before Sister Mimi returned this year.

“Now, Mimi isn’t the main teacher. She does the orientation, teaching that everyone is unique and is to be treated with respect,” Sister Martha said. “They recognize those who are naturally gifted with teaching ability. They never have a problem with people stepping up.”

“The women enjoy being together,” Sister Martha said. “You couldn’t tell who was new, they were all so engaged. It’s so Ursuline-like, you empower someone to be the teacher.”

Sister Martha does not speak Spanish, so Sister Mimi translated for her.

“What surprised me was how easy it was to engage with them, despite not knowing the language,” Sister Martha said. “I could tell they wanted to engage.”

The women don’t get out of the house much, so gathering at Casa Ursulina builds up their confidence and mental health, Sister Martha said.

“They were very enthusiastic. They get set up for the class, then they all have breakfast together,” Sister Martha said. “They eat bread at every meal. Sister Mimi said she never eats alone.”

One of the highlights for Sister Martha was attending Palm Sunday services at the Chapel of the Divine Teacher.

“Everyone gathered a block from Casa Ursulina. They used olive branches for our palms,” Sister Martha said. “The church was packed. Everyone was singing without song sheets, they just knew the words. Everyone was so engaged.”

A board of directors now oversees Casa Ursulina, but Sister Mimi is struggling to find someone to take over her role as president of the board. “They know if she lets that go, she may not be there anymore,” Sister Martha said.

Almost immediately upon her return, Sister Mimi was sought out by the women in Chillán, Sister Martha said.

“So many people needed to talk to her. It’s great to see her in her element. Her role is being present to the people and in outreach to the sick,” Sister Martha said.

“We visited one woman who has cancer who remembered Sister Luisa. She had a picture of the two of them, when Sister Luisa was very young,” Sister Martha said.

Sister Martha was touched by the story of a woman who brings wheat bread to share. Her son had taken his life, and for a year, she didn’t want to talk with anyone. Sister Mimi told her there was no expectation, she didn’t need to take a class, “just come be with us.”

“They are just delightful people. They are generous with the little that they have,” Sister Martha said. “A family took us to see the mountains one Saturday, and we went to the ocean one day. We went downtown to see the cathedral and market. Everywhere we went, everyone knew Sister Mimi.”