Through My Eyes - Payatas Kid's Photo Team

The photos you see below have been taken by team of 7 budding photographers, all kids, kids who live in the Payatas Dumpsite of Quezon City.
They are Nicasio, Arnil and Cherylin (brother and sister), Joshua, Erwin, Angiecel and Clare Ann.

Through generous benefactors, acts29 has been able to provide cameras and film and development of the films for the children. For the 1st time, the kids are going out to see a world beyond their dumpsite. They've been to the mall, fast food, Quezon city park and in mid April we hope to take them out on a jeepney for another exciting journey beyond the dumpsite.

The Through My Eyes project aims to help these children record what they see around them and tell others about the world as they see it. We want to help the children dream beyond the dumpsite. Some of these children are at-risk of becoming full-time scavengers or taking on other full-time jobs to support their families. We've started work to get the children's birth certificates processed thanks to the efforts of our full-timer, Mayb. With the birth certs, the children can get into mainstream school and pursue formal education. Hopefully the children can also get benefactors to sponsor their education. we want to eradicate poverty and we believe empowering children with an education is the way to go. We also believe in empowering the poor by giving them a platform to voice their stories.

We hope to publish a photo book the kids have done that will speak their lifestory And that the proceeds from photobook will fund their educaiton. Well, it's still a long way to go but nevertheless we're hopeful. At this moment, we praise God that Joshua is back with the team after having gone missing for a while. We've lost touch with Arnil and Cherylin. Mayb's been searching for them since they shifted. Let's pray for these kids and that their parents would let them continue their studies.

CHIJ Youth Mission in the Phils November 2007

Thanks to St Joseph's Convent CHIJ YOuth Mission and to Chloe, Kelly and others who have put this video together!

from believers to workers to leaders

In acts29 we believe in forming leaders/disciples.
Jesus was always in the business of making disciples. He went out of his way to win the lost, build the faith believers and equiped the workers. On top of all this Jesus went one step further in disiple-making. He multipled and sent leaders out. His apprentice leaders were led and empowered by the Holy Spirit. They grew from stength to strength, from grace to grace.

Jesus continues to make disciples in our world today. We need our youth believers to develop into workers! Sometimes there are members who are just happy attending sessions and receiving but they have to start working and do their part in building God's kingdom. One does not have to possess any special attribute or talent to be a worker-leader. God can use anyone!

Our youth workers need to be identified, encouraged, equipped and mobilized to become leaders within our community for kingdom-building. But what is needed to help a youth disciple of Jesus to become a leader? the right candidates must be 1st identified.

Who are the emerging leaders?
An emerging leader is one who is available, faithful, teachable and responsive.

Availability is the 1st key to leadership and kingdom-building! One needs to be available for the Lord in order to work for His kingdom. Available youth disciples are those who clear their calendar to make the Great Commission a priority in their lives.
And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen. (Matthew 28:18-20)

Faithfulness is the next key for leadership. These youths demonstrate endurance over a period of time. We can epxect spiritual consistency and predictability from these youths. Spiritual consistency meaning they maintain a faithful prayer life and participate in the sacraments of the Church. These youths know they can draw strength from the Lord.

Teachable youth disciples posssess humility and accountability. They are humble enough to learn and to be accountable to leadership.

Responsive youth disciples possess team spirit! The are enthusiastic and passionate. They spread this contagious enthusiasm and passion to others in the community.
When a youth leader is passionate about Jesus, other youths catch the bug from them, to be committed to Jesus.

Jesus the Lord is risen! Hallelujah!

Hello World! I am breathing once again!
Since I got back from the Phils... I've had no time to come here! that's how busy it's been..

A Big Thank You to all the guys and gals who came down for the 24hour FAST. 138 of you made it possible... You went without food... You danced you sang and kept everyone's energy up throughout.. by being you - youths! Well Done! I was amazed that there were non-Catholics who came too.. Awesome! Together we raised $2317 (if I remember correctly) for Catholic Charities week... Go on say it "We did it!!!" Now that we're in Eastertide, dun forget the less fortunate around us ok? remember to come out of your comfort zone often and take the time to be a neighbour to others.

For those of you are who are wondering... yup! 24 hour FAST will be back next year.. 3rd week of LENT. But it will be different... we're in the process of revamping and redesigning the program to keep it new and relevant with the times. It may not even be 24hours.. 24hours is a piece of cake rite? shall we try for 30 hours? For those of you who have participated and you'd like to come back as a volunteer.. just tag us or drop us an email, yah??

One thing I realized during the FAST was that a whole new generation of youths have surfaced... and I know they are a new generation cos this group of teens (15-16year olds) do not know who Mother Teresa is. Some teens i know don't recognise her face. Mother Teresa was, for my friends and I, an icon of compassion and love. It was she who said, "We can only do small things with great love"

While she was alive, she was so very real. Her work was real and genuine and had great impact on vast numbers of people. Today her work and mission lives on especially through the Missionaries of Charity, an order she had set up. Mother Teresa has had a great impact on my life. When I think about justice in the world, I think of Mother Teresa's efforts. Even though she died 11 years ago.. it seems to me, like she had only just recently left us.

If it was only 10 years ago that Jesus had walked on this Earth, died and rose from the dead, how much of an impact would it have on my life today? Would it be more real 10 years ago than 2000 years ago? For those who were too young to know Mother Teresa then, is she just a story to them? for all of us who had yet to be born 2000 years ago, is Christ's resurrection just a story to us?

What impact has the resurection of Jesus made on our lives as believers?

As we read of the days after Easter, we see dramatic changes in the lives of the apostles. From a group of hopeless frightened men, they found hope in the Risen Lord. They recieved the power of the Holy Spirit and built a Christian community which we can read about in Acts 2:42. They went out to preach the Good News. Miracles and wonders took place and the community grew daily. These ordinary men and women had their hearts set ablaze for Jesus. In today's world, we would call them crazy radicals or Jesus freaks or "Christians". Wait a minute.. what does that make us? That makes us crazy radicals, Jesus freaks - fools for Christ! Are we?

Are we today as passionate as the early Christian community was? Are we sharing all we have with those in need? Do we serve the Lord? Where are the miracles and wonders? How is it we don't see such things? Today as I am blogging, someone somewhere is giving his life to our Risen Lord. Someone somewhere is being healed, walking for the 1st time. Someone has his sight restored. All this is happening in Jesus' name...

By whose name do we live? by our own name? or by the risen Lord? By whose name is all authority given to? by our name? or by the risen Lord? Jesus came to give us life to the full. Have we opened out hearts to this life? Jesus gives us his resurrection so we can claim his victory for our lives. So we don't have to get by on 2nd best anymore. We don't have to be afraid to live as Christians (to love God as he deserves) aka crazy radicals, Jesus freaks, fools for Christ.

"... we come through all these things triumphantly victorious, by the power of him who loved us. For I am certain of this: neither death nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nothing already in existence and nothing still to come, nor any power, nor the heights nor the depths, nor any created thing whatever, will be able to come between us and the love of God, known to us in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:37-38

If you havent' done so.. proclaim to one new person everyday: " Jesus the Lord is risen! Hallelujah!"

Angel Network Update: Relocation in Progess

Dear Friends,
Acts29 is assisting several elderly living in Blk 3 and 4 Hougang to shift house over the next few months. The blocks will be torn down this year.
The elderly we are helping are on govt. financial assistance (no family) or have been abandoned by their children. Most of the old men/women we’ve adopted have pretty sad/heartbreaking stories. They’re between 75 years old – 89 years old.

Being relocated is a difficult experience for them. It’s like having to start all over again - making friends, finding their way around and settling down to the new environment. Yes they have many fears and insecurities.
A few who have been collecting and selling drink cans will no longer be able to continue this as contacts would be lost. They will be relocated all over the island. Some will be moving to AMK, Toa Payoh, Bukit Merah, Bedok and so on.

