By Rosemary Taker

Rosemary Taker, from Merseyside, the region in North West England that includes Liverpool, the home of the Beatles, recently returned there after three years as a Columban lay missionary working in Sinacaban, Misamis Occidental, in the Archdiocese of Ozamiz. Here she shares her reflections before leaving Mindanao.

I worked with children and families in Britain as a social worker before becoming a Columban lay missionary. After three years in the Philippines I look at things from a different perspective. I feel privileged to have journeyed with the people who, despite their struggles, pain and hardships, always find the time to smile. Being here has not been without difficulties and challenges, but becoming vulnerable and powerless has brought me closer to God and strengthened my prayer life.

A different kind of richness

Living here with people whose acceptance overwhelms me has been life-giving and a blessing. Living simply in my one-roomed house, cooking outside, and having to fetch water daily from the well, has made me realize how much I took for granted in my western world. But as time has gone by it has also made me think that material things are not so important, but that being rich in spirit is. I see this in the people around me, so rich in spirit in their kindness, smiles and friendship.

Friends’ I’ve gained

Visiting the people daily, especially those on the margins, has opened my eyes to their lives. I’ve found so many loving and accepting people in Sinacaban who took the time to be my friend and who welcomed me into their homes. Norma and her niece Empoy, who knew nothing about me, willingly took me into their home to live there. ‘Knock and the door will be opened; seek and you will find.’ I lived with them for a few months before moving to my own little house nearby. It was a real heartbreak for me when Empoy was drowned, aged only 11, as I had grown to love her as one my own family.

Others too touched my life

Mylene has a physical disability but her courage and determination overwhelm me. She was born into a family of five sisters and three brothers. She had polio when 4 and the possibility of her ever walking again was nil. She remembers when a small child her mother regularly burying her in the warm sand to get her blood circulating. At that stage she was paralyzed and could only move her eyes. Mylene still has a disability but is mobile with help. She is one of the most courageous women I’ve ever met, with extraordinary strength, determination and, most of all, trust in God. She’s married now with two adopted children. She has had many other hardships in her life. Her father died from cancer when she was young and when Mylene was 13 her mother was murdered. She remembers Martial Law in the 70s and 80s when people had no freedom of speech in the Philippines. Difficult times.

Self-discoveries

In Sinacaban I’ve learned such simple things as how to cook rice properly and wash my clothes with the women at the well. I’ve found many life-giving moments among the people and children here and have learned much about my weaknesses and strengths. There have also been many times of isolation and loneliness as I struggled to learn a new language and culture. Despite the difficulties of isolation from my family and friends back home, the people kept me going. The life-giving moments have outweighed the down moments, especially when I visited the people, ate, shared and laughed with them or joined them in prayer at the holy hour in the local church.

Simple reality

I looked forward to women coming to my house for coffee or to share a meal. Celia, a regular visitor, shared her stories and introduced me to many people. Nida loves to dance and sing. The ever hospitable Teryang is 70 plus but has so much faith and believes that the answer to life’s problems is to pray and always trust in God. As I struggled with the language the people were always there to assist and encourage me for trying. This strengthened my faith and trust in God and made me appreciate the simple reality of just being with people and journeying with them.

As I prepare to end my term here I don’t know what my next plan is or where God will lead me. I’m looking forward to seeing my family and friends back home but will carry in my heart the people I’ve met here in the Philippines.