This trip is one of the most unforgettable experiences in my life! From now on, the poor will always be the reference point in my decision-making.
In Singapore the poor are few. In Payatas, the poor make up the majority. They are everywhere. I lived with them. I experienced the way they live. I see the poor helping other poor. They have inspired me in such a powerful way, as a person, as a Christian. Before I did not really have a Cross to carry or rather I abandoned my Cross. But now I will carry the same Cross that the poor have to carry everyday and I know Jesus will give me the strength to carry it because he has given the poor the strength to carry their Cross.
When I see the kids in Payatas and their situation I feel sad, even helpless. When the day ends, I return to Erap City, Montalban. I like to spend time on the roof top of the school. I can see all around. I can see the mountains and the rice fields. And the stars shine so brightly in the dark sky. I am filled with awe. It’s just me and God on that rooftop. I can almost hear him say, “Don’t despair. I am your fortress. I am your refuge. Trust in me.”
Before this trip I never knew what it means to have a community. In the past I felt alone in the world and don’t really have friends or even family members to talk to and share with. My experience living as a community with the mission team has taught me to open up to the people around me. We talk, we share and we laugh together. I learn to laugh at myself too. We do things together and for each other, like cooking and washing clothes. We have dinner together at the dining table. This is something I don’t experience at home. I treasure the meals we cook and have together. I look forward to every evening when we gather to pray and sing as one. When I return back to Singapore, I want to continue this way of being a community.
I learnt something valuable from this mission trip. “You can’t change the world but you can change yourself.” I’ve always tried to convince others to change for the better and make them see their own weaknesses and it never occurred to me that I was not perfect either. I realize – I have to start by changing myself for the better – I have to help myself before I can help others.
My experience in Payatas has taught me to be humble and I’m just happy to be wearing the simple plain clothes I have. I have learnt graciousness and to be contented with what I have by accepting and appreciating what I have been given and not expect anything more. I now appreciate any meal that I get and plain water to drink.
I experienced Christ though his people in Payatas by how they made me feel. I felt that he would be there for me when I needed him and that he can be found in the most unexpected places. His people are a people of love and I should love them like how they love me – which is how God loves all of us.
Every day we would join in the classes to interact with the children and help the teachers. We also conducted Children’s Liturgy. We shared stories from the Bible and had activities based on the story. We also conducted basic emotion workshop for the afternoon session. Sometimes I was faced with difficulty like disruptive kids and was disheartened when I felt the children have not learnt anything. But God works in wonderous ways and his love knows no limits. One day one boy came to school and told us that after our Children’s Liturgy he went back and got his father to pray with him. Being with the children every day, I also got to know almost every child by name and know each of their personalities and character.
Coming home was one of the hardest things to do. It was a day of mixed emotions. I was happy to be coming home but also was sad to leave and know that I would miss everything and everyone. I even had a few thoughts of staying and not coming back. I was especially moved when Roman, the most “notorious” boy in school, said: “Thank you because you made us happy.”
The Acts29 5th anniversary Eucharist we had the day after I returned from the mission trip was very meaningful. The Gospel was about Jesus sending out the 72. And the cards Acts29 gave out to everyone really inspired me as it was a summary of my experiences.
“You are concerned about the hungry world…and you ask what can one do?” Feed one. - I experienced this when I saw our on going food project and feeding the children some of whom have only one meal a day which is provided by the school.
“You’re haunted by homeless souls who wander the streets… and you ask what can one do?” Shelter one. - I experienced this when I heard the story of Joshua and Principal Letty’s offer for him to live in the school.
“Your heart aches for the lonely, abused… and you ask what can one do?” Love one. - I experienced this when I heard the stories of the children, some of which have been posted on the blog, and I reached out to the children and try to give them some love and attention. |