The elderly have shown us perseverance, courage, strength and resilience. They are not a helpless group of old people waiting for daily handouts. Weeks before they begin shifting out, they have found ways to get hold of cardboard boxes in good condish. I admire that.. Note to self: ask them to help us get more boxes for our FAST. They are all packed and ready to go. When we step into any elderly's flat now, we can see the boxes all ready: packed and taped up. Some have even manager to get contacts for lorries. However many need help with changing of letterbox keys, changing home address on the IC. Many don't know how to fix the new lights in their new flat or how to reinstall the water heater. Most have told us they want their new home to look exactly like the one they have now. the furniturs goes into the same corners and places. We took photos so we know where the bed was in the old flat and the sofa and the table, etc... The Catholics are requesting for us to arrange house blessing, holy communion and so on.

Sure they all have a past. Perhaps one left the family, another a compulsive gambler, another an alcoholic and another an ex-con. Perhaps their relatives have given up hope on them and stay away from them. For those who have been abandoned by their children, perhaps they didn't show love to their kids enough when they were young. Whatever wrong they did in the past should not be punishment for them to be isolated in their 1room cell. Angel Network has revealed to us the large numbers of elderly living alone, estranged from families. No one visits them, not even for CNY. Some old ladies are actually are afraid to be alone at night. Some times they can't sleep. They are also wary of being robbed. The old men tell us how nice it would be to have home-cooked meals and to have their meals with friends or family. Every 1 room flat we pass by is a block of many elderly living in loneliness and even despair. They are not the easiest people to get along with. They would have a hard time coping in an elderly day-care or old folks' home. They have a different way of thinking from the elderly in centres and homes. Despite their loneliness, they still want their independence and freedom.

You can be part of Angel Network by helping us in these ways:
1. request to be on angel network email list
2. help in the move by carrying stuff from old place to new place
3. contribute lorry/transport to help the elderly shift
4. painting their new home
5. fixing lights/nails/etc
6. donate a water heater to those who need one
7. help us get hold of fridge, sofa, wardrobe etc
8. help us monthly to pay visits as we expand Angel Network to AMK and Toa Payoh this 2008.

Some elderly do not have fridge, tv, radio, sofa, a table to eat at, a stove, water heater. One elderly man's home is bare except for a bed, a foldable table and 2 chairs. His wall is decorated with photo frame of Jesus, palm leaf and a little picture of our Archbishop pasted up!!! :)

24hour FAST: Call to Conversion

The Season for Lent has arrived.
Some young people may see this season as a time of suffering! to abstain, to fast, to go for more confessions, more penance and so on. Even for adults, Lent may be more of a season of Gloom. to enter 40days in the desert! what??? the desert???

Lent actually means spring and Spring is a beautiful season for new life. Maybe for those of us living in South-East Asia Spring is something we can only imagine as that season does not exist in our climate.

People think that we at acts29 are going crazy. We're gathering youths in Singapore to fast for 24hours. On top of that we're inviting our brothers and sisters from around Asia to fast with us too! Fasting only means more gloom? right? WRONG.

My 1st FAST experience occured in Brunei and the youths there were far from gloomy. They were filled with joy overflowing. Last year's FAST in Singapore saw 50 young people surrender all their comforts and treasures to step into the lives of the poor. Strange as it may sound, those youths had a great time experiencing hunger, building cardboard shelters and visiting the poor. Our joyful FAST experience is easy to explain yet hard to grasp. Those of you who have lived in Payatas dumpsite or in places where the people are poor would probably have recieved great joy from the poor. I've never been without joy in Payatas. At times tired, at times overwhelmed. At times there's sadness and I cry but still the joy cannot be taken away. because Payatas, like so many other places, is where the poor is present and that is where Paraiso (paradise) exists.

I invite you to read Isaiah 58. In Isaiah 58, God says he has chosen fasts that 1) loosen the bonds of wickedness, 2)undo heavy burdens, 3)let the oppressed go free, 4)break every yoke, 5)give bread to the hungry and provide the poor with housing, 6) allow people's light to break forth like the morning, 7)cause their health to spring forth speedily, 8)cause their righteousness to go before them and 9)cause the glory of God to be their reward.

http://www.usccb.org/nab/bible/isaiah/isaiah58.htm

During this 24hour FAST we want to re-look at our relationship with one another: relationship within the family, relationship within the community and relationship with our brothers and sisters from the region. And we do so through the eyes of the poor. The poor never fail to remind us of what joy truly is. The poor point out to us the humanity of Jesus, the Son of God. Just as Christ was blessed, broken and given away, we too ask to be blessed, broken and given away so that we may share and rejoice in the Paraiso of our risen Lord.

24hour FAST 2008 REGISTTER NOW

WHERE IS THIS YEAR'S 24HOUR FAST VENUE: CHIJ TOA PAYOH (LORONG 1)
WHEN DOES IT START: 1ST MARCH SAT, 2PM REGISTRATAION
WHEN DOES IT END: 2ND MARCH SUN 3PM, (SUN MASS AT 2PM)

WHAT DO I BRING:
1 CUP/BOWL OF UNCOOKED RICE (PUT IN PLASTIC BAG/ZIPLOCK)
SLEEPING BAG
PEN/PENCIL


A LOOK AT 2007 24HOUR FAST

Refreshed, forgiven, blessed

For a week I spent time at home and wondering how much more I can give to the kids. Being sick made me weak, both physically and emotionally, yes, also spiritually.
I find myself battling with many thoughts about the mission. At home, I remember the little hands and feet of the kids. My heart aches seeing the reality of their hardships. Sometimes I fear for their health. Would you believe there was a time Rodel recited the multiplication table with me and he told me “Ate May I can’t do it. It’s too many. I can’t breath." I find the kids tire easily in Payatas.

Yes, we have the same dream. I wish we have more money, more shelters for them, more food, and more nurturing hands to fill each brokenness. Each day I wish the children more and more love to receive, more and more care to feel. I am proud to see how Paaralang Pantao brought joy and friendship to the kids. Each day's “heartspeaks” can be summarized to a miracle of: giving and love and pains endured. Yes, sometimes I scream inside, “Life is so unfair for the kids!” But a thought knock once at my heart. The kids are alive and they have been blessed with many moments to smile; to run, to play, to dance, to sing, to express their pains and wildest ideas, to argue with us, to have tantrums, to frown, to dream, to cheer, to pray, to reflect, to hear stories, to meet many friends from all over the world, to fight and reconcile, and to just BE,be themselves.

Being in the mission is a humbling experience. If God is listening I wish to tell him sorry because I felt so self-sufficient, that I can do something for the children. I can love them and give my time. I have missed to acknowledge the truth that God uses each one of us as instruments. He has the masterplan in His hands.

I was sick and felt I’ve been burned out with many thoughts for the kids and the mission. I forgot to tell God my desires and my hopes because I have been so busy thinking what to do, how to respond to the call. And then he allowed me to pause a while.

Tomorrow, I will be back to school after a weeks' rest. I feel refreshed, forgiven and blessed to have rested.

Are you ready for 24hour FAST this LENT?

Date: 1st March, Sat to 2nd March Sun.
Time Start: Registration 2pm
Time End: 4pm
VENUE: CHIJ Toa Payoh Secondary (Toa Payoh Lorong 1, walking distance from Toa Payoh MRT station)
Cost: $15

The Fast Pledge: Sat 3pm
Closing of FAST with Eucharistic Celebration: Sun 2pm
Light Meal: 3pm
Bring: Bible and sleeping bag.
Program includes Way of the Cross, Reconciliation Service and Sunday Mass
Minimum age: 13 years old
Maximum age: adults welcomed!

Hey everyone!
the 24hour FAST is back and it will be held during the season of Lent.
Lent is a time for us to be in prayer, fasting/abstaining and almsgiving/good works.
The 24hour FAST program will include all this and help you on your way to develop your own personal Lenten program.
The 24hour FAST program reminds us of the poor who live beyond our shores in the various regions of Asia.
This Lent we invite you to join us as we encounter the poor. Spend 1 day 1 night in the shoes of the poor. Come for the 24hour FAST (For Asia Solidarity Together).

Come! Join us for this life-changing experience!

In Heaven's Eyes

Payatas is a place that's not only filled with garbage. It's filled with all kinds of vice. It's also a place full of children.

