Vina: ‘Behind My Happy Home…’
AS TOLD TO GAIL BAYTO
I AM Vina,* 14 years old, now a beneficiary of the Jeremiah 33 Foundation which maintains a shelter for abused girls—where I live now.
There are three of us daughters in my family and I am the youngest.
Long before I came to Jeremiah, we were living in a happy home— or so it seemed.
I felt my parents were good to me, providing for my daily needs. They supported me in everything I wanted to do.
Our parents sent us to a good school. My sisters kindly helped me with my school lessons. They guided me well, and to this day, I know that I have their shoulders ready when I need to lean on them.
But that happy home was just a façade—for behind it, evil lurked in our midst as my sisters and I were growing up.
Evil Blow
Sadly, our father sexually abused my eldest sister. By God’s mercy, authorities discovered the abuse and social workers from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) came to rescue my sister. Because my other sister and I were also at risk, DSWD also rescued us. The social worker in charge brought us to DSWD’s Bahay Pag-asa for Girls. From there, we were brought to the Jeremiah shelter.
*Names are changed and photos are withheld to protect the privacy of our beneficiaries.
Jeremiah Lessons
I have learned so much in Jeremiah.
Jeremiah brings us to museums, entertainment parks, and events – which I enjoy so much.
We are also encouraged to have a hobby and so, I have discovered my skill in painting which keeps me happily busy.
Above all, I really appreciate the spiritual nourishment I receive in Jeremiah as I came to know about the Light of Jesus Family and its faith gathering, The Feast. I attended my first Feast on May 19, 2019 at the Valle Verde in Pasig City.
I’ve been well inspired by the talks of Bro. Bo Sanchez (right) leading The Feast earlier on held live at the Philippine International Convention Center.
Hearing The Feast talks, I’ve been blessed to love and have deep faith in God. And also, to love others. I’ve been more understanding, more giving, more responsible in everything I do so I won’t disturb, offend, hurt people around me.
And so, I’ve gained friends, girls dealing with trauma over abuse – and we just comfort each other, especially when we are haunted by our ugly past.
I Am Loved
Sometimes, we think that God fails us because we can’t even see Him or touch Him. But in Jeremiah, we’ve learned about the Holy Spirit – He is here to let us know that we are important in God’s eyes and to make us feel He so loves us.
We know, because Jeremiah has taught us the comforting words in Romans 5:5: “And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”
From this verse, I’ve learned God really loves us. I’ve learned to always remember that God will never fail us. He has never failed me.
JEREMIAH 33 FOUNDATION Year 9
We Knock On Your Heart
Behold… I will heal them and reveal to them abundance and prosperity. I will restore their fortunes… — Jeremiah 33: 6-7
YES, it is on this, God’s loving promise, stands firm our Jeremiah 33 Foundation.
Longtime Light of Jesus member, Bro. Reylindo E. Ortega, chose the verse to bring hope for a life of dignity for girls, particularly victims of sexual abuse.
Well supported by his wife Myrna, Bro. Rey started the home on
November 27, 2012. So, this 2021, Jeremiah marks its ninth year.
Jeremiah provides for the beneficiaries’ basic needs, health care, education, livelihood skills training, and, most important, spiritual nourishment– since with deep faith in God, they can well deal with the trauma of their past.
Our founder, Bro. Bo Sanchez, readily included Jeremiah 33 among the partner beneficiaries of the Light of Jesus Family Mercy Ministries, sustaining the mission through contributions mainly from those who attend The Feast, LOJ’s weekly faith gathering.
But last year, with the Coronavirus Disease Pandemic prohibiting live gatherings to arrest the spread of the disease, The Feast now just goes online as The Feast-at-Home.
Last September, Bro. Hermie Morelos, chairman of the LOJ Mercy Ministries, led the online Feast Mercy Ministries Thanksgiving Gathering—honoring our donors and at the same time appealing for more help for our ministries.
Like the other Mercy Ministries, Jeremiah 33 is fervently praying for support of our worldwide online Feast attendees.
Like our Lord Jesus, we knock on everyone’s heart for love and support love for Vina and the rest of our Jeremiah girls.
