When we arrived I was a little bit surprised with the situation, but it didn’t become a hindrance for me to do the task that I received from above. As we start our visitation in every house, I saw the faces of my brothers and sisters who need a helping hand. They are experiencing great poverty, suffering, hunger and trials. I saw in their eyes and faces a deep sorrow, sadness and pain. It made me realize how blessed and lucky we are in our community.

I saw not only the hunger and thirst for food and water, I saw also a great hunger and thirst in spirituality. Night came and I was hoping and praying that tomorrow (Thursday), we could do something for them, even some small thing: to tell them that the Lord cares and loves them so much; to let them feel that they are still important; to put smiles on their faces. I know that with their situation it is quite hard to smile even for a while and I hope that we could give them food for their spirituality.

On this day many things happened. Every time I saw a face with the beautiful smile, especially the children and the old people, it really gave me joy and happiness. I enjoyed seeing myself serving them. On that day also I said to myself that I will try to find the face of Jesus Christ and I will serve Him. I may not know Him there but I will try my best to serve them, and maybe one of them that I will serve is He.

As the time goes by there are times also I feel sad when I see the faces which are not yet satisfied, and there is nothing anymore I can give or do and I am disappointed with myself. Sometimes I am also angry with myself when I have a good intention but do the wrong thing. However I’m still very thankful because I am not alone. My brothers and sisters are at my side whom I can lean upon when I’m in trouble. They encourage me to continue when I lose my hope.

On that day I don’t feel very tired or hungry because I love what I am doing, assisting my brothers and sisters in serving and in other things. I’m enjoying my work and don’t feel bored. There are times I become animator, guard, controller, assistant, washer, manicurist, “taga-egib” at tagalog, “hehehe.” I feel I can do everything except speak in front of everyone, my weakness that I suffer a lot.

Then during lunch time I find it so difficult to put even one teaspoon of food in my mouth seeing those people who are still hungry and not yet eating. That’s why I choose to give my lunch to them hoping it may ease the hunger they feel.

While going to our base, I am sitting with a child on the seashore when I see the slipper of a sister fall in the water, as she was getting inside the boat and the slipper floating far away. So I didn’t hesitate to get it. I don’t mind if I will get wet as long as I could get it. After I remember that I have camera inside my pocket and it got wet. My big problem was that camera is not mine; because of my strong focus to help others I forgot. I realized once you forget yourself you will see more the needs of others. After that day I was satisfied even with the little things we did. We became part of their life on that day. I hope that it reminds them that the good Lord always loves and cares for them.

On this day I am very confident because I know that the good Lord will be always on our side.

After the breakfast we pray together and start going to the mountains, but before that I pray also to Jesus to bless every step we will take. Then I make agreement with Br. Robert that we will do something. He will stay in the front of the group and me at the back of the group. So that whoever needs help in the front he could assist, and I at the back to make sure that everyone goes forward and to have a companion if ever someone is lost or needs help.

However when the journey is getting long, I’m getting bored at the back, especially seeing others already on the top running and shouting, and I am still on the foot of the mountain following those people who walk slowly and carefully. But I don’t have a choice; that is my task to stay at the back.

But when the problems, difficulties and trials come to some member of the group it reminds me that it is better to stay in the back than in the front because the person at the back sees more of what is happening in the group than the person in the front. I realized also when you try to be the first always; you will have no time to look at the back. Many things you will miss you will not be able to help others when you are a head of them.

I know that we are not happy every time we see people who need help, but we are happy every time we were able to help the person who needs a helping hand.

Even though the distance is still far I don’t feel tired for the strength I have comes from the good Lord our God who strengthens me and because of Him I am still moving.

When we arrived in the place where the Mangyan are living, we slowly start working. I also enjoy relating with them, serving and helping my brothers and sisters. We ended our service with the Mass and we slowly went back to our base.

I am very happy for the reason that we were able to serve the people of God with unity, cooperation and love. Even with many shortcomings, I understand because it is part of our life. Going back home in a small boat little by little the waves of the sea became bigger and some water getting inside the boat. Then I saw fear in the eyes and faces of my brothers and sisters. But I didn’t feel any fear at that moment. I am calm just sleeping, praying and smiling not because I know how to swim, but because of Jesus. I surrender my life and spirit into His hands; whatever may happen I know I am in the right hands. “God’s will be done.”

-It is not important how many good gifts you gave; the most important is how many things you gave with love and care.

-I realized there is nothing I can do without the strength and grace that came from above.

-Problems, trials, troubles and suffering are just a gift that makes your journey wonderful and challenging.

-It is not important how clean you are in the eyes of the people; the most important is how clean is your mind and heart in the eyes of God.

-People may not thank you or reward you for what you did. But if Jesus is the reason why you are serving you have received a great reward in heaven.

-All the time worship, praise and thank GOD.