Young boys, barely 10, play billiards with adults along Pampanga Street.
Children walk up and down Pampanga, drugs tugged beneath and stapled to their tees.
"Who takes care of you?" "My sibling"
"Where is mama and papa?" "working in the dumpsite" or "dead" or "prison"

I've known Nicasio and his sister Joannie since he was 5. Nicassio 1st enrolled in Paaralang Pantao for the kindergarten class. He'll be 10 this May. His father passed away about 2 years ago. His illiterate mum and 2 older sisters did not know what to do. In their little hut, they kept the father's body for almost a month till the barangay authorities stepped into help. The death was finally certified and the family could proceed to bury the body. Joannie now 15 stopped school around that time. She began work as a scavenger atop the infamous Payatas Dumpsite. Mother does not come out of their home. She seems to be ill, extremely underweight, suspected TB. But she is not seeking treatment. A few weeks ago, Nicassio came to school with a fever. He had stepped on a rusty nail the day before. Mayb was unable to help him as Joannie would have to give her his medical cert before the German doctors would see to him. Joannie was afraid. She feared the same thing would happen to Nicassio just like her dad. Eventually Nicasio was taken to the health centre an he eventually recovered. Nicasio is one of the sweetest kids I've ever met. "Teacher, please wait for Arnil." he told us one day when we were about to leave for our photo project. "Arnil is working and rushing for a bath. Please wait awhile for him". "Teacher, let me go look for Joshua" he volunteered another day when Joshua failed to show up for the photo project.

Just last week, he heard us asking teacher Jane for sticker labels. He pulled out an a4 sheet of bright orange sticker labels. "Here you can have this Ate May. I found many at the dumpsite. I have many at home. I'll bring more tomorrow." And he did :) Nicassio can read! the other day he saw a sign and read it aloud "Bi ll i ard!" He's the most diligent child in the school and I know it breaks Tita Letty's heart that this boy does not have a birth certifcate to be enrolled in school.

"Nicasio what will you do in May if you can't get into a formal school?"
With a downcast look he says softly, "I'll work. Mam Letty says I cannot come back next year" This is what Tita has told him to encourage him to get into formal school.
"School shoes and uniforms are too expensive. We can't afford them."
"If Ate Sherlyn gives you shoes and uniform will you go to formal school next year?"
With a wide grin he nods, "Yes".


My heart cries for Little Roman. He's just 8 but he is as tough as underground gang leader. "Do you know who my father is?" he once proudly announced to all his friends.
"He's the one who'll rob! No one is afraid of him! He's in city jail."
Roman has sudden bursts of outrage throughout lessons. At times, he would bolt out of class and attempt to leave the school. Mayb has a hard time getting him away from the school gate. Sometimes when he is naughty, Tita Letty would ask him to look after the gate of the school, which he proudly does. Roman is ahead of his classmates. He is bored and shows it. He picks books from the shelves. Books are his refuge. Though he can't read yet, he goes through the illustrations page to page. This is the time Roman is the most peaceful. Roman often comes late for school. No one looks at him when he's late or he would glare angrily. He glares even at his teacher and Tita Letty. Some mornings, Roman walks all the way to the school gate. He waits for the teacher to notice him. Then he turns around and heads home.

Last week, Roman was very happy to see us. He came to school half and hour early. "Are you happy Roman?"
"No inside I am not happy...
I eat snacks everyday for my meals. Grandma cooks but sometimes she does not give me food so I eat out. I love my siblings. Grandma doesn't love me. Sometimes she locks me up. My mother is not my friend. I love my mother more than I love my father. I've only seen my father twice. He's in prison. There's fighting everyday at home. My siblings are fighting at home. My eldest brother in Grade 5 fights with me. Grandma fights with me also. I'm the only one beaten by my grandma. My other siblings are not beaten by my grandma, only me. That's why I am angry when I come to school. I don't want to make friends."

Erwin is one strong little boy. At home he does all the household chores. Cleaning, washing, cooking and even fetching water. He and Nicassio are good friends. They sit side by side in school. Erwin studies hard. He's as clever as Nicassio. Erwin comes for all the photo sessions. He likes to take his own face. :)



This gate does not look like much. But it leads the children to a safe place away from scavenging in the heat, drugs, pornography and other kinds of abuse.


Here the children can take off their shoes. They dont have to be afraid. This is Roman's hiding place from an angry man who had threatened to kill him. This is a place where Pepito can learn to read and write, away from the pornography at home. This is a place where Arnil and Cherilyn know they will not be hit. There is no broken glass. No one will get bruised, cut or hurt.
This week we told them the story of Noah's ark and God's promise. The children learnt to catch a rainbow. They listened to how brave David stood up against the fierce giant, Goliath. They made crowns because they are little kings and queens in heaven's eyes.

Heartspeaks

Hi Sherlyn,

We finished our photo workshop last Saturday. We visited the homes of all the kids. Joshua came to school last Friday. Tita Letty talked to him. He shared that his mother sent him to his grandmother and aunts where they scold him a lot and at times beat him. It looks like he has a very low motivation to study.
Last Saturday, we got the chance to talk to him as we walked towards his home.
He said he doesn’t like to go to school because he has very limited shirts and he is at times scolded.
When I asked him if he was made to work he told me “no”. I was able to talk to his mom. His mother said that she sent Joshua to grandmother and she is now the one responsible for him since she is also working in the dumpsite.
She is not sure if Joshua has baptism cert and not concerned much about Joshua getting a birth certificate. I shared with her about acts29’s mission to secure him his birth certificate. She was ‘ok’ with it.

We then visited Angicel’s house with Jane (Angi’s mum and teacher at Payatas).
The kids were so happy to see their house. They think Jane’s house is very neat and beautiful. The kids enjoyed looking at Angie’s pictures and their family pictures framed on the walls. They like Angie’s toys and their appliances. Hee hee… and also her sweet cat…(Hopefully arnil and nicassio didn’t finish their films on her cat) 

-we showed Alvin and Celester the old school site….Alvin has been very curious and he’s happy to walk along Zamboanga Street once more…he asked me to interpret the conversations I had with the family’s and glad that he brought his notebook to record 

After that, we hiked to Nicassio’s home. He was so excited. Running ahead all of us. We met his sister, Johannie and his mum. His mum cannot speak Tagalong very well. But she tried to respond. The kids feel at home in Nicassio’s house. Johannie asks if she can join us. Of course!!! She said she really wants to study. She gave me her birth cert and Nicassio’s too. She told us that they were fake ones. We’ll validate this Tuesday when we go to the govt. office NSO, (National Statistics Office).

I asked her how about her work and her family needs if she was to study. She said that she can still work part time. At least when she study she can fulfill her dream to be a doctor or if not, a teacher. She even speaks to me in English at times. She currently earns 100-150 pesos a week. She said it’s very hard to work since her other sister is not so independent like her. She needed to guide her more.

Then we went to Arnil and Cherylyn’s house right in front of Nicassio’s. We met their step mother taking care of her baby. The house of Arnil and Cherylin is very small, like Nicassio’s. The length is only a few feet. The stepmother, told us they were not able to go to school the other day because they were rushing to finish their work. Arnil and Cherylin help them. I told her of our mission to work. She is ‘ok’ with us getting them birth certs, but sending them to formal school does not seem to be not in her priority. She told us she’s not aware that the kids did not go to school the previous days. The father didn’t talk to us. As we walked Cherylyn shared they cook their own meals. She asked if she could keep her camera with her and Arnil asks also.

Then we headed to Erwin’s house…it was a long hike. Next mountain..hee hee No wonder Erwin Erika and Mariel always look haggard when they arrive at school.
We’re happy to meet Erwin’s cute brothers named Gokul and Gohan and the rest I can’t remember. I just remember these two because they’re named after dragon ball anime characters  The mum is so supportive of Erwin. She is just so worried because she has so many children. But she said she’ll get Erwin’s baptism cert so we can work on his birth certificate. She shared about Erwin’s dream to study in the formal school and how he often asks her for this. She is very happy that her children are learning a lot in Paaralang Pantao.

We all head home. And along the way guess who we met?? Nestor! Your friend from Foundacio. We agreed to share more about BEC and also share mission experience. God made a way for us to meet him and his friend. Hope to keep in touch with them too.

Mayb

Marian Evangelization Choir coming to perform

This May, the Marian Evangelization Choir will be in Singapore.
Most of the members are orginally from Santo Thomas Univeristy.
Since their Uni days, they have been going to schools to sing and conduct recollections for young people. acts29 is happy to have them with us and we'll be having an exciting line-up of activities with them.

