Graduation Time in Oikos

Graduations are always exciting times, even here in Oikos.  All of the hard work and time sacrificed to studies has paid off and has culminated to a jubilant walk across the stage signifying crossing from one side of life to another.  The scholars in Oikos have worked so very hard and we are all so very proud of all of them!!!  These are the students who are sponsored by the Poor Household of God and who board within the Oikos Mission Houses, called Oikos Angels, who graduated college this year:

Kate graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration

Benedict graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Elementary Education

Rosalinda graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Elementary Education

Maria Lyn graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Elementary Education

Joy Lyn graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Agriculture

Ivan (Cum Laude) and Lino graduated from the College Seminary with Bachelor Degrees in Philosophy.  Both of them are going on to Theology, with hopes of entering the priesthood.

Me with Roselyn, Nanay Evelyn(Ivan's mother), Ivan and Lino

Sister Minerva with Kate and Maria Lyn

Sisters Minerva and Ethel with the graduates from Eastern Samar State University (except for Kate)

Sister Ethel with Lino at the Seminary graduation.

Since the City of Borongan is adding two years on to high school beginning this year, senior high, there were no high school graduations this year, nor will there be any next year.  But we did have a few elementary school graduates this year.  In the Philippines, students graduate from elementary after grade 6:
                                         This is Lhans who graduated from grade 6 and will be
                           attending a boarding school in Cebu run by the Sisters of Mary for poor
                                                                    girls and boys.

This is Jake who graduated with honors from grade 6.  He will be joining

Lhans in the boarding school in Cebu.

 This is Angel who also graduated from grade 6.  Angel will be attending high school here in Borongan. 

 

 

We are all so proud of our graduates!  Truly, all of them have worked so hard to achieve this great honor.  And all of them, all of the Oikos Family, are so grateful to The Poor Household of God who makes it possible for these children not only to go to school, but to be able to have money for their fare to and from school, money for their school projects and for food each day. 

 

And not only that, each one of these students, and in fact ALL of the students sponsored by The Poor Household of God, each one of them knows that this day, their graduation day, might not be possible if it weren't for the generosity and love of people all around the world who sponsor them.  The thoughtfulness and love of these sponsors gives these children wings to succeed in school and in life.  If you are an Oikos Sponsor, THANK YOU!!!

 

If you would like to become an Oikos Sponsor and provide the opportunity for a poor child in the Philippines to break out of  the bonds of poverty, please click here.

 

We give praise and thanks to God for His great providence and love.

 

xxoo 

Holy Week in the Philippines

So... WOW! 

Today it is Easter Sunday and we are celebrating the resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ!!  The gifts of Our Lord keep coming to me, as unworthy as I am to receive them.  I do not think that these gifts are in response to anything I did or are for me alone.  We are all surrounded by the gifts of the Lord, we just need to open the eyes of our hearts to see them.  For years I my heart was near-sighted, missing so much.  Now, after being in places where my wants and dreams come, willingly, last, my heartsight has improved immensely...not 20/20 yet, but I'm working on it!!

My lent began with a bang...literally!  After 5am mass on Ash Wednesday, Sister Minerva and I were crossing the street to go home and were hit by a motorcycle.  We didn't see him coming, he was in the wrong lane so we weren't even looking in that direction.  I was knocked down on my right back side and hit my head on the ground.  Sister Minerva landed hard on her knees.  The driver was an unlicensed kid who was in a hurry.  All of us are ok.  My biggest pain is in my tailbone area and Sister Minerva's knee is slowly improving.  But, after the shock of it all, it occurred to me that I was supposed to make empanadas on that day with the Baking Mamas to sell for snacks.  The only problem being that it was Ash Wednesday, a day of fasting.  Would we be leading people into temptation by making and selling empanadas on this day?  Here in the Philippines, most people are Catholic.  Well, the blessing of this  day was that I don't remember being hit at all.  What I remember is crossing the street, feeling like I was hit by a pillow and landing on a pillow.  I can't even remember hitting my head.  The fall didn't hurt at all.  Now, afterwards the pain came, and came big, but I must have been surrounded by angels during the accident!!  So, no empanadas were made on Ash Wednesday, our consciences were clean and I just rested the whole day. 

