An hour ago, I have just met with my inner voice. I was coming out of the Public Internet Café where I used to check my mails. This Public Internet café is located directly opposite of 3 star hotel in our town. My friend Febby and ojek driver was revving the motor cycle when she realized that our motorcycle stuck in between other motorcycles and cars so she had to manuvered our motorcycle past a gap between a car and a becak (tricycle). Once she got the motorcycle ready I jumped on the motorcycle. Just when the man, the becak driver, called me,
“Adik (little sister), can I have the left over of your water?”
Febby was holding an almost empty mineral water bottle at that time and we were surprised to hear such a unusual request. For you to know, there are hardly any beggar in our town especially in the area identified as the “Christian” areas. There are only 1 beggar and several crazy people who walk around.
I was on the motorcycle and turning my head to see who was talking to me. And there he was, the man, the becak driver, still sitting on the becak with his body slightly tilt forward to talk to me. Almost in dazed Febby hand her almost empty bottle to me and I handed to him. Then I remembered that I have a bag of breads and cookies that I had bought earlier. So I also gave the bag to him.
“Danke banyak ade-ade” (Thank you very much little sisters)
The man held the almost empty water bottle and bag of breads to his chest and return to his becak. Febby and I started the engine and went home. Only a few meters, we were like struck with the experience and regret why we hadn’t bought a new water bottle or at least buy him dinner or asked what he need. We circle the block thinking that it’s not yet 1 minute since we left him so he must still be there. But when we pass the place he wasn’t there anymore. People there said that they haven’t seen any becak driver there.
Now, as I sit in front of my computer, I search for the meaning of this valuable encounter. I belive GOD telling me something. I believe that GOD was telling me that I must be prepared to serve and to be sensitive to people’s need. That the needy are all around us. Some need food some other need spiritual food and encouragement. I need to be able to respond to them.
All the way home, Febby and I talked about this. This is really struck us. One, because our town , like I said before had never had beggar. Second, the ego of the Ambonesse is so high that they think it’s humiliating if you beg and receive anything in public like our circumstances. I guess this is why me and her were momentarily dazed.
I reasoned myself that it’s OK. I’ve already given him water and bread. But deep inside I am very troubled. I regret that I wasn’t sensitive and responsive enough. I understand how hard it is being and Ambonesse to ask for the left over of others in public. He must have needed so badly. Maybe the whole day he doesn’t get enough passenger do his income was low. He must be tired and hungry but didn’t have enough money to buy because he had to bring the money home to his family. Ohhhh LORD ... I’m in tears now. I think I’m being very silly today. Just before when I was inside the internet café, I complained to myself that I don’t have enough money.
So I get some lessons from this. I hope this lesson works for you too
1. We need to be sensitive and responsive to people’s need. Try to give the best that we can give to others.
2. Give thanks for what we have now. As little as it is. There are others who have nothing. Instead in your limitation, share whole heartedly. The money I have now is far less than what I need and want. But I belive GOD knows what I need and fulfill my need by its time.
3. I need to figure out how reach out to this kind of people in my town. As I cannot use the same approach used in other parts of Indonesia, as our culture and custom were totally different. I belive one day, there will be a way to reach this people.
4. The needy people are not far. They’re not those in conflict areas, disaster areas, or poor people in the slums such as in Jakarta etc. But It may be your neighbors. People who passed you every day on the street. Even someone you live with under the same roof.
5. get more people to be aware and responsive of people in need. As if I’m the only one aware of this, I will take all the burden to my shoulder and I won’t be able to walk. Just as when we return to the spot and ask the people about the man and their reply was simple. They don’t know and they haven’t seen any becak driver. This ignorance needs to be eliminated.
Febby was saying that that must be an Angel because he disappear. Well, may be. And even if he doesn’t, it’s a pity that his presence was neglected by the society. And GOD forgive me that I’m one of them.
6. Last, Never regret the past time. I missed doing my best for him. But he has given a valuable lesson to me. Next time when I met people in need this lesson taught me on what best to do.
Hope that my story inspired others to reach their hands to those in need.
Let me share you the principle we have in YAP (Young Ambassadors for Peace)
In Young Ambassadors for Peace, we believe that we need to THINK PEACE, TALK PEACE and LIVE PEACE.
YAP also believe that TO CARE IS TO ACT
There’s no need for big actions. All we need to do is SMALL, MEASURABLE, ACHIEVABLE STEPS. Small steps ... small steps ... small steps ... to the big future.
