WE WENT TO PADANG TO HELP, AND RETURNED BLESSED
By : Catherine Loh, Mercy Daniel, Maria Dipal, Patricia Barasik
On 8 October 2009, five of us, Mr Yohanes Solo, Sisters Catherine Loh, Mercy Daniel, Maria Dipal and Patricia Barasik left Singapore for Padang, Indonesia after a missioning service.
We were welcomed in Padang by a medical team of doctors and nurses headed by Dr Bebey of PERDHAKI, the Indonesian Catholic Doctors Association. Seeing the buildings and houses that were destroyed, we could imagine the pain and suffering experienced by those who had lost houses, property and family members.
Over the coming days, we split into two groups and visited badly affected villages in the interior areas. The medical teams set up makeshift clinics, using at times the van as dispensary. In spite of the heat and humidity, the team worked tirelessly distributing medication and food supplies. The local volunteers of medical and religious groups knew the culture and village social setting which made it easy to mobilize relief teams to different village communities.
Many a time, we felt the unspoken pain of people who had lost their property or loved ones. Yet nobody complained or blamed God. In one instance, we were taught the meaning of courage and the preciousness of life by an eighteen year old. Afraid that he would be buried alive with falling stones he had courageously bore excruciating pain, and, on his own amputated his crushed right leg with a saw, to free himself from a boulder that had fallen and pinned his leg.
Being in a mixed community of Christians and Muslims, both among the volunteers and in the villages, we were sensitive about differences and made conscious effort to be inclusive. We experienced God as being among us; beyond religion and culture.
Catherine…
The gospel story of the poor widow who gave her two coins (Mk.12:43) was reflected to me by two village leaders who had lost their homes and yet shared with the sixteen volunteers what little they had, such as, young coconuts from the few trees left standing – so that we could quench our thirst.
As we drove to the interior villages, we saw children lining the sides of damaged roads which were at risk of collapsing. We saw the desperation on the children’s faces and felt a sense of frustration and helplessness as they held out cardboard boxes and tin cans, appealing for assistance.
Was I afraid? Yes, for our safety and the safety of the people in Padang. My experience in Padang is of one of ‘gratitude’. The humility, simplicity and acceptance of the people in the face of such tragedy, challenged my own faith – to trust and to be grateful for small things.
Mercy…
I had gone to Padang with the notion that I would ‘give’. Instead I ended up ‘receiving’. During our 10 days there, I witnessed the ‘other-centeredness’ of people even in their situations of great loss and grief. I am enlightened by some of my encounters. I asked a lady how she could bear her loss so calmly. Her reply was, “I am not the only one who is suffering loss!” She taught me what it means to be in solidarity with others in their suffering even when one is experiencing loss oneself.
As we said our goodbyes on the last day, we were told that Dr Bebey, Head of the medical team, had taken a day off. She had gone to attend to her home which had also been destroyed. In the 10 days of working with her, she had not said a word about her own loss. Instead, she went about seeking out and attending to the needs of others. We saw similar selfless attitudes by many others who had suffered losses themselves, yet made themselves cheerfully available for those in need. For me this was a lesson on ‘availability and other-centredness’ and a challenge to be more open and willing to be stretched.
Patricia Barasik…
I believe that Christ was manifested for me, in the persons I met in Padang. I did ‘little’ in the form of listening to the pain of people, packing and distributing food and medical supplies, visiting families and being present with the people during community prayers. Yet, in doing the ‘little’, I know that I have grown to be more compassionate, and, learned to be in solidarity with people who suffer.
After having lost everything they owned, the people of Padang have to begin to build their life all over again. Knowing the challenges ahead that await them, many of them expressed their appreciation to God for having been given a second chance at life. As I look at the experiences in Padang, I realise that there are many blessings I have received in my life which I have taken for granted. I am grateful for the opportunity of being reminded by the people I met, the importance of valuing the blessings and gifts I have. I am challenged to ‘let God lead’ and to ‘trust God more’ in everything I do, even if I think it is just a ‘little’ thing.
Maria Dipal…
Uncertain of what exactly we would be doing in Padang, I went with an open heart and a willing spirit, ready to, ‘Just love’ (St Mary Euphrasia).
During our stay in the village communities, we broke the word of God among some Christians who had gathered for prayer on some evenings. Many shared that the experience of the earthquake had brought them closer to God. For some, their children were the ones who asked them to call upon God when the earthquake struck. Seeing how Christians and Muslims supported each other in the aftermath of the disaster, I witnessed in them communities of faith and felt that I was standing on holy ground.
A few of us came across a man who had a leg injury, and left unattended for three days. He had dragged himself into a cow shed and lay there in a feverish condition. His wife who looked distressed and helpless, and three year old child were close by. It seemed that nobody had come to their help. Since he refused to be brought to the hospital, we attended to him over the next few days as there was a local nurse among us. It was a relief and joy to see him recover very soon after. “I never imagined that my family and I could ever live in a cow-shed,” he said. He looked sadly toward the rubble that used to be his home. Then with a hopeful smile he added, “Since you came, many people visited me and gave us food, and I am better now.” I am thankful that our visit enabled us to come in contact with this man and his family and that our presence and little act of kindness had made a positive change in his neighbours that made them reach out to him. We had all been given the opportunity to ‘just love’.
As we left Padang and returned to Singapore on 17 October, we thanked God for the prayers and support of each of you, our sisters and Good Shepherd people. We felt the presence of your solidarity and God’s compassionate spirit with us as we worked with others to make a difference in the lives of the people affected by the earthquake in Padang.
THANK YOU TO ALL OUR GOOD SHEPHERD PARTNERS AND FRIENDS, FOR YOUR GENEROUS CONTRIBUTIONS AND PRAYERS.
21 CARTONS OF FOOD SUPPLIES AND CASH DONATION HAD BEEN BROUGHT IN TO PADANG AND DISTRIBUTED DURING THE MISSION TRIP.
MORE FOOD SUPPLIES HAVE BEEN RECEIVED, THESE WILL BE PACKED AND SENT TO PADANG SOON.
“Gratitude is the memory of the heart”. When there is love and charity, there is God. I pray God continually showers the people in Padang with love and mercy to carry on.