Jolo Experiences and Reflections (Part 2)

Reflections and experiences of a young religious sent as a missionary novice in the beautiful island of Jolo, Sulu, dated July 2004.

The challenges of this week encouraged me to be more open especially in sharing my pity with one of the students who was scheduled for suspension because I caught him smoking infront of the school. From that day, I realized that I don’t want to suspend a student as much as possible. Yes, I caught him smoking outside the gate, yet his courage in approaching me to say honestly that he is afraid of what am I going to do with him, surpassed the students handbook’s guidelines in disciplining the students. He was afraid of his parents for he knows what would happen upon learning what he did and what will happen to him. I was challenged whether report it or not and that challenge I told him, I will tell the Prefect of Discipline but he is the one to tell first. I even told him to be courageous in facing the consequences of what he did, and also to his parents. And he was. I was struck of his answer when I asked him if he is mad with me, he said “no brother”. I told him that I was happy being there. After that, I encouraged him to study hard and not to think of the suspension he is facing. I was fulfilled that day and prayed over that student for the grace of conversion for he also converted my feeling from strong-headed and rule-fixated person to a kind and understanding person. At least even just for that time, I was kind and understanding.