The Story of a Beautiful Soul
Remember on the last post I talked about Cruzada and us talking with women of the street? Well, the apostolate has been blessed with a fruitful harvest. There was a girl at one of the clubs who really managed to turn her life around! This is the story of how I met her.
Beautiful Soul: Angel on the Street
I met her during one of our Friday night strolls at Mango Avenue. She was standing outside one of those bars famous for raunchy shows. And I noticed her subtly trying to catch the glances of private car drivers, who’re about to take a right turn at the corner where she stood.
A moment before I saw her, our Cruzada team met for prayer and orientation. I listened carefully to my friend who reminded us to be sisterly and friendly when we approach our sisters – the women of the street. And the moment I saw her, I know she’s the one we’re looking forward to chatting with.
A Room Full of Lights and Smoke
We went inside the bar. The smell of cigarette smoke mixed with the scent of liquor filled the room. The room was dark with only the blinking disco lights to aid your vision. I felt nauseous. Still, I tried to talk with one of the staff.
Then, she came to talk to us. She’s younger than me by at least 5 years. But she already had a child. I’m amazed at how she managed to maintain her slender figure. We chatted about random things – casual topics, our love for burgers, cute celebrities, and love-lives. That was the start of our friendship.
With my media-focused idea of female beauty, I thought she looked pretty in her outfit at the bar. Slim. Tall. Confident in skimpy clothes. But that’s not the kind of compliment we’re here to give. Our Fridays at bars are meant to bring the light of Jesus in this otherwise dark room mired with taboo.
A Beautiful Turn
After so many Fridays talking to her, she finally shared that she decided to resign from her work. That’s due in part to their frequently delayed salary and the availability of a scholarship from the Good Shepherd Sisters. Then, whether by coincidence or Divine Providence, the bar closed, which gave her even more reason to look for another job.
The next time we met she didn’t put on any of the colorful cosmetics she used to wear for work. I took a closer look at her. And perhaps, I realized, she didn’t know she’s even more beautiful without those fancy make-up and skimpy clothes.
Her Way Forward
We met for dinner with the team once. She shared about her fun experiences at her vocational school. She laughed hard as she recalled their role-play activity on how to cater to a drunk, 6-footer hotel guest. She mentioned that she’s been learning a lot. And she looked joyful.
I saw her on another mission. It’s not at the bars this time. It’s with a group of counseling service providers and recipients managed by the Good Shepherd Sisters. I’m so glad she’s been hanging out with different people – the sisters, her fellow scholars, and the counselors.
At that moment, I realized that no one really strays too far out of God’s hand to grasp. HE’s always an arm’s length away when we decide to stretch out our hands for help.
Thriving Fire for the Mission
Amid this pandemic, as I sit alone in my home office, I recall my suffocating moments inside the bars at Mango Avenue. I might have struggled to get used to the ministry. But those were some of the moments when I felt God’s grace and mercy through the life of another person.
Even though I came to inspire as a missionary, I always ended up the one being inspired. I grew up not caring about the women of the street. They’re just a world apart from the kind of life I live. But up close, I realized that they’re made of the same material as me – mind, body, and soul. They have their own stories. Their journey to God might be filled with countless twists and turns. But all these made their life rich and meaningful like the woman who wiped the feet of Jesus with tears and perfume in the Gospel of Luke 7:36-50.
I pray that she’s thriving now. I pray that her heart is filled with God. I pray that she’s been blessed with provisions to support her family. And most importantly, I pray that she was able to look herself in the mirror and see her inner beauty through the eyes of the Creator.