Below are 2 videos of them singing. They had little time to rehearse so the performance is not as good as their usual. I'll upload a more pro video of them when I get back from Manila in 2 weeks.

In the meantime, the blog will be quiet for 7 days from Wednesday unless I can blog over in Payatas. :) Please keep our upcoming mission in your prayers. Enjoy the songs!

Back from the Christmas break

The Christmas break was good! This blogger is ready to get blogging for 2008...Gave me time to recollect and envision the year ahead. :)

Wat's new? What's been happening in the world?
the word "random" is out for 2008 and the word "emo" is out too, so I've been told..Yup it aint cool anymore.. Esp when u get emo at random moments... these are

my words for 2008: "EGO".. that's so "ego".. "Awkwarrrrrrd" sustain.. with fingers tapping against each other for maximum effect.
"s.m.m" (meaning - see my mood) ok this one is not my contribution.. from sylvester anymore words to add? just tag it

11 people were rescued after being stranded on some Pacific coast for 3 months. 5 were sent out only after the group had no more food rations. the 5 finally stumbled on a military base after walking for 4 days. Interesting. They should have thought of it 3 months earlier.

People are still bombing people. How sick is that? Would God actually want you to blow up the people He created into bits and pieces of bone fragments and bloody flesh? Killing and violence degrades the existence of human beings on this Earth. The cockroaches whom we regard as filthy and gross are actually living more peacefully with each other than we human beings. How come the cockroach and the other animals can live peacefully with their own kind and we humans can't?

AMK Hub finally opens after years of waiting. Unfortunately, it's really not that great. Bishan hangers this is one place not worth coming over for. Stay at J8.

Taxi fares are up! Who benefits? Only the taxi companies. Poor taxi drivers. The next time you get into a cab, just talk to the driver about the fare hikes. Let the driver complain and grunt. He's got to let out all his pent-up frustrations.

The salaries of civil servants have increased, esp the people at the top. Who has the most well-paid ministers in the world? Is it right for ministers pay themselves well to ensure they give their loyalty and their best to the country? Is it right to pay one well so that one does not fall into corruption? A hero to me is a minister who rejects his payslip and serve for the sake of serving the nation, out of loyalty and love for the people.

Wikepedia: Personal values evolve from circumstances with the external world and can change over time. Integrity in the application of values refers to its continuity; persons have integrity if they apply their values appropriately regardless of arguments or negative reinforcement from others.
Values are applied appropriately when they are applied in the right area. Love, care, courage, bravery, integrity and compassion are examples of values. Last night

I was on the MRT last night, boarded at Orchard Station. A group of teens were sitted in one row. The train was crowded. 2 old ladies boarded the train. The teens turned to their friend sitting at the corner and teased him to give up his seat to the elderly since he was sitting in an "elderly" seat. The boy laughed and made a face at them. The teens continued to ignore the old ladies. 2 China workers from across stood up and offered their seats to the old ladies who were only too happy to rest their feet. We, Singaporeans, gripe about foreigners coming in. Maybe as many as 3 million have and will be coming in to make Singapore their home. I don't know but there are so many from Philippines, India, China and so on already here. These foreigners have never gone through the best education system in the world, the Singapore education system. They probably attended village schools where there were 60 kids in a class. They probably came from countries where the athorities say "no more passports cos not enough paper". Until they pay for the planting of a tree then they get a passport? in other words, corruption. Yet 2 blue-collared China workers who could not speak English gave up their seats to 2 elderly women while our group of Singapore teens refused to.

Perhaps just as we pay our ministers to ensure they stay loyal and honest, we should also pay our young to ensure they show kindness to the elderly and disabled.

What a miracle!

A new Christian was enthusiastically reading his Bible at the park. On the next bench was an old skeptic who was observing the happy new Christian. Suddenly the Christian shouted, "Hallelujah! Praise the Lord!"
The skeptic asked aloud, "What's the praising for?"
The Christian replied, "Moses led the Israelites across the Red Sea! God parted the Red Sea! What a miracle! Praise the Lord!"
The old skeptic sighed, "That's not a miracle!" Don't you know? The water in the Red Sea sometimes receeds to a depth of only 2 inches. Those Israelites crossed the sea and only got their ankles wet in the muddy shallow water!"
The Christian looked downcast but continued to read the Bible. The skeptic satisfied, began to nod off.
But the skeptic was soon awaken by more shouts. He woke to find the Christian jumping for joy, laughing and shouting, "Praise God! Praise God! God is great!"
"What's with you now?" asked the irritated skeptic.
The Christian replied with much joy, "God drowned the Egypitans, and their chariots and all the horsemen with just 2 inches of muddy shallow water! What a miracle!"

The greatest miracle of all takes place at Christmas. When you walk down Orchard Road it's easy to forget that really a miracle took place 2000 years ago in a simple manger. It's much easier to buy and give presents, write letters to Santa, attend Christmas parties then to open our hearts to the Infant Jesus.

Christmas is a time to renew our love for God, those around us, even our neighbours, especially the poor. This is the time to embrace God's love by receiving his Son Jesus once more into our lives and into our families.

1John 4:10 "Love consists in this; it is not we who love God, but God loved us and sent his Son to expiate our sins."

This Christmas let's accept God's love for us.

Let God be God

I had such a good time reading the various super powers you want to have.
Funny lah!
Daryl wants to be a cheerleader!? Alvin is scary. Don't go near him, he'll read ur mind. OK i know why.. so no need to talk, just know. hehe. I don't know why Iggy wants to be spiderman.. I thought he would rather be able to see all the colours of the rainbow. Sylvester is not that smart after all. He wants to fly to beat the airfares. but he'll just be a big bird in the air and he'll take a long time to fly to another country. Boeing and Airbus... those things have turbo power... How far can Sly fly? How fast can Sly fly? Got to fly low, cannot fly too high cos not enough oxygen. Nikki is cute and smart... Girl power! Get away from trouble in a fingersnap. As for me yes, I know... My voice is loud enough. Call one time, everyone can hear! I was thinking, actually if I had the power to call the person's name and pop the fellow appears. E.g. "OSAMA!!" out from the Afghan cave into my living room.. shudders...oh no! So if i call his name backwards, then back to the Afghan cave he returns. E.g "AMASO" poof!
ok why did I ask this question again??
oh yes. cos it's advent.
You see we've been meeting thrice a week for advent sessions to fellowship, hear the Word of God and pray together. We want to prepare ourselves to receive Jesus. What's so important that we have to devote such time? give up our old life for Jesus... because Jesus is greater than any superpower. He is Lord over every sovereignty, principality and force.

If really we were given some kind of superpower and we didn't know Jesus... we wouldnt know how best to use it for others. As it is we've got superpower modern technology. But many don't know how to use it wisely. As a result, the Earth, our home, is being destroyed. Often we want to play God and we attempt to do so, often with negative consequences. From this Christmas let God be God and stop playing God.

The Most Important Advent Question

Hey to all the people I know and all the people I don't know.
I have ONE QUESTION FOR YOU...
Please send in your answer by choosing any of these options...tagging, commenting or emailing: enquiry@acts29mission.org

Leave your name if you want or stay anonymous. Give a "cheem" theological answer if you wish or a funny one or a smart alec answer. Answer anyway you want... Don't have to think so hard...

Here it is:

If you were a SUPERHERO what kind of power would you like to have... and WHY?

Alrighty! I'll be waiting for your answers. We'll publish the answers here this Sunday.

Cowabunga-luya-dude!

Hey What if Cartoons Got Saved???

to begin with Humanity... is to begin with Jesus

If you have been to our website lately you’d have seen our new banner: the one month School for Humanity mission trip.

You are 16-20 years old.
You would like to give 1 month to serve the Lord.
You would also like to experience living amongst the poor.

But… you say, “I’m too young.”
Acts29 partly means Acts: A Call To Serve
Every baptized person is entrusted with the mission of the Christ and in responding to the call of our baptism we renew our missionary commitment and strengthen our faith by giving to others and to give meaning to life in today's world.

That’s what the church says… not what acts29 says... that every baptized person has a mission... and more so if you’ve been confirmed.

