Jerry was driving his passenger along the busy streets of Ozamiz City in the Philippines. His son was seated beside the foreigner. Jerry didn’t mind the heat of the sun and the strain in his legs from pedalling. He was so full of pride over the fact that his son was talking to the foreigner in English and amusing him with his intelligence.
Jerry didn’t finish elementary school. Growing up in a violent home where his alcoholic father frequently beat him he ran away at an early age. That’s why when he met Wilda and married her in 1996 he vowed to himself never to lift a finger to his wife and children. This was something that he struggled with raising his family. Most of the time he was scared off by his own temper. He would feel very guilty whenever he lay a hand on his children.
Things started to change when he and Wilda became members of Couples for Christ in 2003. "Nagkaroon ako nang bagong buhay", he mused when asked what kind of change he was referring to. "Mas maganda ang buhay sa CFC. Lahat nang ginagawa mo parang meron nang kabuluhan". He said that he started looking at difficulties as "pagsubok" - as something more hopeful, than hopeless and complaining. His faith has helped him change his ways for the better.
They’ve become Household Leaders (leaders in their cell group, where they gather their members - six couples - every week for a prayer meeting and sharing of faith). Jerry and Wilda, in spite of the challenges of leading six couples, have remained faithful to their commitment. There are times when some members would need to focus on their livelihood so they can put food on the table. But Jerry understands this all too well. There were times when he would be too embarrassed to attend CFC assemblies because he didn’t have any decent clothes to wear.
But all these things he considers trials for a Christian, like him, who wants to have another shot at life. He feels grateful to be one of the beneficiaries of 'Pedalling to Live' under the guidance of Columban Fr Oliver McCrossan. They were among the few who were privileged enough to be qualified for the housing program. Fr Oli dreams of a sustainable community for the trisikad (a pedal driven vehicle) drivers and their families. Jerry, along with his small community, works hard for making life better. His ultimate dream is to see his children finish their education, something that he and his wife didn’t have the chance to accomplish.
In a place like Ozamiz there are many challenges and difficulties that people like Jerry have to face in order to keep discouragement at bay. "Opportunities for people like us are always scarce, not to mention the fact that we also fight among ourselves in order to survive", he said. But every day, he chooses to remain steadfast for his family. For him, it is a conscious decision that he has to make every day. He wants to do well so that his children will reap the harvest. There is no other way for him but to keep trying to change for the better. This is his way of repaying the kindness back that God sends his way to make his dreams come true.
Fr Oliver McCrossan SSC is based in the Philippines.
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