March 5th
Migiwa’s reflection of the day.
The first day of the work camp is over. We had time for reflection at the end of the day. Most of us felt and saw “the visible disparity between the rich and the poor” and “poverty situation.” Yes, such a reality is here in the Philippines. The words which I have heard from the priest always comes to my mind when I think about the poverty issue. He said that the status of being rich or poor does not mean anything by itself. It has meaning when the rich become the giver because of their rich financial recourse and the poor become the receiver because of their limited financial resources. I think what it means that the most important thing for us is not money but a connection with other people. I agree with him. I know the importance of economics, education and hygiene condition, etc., which are deeply involved in our daily lives. However, we conclude that what we feel in our hearts is the most important, don’t we? The labor work will finally start from tomorrow. I will try to do my best while believing that “heart to heart connection” is the essence of our work. (^^)

What impressed me the most today was that my perspective of Christianity was broadened. I saw the local people’s passion with my own eyes for creating a peaceful world which God expects us to have. What is more, people are trying to create a peaceful world by using everything which was given in various ways from God but not craving for new things which is natural human desire. Also, while working in this environment, I felt that “coexisting with nature” told in Creation in the book of Genesis is expressed in it. Those findings made me realize and reconsider the infinite influence of evangelism. (Witten by Jooman)

Further to yesterday, we continued to build the wall at the Buklod Tao Center today. There are various processes of making walls such as making cement, piling up blocks, digging the base part and so on. Switching our roles and doing a different kind of work from what I did yesterday made me aware of how hard our members worked so far. I recognized that it is impossible to build up the walls without my fellows. Making a wall can be easily done in a short time if we use a machine. However, this style of working enabled us to communicate with our members and local people better, which brought our relationship closer than before. (Written by Maki)

In the afternoon we visited the community called Barangay Banaba. The staff of Buklod Tao Center explained the area to us. Pigs were kept right next to a residence and garbage was scattered around, which I have never seen in Japan. The area was easily affected by the flood, but those who live are unable to move out because of poverty. If I didn’t visit the community, I couldn’t see the reality of their lives. Despite their hard life, they greeted us with smiles even though we are outsiders. They are not financially rich, but I could felt there is something which we do not have.(Written by Ruka)

After hearing three women’s stories, we experienced an Art workshop which was making accessories with the staff of the center. Through this workshop, I learned that talking and working with others worked as counseling. I learned the importance of actively communicating with each other without being passive during the camp, so I could spend a fellowship time full of laughter. Through working together with people across cultures, I learned that the will to get in touch with the other person connects people. (Written by Kotoko)