29: is the continuation of the Acts of the Apostles which ends at Acts Chapter 28.
Christ gave his disciples the missionary mandate: “Go and make disciples of all nations,… and lo, I am with you always, to the close of age.” The apostles were sent to the whole world and they were assured that the Spirit would enable them to fulfill their work.

Acts29 is having this mission trip for the young so that young people like you can take this opportunity to respond to the missionary mandate given by Jesus.

But… you say, “What have I got that’s so great that it can make a difference?”
You know I’ve met parents who say to their children they can’t go for mission trips because
“You’re not God. Don’t play God. You’re not a saint or a religious!”

The church recognizes that the Holy Spirit is the principal agent of our mission. If someone is going to experience God’s love it is “not by your might nor by your power but by the Spirit of God”

But…you say, “I can serve the poor in Singapore. I don’t have to go all the way to Payatas”
80% of the world’s resources is used by 20% of the world’s population. That 20% world population includes all the people living in Singapore, who have access to clean running water, basic sanitation, a HDB flat to call home. And in Singapore, food is available 24hours. If we have to go out and look for the poor in Singapore, then we are not poor. Poverty is where the poor is everywhere you go and the poor includes you. FYI: 20% of the world’s resources is available to 80% of the world’s population. (Stats from U.N)

As young people we have much kindness in our hearts but do we have the courage to step out of our comfort zones? We know what’s happening in the world. We see the injustices on the news. We want to change the world. We seek for solutions as world leaders, politicians, business moguls, humanitarians do. We seek to bring justice, peace, freedom and love to this world. We seek to heal the earth and to bring God’s kingdom here on earth. But before we pursue our dream of transformation, it is Jesus whom we should give our hearts to. It is he who will begin the 1st transformation, by transforming us. Before we embark on the rest of our life’s journey to do good, let us build ourselves, not on shallow sand but on solid ground, a deep foundation. Before we begin our dreams for our life and family, our country and our world, let us be in communion with the Lord. Contemplative disciples know his life, his truth, his way.

This January, come live with Jesus.

School for Humanity

Are you 16-20 years old?
Do you have one month to give to the Lord?
Do you have place in your heart for the poor?
to live among the poor?

Acts29 is running a mission program for young people: post O and A levels/post ITE and those awaiting NS.
We would like to invite these young people to give 1 month to serve the Lord and to live among the poor.
At the end of the mission, we would like to see these youths back in their parishes, active members igniting the spirit of mission among their peers.


School for Humanity (Paaralang Pantao)
Contemplative youths for mission
School for Humanity is a one-month formation program for youths between the ages of 16 -20 years old who desire to experience Simplicity, Solidarity and Mission through Jesus for others.

Purpose:
A one month formation program to
1)Contemplation – be in communion with Jesus as we encounter him in the suffering poor
2)Compassion - love in action for the transformation of this world, “loving our neighbour”
3)Communication – proclaiming Jesus Christ to others, to witness, to engage in a dialogue of life

Cost: $600 (airfare, food and accommodation) funds can be raised through acts29

Youths will have mission experience in Paaralang Pantao and Anawim Lay Missions Foundation

To register youths are required to email a personal introduction (including name, age, parish, email address, contact no) to enquiry@acts29mission.org.
The personal introduction should include
• A brief description of who you are, your personality and background
• Why you are interested to participate in this mission
• How you intend to use this experience to serve in your parish

Dates:
Jan 3 -5: stay-in pre-mission preparation
Sessions include:
• How to Pray
• Catholic Social Teachings
• Redemptoris Missio
• Tagalog and Cooking Lessons

Jan 6-27: Philippines Mission
Living as a community (Montalban)
Serving urban poor (Payatas and Erap) and abandoned (Anawim)
Witness and evangelization

Jan 28-Feb 3: Post Mission
Singapore sharing and outreach (participants will return to their parishes to share with youth groups/catechism classes, whichever is possible) their mission experience
To ignite a sense of mission among their peers and in their parishes.

http://www.acts29mission.org
email: enquiry@acts29mission.org

Rhythm of Life

Recently I asked some youths to give up their watches while we were in the Philippines. I expected some of them to protest silently in their hearts. To my surprise, even the quiet ones spoke out loudly as if they had heard a most repelling thing and they just had to react. "What? Give up my watch? never!" As if I had asked them to surrender their last breath of air.

Why the reaction? There were 2 reasons. The 1st reason was the watch was of sentimental value... someone had given it to them or they have been using it since the last millenium and have since grown so attached to this made-in-japan thing that it would be weird not to have it on the hand.

The 2nd reason was "I need to know the time".. If you observe a young person long enough that fella is probably looking at his time (watch or hp) every 15 minutes.

The irony was: after much discussion the youths agreed that it was not important for them to have their watches and they did not need their watches but they just could not take it off. If it's not important or you don't need it, why can't you take it off?

I felt I was looking at myself as a teenager struggling with time and with my possessions. A youth is as poor as a church mouse. I can say that from experience. What a youth has to call his/her own is really almost nothing. That almost nothing is probably the watch they have on. Some youths earned their watch. Perhaps from good results or behaviour. Some, perhaps, cos they learnt to be on time! :) But for whatever the reason, many young people are given watches. Watches are often gifts. I notice adults give watches to young people as a way of telling them, "You're old enough to tell time and to keep time."

And that's what young people do.. and boy.. do they keep time.. at least for Singaporean youths. Our young people are always rushed and hurried, especially rushed and hurried to grow up. Many of them have a fully-packed program for the holidays. Many do not have programs they themselves had come up with or chosen. Many were put on leadership courses, work attachments, overseas trips, training, extra academic lessons. Even holiday trips were planned for them. They have so many plans and activities pre-programmed. There were a few without any plans, just happy-go-lucky but these youths did not seem to fit in with the others. I also suspect some just gave the impression that they have a lot on for the holidays just to be in sync with their friends.

In all our rushing and speeding through life, it's no wonder the young people find sunrise and sunset to be unfamiliar events. Strange that roosters crow and cows can run freely in open land. The full moon seems to be an oddity in the dark sky. and the stars.. oh never see stars as bright as these. Oohh... smell the air just before rain drops fall pitter patter. Waiting for water to boil, just waiting for water to boil. raining, raining, nothing to do cos it's raining. never had nothing to do. children chattering. Don't understand what they're saying. Can't answer, can't understand. Never felt isolated, never felt un-understood. What to say? just smile. never smiled for the sake of smiling ... nothing to do but smile. Rain stops, no more pitter patter, no more chatter. Across the valley, a giant rainbow appears. The valley seems to smile, the rainbow seems to be listening.

Time has passed. Time, not in seconds or minutes or if.else.then. But time in the rooster's crow, in the sunrise, in the air, the pitter patter, the chatter, the smile, the listening rainbow, the smiling valley, the boiling water, the quiet sunset. Time, not by Seiko nor Casio nor Raymond Weil, rather time by the rhythm of life.

One Meal A Day

This is BABY JANE. She's such an angel. An active happy child who loves to dance and tell stories. She comes up to me with those big puppy eyes and rattles off in Tagalog. Often she is asking "Are you leaving tomorrow?"

Beneath her cheerful and extrovered behaviour, it is hard to imagine that Baby Jane often has only 1 meal a day. And that meal is the lunch that she receives in Paaralang Pantao. Our food project will reach its 5th year come 2008. I wonder what goes through the minds of the young recipients after each lunch. Many are too young to express what they really mean. We're going to get each kid to do a survey to give their feedback on the meals. I can't wait for the response. Perhaps some will complain about the vegetables and ask for more fried chicken. :)

Just last week, a fight broke out in school. Pepito, who was not able to finish his fried chicken drumstick, ran over to Arnil and dumped his remaining chicken on Arnil's plate. An angry Arnil jumped out of his seat. Pepito was already back in his seat, 2 chairs away. Arnil yanked the hair of Pepito and dragged the smaller boy back to that fried drumstick. Arnil sat down expecting Pepito to take back his chicken. Perhaps Arnil was embarrased because there were visitors present and they had seen the leftover chicken dumped on his plate. Pepito, also embarrased that he had been too weak to fight back, then rained punches - blow after blow, on a stunned Arnil. The 2 boys were separated quickly and each was given time out to cool down. Arnil continued his lunch and even finished off the remaining of Pepito's half-eaten drumstick. This is a boy who has 8 or 9 siblings at home. Meal times are a rush and even a fight for who gets the bigger share of the meal.

