God's Blessing to the Poor

Happy Kids Eating

Elaiza, youngest in the Household Girls

LENT: Love Equals Necessary Time

By Leeanne Sy

It was a sunny Saturday morning. I got off early at the Lung Center and walked all the way to Quezon City Memorial Circle for my weekend exercise. For a few moments, I got scared of all sorts of people I met, but I had God’s words to accompany me: “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for the Lord is with me: Thy rod and Thy staff comfort me.” (Psalm 23:4) “Why am I doing this again instead of just getting off in front of City Hall?” I asked myself. “Oh, yeah! Exercise!” was my obvious answer.

I anticipated not much physical exercise for the day since my friends and I went directly to the Circle, instead of spending some time at the He Cares Center to bathe the street kids as what we usually do. “It’s going to be an extraordinary Saturday,” I thought as I brewed up a successful birthday celebration of a sister in the community (Mercy) and another memorable Saturday morning in my overimaginative mind.

          “Wow, I had no idea that the walk was quite far, especially if one hadn’t eaten her breakfast yet and lacked sleep from her insomnia attack (I had to defrag my laptop the night before) and overexcitement.” I took the underpass and crossed from the City Hall to the Circle. By the time I reached my destination, I experienced hunger pangs. I then saw my friend waiting for me in one of the benches. Much as I wanted to jog around the park, I simply had no energy.

Ate Myee and I started surveying the stalls for what could be our breakfast. Everything looked delectable to my eyes. I ordered squid, tofu, and rice, and downed the meal with coconut juice. “You’re not hungry, huh?” my friend told me. She couldn’t believe that a lean woman like me could eat like a horse. I finished my food all right, but I didn’t like my squid or tofu. So much for trying to be semi-vegetarian (no meat for me for more than 40 days) for the Lenten Season! Well, at least my stomach was not complaining anymore.

          We reached the badminton court at past 8AM. “How come there are still other people playing in the court?” my friend and I wondered. They were supposed to be here to set up already. When she called up Daryl, we learned that the program wouldn’t start until 9AM, so we waited for our other friend (Rhona), who also brought along her housemate (Gurlay). I took some shots of the place, but my mind was bored, aching for something more productive to do.

          When I went inside Tropical Hut to use the comfort room, I accidentally saw Auntie Lyn (my friend from the Awesome Kids Ministry and a relatively new member of the Light of Jesus Family) and her CG (Care Group) member. It would be their first time to serve at He Cares. Auntie Lyn related her encounter with an American who spent several years at the park. He didn’t ask for alms but for a job, but Auntie Lyn showered him with her deed of mercy for the day when she gave him breakfast. She contemplated on sending him to Anawim (home for the abandoned elderly), but he declined because he has a lot of friends at the park.

          Ate Myee and the rest of the gang fetched us from the fastfood restaurant, and we marched all the way to the new venue, the park. By the time we reached the area, which happened to be at the opposite side, I was dog tired. My tiredness was eased when I saw Jasmine (a scholar of the He Cares Foundation) happy to see me, and she even gave me a kiss. She asked me to play badminton with her. I found myself answering, “Okay!” The other kids also greeted me with their warm smiles. “I told you I’m going to have a great day!” I told myself.

I didn’t know where I got all the energy to play with the kids, but I managed to play badminton, volleyball, and dodge ball with them. I had the time of my life when I exuded Christ’s love by spending quality time with the kids, despite my physical and mental tiredness. I realized for the umpteenth time what love is all about. Love is not meant for the lazy, fearful, and nonchalant but for those who can allot necessary time to the people who matter in their lives.

God's Poor Needs Me to Care

 By Leeanne Sy

“Cast all your anxieties on Him because He cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7)

I first read this verse not from the Bible since I only finished reading the Scripture when I was in my late 20s. I caught a glimpse of it somewhere in my old house almost 15 years ago. I diligently copied it since I liked copying quotes and inspirational messages as a child (and I still do), put some designs for art’s sake, and memorized the Scripture by heart in no time. Having been a worrywart, I posted it on the wall beside my bed where I would always see it to remind me to put all my apprehensions before the Lord. It worked for my insomnia then.

