2 PIECES OF CHOCO WAFER

'I was hungry and you gave me something to eat.'- Matthew25:35

This happened over a year ago-It was my first time to join a regular street mission activity of my friends in Pasay. It is their late afternoon activity after the PICC Feast. They offer not just food, but friendship and God's consolation.

Since it rained that day, my friends decided to visit streetfriends in their (I cannot very well define it) but its a home or an area where they rest. They live in an identified environment of high social stature - like almost beside the lobby of Traders Hotel, CCP grounds, along the gates of PICC and below a bridge which served as roof near World Trade Center.  Streetfriends are very simple people, yet a life of poverty , makes their situation worst. Looking at them, I felt pity. That surge of emotion which says, "kawawa naman sila" (poor them).

Everytime we visit another home, I felt more and more hungry...even thirsty.(the fact that it was already past dinner time) I was a mere observer but not quiet.I expressed my sentiment of exhaustion from that long walk under the rain, feeling of pity and HUNGER.

One person frrom the group (I can't consider him a total stranger, but neither a friend yet), he gave me 2 pieces of Choco Nissin Wafer and told me, 'Dont let them see you eat or else they might even beg that out of you.' I never hesitated the offer eventhough I felt inconsiderate of my companions.How could I, I was honestly hungry!

(note: choco nissin wafer is actually my "hungry food". I always have a pack at home, office and especially during travel. Something to eat, or give away when someone asks, or share to a stranger on a bus ride. I always make sure I have a biscuit ir a wafer in my bag for hyperacidity. But none that day)

While my friends are busy ministering, I opened one and slipped the other on my bag, then ate at a "shadowed area". I had only a few munches and yes, that mere stranger was right. A kid beg the rest. Maybe, he thought what I am eating was more special. (I guess, indeed!) It may never  had made me feel physically full, but it made me smile. My soul was fed by a mere gesture of kindness.

Not long after that, we had dinner :)

The following day at the office, I told myself, 'I'll never eat you (wafer) unless I'm really really hungry'. But alas! A cat or maybe a rat ate it! Oh well, maybe they need it , more than I do.

Still, I reflected... that night, he gave more than 2 pieces of choco wafer. He gave me a taste of an understanding on compassion.'How can I ever repay him?' I don't know if he needed anything, with all the gratefulness I felt, I wanted to be an angel for that person. I can never offer him enough but friendship, prayers to protect his good soul and a smile.

 I am blessed to have him as one of my great friends today. There may be times when things seems harsh, but I am always lead back to this very day. 'I was hungry and he gave me two pieces of choco nissin wafer to eat. That's Kindness.' My friend, I can never thank you enough. =)

SIMPLY GIVE...Unknowingly, you're being an angel in human disguise for that person. It may be little giving for you, but for the heart of the one who receives compassion...little is not even a word.

 God bless you! 

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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