We are preparing for the big mission that is coming to Borongan. 51 amazing, generous people are coming to help those in need here. There is so much excitement among the kids who cannot wait for our visitors to come. Truthfully, they are most looking forward to the pool party ;) Can you blame them? I heard that last year Auntie Rita bought 40 pizzas and 5 cakes!! The amount of love these children and sisters have for the missioners, especially those who have been coming here for many years, is massive!!
I have been helping to prepare for the mission. There are 4 major parts to it. The medical mission is connected with the hospital. The screening of patients is going on there and the Diocese of Borongan is aiding with that part. Then there is a dental mission. Four dentists are coming and, along with Sister Michelle who is a dentist as well, they will spend the first week of the mission doing dental work in the barrios, the second week they will be in the hospital. There is a construction mission as well. This team will be building homes for people as well as constructing a fence around the property of the charity village. Lastly, there is an outreach mission that will go into the barrios bringing food, clothing, eyeglasses, shoes and lots of love to the poor people living there.
On Monday we went to visit a woman who will be receiving a new home. Her name is Margarita and she is in her 70's. She had 5 children, but one of them died, leaving 2 children. Margarita cares for her children and grandchildren. Their home was ruined in Typhoon Ruby. It looks sort of like a wooden tent. Their kitchen is outside and they have no bathroom. 4 members of the family have to sleep outside. Margarita is a sweet woman with kind eyes. She has worked hard all of her life. Even now, she is a farmer, but her farm is on another property a distance from her home. She walks to her farm, crossing a river on foot back and forth to her home. The joy on her face when we told her she would be the recipient of a new home was absolutely beaming, brighter than the sun.
Later on Monday, we went to another barrio to see if we could deliver our water blessings there. Water With Blessings is a water filtration system. Currently, clean water is available in most places on the planet... at a price. The people I have met on my missionary work cannot afford to buy clean water. Most people in the barrios only eat one meal a day. All you need for the filtration system is a 5 gallon bucket and a filter. The filters are donated, sponsored by generous people all over the world. If you'd like more information on Water With Blessings, check out their site at www.waterwithblessings.org. We have about 80 filtration kits to donate to families. Fortunately, the beautiful barrio we went to on Monday has fresh spring water to drink that does not have to be boiled. So, we will visit some other barrios and find one that is need of the system. However, this barrio is still in need of help. It didn't take the Oikos Sisters long to realize this would be a perfect barrio to begin their FAITH (Food Always In The Home) and Piglet Recycling Livelihood Programs here. They are always, always on the lookout for those in need. Amazing!!
On Tuesday, I went with a team to the barrios we are going to do the dental mission and outreach feeding program in. We were doing screening for the dentists. We saw close to 100 people, the vast majority has never been to a dentist before. I was given the task of interviewing the people for their personal info... name, where they are from, have they ever been to a dentist, if so, what was done, etc. It was good to use my Waray waray and surprise the people who were wondering how they would talk to a English speaking woman!! Children, men and women lined up to be screened and were so grateful to us for coming. The team of 4 dentists will have their work cut out for them, that's for sure! But you can see the relief on their faces and almost see the words: We weren't forgotten... someone does care.
The countdown is on... February first the mission begins, and the excitement is electric in the air. As the days get closer, we are continuing to work to prepare, and the kids are working on their presentations for the mass and program for the missioners. And, as the days get closer, it is never far from my mind that my time here is almost up. The mix of sadness about leaving and joy to see my family and friends is dizzying. I will seep each moment of love and fun from this experience and carry it with me always no matter where God's path takes me. xxoo