        Fifteen years later, I didn’t know that the same verse would lead me to my second ministry (my first has something to do with kids — my first love; hence, I joined the Awesome Kids Ministry more than three years ago) in my second community (my first was the Servants of the Lord’s Vineyard in Don Bosco, Makati which was introduced to me by a friend just before I graduated from college).

        How I joined the He Cares Ministry is not as melodramatic as how I joined the Awesome Kids Ministry. Nobody died (my favorite grandmother died before I joined the AKM which plunged me into depression); no heart was broken (my heart was shattered into a million pieces after two consecutive failed relationships before I joined the AKM); and no calling from God transpired (I heard God’s voice as I passed by the Angono and Baras Rooms back in Valle Verde Country Club on my way to the water closet). There was only the familiar face of depression which popped its ugly head in front of me (I felt sorry for myself and disillusioned for the umpteenth time because things didn’t go my way as what usually happens, and my melancholic temperament had a hard time accepting that I should be okay despite that) and only a simple yet persistent invitation from a former care group member who eventually became my friend and confidant. Just as I said yes to God’s calling to serve at the Awesome Kids Ministry, I finally said yes to my friend’s unwavering invite a week after the Leaders’ Gathering titled Huddle on the last Saturday of January.

        As the love month ushered in, I found myself gradually falling in love with God’s poor instead of condemning or judging them for their poverty thinking and plight or fearing them because of my share of encounters with snatchers and charlatans who had very few opportunities.

I can still vividly remember my first day of serving and committing my 3 T’s (time, treasure, and talent) to God’s poor. Bro. Joe Dean and Sis. Ardis Sola received me and the other volunteers to the new center with open arms, just as Tito Tom and Tita Rita Yokingco welcomed me in the Awesome Kids Ministry without qualms. My friends and I were first oriented by Ate Brenda Deyto on what to expect, which worked well for an OC/obsessive compulsive like me, and given a choice on which part of the program to serve. I volunteered to serve in the hygiene area since I regard myself as a classic OC.

I can’t believe that the children can be so dirty. It’s as if dirt has been their constant playmate. It was a very humbling experience since my companions and I had to bend and kneel down just to scrub the children’s filthy bodies and feet. It’s like a reenactment of Jesus’ washing of the feet which transpires on Maundy Thursday. After bathing the kids, I still had the energy to help in the kitchen, serve the food to the kids and parents, and clear the tables. It was a Saturday morning replete with service.

After rubbing elbows with God’s poor, I saw the need for more servants at He Cares Foundation and contemplated on leaving my first ministry to focus on my new mission. It didn’t occur to me that I can actually do both and have very fruitful weekends in the process.

My friend was right. After my close encounter with the poor, I have no right to complain to God about my current plight at home. I am far blessed than my fellow brethren who live in the cruel streets of Quezon City.

        Two months after I said yes to God’s calling guised as my friend’s invite, I find myself looking forward to my Saturday mornings. Giving the children some bath is my only form of exercise now (aside from brisk walking), for I don’t get to jog or run every weekend morning anymore like I used to. I also gained some friends through the support group assigned to me. I thank God for anointing me to teach these children, touch their hearts, and transform their lives in my own little ways, just like St. Therese of the Child Jesus, Blessed Mother Teresa, and St. John Baptist de la Salle (patron saint of teachers) — my idols. I found my own Calcutta at He Cares.

        Caring for God’s poor is more than an outreach for me now. It has become my lifestyle. Goodbye to the nonchalant me! I also tend to forget about my obsessive compulsiveness whenever I’m at the center because I have to get my hands soiled once in a while. Indeed, God is using my weaknesses to advance His Kingdom on earth.

        The words of my RELSFOR (Religion 4 which inculcated social responsibility in my young mind) professor ring true more than ever now: “Live simply so that others may simply live.”