GabiVolunteer

Mittwoch, 31. Januar 2018

Bilibid Storys

Gerne möchte ich euch die Posts von

Father Eli Lumbo SJ - von Facebook - weiterkopieren!
Father Eli ist der Priester der NGO - PJPS und schreibt immer wieder seine Geschichten über die Begegnungen und Erfahrungen mit den Menschen im Bilibid Gefängnis!

Lies selber, was er für berührende Erfahrungen macht.
Herzlichst Gabi

PS Deine Spende ist immer willkommen (in bar, per IBAN, siehe unten!

Bilibid Stories from Father Eli Lumbo SJ:
20. Jan. 2018:
One of the most consoling experiences I have had in the prison ministry through the almost 7 years I have been in the Philippine Jesuit Prison Service has always been the celebration of the Mass. There have been so many Eucharistic celebrations which has left me overwhelmed and teary eyed. I believe one of the reasons is the participation of the inmates in the Mass. I feel their intensity. When they sing "Panginoon, kaawan mo kami," I can feel the inmates' sincerity and desire for forgiveness. Some of them shed tears. Some with eyes closed, beg the Lord not to forsake them. There are some who I have observed pray at a distance, feeling unworthy of entering the chapel. But they all participate. They join the singing and the responses with so much passion. They listen to the readings and the homilies. They laugh at jokes. They shed tears. They PRAY. Really pray. I have seen how a number of elderly inmates, despite the difficulty in walking and moreso, in bending their knees, still choose to kneel especially during consecration and even when receiving the Body of our Lord. When I observe this, I recall a text message I received many years ago that says, "the distance between heaven and earth is a man on his knees." In prison, with the inmates in prayer, I truly feel God's presence. God feels so close, very present, and very real. I feel God will not and does not withhold His mercy and love. This I felt once again a few days ago when I celebrated Mass in front of the inmate students' building dormitory. With perhaps more than 500 inmates in attendance, I could really feel the the emotions. I could sense the prayerful atmosphere. I could feel the power of prayer. And I could sense the presence of God. And as the inmates thank God in song, which they always do before the end of each Mass, I could only praise and thank God for His abiding presence. The inmates always sing "Salamat, salamat, Panginoong Diyos.
Salamat, salamat sa pag-ibig Mo..." or "Salamat po O Diyos, Ika'y laging tapat, pag-ibig na wagas handog Mo sa lahat..." because there is always something to be grateful for. May we learn from them. They may have many reasons to complain, but they choose to focus on the one and only reason to be thankful for and contented: God is with them.

Jan. 9, 2018: Bilibid Stories: Late last year I talked with an inmate in the camp. I had a letter for him from one religious sister whom he had the occasion to interact with. He was so happy. Not even happy. He was jubilant. He said this is the first time he had received any letter from any one. And it was not just any letter. It was a letter for him because the letter had his name on it. He said he felt remembered and tears fell. I asked him if he had any visitors. He turned sad and dejected and said he had no one. He said no one has ever visited him ever since he got imprisoned. I asked him where he was from. He said his parents were down south. I asked him if he yearned for them and he said yes, tears once again forming in his eyes but he added, I am okay. I asked him he he wanted to see them. He said he honestly wanted to but he said he had stopped hoping to see them years back. He has learned to move on. He said in his more than 5 years in prison he has learned not to rely on anyone and just to survive on his own. He added he has learned not to expect any visit or letter from people as it will just hurt him when no visit or letters arrive. No one has remembered him he said ever since he got incarcerated. He has accepted his fate, he said, and he has learned to accept that no one cares for him. But I told him, "Someone cares! This sister wrote to you. She cares! I care! People do care for you! God cares! " He then hugged me and said, thank you and cried. I added, "What if your parents wanted to visit you but they do not have the means? What if they long for you and did not know how to get in touch with you? He said he did not want to hope as it will just open old wounds, pains, sadness. He said, "nasanay na ako mag-isa." I said, what if we in PJPS can bring his mother or father for a visit? He said, "huwag na, father. Baka masaktan lang ako. Mahirap na ang umasa muli. Mabibigo lang ako. Masasaktan muli." I told him to pray about it. A few days ago I got to talk with the inmate again. He said he was opening his heart again. He wanted to hope again. And he thanked me for being instrumental in this. And he thanked God for remembering him. He then opened up and said he has child whom he also wanted to see, and if it was possible for his mother to bring his child. He said, he is tired of being alone. He said he wanted to re-connect. He said he wanted to remember that he has a child, that he has a family, that someone, some people care for him, and he wants to care again. My friends, the little things we do can transform or change people. The simple letter from a religious sister opened this inmates' otherwise closed heart. He is willing to hope again, to love, to be loved. Today I saw the inmate again, and he approached me and said thank you. His smile is more genuine; his eyes has more life in it. He has hope back in his life. He said he is praying more now. He has allowed God back in his life. This made my day. I smiled and I know God is smiling.

