My Second Home

By Robz Tan

I started to be a volunteer in He Cares Foundation last year when my Caring Group Head invited me to join them in the feeding program. Since some of my friends were already volunteers, I said yes to the
invitation.

I can still remember my first Saturday experience as a volunteer.

We first went to NIA road to pick up the street kids. In the middle of the road is a place they called home. A place without a roof on their heads when it rains, no bed and pillow at night when they sleep, no dining table where they can eat their meals, no bathroom to bath themselves, and no food whenever they're starving.

They excitedly approached the service van. Most of them didn't have any slippers at all. The dirt in their bodies and clothes are noticeable. Their smell was also remarkable. I was wondering when they took their last bath. I was holding back my tears then when one of the kids approached me and said, "Ate, may damit po ba doon? (Are there clothes in the center?)"

We went back to the center, and they lined-up to take a bath. It was my first experience to bathe the kids. Until now I enjoy doing it.

I was also amazed how the food was served to 300 street kids. All the volunteers helped each other passing the food on the long tables. What we considered a normal meal, for the kids it's like there's a party.

He Cares Foundation has become a home for them every Saturday. And it's been my home too. They know Jesus; they sing songs of praises; they pray to God. Their happiness is very simple. They play, eat, and laugh. At the end of the feeding, they're ready to go back to their places carrying smiles on their faces, hope for another day and feeling that they are always cared for and loved.

In this place, I've learned how to be more thankful for all the blessings I received. Happiness is well-defined when you see other people happy even by sharing your time with them. I can feel God's embrace and love through them. I found new friends and a family. He Cares will always be my second home.

Love Conquers All by Judith Enriquez

A priest said, “Life in order to be meaningful and beautiful has to learn the language of love.” Indeed, this is very true in my 11 years of service at He Cares.

I have an experience that I could not forget in my early days at He Cares. I was asked to distribute the snack in one Wednesday prayer meeting. Kuya Joe Dean told me to give one piece of bread for each when suddenly this boy– young and thin– asked me to give him two pieces of bread instead. I told him, “I’m sorry, but there’s only one bread for each.”  Suddenly, I realized that I was hit on my forehead with the bread, “Ayan! Iyo na yan! (There! That’s yours!)” I literally experienced “being thrown a bread.” Kuya Joe Dean approached the boy to correct him.

As I began working for He Cares longer, I got to know the background of this boy. He lived in the streets at a very young age. I discovered and witnessed how his mother beat him up not only physically but also emotionally by cursing him and saying a lot of negative things and bad words. His childhood was exposed to the ugliness of this world. Every time I saw him, I got intrigued by him. I saw anger and hatred in his eyes. Eventually, Kuya Joe Dean invited him in the household. I had seen him involved in a lot of fights with his fellow households. He was quiet, and he seldom mingled with others. He was also known for his arrogance and short temper. Deep inside, I wanted to reach out to him.

It was only last year when I had the chance to live with the household boys. As I began to see their daily routines, I observed that among the ten boys he was really the one most in need of attention and love. One day, during one of my prayer times I asked the Lord to teach me how to reach out to him. Then suddenly it popped out of my mind that I don’t need to do an extraordinary thing, but just treat him the way I will treat my own child. =) Hmmm… Why not? So I talked to Reggie, one of the household boys. I told him that we’d do an experiment. I explained to him why we had to do it, and so he agreed.

Every day, I started preparing his lunch and wrapped the spoon and fork with the tissue and put it in a nice brown bag with his name on it and. Reggie brought it to his school every day. Our challenge was he always forgot the tupperware or he would not clean it. So I told him to be mindful of his lunch box. I explained to some ate’s in the Center who are jokingly saying, “Mauubos lang lahat lalagyan dito“ that we have to be patient with him until he feels that we are sincere in caring for him by preparing food every day. In this way, he could really say we love him. 

True enough, after sometime of doing it one afternoon he approached and asked me, “Ate, ano ba ang pwede kong ibigay sa isang babae (What should I give to a woman?)”

I replied, “Give her something personal. It doesn’t matter how much it is as long it came from you.” =) 

For me, it was a big thing already because I know somehow he feels comfortable with me and that he can trust me. The next thing I know, he asked me again what he can use on his face because he is prone to pimples. So I provided him with oatmeal. I told him that he can put oatmeal on his face every night to absorb the oil. The next day, I demonstrated one by one to some boys on how to apply it. That became our bonding times. For sometime, I prepared their oatmeal, and they put it on their faces every night.

