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| '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!
