By Sr. Ines A Tan, FMM
Filipino Missionary in Macau

Last Issue: Sr. Ines told us how she began her missionary work in Macau. Read on:

Walking the Streets
St. Francis used to walk the streets- that’s how he did his mission work. I decided to imitate him and I walked the streets of Macau- I met other streets walkers: prostitutes, many of whom were Filipinos.

 They were Tricked
Some of them were tricked into being prostitutes while the others chose to be. They welcomed me so I continued visiting them as their sister who cares. I pitied them but I was at lost as to what to do. They gave me money to pray for them and my superior said, “we will pray for them without payment”, then I brought the money to the Carmelites and they said the same thing. Finally, the Carmelite gave the money to the priest for a novena of masses.

80 Prostitutes
Before a year was up, not one of the eighty Filipino prostitutes was left. My friendship and visits created dissatisfaction between the recruiters and the girls until the management got angry and got rid of them, their passports were given back and they were freed. This is how prayer works!

Why do you care for us!
With the prisoners, prostitutes and new migrants from China, I preach the good news by bringing a heart that loves and cares. It always happens even with the Moslems when I was in Sulu and here, that a time will come when people will asked, “why do you care for us!” Then that is the time that I use words to proclaim Christ, the Lord, who called us to be brothers and sisters. I have been an instrument of peace and reconciliation to many: to the prisoners who received forgiveness and acceptance by their loved ones, to the prostitute who made her first confessions and first communion, to the new immigrants who found themselves not alone. As for me, this is the way of proclaiming the Kingdom of God, “the already” but not its fullness.

I am Sure of One thing
My missionary life demands a continuous renouncement of self. I am always facing difficulties that strike me at all angles of myself. But what I am sure of is, in this corner of the earth, God is glorified! I thank God for all the graces He has given me, for being able to integrate into the culture of the people,   for giving me new friends here, that inspite of my sinfulness, He shows me the way… how to preach love to his people. I am writing this on the feast of St. James, the apostle. I am grateful of my parents and friends, my religious congregation, the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary, the priest and teachers who taught me to love.

(To be continued)