A COMMON GOAL – COMPASSION

“It is not by chance that we choose He Cares to be a beneficiary. I call this a serendipitous event. We are here because of a similar goal - COMPASSION. Compassion in Japanese Buddhism is ‘jihi’ composed of two Chinese characters, ji meaning to give happiness and ‘hi’ means to remove suffering. For Christians it is called LOVE.” - ITO Supporting Comity (ISC) chairperson shared during their visit at the He Cares Foundation center on September 18, 2013. 

COMPASSION. When they asked Bro Joe Dean Sola, founder of He Cares Foundation, what motivates him to pursue the mission work, his answer was simple. "I felt God loved me so much, and I can't contain it, I must share it with others also. It is our desire to help them get out of the street, therefore we dream of creating a building for the homeless street children and help them lessen their suffering, help them get out of poverty."  I guess a part of us also has this dream, right?

photo credits to Judith Enriquez

What is the reward? I was moved to tears as the Japanese guests shared their joyous encounter with the kids, especially the part where the kids welcomed them gladly with smiles and said 'mano po' (a Filipino gesture of respect, placing the hands of an elder to forehead of a young one).  Their reward was simple - the He Cares experience from the kids...a spark of  hope through their eyes...a simple song of thanksgiving AND.. dried mangoes (which is really a favorite Filipino pasalubong by Japanese)

As a volunteer, I realized something new that day. Compassion or Mercy is not exclusive to Christians alone, but we are united in God by virtues He planted in every human heart. God is behind everything and He uses different ways and people of different beliefs to express His love to His beloved children. God is a God of all. No more questions. No more motives. No religion. But LOVE.

May God continue to bless them and grant them so much Love that they may be filled and continue to pour out more to others. Through them, the face of Christ shines as they spread happiness and ease suffering. How great our God is -  He exists, lovingly in every good deed they do. Amen.

(ISC is an active social organization from Japan, supporting various humanitarian and international social organizations across the globe. Some of their activities include giving financial aid and support to programs like women in crisis, development programs for the poor,health, education and child welfare.)

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