Now back in Singapore I think of Baby Jane and Arnil. I wonder if they have had enough to eat today? If they have gone to bed hungry? The Christmas season is in the air. We're busy getting the home ready for the festive season. Planning our gift list, what to buy when to wrap and so on. The menu for Christmas is already in the works. In NTUC or in Sheng Siong, housewives can be heard complaining. The price of MaLing was once $1.10 and is now $2.50. Food prices have risen over the past few months. Yet in Singapore there is no shortage of food. Food is available 24 hours. An old lady once said, "In Singapore, the poor will never die of hunger."

As Advent approaches, I've decided rethink what food means to me and what the food project means to the kids in Payatas. I've never gone hungry, never known what it's like to have just one meal a day or what it's like to share a small piece of meat with 9 others. This Advent I'd like to have just one meal a day. I started 2 days ago... Today I had cup noodles for lunch and some fries... It's 1130pm... I'm hungry very hungry... But I think: like Easter, Christmas also comes with personal self-sacrifice in the season of Advent.

How do I make Christ present in the world for 2008? I don't know. I also don't know how to bring about justice and peace, freedom and hope in the world. But I know that if I have one meal a day, I will constantly be reminded that the poor exist and that Christ chose to come to the world not as a privileged king but as a poor Asian child, like Baby Jane and Arnil.

If you'd like to join me in this advent "fast", do tag here and let me know how it has been for you :)

Peace
Sherlyn

Paraiso Return to Paradise Smokey Mountain

Dear MEC-Amen,
when i 1st met u guys at UST (Univeristy of Santo Thomas) u made me cry with ur singing. Your songs were not a performance like so many other singers I've heard. But when you sang, it's just one voice, one message telling me that God's looking out for me. Now so many years later, we're all working and last Sunday we met up again u sang this time to the IJ girls and teachers.. and again you made me cry, even the girls and the teachers cried.

you chose such a powerful song to share with us. I felt I was I stepping into Payatas for the very 1st time once more. Thank you for sharing not only your voice and the song with us, but your heart as well.

I found a video of Paraiso on the web. And I invite all of you who have been to Payatas to listen to this song. Looking back, I realize now that truly this place is paradise. In Payatas, I learnt what was worth laughing about and experienced the freedom to laugh and be filled with joy. I learnt also what was worth crying for. I learnt to let go and cry, to be in sorrow. I realise only when we experience Paraiso then we can know laughter and tears. I know many of you have not been to Payatas for some time because of studies or work. But I invite you to come back to Payatas, return to Paraiso. To those of you who have always wanted to experience life on this Smokey Mountain but have just been too afraid to come to the Philippines, listen to Paraiso. :)

Return to a land called Paraiso,
a place where a dying river ends.
No birds there fly over Paraiso,
no space allows them to endure.
The smoke that screens the air,
the grass that's never there.

And if I could see a single bird, what a joy.
I try to write some words and create
a simple song to be heard
by the rest of the world.

I live in this land called Paraiso,
in a house made of cardboard floors and walls.
I learned to be free in Paraiso,
free to claim anything I see.
Matching rags for my clothes,
plastic bags for the cold.

And if empty cans were all I have, what a joy.
I never fight to take someone
else's coins and live with fear
like the rest of the boys.

Paraiso, help me make a stand.
Paraiso, take me by the hand
Paraiso, make the world understand
that if I could see a single bird, what a joy.
This tired and hungry land could expect
some truth and hope and respect
from the rest of the world.

Congratulations Paaralang Pantao

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

The Foundation for Human Rights in Asia (FHRA) has chosen Paaralang Pantao as one of the recipients of Asia Human Rights Award 2007 this coming December 7, 2007 in Tokyo, Japan. The said award is granted to individuals or organizations who have conducted great and meritorious services towards improving and solving human rights problems in Asia.

In behalf of Paaralang Pantao, I would like to share this recognition to all those who have always been supporting our efforts to promote children’s welfare through education. Let us all spread this good news so that more of our friends would know that Paaralang Pantao is not just a school for the children of Payatas but a community where we can all belong, and where all the efforts we share -- big or small can make a difference and help improve one’s life.

Again, thank you and we hope to commune with you again on one of Paaralang Pantao’s future activities.

Sincerely,
Jaycoben B Reyes

Heartspeaks

Dear Kimberly, Jamaica and John Mark,

It was in the first week of August, when I first, met the three of you. You all wore strange head dresses, colorful bandanas and wigs, except for the little but strong brother, John Mark. Your distant gazes puzzled me, and I often wondered why you had strange rejection of the most awaited ‘chicken” meals. Tita told me, you find such food strange. Deep in my heart, I asked why. Why you look and act a little different from the rest.

Yet your bonding as siblings impressed me. I observed how you protected each other, from a classmate who teased or an annoying pull from another peer. I caught a naughty act from a classmate, who pulled your colorful “wig” out of curiosity, revealing your little hair strands growing slowly. I know it hurts you, but you girls never cried nor fought back. Instead you just put back the wigs and continued your work. Tita said your papa shaved your heads because of lice.

Forgive me for I inquired and observed much about you all. I learned your mom left and marry someone else, leaving your father to take care of you all. Isn’t your father an amazing man? I heard he’s working real hard, doubling the effort, doing the laundry, cooking, cleaning, and still working in the nearby junkshop. Being a full time mom is a challenging thought for me. I still can’t imagine the strength that your father has raising you all.

Last week, I met your father. He was there during recess time. He was coaching you Kimberly, remember? He was coaching you to tell teacher that the boy beside you is being a nuisance. I met him again the next day, with 3 pesos at hand ready to pay for the snacks you ate, for 1 peso each. Your father escorts you all to school, wait till all of you are settled and returns to peak in once in a while and pick you up in the afternoon. He has all rounded abilities! Hope John Mark, that in time you would inherit those too!

As you were all about to go home, I observed you. Older girls, you were packing your stuff. You were carrying a plastic envelop with very organized notebooks, papers and pens. Don’t you think your dad deserves a big thumbs-up? Yeah! For being a very good provider, coach and disciplinarian

Today we had our program in school. Your father attended. He wore a very cool outfit. Nice polo shirt, very neat shoes and very proud smile to see that you will all dance and sing. He sang along with you all as we invited the parents to sing “Hawak Kamay” (a popular Filipino pop music today, inviting everybody to join hands in the midst of struggles, poverty and pains of life.)

In my heart I wish for many fathers like your papa. I wish your papa’s example would touch the many people he encounters each day; his neighbors, his co-workers so many can make a difference like him.

I wish to thank God for your family. You touched my heart profoundly. This I know will be as source of light and strength. Tonight, I remember you all warmly; love had a picture in seeing you three together with your amazing father. May you all grow embracing the wonders of love that cures all pains, eases all hunger and nurses all wounds.

Lastly, I wish to congratulate the three of you, you all danced so well today. You girls were pretty with the flowery costumes. And John Mark, I feel you are slowly going out of your shell as you sing with the rest. Carry on!!!

Heart Speaks - From the Children

“I will never be like him, a “rugby boy!”
(an insight by a little boy, looking outside the school window staring at a man sniffing rugby.)



“ My papa will be in city jail until he grows old.
He’ll never see my art works. I miss him.”



“ In school I can play, I am very happy.”

“ My life is such a burden for days, because Nicassio is absent…”
(one little girl’s sharing about an absent classmate.)




“We will have classes tomorrow, even it is Saturday, right?”

“My mother is in the dumpsite. My father left her.”

“I need to be absent. I need to wash our clothes.”



“I didn’t come to school because I have nothing to wear.”

I wonder. How Jesus would touch these little ones? How would He talk to them? How would He look at them?

How can we be his hands? How can we be His heart?

Faith resounds as we trust in His marvelous presence in the simple words of these children. How they speak their hearts in such a simple and powerful way.

Hope inspires. It makes us all move on and believe. Yes, things will soon be better.A great fruit originates from a little seed. The simple and basic learnings would bear fruit in time.

