So... IMMERSION!! WOW! What an amazing experience!! We went into a small village, or barrio on Friday in Salcedo near the other barrios that we have the Livelihood Programs in. This barrio has about 115 families that we helped. The mission team consisted of the 5 sisters, one of the moms, Leah, me, about 8 scholars, 8 men, 2 doctors and a priest. Not knowing what really to expect, it was a very eye-opening experience for me on how to truly live the Gospel and really help people in every aspect of their lives.
Living in this barrio for 3 days, I got to really experience their lives on a very small scale. Most of the people here get their livelihoods from fishing. However, since the Typhoon a few years ago, many people had their fishing gear destroyed and have been unable to replace them. There was a charity that came to this barrio to build a health clinic and replace some of the homes and give fishing equipment to families, but only about 15 of the 115 families living here were helped. To give you a little insight into their daily lives, these people live in a village right on the ocean. Of that I was glad because of the beautiful breeze that came from the sea all weekend. They get up in the mornings and usually have no food for breakfast, possibly some food left over from the night before or possibly some bread, but usually nothing. The children receive lunch at school, but for the adults, there is no food usually for lunch besides food grown in the garden. Dinner is the only sure meal each family has each day. Their village, despite being extremely poor, is very clean and the people work hard to keep it so. They are about a 20 minute drive to the city of Salcedo, but it is a bumpy, bumpy, ridiculously bumpy ride!! However, most people have to walk there anyways. The elementary school is right in their barrio, so that is great, but many kids do not go beyond that. One of the things the sisters did was to make a list of the kids who would like to be included as an Oikos Scholar and g to high school and college. Many wanted to do so!! I hope we can find good sponsors for them!!
Upon arrival to the barrio, we had prayers and lunch. We walked around the village, seeing the sights there and familiarizing ourselves with the town. I shocked quite a few people with my ability to communicate a little in waraywaray!! That's always fun! After lunch, we unpacked and got ourselves situated. We had to build a make-shift kitchen outside and set that all up. I was on the kitchen team. Never cooked dinner for 250 people using an open fire pit before with utensils so big the Jolly Green Giant could have used them!! Another thing to add to my resume!!! I had fun preparing food with my team, and learning the rustic side of catering!! No sanitation buckets here!! When in Rome...
When we got all set up, we rang the church bell and gathered the people, introduced ourselves and told them what they could expect this weekend: Prayers, food, dental care, medical care, mass, bible sharing, catechism for the kids, singing, movies and lots of help and love! The people were so grateful and greeted us with open arms. As we prepared dinner, the scholars sang action songs with the people and got them all moving and excited. I felt a little reluctant about doing the action songs, or animations as they call them here, but after a while, I have found it fun to participate in them and just have fun! In the evening, we showed a movie about a saint... I can't recall his name, but he was known as the reluctant saint, and fed the people a snack of chocolate porridge. Sounds weird, but it is good... sort of like warm chocolate rice pudding.
The sisters and I along with Leah slept in the health clinic. It is a nice new building with a good bathroom and lots of space on the floor for our sleeping mats. I was told that this was a "cushy" immersion, that they have pitched tents before or slept in run-down abandoned homes. I definitely would have slept wherever... and might still for I have been told we will do another immersion before February, but I was pretty happy with the setup!! We even had fans... thank you, Lord!! In the evenings, people brought us bananas, papayas and mangos as thank you gifts. Sweet!!
Saturday began bright and early with preparing breakfast for the team. We had a lively charismatic morning prayer, which was absolutely beautiful. Then the day began with food preparation for lunch, a bible sharing and reflection for the parents and catechist classes and games with the kids all at the same time. I snuck into the catechism class for a while after my work was done. The scholars were teaching the kids the Beatitudes using puppets! Super cute!! Then we had a snack and sang songs. I even led a couple of songs! After that, the kids got new clothes and sandals. They were so excited!!
We gathered in the church for lunch, then we gave clothes to the parents and teens. It was pretty funny! They gathered all the dads, then laid a lot of clothes in front of them. Each man had 5 or so seconds to go through the clothes and pick out whatever they wanted. It was like a game show! Then they did the same for the moms and the teens. We gave each family bags of rice, sugar, pasta, canned meat, coffee and candies. I was so lucky to be the one to hand out the sacks to the families as they were called up to receive theirs. Then we had a little break and I got in a 30 min nap... totally needed it!!
In the evening, the town had a special celebration planned and we were invited to come. So I went with Sister Ethel and a bunch of the scholars. We danced the cha-cha and the karatcha for quite a few hours!! Sunday started early with food preparation again. We had mass and served lunch. After that, the medical and dental missions began. I was on the registration team and always had kids around me asking tons of question between greeting people wanting to see the doctor or dentist. We brought boxes and boxes of donated and purchased medications and vitamins with us. After that, we gathered our things and went home. I slept the whole way home, about 2 hours!!
How amazing is it that these 5 little sisters can do so much for people suffering and feeling forgotten??!? The Holy Spirit is definitely alive and well within the Oikos Community and they just tap into His lifeline and go where He guides. I have never seen the kind of giving and praying, the selflessness and joy in serving others before that I see here. And to so many people! They have done this 6 times before and have no intention of stopping. But it is not only the sisters... they have generous helpers in the US, particularly in the Joliet Diocese in Illinois, and in France and I am sure in many other places. People who give generously of their time, their treasure and their prayers. All are needed!!
Below are some of my pictures from the immersion. I will never, ever forget this experience and am looking forward to the next!! Today is a rest day, thank the Lord!! And this week is one of pleasure as there is a break from school. We will be swimming in the ocean and going on outings. I am sure it will be fun, fun, fun!! Keep up the prayers... and fyi... www.poorhouseholdofgod.org just incase you were looking to be included in the Oikos Family of giving and loving others!! xxoo
