The Itinerants Path

Listening to Bro. Mitch’s story during our supper made me awake for the whole night. I was moved. He witnessed the most dramatic situation in his apostolate. It was all about the family who is trying to make a big decision to live. It was somewhere in Antipolo. The husband died few months ago. He left nothing except six children for his wife. The wife this time is selling “fish balls” to survive her six children ages from few months to 12 years. The eldest, a son, seemed to understand how difficult to be separated from his family, resisted with the decision of the mother; to let them be taken cared by the sisters of Mother Teresa, even just for a while. The mother asked the sisters to take care of the three children until she is able to find a new place to live. The heart-breaking situation began… Both the mother and all the children were crying as the sisters and Bro. Mitch tried to convince the children to go with them.
This sad story started with another sad story. The mother who is working very hard for her children’s needs, was not able to pay the house rental; a small shanty attached to a bigger house. The whole family is now being evicted, reason why the mother courageously plead to let go of other children for a while, for them to have a better life or even just have something to eat. Painful, but that’s the only thing she knew to help the whole family to live; at least, better. The youngest, few months old baby will stay with her…
Now, I just finished my apostolate with the children at Asilo. Another lessons were discussed, another stories were told and heard. Jomar, 14 years old, the second of three siblings, told his stories again as he was complaining about his elder brother as a lazy boy and his father who is doing nothing except to beg for food on the streets. Jomar and Joshua are staying at Asilo while the eldest and the father live anywhere on the streets. Joshua wants to go abroad and live there. Pointing at the world map, he wants to live in Australia. I asked him, “How can you go there? You may go there but you have to study hard first.” “Opo, kuya” was the answer. He smiled as if his dream is already fulfilled. I believed him. Same with Jomar. He is showing his determination to study hard to look for his mother later on and gather his family again. It is obvious in the eyes of the boy. About Sarah, a shy girl, but showing her talents and intelligence obviously. She’s not under my care but she tells her family stories from time

to time with me. Pretty and witty as I describe her, and full of hope. She feels sad but courageous to face the life she has this time even at early age. She is now in grade four but already preparing herself for high school aptitude tests. Lastly, about Ibet, my last interaction with him was last March. He is no longer a resident of Asilo since he is with his family already. He was recognized by his family in a noontime television show last December as he was asking and looking for his family. One story they told me about his life now? He is still in the school continuing his studies, and I am happy that he is trying to teach his family to pray the grace before and after meal! I hope to see him one day again. I had a meaningful companionship with him every Saturday last year. I pray for him.
As I recall the experiences I have with these children, I feel a stronger passion to be with them, following the footsteps of Marcellin Champagnat today. I pray for a better future for them, for the families whom Bro. Mitch is working with, for the children of Asilo de San Vicente de Paul, especially for their parents, living and dead.