Sunday, January 27, 2013: a perfect day to travel and visit our wonderful friend in Correctional Institution for Women (CIW) – Bureau of Corrections at Sto. Tomas, Davao del Norte. I met her last 2010 and learned something from her… again, we visited her with ate Stella, still, I learned more from her… She is high-spirited woman who take life a “blessing”. Even though she’s facing a hard life but she’s still positive and contented. She is faithful and very mature, spiritually. She told us, although she’s inside the prisons bars but she’s really thankful to God for bringing her in that place – jail – for the reason it made her faith stronger. She said, it’s really hard to have companion with the people inside the jail, but with God’s guidance and help, she stays humble. Every day in prison jail is not east but then again she always be reminded by God that everything’s happen for a reason.
We’re very amazed with her; we told her how nice it is if we’re with her inside the prison. But she said, “That’s what you think it’s nice. Kayo, makikita niyo ang mga tao dito mababait pero sa totoo, they are very cruel. People around here are like wearing a mask… Even police and guards are very cruel. They don’t know how to treat others right. Yes, this is Bureau of Correction to correct the prisoners, but how can they correct if they cannot correct themselves?” I understand her. She’s really suffering inside, nevertheless she still consider it a blessing. “It only comes with ACCEPTANCE”, she said. She gave us an advice that truly sticks on my mind, “regret comes after a wrong choice.”
Aside from that, she set food for us, breakfast and Lunch… she prepared delicious veges like potatoes with tuna and banana bud/blossom salad. She cooked it with the help of her two buddies, ate LynLyn and ate Maricel -who already keeping the Sabbath day and Feasts of God as well. They are health conscious, avoiding processed foods and soft drinks too.
“Life is really a journey”, she said. And I would agree with that! 🙂
I really enjoyed this visit to ate Jed with ate Stella also, Ate Jed is amazing. I’m looking forward for the next visit. Hopefully on February, God-willing.
~ viel's 