In July this year, eRecord journalist Mark Reidy took his 13-year old-son, Joseph, on a mission trip to the Philippines to spend time with the Holy Spirit of Freedom (HSOF) Community, an Australian-founded Catholic ministry which has been reaching out to people living on the streets of Manila and Cebu for the past 17 years.
In a two-part series being published by the eRecord, Mark speaks with Joseph about the experience, while also sharing some of his own thoughts about the journey.
Our journey then took us south to Cebu City, the oldest city in the Philippines, where the HSOF Community has been established for the past eight years.
The levels of poverty here reflected what we found in Manila, but so did the joy and welcoming we received from those on the streets.
We sat with people who were sleeping on pieces of cardboard on the side of busy roads, visited people in precariously built hovels in crowded shanty towns and even wandered among prisoners in an overcrowded jail but, wherever we went, we were embraced by their love and gratitude.
It was a humbling experience, especially because we were gaining so much more than we were giving. It was also a difficult reality for Joseph to grasp.
“In Australia, we are so much richer but people don’t seem as happy as those we met over there,” he reflected.
“Some people don’t have a roof over their heads, they have to put up with hot weather, heavy rain, mosquitos and not knowing when they will get their next meal, but they can still smile at us.
“I think maybe it’s because they have one another. They might not have much money but there is a good sense of community. They help each other. They also have a belief in God and seem to rely on Him a lot.”
Joseph went on to recall a few of the other harsh realities he witnessed on his journey.
“There was one group of nine families who lived in an area half the size of a normal Australian house,” he recalled.
“There were probably more than forty people there – and it was right next to a very busy road.
“The houses were made of pieces of tin and were leaning against each other and there were dogs and huge rats running around it. It would have been very common for children and babies to get sick given the squalid conditions.
“When we brought them some food they offered us the only seats they had and wanted to share their food with us. They were very kind.”
Joseph spent much of his trip surrounded by admiring children who obviously had little or no prior interaction with western teenagers. He made many friends during his visit and, more importantly, left with a greater understanding of the world around him.
“It is amazing what a little bit of money can do over there,” he shared.
“I loved being able to take out groups of people to get something to eat. It was very exciting for them, especially the kids.
There were places they weren’t usually allowed into, but because we were with them the security guards would allow them in. I loved giving the kids basketballs so they had something to play with. I especially liked giving clothes and shoes to small kids, some who had none. They were so happy.
“But the best was when the Community was able to buy small businesses for some of the families so they could make their own money and wouldn’t have to rely on begging every day. This really gave people hope.”
It was an experience I pray will remain embedded in our hearts, minds and spirits for many years to come and will shape Joseph in his journey to manhood.
Before we had even arrived back on Australian shores, he had taken time to reflect on his journey and I knew God had planted a seed.
“Dad, I want to start saving for my next trip”, I was proud to hear him announce.
For more information on the HSOF Philippines Mission, contact Peter Merrifield on 0449 651 697.