Now I could say, this boy who was once angry and bitter with no emotions was now somehow sweet, thoughtful and loving. His name is Ian Maritana. He is still a work in progress, I may say, trying to change his ways and do good. 

Because of this experience, I realized three ingredients in winning one’s soul. First is TIME. You need to give time to someone who is deprived of attention. Second is SINCERITY. One has to feel genuine care and help from you before you can penetrate his heart. Third and the most important thing is LOVE. When you learn to love the person, everything can be possible. Only love drives me to take time to care and help him. And only by our love that Ian opened up himself to the possibility that life in spite of its ugly past can also be very beautiful specially if there are people who are willing to embrace him. I have learned to know this language of love because of him. 

Thank you, Lord, for using this opportunity to grow in my love for YOU. True enough, love conquers all.

Monthly Evaluation by Sis. Ardis Sola

We do a monthly evaluation of our programs with a number of volunteers every last Saturday of each month. During this time, each one is asked how he or she feels about his or her service, what the problem areas are, and what can be done with them. Feelings range from one of inadequacy to one of joy for the privilege of serving.  

I listen attentively and keep a mental note of everything that can be used to improve the mission.  Yesterday, being the last Saturday of July, we gathered again and evaluated ourselves.  As usual, a lot of time was spent pointing out concerns from the kitchen to the choice of songs, to the character module, to the hygiene, and what-have-you. After the first round of sharing, it was time to hear our voices that uttered praise and thanksgiving to our Lord for being the Lord of the mission.

I went home and immediately wrote down all that transpired during the evaluation. And as I was doing this, I was reminded of the verse in Acts 11:21, “The hand of the Lord was with them and a great number who believed turned to the Lord.” I remained quiet because I knew that the Lord was telling me something important. He said that our hands might be too short and limited to reach out to everyone, but His hand is with us; therefore, great things happen. Yes, the kitchen might be in a mess, but still we fed everyone because His hand blessed our work. Yes, the character lessons were hardly understood, but the children’s lives would be changed by these lessons because He would bless them. In simple and clear words, the Lord is the Finisher of our faith which is expressed in our service.  

At the end of my conversation with the Lord, He assured me that He is pleased with everything that we are doing at He Cares. In fact, He loves to dwell in it because it is a place where His love is the moving force behind everyone’s actions.

Perfect Love Casts Out All Fear

Perfect Love Casts Out All Fear by Tina Alejandro

This verse from 1 John 4:18 sums up my early days serving the children in He Cares Foundation. 

It all started one day when my friend in deep financial and spiritual need approached me for help.  I was overwhelmed by her concern and didn't know what I could do.  Slowly through mega doses of divine inspiration, I helped her find work that sustained her whole family.

This experience gave me an indescribable joy at what God did through me despite my various limitations.  This was only the start.

During this time, whenever I read the Bible, many times the Lord made words about serving the poor jump out at me and strike my heart.  I could not ignore it, but I couldn't understand it either.  I asked the Lord several times what this was all about.

Then I was given the chance to visit relatives in Australia.  One morning before boarding a train to do some sightseeing, I prayed that I be used by God in some way. A pretty lady suddenly talked to me and asked where I was from. She and I started to have a chat, and then after the ride we parted our separate ways. All I found out was that she’s a Christian.

The day went on and we boarded a train in another location.  Though Melbourne is not a small city, that same lady, out of so many different train carriages and schedules once again boarded the same train I was in. Both of us got flabbergasted at the coincidence! 

At once, I knew in my heart this was a divine appointment and that the Lord was doing something. She and I talked some more and though I can't remember everything we talked about, I remember her saying "Is it true that children beg in your streets?  I want to go and serve the children." 

I saw in her eyes, for the very first time in my life, how very wrong that was. Growing up surrounded by poverty in Manila, I was desensitized to the children tapping at car windows and selling sampaguita. She who lived so far away wanted to serve the children when I never thought of doing that. 

I came home a different person, but I was replete with fear. I was afraid to go to slum areas. I was afraid to talk to a street person. I was afraid of being mobbed or taken advantage of. I was simply afraid of the unknown.

