by:Jumayma M. Maranduque, RSW
I am thankful for this opportunity to share a testimony of my life with the Capuchin Tertiary Sisters of the Holy Family; at Holy Family Home-Bacolod Foundation. I was referred to Holy Family Home when I was nine years old.
I am grateful that finished my studies and became a Social Worker, with the Sisters who were very supportive to me. One of my happiest experiences in Holy Family Home was doing the Outreach Program. We were conducting feeding program and catechesis to the children. I cannot explain the joy I felt when despite my nothingness and brokenness, I can still be of help to others.
Graduating college was one of the best days of my life. I couldn’t believe it. I remember all of the sufferings I went through and I thank God because He was with me every step of the way. Before, I felt like rubbish. I felt like the ugliest person ever. But after holding on to my Diploma, I felt dignified. The sisters helped me in my healing process.
I left the home in 2011 after fourteen years of living with the sisters. I felt so ready to face the world. After I graduated, I had the opportunity to be part of the Holy Family Home Junior staff, educator, and assistant social worker for three years. I helped manage the home and watch over the elementary and high school girls. It was of great help for me, but I have to be independent, I have to go and face another journey of my life far from the sisters who I used to be with. I had been so used to living with the sisters for more than a decade, I made a lot of adjustments, outside, I became anxious but at the same time, even prayerful. I am grateful for all that I have experienced in the center, it has been my guide.
HOW DOES LIVING WITH US INFLUENCE YOUR CHRISTIAN LIFE IN YOUR JOURNEY UNTIL NOW?
WHAT IS THE IMPACT…
Living with the Capuchin Tertiary Sisters for fourteen years is a big influence in my Christian Life. I am thankful to them, they taught me in my prayer life; attending Mass, praying the rosary and because of it, I learned to forgive those people who hurt me deeply. Honestly, though sometimes I feel lazy to pray and not attending the Mass, God never abandoned me and I feel that He is always protecting and saving me from harm. I have learned to trust and believe also in God because, despite all the hardships I had before, He sends me people, who are instruments to help me be healed, become a better person, and be a blessing to others.
What I am now, I owe to God and thankful to Him because He loves me so much most especially for the blessings, family who loves me, friends, the sisters, and my work. The symbol I can think of myself now is bamboo. The blowing of the wind might have taken me to different phases in my life, but I had learned how to dance along with it. I become firm yet flexible. I stand still and continue to grow taller and taller amidst the storm and the rain.
I would like to end with these words… “Let us continue believing, to do our best, NEVER GIVE UP whatever obstacle we may have in our daily lives. In every darkness, a brighter future is always waiting for us. Be OPTIMISTIC!
