By: Gabriela Chin

A Columban Lay Missionary

Gabi, a Korean lay missionary, working with the Columbans in Manila tells a little story about her encounter with Isagani a handicapped Muslim staying at Balay Kakayaban - a special training home for the handicapped.

A Love story
Isagani was a driver in Mindanao. He became handicapped when some rebels shoot him. When he was still a single he sent story to a radio station. One particular woman listening to that radio program which told his story. Afterwards she sent a letter to him. He wrote back to her; they became friends. Eventually they got married. Now they have two daughters.

Allowing Friendships to Grow
When I visited Kakayahan (the home of the handicapped) I talked with Isagani many times Even though we could not understand each other very well, we talked politics, economics, culture, especially religion. He wanted to hear my religious history and I enjoyed hearing his Moslim story. He was a good listener.

One God
One day, he called me and he said, “Gabi, you’re Korean, I’m Filipino, You’re Catholic, I’m Moslim, but our God is only one.” And when I looked at him, I saw he was wearing a necklace. It was an image of the face of Jesus.