The past few weeks have been sort of a down time for us here at the Oikos Mission. Just after New Year's Day we had a rest week...which I really loved having!! You know, the bible says there is a time for everything.... a time to work, a time to love, a time to rest... does it say rest?...it should if it doesn't! For me, I totally love the work here, it is fulfilling and the people I work and live with make it fun. But equally important is rest time so that we have the energy to go on to the next mission.
For my rest week, I didn't do much. We didn't go on any trips, just spent some time at Providence Home, our mission house in the mountains and some time at my home away from home at Nazareth Home. I read books, watched a few movies, slept and went for a few walks. And actually, the week after, that was last week, the Oikos Sisters went on a week-long retreat, so although I had a list of things to get done, it was sort of a continuation of my rest week, just a little more active.
And now? Now I feel ready to go!! There is a medical mission that comes here to Borongan every February. It is run out of the Diocese of Joliet near Chicago, Illinois, but missionaries come from all over the U.S. and in different parts of the world as well. The missionaries that come are doctors, nurses, dentists, construction workers and members of a community outreach team. This year, 52 missionaries are coming!! The first members of the mission arrive in a about 2 days, so we have a lot of work to do!!
The dentists work both in the provincial hospital and in the barrios where the poorest of the poor live. It is the job of the Oikos Sisters to choose a few barrios for the dentists to go to. The outreach team will go to the same barrio to play with the kids there and feed them. Although the schools do have a feeding program, it is only for the severely malnourished children. So, in a barrio called Sorok, where 149 children go to school, only 25 students are in the feeding program. However, it's not like the other children have a ton of food in their pantries, and in most cases the parents and older children do not eat lunch because they just don't have the resources and money to afford another meal. So, the outreach team will help to prepare and serve the food. Back to the dentists... After choosing the barrios, the Sisters, led by Sister Michelle, the resident dentist here in Oikos, will do screening of the patients needing dental care in the barrios. There are equal feelings of nervousness and gratefulness in the people we see. And I really can't get over the number of adults who have never seen a dentist before. There are also a few who argue with Sister Michelle because they want a tooth extracted that she knows can be restored. Dental education is a big part of what she does. This year, there was a record number of children who didn't need any dental care at all!! Next month, National Dental Month in the Philippines, she wants to go back to the barrios and reward the kids who have taken such good care of their teeth!!
This year the Joliet construction team will build two houses in the Charity Village!! Can I hear a WOOT WOOT?!!? (doesn't have the same effect in print as in person!!) If you want to know more about the Oikos Sister's Charity Village, click here. It is a long-time dream of the Oikos Sisters...and I'm so happy to be here to see it become a reality!!
Other than the preparations, we are celebrating a lot of birthdays here in Oikos...in January we have quite a few of the kids birthdays, and a few outsiders. A sibling of Sister Michelle, who lives quite a distance from us, wanted to celebrate her birthday by giving to others, so she sent money to Michelle for a big party! We had roasted chicken, pancet, spaghetti and meatballs...a real feast! Then we made about 60 packs of food and took them to the hospital for the patients and their families. What a way to celebrate your birthday! Then, just today, a girl who turned 14 years old wanted to celebrate her birthday by having a party with those less fortunate than herself. So, she and her family came to the Oikos Family and brought a Jollie Bee lunch (sort of like Mc Donald's). They came early and decorated the room, brought a speaker to play music, we had fried chicken and rice, pop...and she even brought gifts for all of the kids!!
The generosity of people is always so heartwarming! And there are so many ways to give and share with others. I have been witness to such giving, and a recipient as well, for the past few years. It truly means so much to the beneficiary of the giving, let me tell you. These people live and breathe thankfulness. You may never truly know how much your giving has meant to the recipient of your generosity in this world, but let me tell you from experience, it changes lives!! So, thanks for all of you charitable people out there!! God bless you!! xxoo
