Publisher's Note

Publisher’s Note
It was 22 years ago when I arrived in Canada and chose Calgary, Alberta to be my home. Leaving my family and friends behind, it was a new adventure for me to be in a new country without knowing anyone. That was the time I looked for a Filipino community paper and never found any, [...]
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Page added on March 17, 2010

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Remember your humble beginning…

By Pastor Nilo Briones from Jesus Word of Life International Fellowship

A friend of mine has forwarded me this e-mail about the testimony of a young man who was diagnosed with a possible heart enlargement. He has been following a strict regimen of physical exercises. He jogs during weekdays and takes long-ride mount bikes every Sunday. One day, while he was on his way to the mountains of Busay (Cebu), he encountered a heartbreaking scene that changed him. While refreshing with a sip of juice and bananas in a carinderia, he noticed three children across the street busily searching a garbage area – young “basureros!” He hates basureros because for lots of time he was a victim in the past by these people who pretend to be collecting garbage but instead end up eating the neighbor’s kalderos. He came to know from the carinderia owner that the children were from a good family. Both parents were working before until their father had a stroke 3 years ago and became paralyzed while their mother died of heart attack as their father was still confined in the hospital. Since the catastrophe happened, the children became basureros to meet their daily needs and the cost of their father’s medication. Deeply moved by what he heard, he went to a nearby bakery and bought 20 pesos of bread and gave it to the children who initially refused. “Sige lang po, salamat na lang, bibili na lang po kami mamaya kung makabenta na kami,” the young girl said to him. He explained to them that they needed to go home because it was starting to rain, “Nasanay na po kami,” the girl answered further. Again, he explained that the rain could make them sick and there’ll be no one to take care of their father. Upon mention of their father, they nodded and accepted the bread, but the man noticed that the older boy did not eat. When he asked the boy if he does not like the kind of bread he bought for them, he smiled and as he was about to explain, the little girl interrupted, “Linggo po kasi ngayon, pag Sabado at Linggo hapon lang po siya kumakain, kami lang po ang kumakakin ng agahan pero di na po kami kakain pagdating ng hapon si kuya na lang po. Pero pag Lunes hanggang Biyernes, kasi may pasok, si kuya lang po ang nag-aagahan, kami naman hapunan lang. Pero kung marami kaming benta, kami pong lahat (kumakain),” she continued. “Bakit hindi n’yo na lang hati-hatiin ang pagkain kahit kakaunti para makakain kayong lahat?” he countered. The young girl reasoned out that their father wanted her older brother to come to school with a full stomach so he can easily catch up on the teacher’s lessons. “Pag nagkatrabaho na si kuya, hihinto na kami sa pamamasura, first honor kasi siya,” the little boy added proudly. The man almost broke into tears but he tried to control his emotion. He was impressed by the positive outlook and courage of the young children, which he believed could change their present situation someday. Though there is one thing that they could never change anymore, and that is their being motherless. They can no longer feel the sweet embrace and love of their mother. He reached into his pocket and handed them his last 100 peso bill which was reserve for his bowling tournament. This time they refused strongly, but he jokingly said to the girl that he’ll get upset if they will not take it. She gratefully smiled as she extended her hand to take the money. “Salamat po, makakabili na kami ng gamot ni papa,” she uttered. His meeting with those young basureros made him appreciate the essence of giving and sharing which lighten the burdens of life. In them, he learned that even the darkest side of life cannot change the beauty of one’s heart. Those three children, who can infrequently partake of three meals a day, were still able to hold on to what they believe was right. What a contrast to many of us who are quick to point to our misfortunes to justify acts of impropriety. In them, he had learned to hope for deliverance even when things seem to go the other way. Lastly, he knew that God cares for them. That while He may have allowed them to suffer such a terrible life, which our finite minds cannot comprehend, His boundless love will surely see them through. And in God’s own time, they will prevail for His mercy endures foreover!

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Jesus Word of Life International Fellowship presently congregates in North East Bible Church at #175 Whitefield Drive NE, Calgary (nearby Whitehorn C-train station). Every Saturday, we have Bible studies (4:30 – 5:30 p.m.) for children/youth/adult followed by a worship service (6:00 – 7:30 p.m.). If you are troubled with a burden and you need to be prayed upon, please do not hesitate to contact Pastor Nilo at (403) 973-0623 or e-mail at [email protected].

Remember your humble beginning…

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