Dec 20, 2017:
Bilibid Stories: Today was one of those days where I just felt the hand of God: of answered prayers and of being blessed. One answered prayer was mine. Some years back I thought of wanting to have something like a prayer concert inside the camp. It became a reality today inside the Medium Security camp. Entitled, "Ang Unang Pasko," the concert featured mostly inmates belonging to the different education units in the camp. The concert had 2 parts: the first had performers (angels, Mary and Joseph, shepherds, and 3 wise men) singing songs which focused the first Christmas (on the birth of our Lord more than 2,000 years ago) while the second part was after the first Christmas (modern day songs and dances as well as scenes inside the prison). The concert was simple but the blessings received by those who were witness to the performances was beyond grand. It truly moved me to prayer; it moved people to prayer. I was moved to tears several times by what I saw and heard. Many shed tears at several parts. One could not help but feel the loneliness and pain of those behind bars as they celebrate Christmas away from their loved ones. One could not help but empathize with those who yearn for the love, for the presence, for the embrace of a beloved mother, father, wife, or child. One could not help but understand and appreciate Christmas celebrations inside the prison camps/cells. One could not help but recall the simplicity and miracle of the first Christmas. Another answered prayer was of an inmate. Before the concert, I gave a letter to him. It was from a religious sister who was able to interact with the inmate some months back. The inmate was so touched by the gesture. He felt remembered; he felt important; and he felt loved. He told me that he read the letter several times and each time he read it, tears just fell. He said it had been years since he received any letter from anyone. His family and friends did not send him any letter. He felt forgotten. But when he received a letter today, a letter which was really for him, addressed to him, he felt remembered, he felt special, he felt loved. He thanked me profusely for handing him the letter and for being an instrument to an answered prayer. He cried as he thanked me. He said for a long time he has learned to rely on himself, to survive through his own efforts, to live alone. Yet in his heart he yearned and prayed that he be remembered and loved. I felt his pain but I was thankful that this Christmas he felt the love of God. Many other prayers were answered like that of a lady guest to the concert who met her beloved cousin inside the prison (her cousin is an inmate). I am sure the inmate's prayer was also answered. Both of them were surprised to see each other inside the camp. Sadly one was an inmate. But still they were both happy to see each other. They both cried. They both thanked God. People who knew of the incident thanked God. As we draw closer to Christmas, I pray that we all will feel the hand of God: of prayers answered and of being blessed.

Montag, 1. Januar 2018

Wishes for 2018 - Annual report 2017

Wishes for 2018:

May light be around you,

Light outside and inside.

Wherever you are,

like friendly people

meet you. Irish proverb

PS. Everyone smiles in the same language!

MY YEAR 2017:

Birthday with my friends

Top of ...

Walking over hot charcoal

Annual Review 2017

New arrival - Big new beginning!

Yes, back from Nepal and India, I searched for the scarce snow, wrote applications, ski tour leader course and literally before Easter, I could sign the contract in Menzingen ZG.

That made me flight active again: from April to May I was able to support two donation projects for my PJPS, NGO Philippines. A great graduation with the Medical-Dental Mission, where about 200 mothers and 200 children received free medicin and dental examinations including tooth extraction.

Afterwards Borneo – the greenest animal tropical island. The greatest surprise was that I went for two weeks on that adventure together with my son Dani! Right back for the summer time in Switzerland, mainly trekking and swimming in sunny Valais.

And then, since Aug.2, I am working 3 days a week regularly, in addition to projects, as catechist teacher for the cath. Parish Menzingen. Working in a good team, children like everywhere! Yes, and so it is over with longer trips, but I mostly have long weekends for beautiful Switzerland! There is enough choice here whether mountains, lakes or concerts, museums, firewalking, adventure rooms, etc.!

