Giving brings a blessing of happiness not just to the receiver but also to the giver.
Last Sunday our District had a Community Service at Purok Cagasan, Poblacion, Polomolok South Cotabato headed by the Women's Ministry Department.
Before the said activity every women in different churches were encouraged to bring slippers on assorted sizes, pre loved clothes and anything we could give. The group of women also prepared rice for the raffle. Another group also prepared juice and arozcaldo to be served for merienda.
When we reached there, many women were there preparing the venue, arranging chairs, slippers and segregating clothes.
We also put the pre loved clothes we brought segregating them into for men, women and kids.
When the slippers got many, we enjoyed forming it ACS SDA (Adventist Community Services of Seventh-day Adventist).
People in the community should register themselves in the registration area for the raffle. They also need to get their priority number for massage, haircut and as well as for the slippers.
After the preparation, the first part of our program which is the devotional was started. The devotional is composed of opening song which singing of our theme song, followed by opening prayer, a musical rendition by women, a message from our District Pastor and then closing song and closing prayer.
The part 2 of the program is the most awaited part of the people in the community which is giving of those items or gifts.
FREE PRE-LOVED CLOTHES
Giving or allowing the people to choose and find clothes for them from pre loved clothes or we commonly call it ukay-ukay is the first activity we did.
Our Pastor gave instructions to the community that we need to respect each other. If someone already have the clothes, no need to get it from that person by force.
He started by letting them stand around, let their arms up and jokingly let them exercise first by holding their heads, shoulders, knees and toes. They sang a nursery rhyme then in the count of three, two, one and everyone enjoyed looking for clothes that is fit to them and for their family.
This old woman is so happy finding a good dress for herself. She got a lot and so thankful for what she finds.
This girl seems to have chosen a lot and she might having a problem how to bring it home.
Many were so happy seeing and chosen a lot of good clothes.
FREE AROZCALDO AND PANDESAL
While the ukay-ukay is on going, the arozcaldo and pandesal is being served. Everyone could go in the table where it is being served and have a cup of arozcaldo (it is a rice porridge with chicken and some spices like ginger) and some pandesal (bread).
I am happy to see how every women participate and help to make this event successful.
Some put the arozcaldo in the cup, others put some plastic spoon in it.
I also got mine.
FREE FOUR SEASONS JUICE DRINK
We have a lot of four seasons juice drink sponsored by DOLE PHILIPPINES INC., the biggest company located in our Municipality.
The kids are the most happy having this juice drink. All of them wanted to be in the nearest where one woman is serving. The woman who is serving don't know whom to serve first until I used my big voice, lol and instructed the kids to fall in line.
I told them that the server won't cater anyone who is not in the line. I also assured them that all can have the juice because we have a lot. Gladly, they obeyed and fall in line.
FREE SLIPPERS
The first plan is to have the slippers being raffle so everyone will have a chance to win a pair of slippers but before we start giving we noticed that the slippers were so many. We formed them into a big SDA and as we count it, it is more than the number of the registered people. So, everyone is called by name accordingly and everyone had their pair of new slippers.
The first in the list had a chance to chose sizes, but those in the last some slippers didn't fit to them but they still choose one pair.
FREE HAIR CUT
Free haircut is the last activity to finish because many wanted to have a free hair cut. They put a limit at first but the barber felt pity on them so they cater everyone who was there waiting in the line.
Boys, men and even women who have a men cut, young and old fall in line with their number and had their free hair cut.
Salute to these three barbers who offered their services in support to this community service.
FREE MASSAGE
This is the activity where most who get priority numbers are adult and especially senior citizens.
The massage personnel are PWD. I am so happy seeing them having that skill and they are all working together in a massage center.
RAFFLE FOR RICE
The rice provided is just limited so having it in a raffle is the best way to give everyone a chance. All people who registered their names have a chance to win a pack of rice. Their names were written along the numbers and we pick number. Whoever names match the number will win.
Kids, adult, senior citizens, men and women were so lucky having their numbers being picked.
Some people in the community went home even the activity is not yet done. Some names were called but they didn't had the chance to get the rice because they were no longer there.
Some women also went home one by one after the activity so only few left for some picture taking.
I requested a picture for all women from the church where I belong. We're eight and I am so happy having them with me in this activity. I am so happy to sharing their time with the community. The other two came from other church.
Go women! We will go! We will glow.
This picture shows that behind those women are the supportive men and husband who is always there to support women. Also some of those who received rice were in the picture.
Community Service is an activity that I always wanted to participate. I know that I have a little contribution in terms of financial or things but I know every little is big to the receiver. Joining and helping this kind of activity would always make my heart filled with joy after seeing those big smiles from the people in the community.
Giving, sharing, helping is a blessing. If you can give, if you can help, do it now! Don't wait for tomorrow because tomorrow may not come.
Thank you so much for reading. See you again in my next blog.