The couple of months before the mission trip, I was holding back from being open. At times, I would be too focused on myself and my struggles. The Lord knew that I needed to go on this mission trip to have a change of heart and so He has blessed me with the opportunity. This will definitely be one of the greatest blessings from Him because I was able to view life in a different perspective - away from consumerism, comfort, and convenience. This was exactly what I needed, to be stripped away from my comfort zone. The Lord wanted me to serve the poor with the state of my heart at that time because He knew that serving with my brokenness, I will be able to allow Him to make me whole through the joy and love from the families and most especially the children at the ANCOP* villages.
An experience I would like to share with you which completely changed my posture was when I was standing in the back during a team meeting in Tarlac, a young boy named Rico came up to me. He held my hand and said with a gentle smile, “Bakit ka nag-iisa dito? Lumapit ka dun sa mga kasama mo,” which translates to, “Why are you here by yourself? Move closer to the team.” At that moment, I knew it was the Lord speaking through this child, telling me “Don’t be afraid to open up. Be vulnerable. I’m right here by your side holding your hand.”
To be open and vulnerable is what the Lord has called me to do during the mission trip. In doing so, not only have I been able to serve the families with joy but the Lord has also allowed me to see Him in the children. In those two weeks, the children in the ANCOP villages has inspired me to be vulnerable, thankful, and selfless. Through them, God definitely changed the state of my heart from brokenness to a heart filled with joy and love.
“Life grows by being given away, and it weakens in isolation and comfort. Indeed, those who enjoy life most are those who leave security on the shore and become excited by the mission of communicating life to others.” - Benedict XVI, Aparecida Document 2007
[This reflection was written by Rafaela Jose who went to the Philippines for the Great Adventure Tour with ANCOP*, Answering the Cry of the Poor.]
An experience I would like to share with you which completely changed my posture was when I was standing in the back during a team meeting in Tarlac, a young boy named Rico came up to me. He held my hand and said with a gentle smile, “Bakit ka nag-iisa dito? Lumapit ka dun sa mga kasama mo,” which translates to, “Why are you here by yourself? Move closer to the team.” At that moment, I knew it was the Lord speaking through this child, telling me “Don’t be afraid to open up. Be vulnerable. I’m right here by your side holding your hand.”
To be open and vulnerable is what the Lord has called me to do during the mission trip. In doing so, not only have I been able to serve the families with joy but the Lord has also allowed me to see Him in the children. In those two weeks, the children in the ANCOP villages has inspired me to be vulnerable, thankful, and selfless. Through them, God definitely changed the state of my heart from brokenness to a heart filled with joy and love.
“Life grows by being given away, and it weakens in isolation and comfort. Indeed, those who enjoy life most are those who leave security on the shore and become excited by the mission of communicating life to others.” - Benedict XVI, Aparecida Document 2007
[This reflection was written by Rafaela Jose who went to the Philippines for the Great Adventure Tour with ANCOP*, Answering the Cry of the Poor.]