I enjoy my free time - with kids, friends, nature lovers, women'sport teams, spontact people ... oh and I have a great new apartment partner, Manuela Fusco.

Thankfully, I look back and look forward to everything else ...

Gabi

Time is running everywhere -
Let us remember and pray forever
and always remember the time we shared together :-)

and hopefully, maybe - maybe ... we see and hear each other again!

Please keep the contact and don' hesitate
you can write or WhatsApp me:

gabi.pjps@gmail.com; +41 79 425 24 11

Freitag, 20. Oktober 2017

Eine Überraschung - surprise, wonder or ...

Na so was...
Da hat mich ein Schweizer gefunden, weil meine Arbeiten und Fotos immer noch im RDC hängen!
und dieser Mann ist wieder in der Schweiz - aus ungeklärten Gründen wieder rausgekommen aus dem Maximum Gefängnis, unglaublich!
und
nun haben wir uns in Zürich getroffen und uns erzählt! Mal sehen, was da noch kommt ...
Es ist schon spannend, was da so alles läuft....
und

WIR sind sehr dankbar wieder in der Schweiz zu leben!

Dienstag, 11. Juli 2017

Medical Mission on 28 May 2017

PJPS' First Medical & Dental Mission - 05.28.17

June 7, 2017

In its aim of providing access to health care activities for the inmates and their families, and in partnership with local government agencies and professional groups, the Philippine Jesuit Prison Service Foundation, Inc. (PJPSFI) conducted its 1st Medical and Dental Mission held on 28 May 2017 at the Ina ng Awa Parish Compound, New Bilibid Prison Reservation, Muntinlupa City.

Improving the health of inmates as well as their children and wives is one responsibility among many in the fight against poverty. Addressing this inequity of health is therefore necessary in order to rebuild their lives, rekindle hope, and become productive members of society.

During the event, scholars were able to bring their mothers and one more family member, which led to an incredible amount of about 300 beneficiaries. There were volunteer doctors, nurses, dermatologist and dentist who wholeheartedly gave professional advice and service to the patients. Medicines were provided as well at no cost. In addition, many volunteers came over and helped out during this event.

PJPSFI would like to thank all of the medical practitioners, sponsors, volunteers, and everyone else involved who devoted a part of their day for this wonderful cause. This will be the first of many for this project! The scholars and their family members greatly appreciate all of your time and efforts.

Ein herzliches super Danke vielmals an meine Sponsoren. Das war der krönende, total guete Abschluss meines JV-Einsatzes. Ein sehr berührender Tag mit vielen Begegnungen und praktischer, medizinischer und zahnärztlicher Hilfe (Untersuchung, Behandlung, Medikamente und Essen) für 300 Menschen.
GOTT SEI DANK
gabi

Thank you for supporting PJPS Medical & Dental Mission and Gen. Assembly!

On behalf of the scholars and their parents, the Philippine Jesuit Prison Service Foundation, Inc. (PJPSFI) would like to thank you for your support and prayers during our 1st Medical & Dental Mission and General Assembly of Scholars and Parents last 28 May 2017 held at Ina ng Awa Parish Compound, Muntinlupa City.

We are very grateful for your support during the event especially on sharing your time, resources and great service. Your generosity made it more extraordinary event and without your involvement, these things would not be possible.

We are still collating photos of the event and we hope to share with you the soonest possible. The meantime, you may visit our facebook account: https://www.facebook.com/pjpsbilibid and website: https://www.philippinejesuitprisonservice.org/ to keep you updated of our upcoming events and news. You may also reach us through Tel. No. 659-0513 / 710-1837.

Again, thank you and we are looking forward to collaborating with you in our future endeavors. Mabuhay po kayo palagi!

Medical Mission on 28 May 2017: schedule of Activities:

Samstag, 27. Mai 2017

Bericht vom Mai 2017

Bumili - Zurück bei PJPS

- Wie siehts aus jetzt (ich bin am 9. Juli 2016 abgereist), inside und outside vom Prson ? Wie gehts den Inmates ? Müttern-Kindern? den Angestellten? Volunteers? das Staff house ... allgemein???

Halt nicht so viele Fragen auf einmal - schön der Reihe nach!
Ich erzähle in Bildern und du findest die Antworten!

MNL, Terminal 1 ist eröffnet! Kein Shuttle mehr, nur Taxi.
PS nimm ein gelbes und bezahl vorher!