Imagine love. Love overpowering all the longings, heartaches and broken dreams. Love consciously extended, love so unconditional.

For the past weeks, together with the children, we were learning an inspirational song, entitled, “That we may be one.” And each time we reach the part, “inspired by the love we feel,” the children embrace themselves with a tight squeeze, for some moment, the word seems to profess—truly the greatest of them all is LOVE!!!

Children of Payatas

Boy having his siesta



3 boys on a wall, enoying the view



Boy looking at sky



Team of Photographers

Look out for their pictures here! Will be posted up soon! :)

Dare to dream beyond the Dumpsite

Buy a tee! Support the education of Dumpsite Children!

$10 - one tshirt

How to order? email me your name, the number of tshirts and the sizes.
sherlyn@acts29mission.org


What the design symbolizes...
1) The silhouette of a child freeing a dove (symbolizing our mission “Dream Beyond”)
2) The words “Paaralang Pantao, School of Humanity” (the name of the school we serve)
3) Green in colour to symbolize the hopes of the children to have a green Payatas one day (it is currently grey, without trees or grass, landscaped with mountains of trash) as you can see from our blog banner

Friday HeartSpeaks

Dear Friends, we're happy to bring to you our reflections from our mission experience. Every Friday watch out for HeartSpeaks. (sorry it's late today... we've been at the CHIJ YM campfire! heehee!)

Our 1st HeartSpeaks comes from Mayb, our fulltimer serving in Payatas. This is her reflection of the past week.





I walked down the road with a need to have someone to talk to today. I was wondering if this is another solitary day, where friends are busy doing their own thing, or when my sister is buried with her books or with her own escapades, with no time to even chat.

The enormous need for companionship is knocking, once, twice, thrice and I battled it with the song from Prince of Egypt, Joseph inside the prison sings: “You know better than I, You know the way, I’ve let go the need to know why, I take what answer You supply, You know better than I.”

I walked down the road with a need for someone to talk to today and I met Teacher Jane and Teacher Princess.

“I really wanted to leave my work, said Teacher Princess, “but the day I listened to the children telling their stories, I decided to stay.”

“What did you have for breakfast?”
“Nothing teacher”
“What will you have for dinner?”
“Nothing. I only have what you serve for lunch."

I asked a 5 year old playful boy, “Where is your father?”
He answered, “In the city jail.”

One shy girl shared, “We’re eleven in the family, and I have a twin, my siblings are all working in the dumpsite.”

I walked down the road with a need for someone to talk to today, and I witnessed a smile, a hug, a wondering look, from those who couldn’t even talk.

Non-verbal communication!

“Please help me open my biscuits.” “Let’s sing and dance some more…” “Oh, I need another serving…”

I walked down the road with a need for someone to talk to today, and I saw a young father glancing at his daughter from the window, she’s writing a vowel. He didn’t talk to me but I saw his happy face.

Suddenly, the solitary day becomes a wonderful day. Truly, sometimes, the call is to let go of the need to know why, “I’ll take what answer You supply, You know better than I.”

In the end, God speaks in the many moments of my “today.”

Welcome to Paaralang Pantao, Payatas!


Paaralang Pantao, Payatas. One last look... before the MOVE...



The last Mass at the Vincentian Centre in Payatas before being pulled down



Teacher Reynaldo



smile Aloy!


Luci's School Cleaning Day


A boy and a tyre


A young girl



Over in Erap City


Telling the Story of Christmas



Come, Lord Jesus!



Christmas Lights are up!



Angel Factory - the place to get an angel's wings



The Christmas hatmaker



Strike a pose!



The 3 kings with Jollybee



Angels with Jollybee



Food Time!


Christmas present. With love from Singapore


A very healthy horse ...


... and a very hungry boy



WHO ME? YES! YOU!

December 2006: Maligayang Ang Pasko

I went back to Payatas and Erap City last December. Someone asked if I ever get bored of going back to the same place again and again... I don't get bored and I hope I never do. If I were a tourist to Payatas or Erap.. sure I'd get bored after a few trips... If I were an observer, I'd get bored too. But I have a purpose for going there. I don't go there to say "been there done that" or to "look look see see"... No time to do that! I think the day I feel numb to the people and the project, then that'll be the day I'll stop going.

When we got to Payatas, the first thing on my mind was to get our script for the Christmas party checked out and eidted. We had already prepared them in Tagalog. Lauraine and Grace helped with the corrections and we started rehearsing our roles. Then there was the headache of the props and the costumes. But by and by, inspiration floated in. In time the 3 kings got their crowns made of cardboard and cellophane. The angels got their wings thanks to the nifty work of Celesther who should open a wings factory in heaven - for angels who need to repair their wings or get new ones! Celesther's a great angel-wing maker and "repairer".. haha Next was to plan the program for the party and what food to get the kids.

Diana did a great job with coordinating star-making back in Singapore.. so we had brought more than a hundred paper stars with us of varied colours. I brought along a handsewn image of the Nativity scene which had been so artistically put together by Catholics from Pakistan. With the Nativity scene, the paper stars and the Nativity story in Tagalog, we conducted a rather successful children's liturgy at both Payatas and Erap. At the end of the story-telling aided by the Nativity scene, the kids decorated their Christmas stars as sign to welcome Jesus.

After staying some days in Payatas, we headed for Erap where we spent the time getting the props and angels' wings ready for the big day.. Christmas party day.. oh yes and putting up Christmas lights too. Tita Letty put some other christmas costumes and we were transformed into angels, kings, mary and Joseph, ready to act out the Christmas story. We managed to order food from Jollybee and Tita was able to persuade the outlet to send us a Jollybee mascot to the party. The kids really loved the mascot and we all went "Boom taratara"!

The Christmas party went very well. The youths gave their all for their roles. They put in so much effort to speak in Tagalog. Poor Papa Joseph (Aloysius) had such a hard time getting the Tagalog right but we loved him for all his effort and 4 step box dance! And we're all proud of Mama Mary (Diana)too. She was careful not to drop baby Jesus! Lucien and Tim were so cherubic. Imagine that! and the 3 kings (tatlo hari, Daryl, Iggy and Sylvester) in their mighty yellow, blue and red paid homage to Jesus. The Japanese put on a most entertaining magic performance. We played "Pass the Present" and had a Christmas tree decorating competition. After giving out the presents and food to the kids, I couldn't believe how fast time flew from the day we arrived till then. It was great to do all we had planned for the Christmas party even though the whole area had no electricity! No lights, no fans and no music yet we we had a great time. Glory be to God.

The day of the Christmas party was also 2nd day of Simbang Gabi. We were able to make it in time to the little chapel of Erap City. This is no concrete chapel. The roof of the chapel is canvas held up by stong wooden poles. The chapel is small; not enough to hold the Simbang Gabi crowd that had flocked there religiously the night before. Because of the blackout, we were not sure if the celebration would take place. Eventually more and more people came. Shortly after 745pm, the opening hymn was sung. In the dark, the people sang with all their hearts. The choir had to squint over the lyrics which had been written on Manila paper as it lay on the ground. This way all the choir members standing aournd the paper could see the lyrics. A litle boy was responsible for holding a lit candle close enough to the paper. The lector had to share a dimly-lit candle with the priest. Then we remembered that we had come with modern technology. The choir, the priest and lector were very appreciative of our gadgets. A bright little torch from Celesther and my Sony Ericsson k750i's light that is bright enough to light any street.

After the Eucharistic celebration, we made out way home in the darkness; still no electricity. It was time for dinner when we got back tot school. I like Jollybee's Chicken Joy but this was one Chicken Joy too many. Because we had ordered in bulk, we had Chicken Joy for breakfast, lunch and dinner. At dinner I was sure I was not going to have another fried chicken for the rest of the trip. "What would be great to have right now, is Hen Lin!" I told the rest. The others agreed. It did not matter to the new ones what kind of food Hen Lin sold as long as it was not chicken. I was thinking of century eggs and siew mai, when the door opened and Charlene popped her head in. "Did you order Hen Lin?" I went out to see what she meant. I was sure my heart stopped for a moment. Right at our doorstep, was a Hen Lin delivery man! Unfortunately, the delivery man had no food from Hen Lin to offer. In fact he was there to collect a deposit for the next day's party! It turned out to be a misunderstanding and the he soon left. While we were sorting out the situation, the lights came on! Everywhere, residents were cheering and clapping, as though Christmas was already here!

