WHEN LOVE CARRIES

“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”

— Galatians 6:2

In the last barangay of Gingoog City, Misamis Oriental, we were assigned to a mountain community far from the city. Reaching the area was already a challenge. It took about four hours to reach the city—one hour of walking and three hours by vehicle. The road was steep, rocky, and uneven, making every trip physically demanding. One morning, at around 9:00 am, we went from house to house to conduct services and meet the people in the community.

As we passed one home, a man approached us with an urgent request. He asked if we could massage his wife. When we saw Nanay, we immediately understood why he was asking for help. She could barely move. Every movement caused her severe pain. She could not stand, walk, or even sit. Her foot was badly swollen, and we knew that massaging it could make her condition worse.

We explained this to her husband, but then he told us that she could no longer bear the pain.

His next request was simple but difficult: "Can you help carry my wife to the main road?" As I watched her husband, I realized that he had already been carrying her long before we arrived. He carried not only her physical needs, but also the fear, worry, and helplessness that came with seeing the woman he loved suffer. His request was not simply a request for assistance. It was the cry of a husband who desperately wanted to ease his wife's pain.

The emergency response team was waiting in the main road, but their vehicle could not enter the area because of the rocky road. If they tried to bring Nanay out by vehicle from where she was, the rough terrain would cause her even more pain.

So we decided to carry her ourselves.

At first, we knew it would not be easy. The sun was already hot, the road was rough, and Nanay was in severe pain. We had to move carefully, adjusting our steps and supporting her body so that we would not hurt her further. Every few steps required effort. The weight became tiring, our bodies began to feel the strain, and the difficult road seemed even longer. But nobody complained. We simply helped one another. One person would take part of the weight, another would support Nanay, and together we continued moving forward.

What one person could not carry alone, several people could carry together. Step by step, we finally reached the main road. The emergency response team was already waiting for us. When we carefully transferred Nanay to them, I saw the relief on her face. Tatay's expression said more than words could. He thanked us sincerely for helping his wife, and that gratitude touched me deeply.  And somehow, despite the exhaustion in our bodies, there was joy in our hearts.

We were tired—but we were happy. Not because the journey had been easy, but because we knew that our tiredness had a purpose. For a moment, we were able to become the hands and feet of God for someone who desperately needed help. That experience brought to life something I once read in the writings of Ellen G. White: “If you try to carry your burdens alone you will be crushed under them.”

That day taught me that helping others does not always require money or extraordinary resources. Sometimes, it simply requires a willing heart, strong hands, and the courage to walk beside someone through a difficult road. Kindness is free-yet its impact can be priceless. And in helping Nanay, we carried hope and discovered something beautiful: the burden may still be heavy, but when we carry it together, the journey becomes lighter—and the joy of helping makes every difficult step worth it.

Name: Sam Ocampo | 66th Batch 1000MM

Mission Field: Gingoog City, Misamis Oriental