Lita's Heart

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     In my little girl's eyes, there was no one as generous and kindhearted as my mama. She wrapped boxes and boxes of Christmas gifts to everyone she could think of. She was not extra rich. Her act of giving comes from an overflow of love and compassion to everyone she meets. She was a teacher at a university. Every December she received a 13th month pay-what they call a Christmas bonus. She is a big spender for gifts to our church youth, her co-workers and their families, and the house help, and their families.
 

     We used to go caroling to the less fortunate neighbors in our small town- Aringay. Walking in the dark guided by flashlights, carrying packs of canned goods and groceries, we bring the spirit of Giving to our backyard.
 

     These people live in shacks and nipa huts without electric power,  unsuitable bathrooms, and insufficient water supply. The spark and surprise we see in their faces when they open their doors as we sing our hearts out take away the weariness of having to do all that we did. Mama Lita, was very purposeful -so that people will experience the love of Jesus on Christmas Day.
 

     Together with my father, they opened a feeding program at their retirement. While her team took care of the food preparation and distribution, she sat down with children from 2 -16 years old to tell the greatest story of redemption, pointing everyone to Jesus. 
 

     I get to witness her pure joy and compassion in doing what she does best- generosity in action. I have never seen her so fulfilled as she was with her circle of faithful friends, her sister Tessie, and the children she wraps her arms around oh so tightly in the best way she can. 

 

     We open Home with A Mission to honor her and the work she started. May her generosity and kindness reflect everything she has demonstrated to me and my family as long as the generations after her carry the story of her life and legacy.