I grew up in an environment with so much love and care. My parents are both educators and I have seen how they were able to touch the lives of others from the moment I knew of my parents' existence. I had witnessed that they do not just touch and shape the lives of the students but also with the community.
At an early age, I was so exposed to this kind of environment. We never had that much since we were financially constrained but I grew up becoming a generous person. I wanted to give not because I expect to receive a lot in return, but it is because I want to impart something to them.
I am not even embarassed to share with you all that I grew up in a village near a landfill. We never had much and we were so happy when we got the chance to eat Chikenjoy meal at Jollibee.
When I reached high school, I started teaching in Sunday School as level two teacher. I found it very fascinating to volunteer not just in the church, but also in the community. I was hunger for more ways that I could help others. I love people and I aspire to do something good for them no matter how small it is.
I became a missionary at the age of 15 years old. It was just a month after my sister died of cancer when the team and I were sent to Bukidnon to preach the Gospel and share the love of God. It was so hard for me of course to be away from my family although I was in a team with my brother. I got so used to my mom's home cooking and her daily stories of her encounters at school.
Honestly, during my first mission, I felt like how Christ felt when his beloved friend was killed but he still needed to go to the community and show to others the love of God. I was comforting others at the time when I also needed to be comforted too.
I got used to the rigorous training as a missionary that every summer we were sent to different parts of the Philippines to take part in the Daily Evangelical Exposure Program. It was really difficult to be outside on my own comfort zone but at the same time I had so much fun meeting different people with different culture. I remember days when we could not eat anything because there was no budget given. I really lose a lot of weight from frequent fastings. I felt I look so ugly.
I also joined various volunteer organizers during calamities in our area since our city is a catch basin. The photo shown above is me trying to help Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). I did not gain any incentives neither certificates (even until now) but the fact that I am able to do something in the community, I always find the sense of fulfilment.
The photos below are some of the activities we conducted. I wanted to share you a lot of photos on the activities we conducted, but i had always been the documentor.
I had fun sharing stories to the kids and giving ice breaker to the parents. I told them I was teaching them yoga but I was actually making an action for Little Star. Haha! That was really epic.
The only money we received was just for the gasoline for our trips. I would just meet with our team and we would just shell out for the rest of our expenses (food and money donations to the small churches and community).
Last May, I was just so happy handling to them sacks of preloved and unused clothes to these indigenous peoples of Don Carlos, Bukidnon. I could not contain my happiness. I do not understand what they were saying to me but I could see them smiling genuinely at me.
I wanted to make my life worth living by touching the lives of others instead of just gaining great financial status in the future. I could have finished law school and be successful on the path that I choose but obviously, it would be frustrating for me to pursue that I do not love.
I would be hypocrite if I tell you that I do not want rewards. Of course I do! A simple thank you from this thankless career would really cheer me up. Warm hugs would make me happy too.
How about you? What do you do for living? Share your experiences too. I would definitely love to hear from you all.