My most meaningful Christmas ever!
Nov. 27, 2008 was the day we decided to be part of the regular outreach project of Tagumpay ng Panginoon Catholic Charismatic Organization at the Nuestra Senora De Guia Ermita Church. It involved feeding of and sharing the Gospel with street people.
But that day was special, we focused on treating about 25 street kids to a simple hot pasta and hotdog meal, gave them clothes, toys and art supplies.
For us who partake a decent 3 to 5 meals daily, this is no big deal. But to street people who struggle to have food on their plate daily, having this meal is a slice of heaven.
In my conversations with the kids, I found out that most or all of them live in the streets of Manila. They troop to Ermita Church every Thursday to hear God’s word, they sing and dance under the guidance of Tagumpay ng Panginoon members, volunteers and benefactors.
Some of the children as young as 4 years old came from as far as Juan Luna in Tondo, they walk barefoot (because they can’t afford to buy slippers) every Thursday to attend the service.
You should see the sparkle in their eyes as they saw our simple tokens unravelled one by one.
In my own little way, I shared with the children the value of family, respect and doing good even in the face of poverty that were experiencing, I told them not to lose hope, try to find honest ways to earn and above all, to always trust the Lord and that their lives would someday improve. My wife who is a Registered Nurse shared her thoughts on responsible parenthood and family planning to the mothers who accompanied the children (there were mothers barely 22 years old with three kids in tow).
This may be our own simple way of reaching out and touching the hearts of these people, but if this is replicated every month by kind benefactors, it would go a long way.
We chose to make the children happy because we believe that Christmas is really for kids, they should be the first people to feel and experience love and happiness during this season.
Incidentally, that day was my brother’s birthday.
The children sang for him, and immediately his heart melted like M&Ms. It was like hearing the voices of these “angels” in our midst, who needed kind and generous benefactors so they would grow up to be loving, caring and successful individuals, because after all they are our hope for a better generation ahead.
This is one Christmas story I will never forget for as long as I live.
God Bless!
Tags: christmas
