Even in the missions, rest time is recognized as a requirement for productive and successful output of services. There are many instances in the bible where Jesus went off to rest in between His work and travel throughout the Holy Land. Not only does it give you a breather, but it also reenergizes you for the work to come. This weekend the Oikos Community took such a breather, and it was fun!!
The Sisters call it bonding time... a time to rest, play and laugh with each other, to pray together and to strengthen relationships. On October 30th, the whole Oikos Family went to a beach in Lalawigan, where one of the benefactors of the Oikos Mission has a cottage. So many people came, bringing games and food...oh my, we had so much food!! We swam in the ocean, walked on the beach and ate crabs, labulabu (a delicious fish), rice, of course, chicken, a roasted pig and so much more!! The kids were so fun in the water... I spent most of my time there!! :) Some of the college students organized beach games, we sang songs and ate cake as well! What a fun day!!
On the following day, the Oikos Sisters together with some of the young children, Dr. Vic and Mary Jane Trinkus and I went to a beach in the far north town of Oras and stayed overnight at a resort. It was a simple place where we rented two rooms that each had a small kitchen, a pretty large bedroom and a sitting room. Right on the beach, the sound of the waves lapping at the beach was heavenly. Even though it rained a little, we played in the ocean with the Sisters and the kids like we were kids ourselves!! The ocean here around Borongan does not have big waves like beaches I've been to on the Atlantic Coast of America. Here the waves are little and slow...it makes floating on the water almost therapeutic!! And no surfers to interrupt the fun...sorry you surfers out there!! Not too far from where we were playing, fishermen were working to provide for their families, although the laughter ringing out from us might have been an annoyance to them!!
In the evening we had bonding time with the Sisters. Telling stories and laughing, talking about things that are going on and things we wish to happen...it was a special time. The Diocese of Borongan has allocated several mission homes to the Oikos Sisters for their work, and each of the Sisters is sort of in charge of one of the homes and the sponsored scholars that live there through the school year, so there isn't a whole lot of time when the Sisters get to hang out all together, which makes times like this extra special.
I awoke early and was in the ocean by 5:30 the next morning...and remained there almost until it was time to go, quite a few hours!! The sunrise over the coconut trees that line the beach was so beautiful, and one by one, the kids and Sisters would wake up and come into the ocean with me. It was such a sweet time!!
The following two days, All Saints Day and All Souls Day are holidays where most Filipinos travel to where their families are buried, and spend the day praying there, lighting candles, eating and reminiscing. Sort of like holy tailgating!! So, today we attended mass at the cemetery where Sister Clarissa's mother is buried and tomorrow will be more of the same. Then on Thursday, Sister Clarissa's cousin James will be ordained a priest. Please pray for him as he receives the sacrament of Holy Orders. On Friday, Dr. Vic and Mary Jane will return to Chicago, but will be coming back to Borongan in February for the big medical mission from the Joliet Diocese in Chicago. I have had such a wonderful time with them, and I know all the kids and Sisters here join me in my sentiments!!
Then, beginning on November 7th, the rest time will be over. But that is ok, I am anxious to be busy and working again! We will be preparing to return to the barrio of Conception at the end of the month to complete our medical mission there and I will begin working on my own projects that Sister Minerva has given me. More about that later...
How nice it is take a time out of the busyness of the daily grind, to rejuvenate our mind and bodies, take deep breaths and be still. In the silence of rest time, I can truly connect with God and get back on track with Him. It is not only nice, it is necessary if you want to be successful. How grateful I am that the Oikos Sisters recognize that and realize the importance of bonding time. Now...back to work!!
xxoo