Halo Halo
unterwegs für's Scholarship Programm

Halo Halo
jummi mmmhh

Häuschen unserer Mütter, idyllisch unter Palmen, Bananen,
dafür kein Wasser, Abwasser, Strom, ..
(die Besitzer stellen das in Rechnung)

Eines meiner Projekte - der Garten!

Das war mal (m)ein Garten! naja vorher war es ja auch ein Müllplatz!

Ein PAPAYA Früchtchen istfast reif - Juhuiii

mit Precy u Freundin unterwegs

Nach einer Woche bei PJPS - siehe Blog Non Violance und Drog Issue -

bin ich auf Urlaub gegangen, ein Abstecher nach Taiwan für 2 Tage (weil ich nicht auf 30 Tage zählen kann fürs Visum). Dann nach Palawan, zuerst der beieindruckende Unterwasserfluss UNESCO Weltkulturerbe, dann Modessa Paradies und El Nido - gehe ich sofort wieder!

Paradies - Modessa Island Palawan

El Nido, Palawan

Das neue Tattoo - Randy, Boracay

Lies mal die Werbung!

Bildunterschrift hinzufügen

oaohhhh

Zurück in Manila - direkt in ein Wochenende nach La Union, bei Baguio,

zusammen mir Rosele, Volunteer bei PJPS.

Zurück bei PJPS:

kostbar gekleidete Marienstatue
in der Church of the abonded Child, Bayan.

Welcome Ella Theresa, with Family

Ich wohne wieder im Staff House, diesmal mit Dian und Belle. Hier nochmals die schönsten Bilder!
Die Nachbarn, Kinder, besonders Erica haben sich aber toll gefreut über mein Weidererscheinen hier!

WC und Dusche im Staff House

(M)ein Dachkämmerchen

Dann gehts wieder ans Arbeiten für den Grossanlass:

Medical & Dental Mission. Die ganze Woche bin ich schnipsel mit Schere, Leim, Laminieren, einkaufen, zurückbringen, neue ID's kaufen .... tja Stundenlohn gibts hier nicht!

Handarbeit!

Besuch in den Prison's:

Minimum Camp:

Küche funktioniert, ist in Gebrauch! Dafür sind die grossen Wasserbehälter leer, die Zuleitung ? oder was sonst klemmt!?

Neues Plakat beim Minimum Security Camp

Minimum Prison - Küche1

Minimum Prison - Küche2

Minimum Prison - Küche3

MEDIUM Camp - Sampaguita

Hier sind wieder die schönen Anlässe - Performance der Inmate Studenten für Besucher,

Sports Fest mit den selbstgebastelten Wagen, Singwettbewerbe .. alles wieder beim "Alten", d.h. keine grossen Einschränkungen für Besucher, Führungen usw.

die SYCO - juveniles erkennen mich wieder und freuen sich, wollen wieder Yoga oder Geografie oder .... Mam Menchie, Rudi und seine Frau sind alle noch da!

In der Elementary Schule ist Emanuel vom RDC jetzt Inmate Teacher und auch Fotograf für die Chapelanlässe.

Bei SOFA - ist Orly da - hat Freude und sollte eigentlich schon entlassen sein!

und

weisst du wer am meisten Freude hatte?

und mir sogar einen Brief geschrieben hat im Nov. 2016? (ich habe in jetzt bekommen! Vielen Dank Justin!) genau
FRANCIS SORIA - mein Mörder mit Schirm - MeinPSG Beschützer. Auch Torrina ist da!

Stand in faith ...

MAXIMUM SECURITY COMPOUND

JIch schaff es nicht hinein zu kommen. Keine Chance auf einen Pass, die wollen ich weiss nicht wieviele Papiere und immer noch etwas mehr...

Somit keine direkten News!

Dafür habe ich 2x Marina getroffen - Christians Frau - sie ist mega dünn, aber soweit ok und gesprächig! Christian ist in Ordnung, hat zugenommen, weil er sich das Rauchen nicht mehr leisten kann-will! (Eine Zigi 100P = Fr. 2.-- - dann wieder 3 für 100P. - ein Päckhern kostete ca 60Pesos oder 5Pesos eine Zigi. Es dürfen nur kleinste Portionen Essen, strenge Kleidervorschriften, keine Zeitungen erlaubt ...