My first Holy Week in the Philippines was without a doubt, the most meaningful one I think I have ever had.  On Holy Thursday, we went to morning prayer at the cathedral.  Then, at 4pm, we attended the Last Supper Mass.  It was celebrated by the Bishop with about 8 other priests concelebrating.  It was a beautiful mass attended by so many people that there must have been a few hundred people standing outside the church because there wasn't enough room for them inside.  The bishop washed the feet of 10 parishioners.  Then, the Oikos Sisters and all of the co-workers, of which I am one, went to Providence Home for our Last Supper ceremony and washing of the feet.  It was a love-filled dinner, one that reminded me of the Holy Thursday dinners of my youth.  Then for the washing of feet, we all took turns washing everyone's feet.  For me, it was an incredible bonding experience that I took very seriously.  Feet have always been my least favorite part of the body!!!  Aside from babies, whose feet I love to nibble on and kiss, I can't remember a time when I even touched someone else's feet!!  And to kneel at someone's feet, wash and dry them, kiss them...it is a humbling experience.  But it brought home to me the message of Jesus on this night like no other experience in my life.  After the dinner and feet washing, we went to the cathedral for Eucharistic Adoration.  Our hour was from 11pm to 12am with other religious sisters and the college seminarians.  Truly beautiful.

Once we got to bed, around 1ish, I did as the Filipinos often say, I slept hard and fast because we had to be up again around 4:30!!  At 5am on Good Friday, we had morning prayer at the Cathedral, and then that was followed by Stations of the Cross at dawn.  Not inside the church, which has always been my experience, no this was out around the city of Borongan.  Walking with the Bishop of Borongan, Bishop Crispin Varquez, and about 3 thousand other people, we stopped at each station to kneel and pray right in the street.  As the sun rose, we walked and prayed.  It was so solemn and beautiful!  I saw one woman walking barefoot.  Later I asked Sister Minerva about it.  She said the woman did that as a sacrifice.  The roads in Borongan are not smooth.  They are concrete with little pebbles and big stones scattered around the road, with cracks and uneven parts...it must have been very painful. Sister Minerva said she has done that a few times as well.  It hurts my feet just to think about it!!  Singing, walking, praying out in the street in a procession of sorrow laced with hope for all of Borongan to see...it was easily the most meaningful Stations of the Cross I have ever experienced.

Later that day, I went to a series of talks on the 7 last words that Christ spoke on the cross.  One of the talks was given by Sister Minerva, "Woman, here is your son; son, your mother."  Sister Clarissa gave a talk on the words, "My God, My God, why have you abandoned Me." Both sisters gave great talks on the words they were given to speak on.  Afterwards, we attended the 3pm service at the Cathedral which was followed by another procession throughout the city.  This was a burial march.  We walked with statues of Saint Peter, Saint Mary Magdalene, Saint Veronica, Saint John, and Sorrowful Mother Mary.  Behind us was Jesus in a glass casket.  This time, there were around 10,000 people!!!  Oh my goodness!!!  Once again, we marched through the city praying the rosary all together.  I know in the U.S. there used to be processions on certain holy days...I have to say, I wish that would come back.  There is something so beautiful about walking throughout your town or city, proudly praying, announcing your faith to all without even speaking to them.  At home in Buffalo, I would sometimes walk around my neighborhood praying the rosary and one time someone asked me what I was doing and we talked about the rosary and Mary for a while.  I think I made a teeny difference in someone's life that day.  How much more of a difference can an entire parish make?  Really...it was such a beautiful day.

Saturday began with morning prayer, and then our preparations for Easter began.  My job was to make pizza and cookies.  Well, with the help of a lot of kids and some of the mothers here, we got the work done in no time!  And what a fun day we had!  We made 6 sheet pizzas, and because of a new oven we received from a friend of Oikos (more on that in another post) we were able to bake all 6 sheet pizzas at the same time!!  It was a great day!  In the evening, around 8:30, we went to the Cathedral for the Easter Vigil mass.  It was quite solemn and beautiful.  I think that mass should be a requirement for Catholics!!  It is just so darn beautiful and full of meaning.  It is a long mass, ours ended after 1am, but well worth the time!!  Once again, the church was packed.  I've never been to a packed church for an Easter Vigil mass. 

After going to bed late again, you'd think I would have slept in late, but alas, I was up once again by 6am!!  I remember waking up on Easter with the thought, God, I thank you for this special time in the Philippines celebrating the sacrifice of Your Son and His glorious resurrection.  I truly have not felt this close to You in a long time.  And although all of the services and masses have not been in English, I have felt surrounded by Your mighty presence.  It is hard to not have anything familiar to me...none of the traditions and celebrations here are like the ones I have always had at home and a sense of loneliness came upon me.  I remember thinking not even songs are ones that I can connect to, like my favorite song on Easter, "Jesus Christ is Risen Today."  Well, I got up, got dressed, went into the prayer room to say my morning prayer, and what do you think the morning song was?  yep.  "Jesus Christ is Risen Today!!" Some people may look at that situation and say, What a neat coincidence.  But I say, I've just been hugged by God! 

