Thanks to the generous support I have received I was able to provide Cedric and his family with a very good Christmas. A couple of people donated specifically for that purpose so I decided not to hold back. This will probably be the only big Christmas these children ever have. They only had two or three old and broken toys so I decided to get them enough to support their physco-social development and to ease the burden of living in their dreary present circumstances.
Filipinos celebrate on Christmas Eve so yesterday I took the presents over to them. I told the children that Santa had come by my apartment looking for them but since they had moved (in fact they were evicted) Santa didn’t know what to do with the presents. Cedric and Jienna Mae, his older sister, exchanged a concerned look, wondering if it was true. I said “Don’t worry! I told him to give them to me and I would bring them to you!” We opened a few right away so I could take pictures for my generous donors to see- and so I could play the games with the children! I told the parents they could keep the rest for later and say they were from them.
Even with my help it hasn’t been easy for this family to get enough food so I wanted them to have a day or two where they could forget all about that. I brought pizzas, fried chicken (a Filipino favorite) a big cake and some orange soda. I also arranged for one of my friends who owns a restaurant to provide them with a big Christmas day meal.
For myself, the thing I wanted most this year was to bring Cedric to mass. The Philippines is the most Catholic country in the world so the Christmas Eve mass is a major cultural event. Due to his physical limitations Cedric is rarely able to participate in any activity outside his house. Because of this and the fact that he likes to pray I really wanted to get him there.
There was another reason, also. Lately I have been praying about the possibility of setting out to try to make arrangements for a surgery that will correct Cedric’s spinal condition. That was my prayer during this Christmas mass- asking our Lord to make me certain of His will. I wanted Cedric to be there so that we both could be in the presence of the Lord together as I asked His will regarding us and so that Cedric could also pray for God’s help in his own way.
This Christmas the Lord has given me the grace to know that He will provide what is needed for Cedric to survive His condition and that He wishes me to help him. Most likely it will be a long and difficult road but the journey of a thousand miles begins with one step and we have already taken two or three. I want to give my most heartfelt thanks to everyone who has already given to Cedric’s family. You have set us out with a good start! I pray that our Lord will bless you for it.
For Christmas I ask you to say a prayer for Cedric’s family and for the success of this new mission. I will pray for all of you! Thank you and merry Christmas!
(See more photos on out facebook page: https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=4253156761366928&id=100000179377481 )
MISSION OF MERCY 