ANAWIM YEAR 29 SPECIAL
Meet Grateful Angel
By ARSENIA D. BINOHHI
Anawin Center Administrator
ANAWIM is home for abandoned elderly. Abandoned by those who were supposed to love them and take care of them.
So, we take care of them.
Like Lola Angie, 67 years old, really an angel inspiring us as we minister to her.
Lola Angie is not abandoned. She is in Anawim because she no longer has family or close relatives to depend on. They all passed away years ago.
Angie was born on April 9, 1956, in Sultan Kudarat, and she is an only child. Her mother died after giving birth to her. Her father died during Martial Law. Her maternal aunt then kindly took care of her. Unfortunately, when Angie was but a teenager, her aunt passed away too.
All alone, Angie had to fend for herself. She decided to go to Manila to look for a job.
Burdens
Above, Lola Angie with fellow grannies showing off flowers given by visitors This is after she struggled with life’s burdens.
She first worked as a saleslady. But apparently lacking know-how in sales, she did not last long in this job. With no livelihood skills, she had no other means to survive except to work as a housemaid. Fortunately, she found a family who let her stay in their house as a helper.
That was the time that she met her beloved husband, Randy. Angie said they tried 15 times before she got pregnant. But unfortunately, the baby died at birth. Then, sometime in 1994, her husband was murdered—for some reason so painful for her to recall.
In July 2021, Angie suffered a stroke. She hardly could do anything except feed herself. A fellow housemaid kindly helped her walk around. Needless to say, she could no longer do her duties as a housemaid.
But this might be a blessing in disguise.
By God’s grace, her employer knew about Anawim. So, she brought Angie to us and we have embraced this angel as our own.
Despite her condition, Lola Angie says everything will be back to normal again. “Someday, I will be able to walk unaided,” she assures us
Blessings
Meanwhile, Lola Angie simply counts her blessings in Anawim.
“I am grateful Anawim provides my basic needs, you know– food, clothing, and shelter.”
She is busy with exercises and other physical activities to keep her healthy.
She loves the fun excursions to educational tourist spots and spiritual destinations like this recent visit to Regina Rica, Tanay, Rizal.
She is grateful for visits of groups who entertain our elderly, not to mention give generous donations that sustain our Anawim operations.
And yes, she is well spiritually nourished, as she participates in The Feast Anawim
and Bible studies (right).
She tells us, “Thank you, really, for treating me as if I am part of your family.” “You are all kind and sweet,” she adds, “and I’d never felt this feeling before until I was admitted here in Anawim.”
Yes, for Lola Angie, God is fulfilling His promise in Isaiah 46:4, now her favorite among the Bible verses she has learned at The Feast:
“Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.”