On Easter we sang, played many games, ate lots of delicious food... spaghetti, pizza, fried chicken, salad, cookies and a delicious mango dessert!  All together for the whole day, the Oikos Family cherished every minute, laughed together and had an amazing day.  Jesus Christ is risen today!!  Alleluia!!! 

Well, because of the accident, my Lent got off to a rough start.  But it was nothing compared to what Jesus suffered, to what millions of people suffer today much worse than me.  It was a wake-up call.  Not only look both ways when crossing the street, but look around you with your heart.  God is present everywhere, He is showering us with blessings every day.  Some may be harder for us to discern than others, but when seen through the eyes of the heart, especially when that vision is 20/20,
His blessings abound!!

Happy Easter, Alleluia, Alleluia!! xxoo

The Baking Mamas Ministry

I would imagine that, if you have been a follower of my blog, you know already how amazing the Oikos Sisters are here in Borongan and throughout all of Eastern Samar.  Their sole purpose here is to help the poor.  Period.  And they will use anything they can and any person willing to help them in their purpose.  They often tell me that whoever comes to them is sent by God to help them and is welcome in the Oikos Mission.  The Sisters are very good in finding people's talents and figuring out ways in which one person's gifts can be useful in their endeavors... they may even create new programs or rustle up old ideas put aside for lack of help and bring them to life in the mission.

And so it is with me!!  In my first trip, the Sisters made use of my talent and education in the field of education.  I taught weekly catechesis to the elementary and high school students, among other things.  In this mission, my cooking skills are being highlighted, and in a way that is so cool!!!

One of the goals of the Oikos Mission is to help poor people in finding livelihoods that can help bring them out of poverty and take care of their families.  They have a fruit and vegetable growing program and a piglet recycling and fattening program to teach people and give them a way to provide for their families.  The thing that I absolutely love about the Oikos livelihood programs is that the Sisters help the people, they will even give them supplies needed to start their new livelihood and offer rewards as incentives to keep the people motivated through the length of their program...but, the people themselves do the lion's share of the work.  They sign an contract or covenant agreeing to do the work needed to receive help from the Sisters, and there is a penalty if the people drop out.  Nothing huge, but the people know, going in, that they have to work, and work hard, to be successful in the Oikos Livelihood Programs, and continuing on after the program is over.

The Sisters are trying very hard to help the mothers around Borongan to rise up above their poverty and reach for more for their families.  They have tried to start a few programs to help the mothers, but so far, none has really taken off.  Well, when I returned to the Oikos Mission in October, the Sisters began talking about a cooking/baking livelihood program for the mothers.  It has taken a bit of time to get rolling...but we are rolling!!!  Of the 10 mothers the Sisters have invited to take part in this pilot program, all 10 are interested in it!!  Working out the schedules of everyone and the talents of all will take a bit of time, but here's the gist of it:

In Borongan, many mothers make and sell a lot of food on the street.  Most of it is deep fried...delicious, but not too healthy!  Not many people here have ovens, so baking is not really done at all except in the bakeries.  Well...that's our tactic!  We bake!  We have two large toaster ovens that we use.  Mary Jane Trinkus endearingly calls this group "The Baking Mamas".  So far we have made tons of empanadas!!  We've made sweet ones and savory...and every single time we make them, they sell out!!!  People want more!!!  Yeahea!!!  The idea is to branch out into other baked goods as well, but to be known for one or two particular baked goods that people can order.  Most of the mothers are unfamiliar with baking, so I am the teacher, organizer and treasurer of the group.  But the goal is to teach them, build up their confidence in baking, perhaps get a stand or storefront (!) and hand it over to them to do!  It is a new project so there have been a few bumps, and  there will probably be more, but, let me tell you how awesome it is to see the huge smiles on the mothers faces as they come back from selling, having sold out and been told how "marasa" (delicious) the food is and that they want MORE!!!  Even now, I can see the confidence growing in the mothers I have been working with, and their excitement is palpable.  And can I also just say that there is an incredible, undeniable feeling of unbelievable joy in having had a part in putting that smile on that face.  That smile that says I did it, I can help my family, I am so enjoying this. 

