Sometimes “Do Not Talk to Strangers” Is Not the Holy Spirit’s Way
By Lorajoy Tira DimangondayaoMarch 2009
After a quarter of a century in Edmonton, my Filipino-Canadian, Christian-worker parents were being reassigned “out east” to Toronto—Canada’s most multicultural city. We packed up their garage, placing in one corner an older television set, a bookshelf, rugs, picture frames, kitchen utensils, an office desk, winter clothes, and more. They were amazed by the amount of stuff they had accumulated over the years.
We thought of calling the Salvation Army to pick up the items. My father was dialing the number of the nearest Salvation Army outlet when a man walked past. He was obviously new to the neighbourhood, looking downcast and confused. As he walked passed the house, my father hung up the phone and asked the man to come inside the garage. “I have many things here,” my father said. “If you find anything you need, you can have it.” The man pointed to an old, dirty jacket, asking, “How much is that? I need it for the cold days coming soon." Our spirits were stirred to help this humble stranger. My father told him again that he could have anything inside the garage, including an old car. The man replied, “I would like to have it, but I don’t drive.”
My father began asking more personal questions:
My Father (F): Where do you live?
Neighbour (N): Just four houses from here.
F: My name is Joy Tira. What about yours?
N: My name is Vik.
F: I was born in the Philippines. How about you?
N: I came from Mauritius (East Africa).
F: Really? My wife and I almost went to live in your country. In 1982, we applied to work with a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) that specialized in community development, and while living there we wanted to tell many people about our life experiences. I am glad to know that people from Mauritius, like you, have become our neighbours. How long have you been living in your house?
N: I have been here since May. So only six months!
F: Do you have a family?
N: No, just me and my friends. There are six of us who are renting the house for $2,500 a month.
F: That is quite a bit of money.
N: Yes, indeed. I don’t know where to get my share for the rent this coming month. Our employer is not paying us well so the Union made us strike. I am afraid to lose my job and go home empty-handed.
F: By the way, you have a very interesting name. Are you a Muslim, a Christian, a Hindu? You look like you came from India, but your accent is different from Indians.
N: No, I only speak English and French. But my grandfather came from India and immigrated to Mauritius. I am not a Muslim. I am a Christian. I am a follower of Jesus Christ. What about you?
F: Praise God. You are my brother in Christ!
N: Hallelujah! Really! You are a Christian from the Philippines?
F: Yes, I am. Let me hug you in the name of Christ!
They hugged each other in front of the open garage.
|
Lorajoy Tira Dimangondayao is communications director for the Filipino International Network and serves on the editorial committee of the electronic journal, www.globalmissiology.org. She is a 1.5 Generation Filipino-Canadian. |