Besuchszeiten sind nur noch 3x wächentlich 9-11h - aber nur für 30min. in der Besucherzone am Tisch. Dafür stehen die Besucher endlos an!

Unsere Fryday Group kann jaden 2. Freitag ins Hospital und die Priester sind GOTT SEI DANK auch zugelassen! Aber sonst?

und jetzt bin ich - sind alle von PJPS voll beschäftigt mit dem Grossanlass:
MEDICAL & DENTAL MISSION - MAY 28th! lies diesen Blog!

Geburtstag von Emile (Orange T-Shirt)

liebe Jolibee

Feel the wings ?!

Ja Flügel möchte ich haben

GROSSER GOTT

ERLOESE UNS AUS DER FINSTERNIS.

SCHENKE UNS

WAHREN GLAUBEN

SICHERE HOFFNUNG

VOLLENDENDE LIEBE

SINN UND ERKENNTNIS

DAMIT WIR ERFUELLEN KOENNEN

DEINEN WAHREN UND HEILIGEN AUFTRAG.

AMEN.

Mittwoch, 24. Mai 2017

DRUG ISSUES - Drogenperspektiven - No to DEATH PENALTY

DRUG ISSUES,

DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES

A POLICY FORUM May 5 to May 6, 2017

FLAG Anti-Death Penalty Task Force

in cooperation with

the Office of the Chancellor, UP Diliman, and the Institue of Human Rights, UP Collage of Law

PJPS ist aktives Mitglied gegen die Todesstrafe und durfte 21 Leute einladen um an diesem internationalen Congress dabei zu sein,

Hintergründe, Erklärungen, 5 Jahres Plan der Regierung, Stellungsnahmen von unterschiedlichen Drogen Experten - Ländern - Regierungen - von Liberalisierung bis Todesstrafe!

Feedback:

Ich - Wir PJPS Volunteers, haben am Freitag teilgenommen.

Sehr gut organisiert, pünktlich,

spannend - interessant - engagierte Leute rund um die Welt,

PH Regierung hat sich auch präsentiert, Betonung 100mal auf: Es ist nur Totschlag und nicht Tötungen von 9000 Menschen seit Juli 16 - April 17.

Weltweit so total verschiedene Ansichten,

eine Welt frei von Drogen, Rauch und Alkohol, Spielsucht usw. ?

Ein erster wichtiger Schritt

in die PH Öffentlichkeit.

SAY NO to DEATH PENALTY

SAY YES to LIFE

Alles engagierte PJPS Volunteers

PJPS Meeting danach

Pasalubong di Switzerland

BUMILI - BACK to PJPS - Engaging in Nonviolance

Ja - Ich bin nochmals zurück bei PJPS, für einen Monat - für für die 2 Sponsorship Projekte.
Sige - Pupunta ako sa PJPS, Muntinlupa
Yes - I am back again to PJPS, Muntinlupa, Manila, Philippines- for the 2 sponsorships.

Back to PJPS - Am 28. April bin ich wieder gelandet in Manila, habe den Weg (vom neuen Terminal 1) wieder gefunden ins Staff House (zu Dianara, scholarship Verantwortliche PJPS)

Ich wurde herzlich empfangen von der neuen und alten Crew (Fr. Eli, Fr. Henry, Dong Henry, Jonathan, Charlie, Dianara, Gene und Emile (ly) und konnte gleich fleissig mitarbeiten und mitessen!

Das erste Projekt: Gesponsort durch

Jesuit's Switzerland, (Gabi's sponsors)

Sonntag, 30. April 2017 - Engaging in Creative & Active Nonviolence

Looking at our country today, we live at a time where the rhetoric of fear, terror and evil has reached a new level. Those of us who stand in Christian tradition are called to recognize the centrality of active nonviolence to the vision and message of Jesus. It is in this light that the Philippine Jesuit Prison Service would like to invite you to a seminar-workshop on "Engaging in Creative and Active Nonviolence", with Simbahang Lingkod ng Bayan (SLB) headed by Fr. Pat Falguera, SJ, on APRIL 30, 2017, 1:00 to 4:00pm at INA NG AWA PARISH Multi-Purpose Hall, New Bilibid Prison, Muntinlupa City. A Eucharistic Celebration will be followed after the activity. For confirmation of your attendance, comment your FULLNAME or send to 0977-814-2782. Thank you.