You know, God is so good, and He is so wise!  When I left teaching and got into catering and restaurant working, I began saying that one day I want to combine teaching and cooking in some way.  Never in my wildest imaginings did I think for a minute that I would leave everything and everyone I know and love to combine the two in the missions, almost exactly half way around the world from my loved ones!!  But God placed that desire in my heart and He knew where He was leading me.  Not to be the one in the front accepting the thanks and recognition, but to be the support and a guide to others to succeed.  I never knew it could be, but it is so much better!!

Here are some pictures of the Baking Mamas making empanadas:

 


And here are our ovens!! 

 

Please pray for the success of the Baking Mamas!!  Who knows where it could lead if this pilot program really takes off!!  To God be the Glory!!!!!  Thank you!! xxoo

If you want to learn more about all of the programs the Oikos Sisters have to help the poor here in the Philippines, check out the website, http://www.PoorHouseholdofGod.org

Update on the Charity Village!!!

Quite a long time ago, the Oikos Sisters began dreaming about building a village where the poor people of Eastern Samar could live, those without land or a home of their own.  One of the philosophies of the Oikos Sisters is that all things happen in God's time.  We cannot demand or rush God...we simply have to trust.
Well, it was just about one year ago that things began rolling for the Charity Village, and now we are in "full swing" mode!  It seems like every month there is a new development, a new accomplishment or a new challenge making itself known in the dream land of the Oikos Sisters.

The Charity Village, just to remind you, is on land donated to the Oikos Sisters...1.5 hectors, in fact.  It is located in a central part of Borongan, away from the river and a little bit higher than the surrounding areas.  This makes the Oikos Sisters quite happy...basically being on land that is not prone to flooding.  The land is rich in flora and fauna, having many coconut trees, fruit trees, avocado trees, and beautiful plants.  The Sisters plan to add to the bounty coming from the earth with a community garden where all of the residents of the Charity Village will learn how to grow vegetables and be responsible for the garden's care.  The plan right now is to have 25 homes built, along with a chapel, an evacuation center and a medical clinic.  The evacuation center will be three stories and will house the Oikos convent, rooms for scholars, a large meeting area and plenty of room for many people to find refuge in times of need.  And the medical clinic will include rooms for OB/Gyn care, ambulatory care, a dental clinic, beds for overnight care should that be necessary and the Oikos charity pharmacy.  There are local doctors who donate their time to clinics such as the one the Oikos Sisters are planning.  Right now, the Sisters have funding for 21 out of the 25 homes and, the awesome news is...they have begun building the homes!!!

The first two homes were built during the Diocese of Joliet Partnership in Mission Medical Mission that was in Borongan during the first two weeks of February 2017.  Along with the medical team, a construction team also donates their time, talent and treasure to the poor people of Borongan.  Together with local community volunteers, the mission team made first homes of the Charity Village a reality for the Oikos Sisters!!

   Working long hours in the sun and the rain, the construction team did an absolutely amazing job building the homes that are sure to be the answer to many prayers here in the poorest region in the Philippines.  For certain, the team of missionaries and volunteers have answered the prayers of the Oikos Sisters!

So...without further ado... (drum roll, please...) here are                                                                   THE FIRST TWO HOMES IN THE CHARITY VILLAGE:

 

We give praise and thanks to God for His generosity and His providence.

And we thank the many people who have been praying for the Oikos Sisters and their endeavors.

What is up next for the Charity Village?  A road will be built for easy access to the land and construction on more houses will begin.
What is still needed for the Charity Village?  Funding for a few more homes (the cost to build one home is $2500.00 for labor and supplies) and funding is also needed for the evacuation center, a few more homes and the medical clinic.  If you want to help financially, you can donate here.  And your prayers are always needed and appreciated. xxoo

When Jesus Sighs

Sometimes when I am listening to the readings at mass, one phrase jumps out at me and either stuns me, makes me laugh, makes me cringe or shudder.  And, as the daily readings in the Catholic liturgy rotate every three years, its not like I haven't heard all of these things before.  At times, I think God allows us to hear something for the first time, even though we've listened to it many times before.  For some reason, at a certain time, our hearts are more ready to explore thoughts and ideas that can help us become closer to God than at other times.  God, who knows us better than we even know ourselves, can pinpoint the moments we are ready to really hear Him.

So, the phrase that caught my attention the other day was this: "With a sigh from the depths of His spirit..." taken from the Gospel of Mark, chapter 8.  In the gospel, Jesus was addressing the Pharisees who were asking Him for a sign, trying to test Him. 

