Tongan on mission
03.08.2009
A Columban lay missionary tells us about her journey in the Philippines.
I am grateful I witnessed love in thought and action being shared in the community especially with the disabled people. I will not deny that at first I had difficulties and sometimes found life challenging in the Philippines.
I remember the first day I arrived here in the Philippines, everything changed. Meet new people of smiles, get to know and be involved in the activities of the parish; adapt to culture, language studies; time of tears, loneliness, pain, hurts and homesickness are part of the missionary life challenge. Where there is life there's always a challenge.
Leaving home was hard but I was delighted by the support of my families, friends and communities. My people have been a great blessing and they helped me to grow into the person that I am now. I never dreamed that my life would be like this.
More than anything I also felt that God is with me. That conviction has made my mission journey not only bearable, but loving, wonderful and rich. I have come to know kind and beautiful people; to visit, work, and eat together at the same table with them was wonderful. The God who called me is the God who has sustained me, enriched me, challenged me and surrounded my life with good families and friends.
Sometimes I ask myself why I am doing this? The Filipinos are not my people, not my families, yet I find a home with them. I have changed the way I look at things, I am happy when I am with these beautiful people.
You cannot help others unless you become like an empty cup to fill and share with others. Sometimes you need to be tough, you have to accept the impossible.
Being present to somebody in need makes a lot of difference to my life. It gives meaning to life and I am so grateful to God that I make a difference in people's lives.
Nanise Mo'unga Pola is from Tonga and is a Columban lay missionary in the Philippines.
