Last Oct 18 (Sunday), LOJ’s Singles’  Feast Chapter went to Anawim. Knowing by its name, “Anawim” (a Hebrew word which means “The Poor of the Lord”), is a refuge for the poor and abandoned elderly founded by Bro. Bo Sanchez and spiritually directed by Fr. Steve Tynan. The place is located in a hilly slope of land in Montalban Rizal, surrounded by quiet farm lands and beautiful hills. The place is occupied by concrete homes and Nipa huts where lolos and lolas live and at the top of the hill nestles an open-air chapel – a beautiful place for prayer and meditation.

But, we went there not for the purpose of meditation. We went there under LOJ’s Outreach program to visit our lolos and lolas who inhabited the place. We reach-out and share our love and 3Ts (time, talent, and treasure) to our lolos and lolas who live there. There, we met Tita Neneng – the Center Mother at Anawim; Jomar – a special child; Lola Vicky – an aeta; Lolo Romulo – a stroke-survivor; and many others. Each of them has a story to tell and also has their own story to share –sad and happy ones. While we were taking our lunch (which is prepared by them), the singing lolos and lolas serenade us. After that, it’s our turn to entertain them. We sang with them, we laugh with them, and enjoy their company.  We also visited the lolos and lolas in their Nipa Huts who did not able to join us. Some of them were already blind but still wear a smile when we greet them.  Tita Neneng is right for saying that we should not believe all their stories as some of them were already make-believes and dreams. But, still, it’s amusing to hear them. We also visited those with illness at small clinic. One of them has a birthday on that day, and so, we sang a Happy Birthday for him. He can’t hold his tears throughout the song and so are we. We don’t know how to console him until one lolo remark that there’s one in us who is out of tune (Haha! Maybe, it’s me!)  That break the ice. We exchange stories. We learned that some of them still have a family but already abandoned (how sad!)

How can we forget the staffs and volunteers at Anawim.... their unselfish service, love, and sacrifices for lolos and lolas who were not their own. One of them, “Junie” (not sure if I remember his name right) served there as health attendant and only went home twice a month. Bro. Caloy also serves there as a farmer whose goal is to make Anawim self-sufficient after five years (you can make it, Bro!) And volunteers from one of the colleges nearby the place (I admire all of you! May God bless you!)

Of course, we (members of Singles – Feast Chapter) still find time to know each other. We went to the Chapel at the top of the hill. We offer prayers for the lolos and lolas. We offer thanksgivings for our Chapter’s first outreach which ends successfully. Afterwards, we enjoy the games prepared by the committee which bonds us even more. Whoah! How can we forget this day?  It was really a humbling and beautiful experience.