I know that I have sighed like that before.  As a teacher with my first or fourth grade students, when trying, for the 80th time, to explain something to someone, many times at myself!!  A sigh from the depths of your being.  I know I have heard that kind of sigh before, sometimes directed at me!!  A sigh felt throughout your entire body.  It says more than one thousand words can, you know? 

I never thought about Jesus sighing like that before.  I have talked about my experiences with religious education before...even though I had gone to a Catholic school, my education of the faith could be described as "fluffinutter catechesis."  Even though I know my teachers were doing what they were told to do, and were very hard working, I think they fell short on passing on our Catholic Faith.  Jesus loves me...I love Jesus...I love others.  So, even though I have learned more on my own and have grown quite a lot in my faith, I still see Jesus as always patient, loving, and kind.  Even though there are places in the gospels where He calls people fools, turns over selling tables in the temple, and seems to have a difficult time getting through to his apostles, my early catechesis causes me to glaze over such parts when I hear them.  But sometimes, like the other day, it gets through my thick skull and pierces my heart, makes me think.

A sigh like that usually isn't in anger... maybe frustration, losing patience, longing for understanding.  It makes me think of the times I may have caused Jesus to sigh like that... like all the times I didn't hear Him asking me to become a missionary!!   The Filipinos have a phrase they say, and actually it is just 2 words, but when they say it, I can feel a sigh like that.  Usually it is said tinged with humor, but sometimes it seems like a sigh like the one Jesus had in today's reading.  They say to me,  "Ayyye Sarah."  It always makes me laugh.  But now I think sometimes Jesus is up in heaven, watching us, trying His hardest to help us, and sometimes blowing out His breath, saying "Ayyye Sarah," or Bob or Jennifer or Peter...whoever. 

In the missions, I can see many things that might cause Jesus to sigh from the depths of His spirit, thinking when will they finally love each other, when will they finally open their eyes and see who it is that is in front of them?  And in our world... oh my, His spirit must be hurting I think.  At the many times we turn on each other, the many times we fail to love one another, the many times we put ourselves first, the many times we are not patient, kind, understanding and caring. 

If you put everything else aside... finances, societal pressures, politics, economic classes, skin color, all the things that the devil has constructed to divide us and just see who God created each of us to be, maybe we can save Jesus some of His breath, and live much happier lives.  But we can't wait for someone else to start.  Gotta start now, just me, just you...and others will see the good works we do and want to be included.

The greatest need of our generation is for God's Word to be taught clearly and undiluted, and for Christians to demonstrate that it works.  After all, we are the walking, talking evidence before the world that God's Word is true.

There!  That's a lot of thinking from 9 words in the bible!!  When Jesus is looking at me and says, "Ayyye Sarah," I want it to be with a twinkle in His eye and a smirk on His lips!!  😉

xxoo

Mission!!

I think that it is quite amazing that people take time out of their lives, away from their families, give of their time, talent and treasure to come to a mission to work.

Now, you may think that is a ridiculous statement for me to make... or that I am puffing myself up with pride, but neither is true.  My mission trip is different from that of missioners who come for short mission trips.  I am discerning my vocation for the rest of my life, considering making this mission my life.  Missioners who come for short mission trips are a totally different breed of missionary.  Many of them are parents and grandparents who are still in the process of raising their children or caring for their grandchildren.  Many of them come without their spouses, leaving them for a few weeks, which sometimes is a good thing :) ...you know what they say about distance and the heart!!   Most of them are still working and had to take vacation time, some paid, some unpaid time off, to come on this trip.  They put their lives on pause, and gave up a lot to come.  All of them had to pay for their plane tickets, hotel room and food while they are here.  That is a lot!!!

But I think most of them would say that the work they do here on mission is worth the effort and sacrifice to get here.  I know that was true for me when I took my first mission trip to Africa just three years ago.  One look at those children and the needs they had and my heart was sunk!!  Any worries I had about money, vacation time, what I was giving up to be there, in fact, any thought about myself quickly fizzled out in the hot African desert.  I discovered my mission heart.

The mission from the Diocese of Joliet, Partnership in Mission just spent two weeks here in Borongan.  What started out 13 years ago as a medical mission has branched off to include a construction mission and an outreach mission as well.  48 people came to Borongan from all over the world... doctors, nurses, dentists, artists, handymen, people with huge, caring hearts took time out of their daily lives to lend a helping hand to the poor people here in Eastern Samar, the poorest region in the Philippines. 

