..BeHiNd bArS..

My usual Sunday morning routine starts at 9am, eat breakfast, do some light household chores, shower, lunchtime, siesta, showbiz break while doin' my paperworks, help out in the kitchen, dinnertime, shower and pamper sessions then off to bed..But starting today, I have to bid goodbye to my usual Sunday delight, to do divine works of mercy.
Meeting place: Jollibee BF @ 8am and we were off to Bilibid Prison at Muntinlupa. I was joking around that finally, I get the chance to meet Dodong (famous Inday-Dodong tandem), complete with my Bisaya accent. I felt excited and eager how it is to be a part of the Prison Ministry. I'm so glad that members from our chapter came (Nikka, Cathy, Tin, Golly, EG, Bryan and Nicky). It was expected for us first-timers to have apprehensions and have a gist of nervousness. After quite some time (we sat and spent some time in the waiting shed), we were given the final instructions (no wallets, no cellphone rule), and we're off to the Medium Security of the Bureau of Corrections. We were asked to log-in, do the "body search/inspection" (manang, manang, huwag po..) and we went in, seeing inmates moving freely inside the compound. They brought umbrellas, offered their goodies and crafts, saying their hi's and hello's and the like. All we can do was to say hello and smile. (hehe). Upon reaching our venue, we saw the inmates- mostly from the juvenile delinquents group, clad in their white shirts (or most decent attire, at least), rubbing elbows with the SFC facilitators. It was good to see how we free people reach out to our less fortunate brothers behind bars. They were friendly and approachable; much to our surprise, they outnumbered our batch in the recently concluded CLP! We became part of the service team (writing of this Sunday's reading on Beatitudes and food and stuff...) Some of them even shared how MAPALAD they are, despite of the dark reality of being imprisoned. We also found out that most of them were supposed to be released last December. Much to their dismay because of the Jalosjos issue, it was not approved and heightened security measures were observed. They were grouped by households and went on with their sharings..I really was struck with the after-discussion sharings and testimonials..Sobrang nakakatouch..It made me realize that even in the wired walls of Bilibid, there's still hope among these people that someday, they will attain freedom. Also, (not on a justifying note ha) I realized that not everyone inside the jail are charged guilty of the crimes they committed. We appreciate the efforts they've been doing to show that there's always hope. We ended at almost 2pm, and it was such an enriching experience. When asked if I'm coming back for the next Sunday sessions, I gave a BIG yes. I am to be of service to others and for God's greater glory. 'Yan ang tatak SFC.