I end with this. I want to thank my dear friend, Jay, and Tita Letty for always welcoming us and for giving us (especially the newer youths) the opportunity to share the spirit of Christmas with the kids from Payatas and Erap City once more.

Asian Mission Congress, Faith Sharer: Youth

When I was first asked by Joy Candelario and Fr Saturnino Dias to share, I readily accepted the invitation without finding out more about what the sharing was to entail and who my audience would be. My first shock came when I received an email with guidelines for the sharing and script had to be submited in 2 weeks. I had a late start to work on my sharing. I did not get previous emails with the guidelines. Somehow I managed to pull through even with half my brains working on the last DRE assignment and last minute touch ups to my wood burning project. Many nights were spent toggling over the PC. I felt quite lost as the sharing guidelines seemed remarkably similar to the theological reflections that I had to do for the DRE. but I wasn't sure. What were the organizers' expectations? What did they want to hear?

I thought about the theme of the Congress and realised that if I just told the story of my life as it is.. the encounter of Christ through my mission and how it touched other youths as I had been touched then that would be telling the story of Jesus. So I typed and I typed till the script was ready. I emailed it to the organizers and convinced myself that I should not be worrying.

When we arrived at the Congress and as the speakers and faith-sharers took their turn on the large platform in front of the hundreds gathered, I slowly dissolved into a sack of rattled bones. However I put up a courageous front among the other Singaporean delegates. Everyone was so encouraging and cheering me on. I could not show them the truth of how I really felt: nervous and inadequate for the task at hand.

My turn was finally minutes away and I surrendered all I was going to say to the Lord. I remembered what Fr Terence once told me when I was not sure about going to Melbourne. "Be a fool for Christ". Esther from ICPE and Ivan from Youth Ministry Office prayed for me. Their prayers gave me the strength to accept that I was ready to be a fool for Christ.

My story was a personal encounter. Telling my story made me vunerable. Everyone would come to know of my reality and struggle. But then I realised that it was not my reality and my struggle alone. Because all these years I never walked alone. Jesus was always with me. When my voice boomed over the microphone, I knew then in my heart that this was the very thing I wanted to do. It felt so right. Because this is my story of Jesus in my life.

This Sunday's Gospel brought me back to ten years ago.. in a little schoolhouse at the dumpsite when Christ spoke to me though one scavenger boy. "Love your neighbour"

My Sharing
I live in a global, high tech society of internet, wireless network, cable TV, MSN, Bluetooth, 3G technology, podcast, blogs and so on. I am a young Singaporean. Singapore is just 683 sq km, with less than 4 million people living on the island. We have no natural resources. We buy our water. Now we evem recycle it. We import most of our food from other countries. So what do we do to survive? We work very hard. We are an urban jungle with a strong economic culture. We’re sheltered by neighbouring countries. We do not have typhoons or hurricanes. We do not have earthquakes or volcanoes. We have no mountains either, just small hills. At 19 years old, I was living a peaceful, comfortable life on the little red dot on the map. My favourite phrase then was “Life is boring!” Even today this is a common expression among young Singaporeans. They ofen say “I am bored. I am bored to death”

I had little worries in life. My life was programmed. I would graduate with a diploma in Information Technology and work as a computer programmer. Many of my friends would either be like me or became teachers, accountants, engineers or join the business sector. Singaporeans are not very creative when it comes to occupations! Also life in Singapore is always a rush. As young people who are always studying we have no time to think, reflect and discern about where we are headed in life. My life was driven by the economy. Till now among young Singaporeans life is about working hard to become an economic success.

As a Catholic I was active in the youth movement of my parish. But the days in my parish were also programmed. After youth group, I would become a Catechist preparing youths for Confirmation

How meeting Jesus changed me
One day everything changed when my priest asked me to go for a 9 day mission trip to Philippines with a group of 16 other youths. After the 9 days in Philippines, I went home a different person. We lived in a dumpsite in Manila. On our last day there we prayed with the dumpsite youths. We prayed for them and they in turn prayed for us. During this time, all the youths were crying, touched by each other’s prayers and the friendships that we been formed in the short 9 days. One dumpsite youth shared this that stirred me deeply. It was as if Jesus was speaking to me. He said, “I never thought that rich people knew we existed. I never thought a rich person would care enough to come into my life and be my friend until now.”

In Singapore, I come from an average-income household. I never saw myself as being rich until that experience. I never knew the poor existed, not even in my own country until I went for that mission trip. I have always seen beggars, starving people, homeless people on television. But I had never seen them in real life.


Challenges ahead
Back home, I struggled with all that I had experienced. The scene at the dumpsite… the child scavenger… the parents who were too sick to work… the homeless family… and so on. For the first time I a young Singaporean Catholic was faced with a challenge to my faith, my way of life. Jesus was saying to me, “Love one another as I have loved you… Love your neighbour as you love yourself.”

For the next two years I struggled on and the dumpsite was always on my mind. Finally when I was 21, I decided to return to the dumpsite once more with a few friends. The experience of living with the people and being with them also had a great impact on my friends. They too went home just like me. Challenged and troubled. Jesus was also saying to them, “Love one another as I have loved you. Love your neighbour as you love yourself.”

All this time, we had been living our lives thinking only for ourselves. We were only looking out for ourselves and our family. We thought only of what was best for us. We hardly considered the needs of others, our neighbours and the marginalized.

During this time I began to question where I was headed. Was I going to follow the crowd blindly and live for myself? Or would I bravely discern the plans God had for me trust in Him fully and live for him? I decided that I wanted to live for God more than for my own selfish reasons. In the meantime, I decided to study for a diploma in teaching.

I returned regularly to the dumpsite regularly, each time with more youths. I went on my 1st mission trip wanting to be of help. But in the process I experienced the unconditional love of God through the Payatas people. The other youths also wanted to be of help. But they too experienced the selfless love of God. The people in the dumpsite have so little to give us materially. Yet they welcomed us strangers into their lives and adopted us as their child, their brother, their sister.

When I encountered them, their lives, their suffering and also their dreams and aspirations, I encountered Christ. I am inspired by their courage and their strength and determination to keep on going despite the setbacks, the landslides, the typhoons. One of them has become a brother to me. He is Julian Donarie and he’s 23 this year. Julian’s grandparents passed away when he was 10. They were his only relatives. He lived by himself in the dumpsite, working every day just to earn some money for food. When his grandparents died, he made a promise to himself that he would go to school like the other kids and he would finish his education. This is not a difficult challenge to a 10 year old in Singapore. But for Julian it was making the impossible possible. And he knew that only God could make the impossible possible. Julian ended up going to a non-formal school which eventually supported him through to high school. He graduated in maritime studies. Julian and all my brothers and sisters in the dumpsite have inspired me to trust in God. In their lives I hear this song, “God will make a way where there seems to be no way.”

Through these brothers and sisters, I found the courage to say “God shall supply all my needs according to his riches and glory”. I left a stable and secured job in teaching. Not long after, God did make a way for me. I am now working in 4 Infant Jesus schools where I conduct faith formation and mission orientation sessions for secondary students. These students serve the marginalized through local and overseas projects.

After much reflection, a few of the youths and I who had been touched by the experience of the dumpsite decided to commit to mission. We decided that the poor will always be a reference point in our lives and in our decision making. We started a group called acts29. Acts means A Call to Serve and 29 refers to the continuation of the works of the apostles (the book of Acts ends at chapter 28). We invite youths to live a life of simplicity in solidarity and mission while making Jesus known to others.

I realize that the goal of life across the multi-religious and multi-culture milieu is not to become perfect but to love. My experience with the youths whom I have come to know from various countries in Asia has taught me that to be a human person is to be essentially directed towards others. I realize that there is no point in being global but my faith and my way of life must be global too. I am no longer just a Singaporean Catholic youth but I am also an Asian Catholic youth. I want to continue to invite youths to build bridges from Asia and to share in the responsibility of being an Asian Catholic youth for their country, for their family and for the Lord their God.