Love Beyond Anger

“Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.” —Romans 12:12

During our one-month stay in Danao, we were blessed to enter many homes, each carrying a story that reminded us that every family has battles we may never fully see. But among those stories, the journey of Kuya Dosdos and his family became one of the testimonies that deeply touched my heart.

Kuya Dosdos had been living with the effects of a stroke for almost a year. His condition had changed his daily life, and we often found him sitting on a long chair in front of their house. His wife, Ate, on the other hand, was not always welcoming and was often easily angered. Because of this, whenever we visited, we simply talked with Kuya Dosdos, offered him foot massages, and prayed with him. We never forced ourselves into their home or tried to start a conversation with Ate. We simply served, listened, and respected their space.

Then, one day, something unexpected happened.

We visited Kuya Dosdos again to offer a foot massage and prayer when Ate surprised us by saying, “Next time gani na mag-visit kamo, magtawag kamo or mag-text.” We were surprised—and honestly, a little nervous. But looking back, I realize that perhaps it was a small door beginning to open.

From then on, we found more opportunities to help. We cleaned the front of their house, especially the long chair where Kuya Dosdos usually sat and where we gave him foot massages. We also helped arrange the things around their home. Even when Ate was angry, we chose not to respond with anger. Instead, we tried to understand her. We did not know what kind of pain, exhaustion, or burden she was carrying. And perhaps that was part of our journey with them—not simply learning how to serve, but learning how to love people even when love is not immediately returned.

As our time in Danao slowly came to an end, we prepared to leave for our real mission field in Camansi. Before we left, we wanted to revisit the families we had served and give them our warmest goodbye. So, despite the heavy rain, we went back to Kuya Dosdos’s home. We knocked. No one answered. For a moment, it seemed like our final goodbye would never happen. But we did not want to leave without trying one more time. So we prayed earnestly, asking Jesus to open the door.

A few minutes later, the door opened.

That moment became the most beautiful part of our journey with Kuya Dosdos’s family. It was the first time I entered their home. More importantly, it was the first time I saw Ate smile. She even waved her hand as we said goodbye. It may have looked like a small moment, but to me, it was a testimony of answered prayer.

Sometimes, faith means knocking one more time. Keep praying. Keep loving. Keep showing up. Because when we refuse to give up, we give Jesus room to open doors we thought would remain closed. We may not have seen the full result of the seed we planted in Kuya Dosdos’s family, but we trust that Christ will continue to water, nurture, and tend it in His perfect time. Our part is simply to plant with love, serve with humility, and remain faithful. What we cannot finish, Jesus will.

Name: Hazel Rianne Base/66th Batch

Mission Field: Danao City, Cebu