But I asked the Lord for grace and for His love for the poor to fill my heart.  That my heart be closer to His heart. God is good because He replaced bits of fear with bits of love, and little by little I was able to have more opportunities to serve the poor, His more treasured people.

I know that they and I are the same.  I could be them; they could be me. They are God's family. They are not the poor but they are my family. I must do everything I can for them to see their worth in God's eyes. That they are His treasured possession and that His will for them is abundance and fullness of life.

These days, it is only through God's grace and mercy that I am able to serve and be filled with more joy than I can ever imagine. When I visit their homes, talk to them, laugh with them and get surrounded by them, I know I am at the center of God's perfect love.

A Gesture of Assurance by Sis. Ardis Sola

Every time our family goes out for an outing, the first thing I pack is the medicine bag. I make a mental list of each body part and the possible sicknesses that can occur. I carry a paracetamol for headache, an eye drop for itchy eyes, an ear drop for painful ears, a nasal spray for rhinitis, a lip balm for windburn, tablets for upset stomach, diarrhea, allergies, nausea, tooth ache, back pain, etc.  How about some  ointment for burns and wounds? And different plastic strips and gauzes. Don’t forget the nebulizer and the nebules. I stop only when I am satisfied that I have covered every possibility. But my greatest assurance comes from prayer. After packing everything, I go to my room and pray with confidence to our Lord who sits at the right side of the Father interceding for all those who believe in Him. 

I guess it’s basic human need to be assured and reassured.  Even couples who have been married for 30 plus years would still appreciate a word or a gesture of assurance from each other.  Every relationship will surely blossom if the parties involved feel secured by the love of the other. We, who are believers of Christ, have every reason to celebrate. Why?  Because our Lord promises us several times in the Scripture that He will be with us until the end of age.  And as if His words are not enough, He even gives us the Holy Spirit to guide us.  Enjoy this wonderful truth that we have a Lover, Friend, and Brother who will stick with us through thick and thin.

Christmas Party - December 2010

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Faithful Servant by Sis. Ardis Sola

The corporate world does not have any room for weaklings. In fact, if you want to climb the ladder of corporate success, you should always show your strengths.  One must be careful not to show any sign of weakness, so it is not surprising anymore that a lot of our corporate men and women suffer from stress and hypertension.  

I remember that night in 1994 when I talked with my parents about my decision to leave my secular job at a government agency. I assured them that my new job as a missionary is the happiest job on earth. My Boss loves me and is crazy about me, including all my weaknesses. In fact, my Boss says, “It is when you are weak that I am strong.” This means that He uses my weaknesses to make things great. Besides, I do not have to kill myself trying to climb the ladder of success. Why? Because my Boss does not care about success. What is important to Him is my faithfulness. He says, “Well done, good and FAITHFUL servant.” 

I will be on my 15th year of working for this great BOSS.  And each day of these 15 years has been a day of learning and listening to His voice.

Potter and Clay by Sis. Ardis Sola

“I am the potter, and you are the clay.”

My family and I visited Ilocos Sur almost 10 years ago.  We went to a pottery shop where we saw how a clay jar was made.  Most of the shops were situated in the backyard. Nothing fancy except for the potter’s stool and a basin of clay. In fact, there were quite a few farm animals playing in the mud beside the workplace. The potter began by getting a handful of clay.  He molded the clay firmly, but gently, in his hands.  His every move was so exact.    His eyes were glued to his work that he did not even look up when we greeted him.  When it finally looked perfect to him, he put his masterpiece down and stared at it. We moved to another shop next door which was more “high standard.” It had a well-defined workplace, display shelves, and a reception area. Then there was the potter busy with his clay in one corner.  I saw the same passion and intensity in the eyes and hands of the second potter which was present in the first potter.  I realized then that the most important for the potter was the clay in his hands. It did not matter to both potters what kind of physical environment they were in. 

Having seen and experienced the relationship between the potter and the clay, this verse has become one of my favorites.  Jesus works exactly the same way.  He molds us with utmost care and gentleness.  He does not give us an anything which will break us apart.  He has a pretty good idea what He wants us  to become. He works in our lives no matter what our life situation is. We might be in a mess or doing okay.   He loves us  100%. Nothing can distract Him from pursuing His plans for us.