Journeying with Children

One of the highlights for me during the past months here in the Philippines is journeying with the children in Montalban. I’ve never had any prior experience teaching or journeying with Children, so this is a new experience for me. I felt that God is challenging me to embrace this new ministry which my leaders have assigned to me. I’ve learnt a lot and journeying with our children weekly – providing basic catechesis through simple activities and faith sharing, had taught me many different things and I grew in compassion and patience for those God had sent to my life. Many children come to our ministry, with an eagerness and hunger for the word of God, for our love, our embraces and our presence. They are always very excited to see us and await for our arrival early before our session begins. Through their simple faith and trust, I’ve experienced a profound consolation of God’s presence. I’ve learnt what is means to ‘love and welcome’ little children , by just simple gestures of loving them, playing with them, spending time with them and showing acceptance to who they are. I thank God for this opportunity to love his little children, and also to be invited also to be like these little children, trusting that HE can love me.

On the 15th Dec, we held a Christmas party for about 80 children beginning with a children’s mass. It was an enjoyable time. Some of these children have been part of our weekly ministry for 2 years, seeing the growth in our relationship with them brought a lot of joy. I’ve been blessed by their openness to grow spiritually, their hunger for God and their poverty of the Spirit. A total of 80 children attended the event which started with a Mass for children at the Maria Ina ng Kapayapaan Parish (Mary, Mother of Peace Church). Fr Jun, the Parish Priest was our main celebrant. During mass, we offered the Nativity made from clay and pictures prepared by the children. These items were offered as a sign of the children’s love and openness to receive the baby Jesus.

After the mass, we held a party filled with games, food and gifts. With the contribution from our sponsors, we provided each child with a set meal from Jolibee and a Christmas gift. It was a treat to see the excitement and happy faces of our children whom we’ve journeyed with over the past year. Their simplicity, eagerness and contentment with the little they have and what we provided touched our hearts. Our team was uplifted by the event and in awe to see how God provided for these children. Through them, we too experience the message of hope and joy Christ brings in this season of Christmas.

Through them, I’ve also learnt how to appreciate and be grateful for what I have, my relationships, my family and all that God had provided. Seeing their living conditions often breaks my heart and makes me question how come there can be such disparities in our world. I was often led to feel a sense of injustice for them. I pray that as I continue to serve and minister to Children, I'd grow in discovering more and more the love of God through them. I pray that I would , despite my limitations, love them as Christ had invited us to 'love the little ones'. Wishing all of you a joy-filled Christmas Season.