Precious Memory: My First Food Raising Experience

Ethel Hayakawa
February 22, 2011

Dearest family,

Here's another precious memory. I am sorry it took me a while to produce it.

I have attached photos to give those who don't know the image of the people I was with. The quality is not good, please bear with it. Sitting at the center is Lelia Oraga on the first picture. Standing between the two sisters at the back is Kuya Nonoy Gultia and sitting at the front with a thumb up sign is Larry Benaloga on the 2nd picture.

Have a nice day everyone.

Cheers,
Ethel

Precious Memory: My First Food Raising Experience

One of the trainings we had in the Philippines to get rid of our fallen nature and to train our hearts to humble was the FOOD RAISING.

I had my first food raising experience few weeks after I became a full pledge Unificationist. The food raising was to support the 1-day or 2-day seminars held every weekend at the center where lunch was always served.

Before my first food raising trip, no one had shared to me about it. One day, after morning prayer, my center leader, Kuya Gerry Desuyo assigned me and three older members (Lelia Oraga, Kuya Nonoy Gultia and Larry Benaloga?) to food raise. Kuya Gerry didn't say "food raise" but " to go grocery" so I thought "oh that's no problem" and was even so happy I could be of help. So the four of us got ready and when we were about to leave I wondered why we were bringing sacks and not baskets. Never heard or knew anyone doing grocery bringing a sack. I am sure my three companions noticed my face full of question mark, but they acted like there was nothing on it. Probably they were also anxious how I would take everything, there were somehow concerned marks on their faces too.

When we were at the wet market, Kuya Nonoy and Larry said they would take the vegetable and fruit section. Lelia and I were assigned to the fish and meat section. When we were walking towards the meat section I asked Lelia if she had the money for the meat and fish. She just answered me with a..."hmmm". I was confused and wondering. I was sure she didn't have the money. I didn't see Kuya Nonoy gave her anything...Did Kuya Gerry handed the money to her already..? Hmm...???

Finally, we were at the entrance of the meat section, standing there carrying a sack in my hands, I felt so stupid. Though I considered bringing baskets too old fashion, it's more dignified to look at, I thought, but sacks..?? What are we...???

I had more question mark on my face. Then Lelia said to me, "OK, we are here not to buy, but to beg".... "huh?" "beg???" My face did not only look a question mark, but my jaw dropped as well. Then she said to me to just follow her and off we approached the first vendor with our sack opened in our hands. Lelia wearing her sweetest smile, she said to the vendor..."hello, we are missionaries, we have a one day workshop today, if it's OK with you, we would like to ask for your support." Well, those were the magic words...The vendor quickly pointed to a pile of meat on one corner of his stall. Lelia then took and put them inside our sack, thanked the vendor and we moved on to the next vendor.

I couldn't believe what was happening, there was no any protests or complaints at all from the vendors. Why was it that they were so generous and had even prepared the meat and fish for us in advance? It was amazing, however, I couldn't believe I was begging for meat and fish. All the time I was anxious if someone would recognize me there and report it to my family. But, nothing happened that day. It was after several food raising trip that I was caught by a family friend, LOL! That's another story and I will tell you about it another time.

When I joined the church, great foundation had already been laid by early members. My heartfelt gratitude to all of them. I heard that they had suffered tremendous difficulties and persecution, but there's always an end to Satan.

One story I heard was, during the early days of food raising the store owners were actually not very happy about it. They complained a lot and were even harsh. One day the whole market was destroyed and vanished by a big fire.

Through that incident the vendors and business owners felt that they had been punished by God because they were mean and selfish to the food raisers. When the wet market was built again and the store owners could resume their businesses, they also have changed.

Although everything was already prepared for us, food raising still was not an easy task. To fulfill the task we had to completely deny and humble ourselves.