The doctors and nurses, anesthesiologists and surgeons worked so hard in the hospital, trying to see all the people they could while making sure they gave the time and care needed to the patient right in front of them.  Many poor people who thought there was no hope for them were given a second chance, a new lease on life, because of the care and time given by the medical missionaries.  People who are truly poor don't have a lot of options, they don't have a lot of help coming their way.  You know, I walked through the hospital a couple of times during the mission, and the many, many people waiting to be seen all looked at me with the same look in their eyes... a look of hope.  Hope that they or their family member could be cured, hope that they will be able to live a life without the pain currently strangling them, and a look of gratitude.  I didn't stop to explain that I wasn't a doctor or nurse, I just drank in the looks and said a prayer of thanks for all of the medical staff that came!!

Along with the medical staff, there were 3 dentists and a dental hygienist that came to Borongan.  Not only did the dental team work in the hospital caring for the people there, but they also worked in two barrios.  They know that there are many people who need dental care, and children who need preventative care and education that live in the barrios and have no way of traveling to the hospital for care.  A trip to and from the hospital can cost as much money as food for the entire day for a family.  They are just unable to afford that.  So, bringing their dental chairs, equipment, tools, medicine and sanitizing station on tow, they go off to the barrios to bring care to the people who cannot come to them.  Working with Sister Michelle, a licensed dentist, the team of 5 saw more patients than any other mission they had ever done!! 

The construction team was just as awesome!!!  Working in the Charity Village, they built two houses!!  They first two houses in the Charity Village, in fact!!  In case you do not know, the Charity Village is a long-time dream of the Oikos Sisters' come true.  On land that was donated to them, the Oikos Sisters will offer homes to families with no home or land of their own.  It will include a chapel, an evacuation center and a medical clinic with dental care and the Oikos charity pharmacy where any poor person can come and receive free medication.  Currently, the Charity Village is totally fenced in, has permission from the neighbors for a road, which is already marked off, and now has 2 homes built!  21 of the 25 homes the Sisters will build are already fully funded.  And, on the last day of the mission, the two homes were blessed!!  The construction crew was really awesome!!  Not only did some of the construction crew come with the advanced team who sets up in the hospital to help them and built some tables the doctors needed, some of them also spent one of the two days off they have making puzzles for the Oikos kids!! 

The outreach team had many projects going on this year.  One of the missioners in this team is an artist and worked on a mural in one of our homes.  She did such an amazing job!  A few more worked with the kids on making cards and other creative projects.  All of the outreach team went into the barrios to feed the children there.  Most of the people in the barrios eat only one meal a day, many times that includes the children as well.  They were so happy for the hot meal, sweet dessert and the songs and games we taught them.  This year we also visited an infirmary and orphanage run by the Sisters of the Visitation and brought Valentines to make with the kids and served them ice cream!  The outreach team also spends a lot of time with the kids who live with the Oikos Sisters.  The kids just soak up the love and attention they get from these sweet ladies!!

I happen to have privileged, insider information that is not accessible to the missioners.  Having been here for 6 months last year and well into my 4th month now, I have a special relationship with the people here in the Oikos Mission.  And I can say with 100% accuracy that the people working in the Oikos Mission, the children in the Oikos Family and the beneficiaries of the Oikos and Joliet Missions have so, so, so much love for the missioners who come.  Even if they tried, the missioners could never imagine the amount of love these people have for them, how often during the year the kids and Sisters mention them, and how much they all look forward to the time of year when their friends from around the world come to visit and help them.  And the prayers... the thoughts... the love they have for the missioners, it is immeasurable. 

I cannot begin to express my gratitude for all the missioners who came to Borongan just last week.  For your sacrifices, your time away from family and friends, your generosity, smiles and hugs... I thank you... and my thanks is just a pebble in the mountain of gratitude all of the people here have for you.  You will never know on this earth what you mean to the people here.  Thank you!

If you are reading this and are interested in coming on mission to the Philippines, check out this website:  http://www.PoorHouseholdofGod.org.  On the home page is a link to the Diocese of Joliet, Partnership in Mission website.  You don't have to belong to the Diocese of Joliet to come...missioners from all over the world come with the missioners from Joliet.  And you don't have to be Catholic, either... you just have to be courageous and willing to explore a new world, help those in the most need and have a desire to crack open your missionary heart.  Believe me... what you give/give up in order to come on mission is nothing compared to what you receive in return!!

I'm having trouble with my computer and uploading pictures, but hopefully some mission pics are coming soon!!!  xxoo

A Little Bit of This and a Little Bit of That

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