“If I want to love, I have to take risks.”

The story of Aldie Sario, a youth who has been lifted up from a life of destitution by God’s love

Aldie always likes to share that he was still in kindergarten in Bukas Palad, a social outreach centre of the Focolare in Agdao, Davao del Sur, when he came across the spirituality of unity. Among the programs of Bukas Palad, in fact, is “Support at a distance” which is geared towards the education of underprivileged children. Aldie is one of its hundreds of beneficiaries. He was still small when he and his family started to receive support.

Every year, when school opened, he was excited because he would have new school stuff: new shoes, uniform, etc. Most of his school needs were provided for by the program, even his fare for transportation. But later he realized that they were providing not only material things, but also took care of his spiritual needs. “Every Saturday,” he shares, “together with other children, we would go to a house where we played, sang, danced and watched animated videos about the Gospel. I found out later that ‘that house’ was the Focolare centre.” He could not explain why but he felt a certain attraction while attending meetings and when people shared their experiences: how they loved Jesus by helping out at home, how they made up with others especially after a fight, or assisted classmates in school, etc.

One could say that, at a young age, he had begun his journey in living the Gospel.

When Aldie was in third year high school, a great suffering came to his family. “I could not understand why my father had left us,” he shares. It was so painful for him, similar to Jesus’ feeling abandoned by the Father on the cross. All children in the family were very much affected by what had happened, as they were very close to their father. His siblings decided to go to Manila and live with their aunts. Aldie himself lost interest in his studies. What saved him was the realization that there was a community who understood him. “I went to Bukas Palad and shared my situation with them. After that, I realized that I had an ‘extended family.’ The burden of pain and hatred was slowly lifted from my shoulders. Truly the ‘art of loving’ I had learned from the Movement, especially that point about loving one’s enemy, though a most difficult one, had given me hope and certainty that my family Then in May 2006, Aldie attended a youth camp of the Focolare in Tagaytay. That summer gathering deepened his knowledge about the spirituality of unity and helped him, especially to start again after what had happened to his family. For him, it was like an examination of conscience as to how he was living his life as a youth who could contribute something to his community. On the second day, he received a text message from a cousin informing him that his father was then staying with his grandmother in Manila. He recalls how the message bothered him, so he shared it with the facilitators and the other youth attending the camp.

They all agreed that he should go and visit his father after the camp. He admits that he was uneasy and hesitant about facing his father: “I had mixed emotions. On one hand, I was excited to see my father after so many months.

On the other hand, I was afraid of the outcome… But, in the end, I decided to go see him.” He felt that it was God’s will at that moment to see his father.

It was his first time in Metro Manila and, afraid to get lost, he was tempted to turn back. Then he gathered courage thinking, “If I want to love, I have to take risks.” In the end, when he found his father, he recalls, “I had the courage to hug him and ask ‘How are you, Pa?’ ” When they talked, his father told him why he had left them. He was able to understand and even forgive his father, thus restoring their relationship.

What an unforgettable trip to Manila! In these events, he recognized God’s immense love for him. Now reconciled with his father, Aldie keeps in touch with him from time to time.

Back in Davao, he spent the rest of his summer vacation doing volunteer work at the Bukas Palad Social Center. He assisted in many ways, like preparing and serving food, playing with the children, teaching them action songs or reading stories to them. During the school year, he also did tutorials for high school and elementary students, helping them with their reports, assignments and projects. At times he substituted for an absent teacher in the pre-school. Doing simple acts of love, he found personal fulfillment and his relationship with God becoming real and stronger.

The difficult financial situation of one’s family and the slum environment can become a stumbling block for someone who wants to get a college degree. In fact, many of Aldie’s neighbors and childhood friends were not able to finish college. But last April 15, 2010, he and another boy, who is also living the same evangelical life, finally obtained their Education degree.

Looking back at his life, Aldie sees what has made everything possible: “We are very thankful for the great love of God in bringing us the great Ideal of unity. We are very grateful too that Bukas Palad is here in Agdao.

The love of God has truly come to me and to our community at Agdao.

God has provided for all my needs.” He continues, “No words can describe my gratitude to the people who have become instruments of His love.

Now my desire is to respond to God’s generosity with my life, by being love like Him.”

Jonas Lardizabal  (http://www.newcityph.com/)