Compassion for an old man....
@Zelmarq (12604)
Cebu City, Philippines
July 31, 2007 5:32pm CST
There's this old man that i see when ever I go to the bank and withdraw. He lives in a very small cart that he used for his way of living selling coconut juice and coconut fruit, but because of his health problems he was not able to continue his business.
Every time I pass by his small cart, I can feel pity and compassion for the man.There were times that i want to approach him but I never had the courage.
He has grown very weak and very thin, but behind the almost bony structure yu could see that he was a handsome old man his clothes are dirty and have not been washed but he has a number of them neatly hanged on one corner of his cart.
Then I finally got the courage to approach him with the help of a friend, we talked to him and asked him questions about his family. He has children but they have families of their own and have no idea about his current situation.He is sick with asthma and have difficulty in breathing. His new found friends in the street support him for his daily survival.
We shared to him the gospel and he accepted with teary eyes, and that caused me to be teary eyed as well, not because of his situation but because he accepted Jesus as his Lord and savior.
WHen i get the chance I drop by and talk for a while and give for something to eat. He is just one of the oldman living in the streets here in the Philippines and I just I hope I can find the time to share my life to them.
10 people like this
18 responses
@Madona1 (2096)
• Gibraltar
26 Sep 07
Oh, my heart goes to this old man who I feel sorry and sympathy as everyone will get old one day, but his children and the one he loves fail to look after him when he most needs. Luckily, he meets you and your friend will can offer a bit of helps. Good job! Zelmarq. Keep up the good work!
@izathewzia (5134)
• Philippines
26 Sep 07
He is alone in this world. A lot of old men and women lives in misery. These are the people that our society tends to forget. But if we will trace back, some or most of them are the forefounder of what we are enjoying right now. They are the ones who place the red carpet for us to walk on. Now that they are already old and dying, we can not even give them the kind of love, respect and acceptance they very much needed. Where are the families of these oldies? Why they let them live in misery? This is a call for everyone whose old memebrs of the their families are suffering in the cold and dim world outside.
3 people like this
@KrisNY (7590)
• United States
2 Aug 07
That is too bad- It’s sad that his own family doesn’t know of his problems- How sad- It is very nice that you stopped and chatted with him- I bet it made his day and he loves it when you stop and visit. I hope that this mans family soon finds out that he is ill and helps him.
3 people like this
@teapotmommommerced (10359)
• United States
4 Aug 07
Isn't it sad that he has not told his family about his how ill his is. I feel we need to keep in touch with our family. Our son is in another state and I talk to him often and our daughter is an hour a way and I talk to her about once a month. She is taking care of her husband and his parents. She also works fulltime. I feel she works all the time and is two tired all the time.
3 people like this
@tholitz (1127)
• Philippines
28 Sep 07
I'm really impressed by your action. Maybe the Good Lord had shown you this old man and use you as his vessel in letting him understand His word. You have already given him the best that he could ever receive in this world, the forgiveness and love of Jesus Christ. Keep up the good work and continue to spread His word and love. God Bless!
@Zelmarq (12604)
• Cebu City, Philippines
29 Sep 07
Thank you very much for the encouragement my friend, I need that to keep on pressing for the goal at hand and for getting what the Lord wanted to do with our lives. Its justa a matter of giving im all our best and He will do the rest.
1 person likes this
@LittleMel (8742)
• Canada
30 Sep 07
you have such a beautiful and generous heart. you gave this man more affection than his own family. there are a lot of poor people in my homeland too, but they are mostly with their families, unless they have mental illness where they physically harm others. this man is poorer than any of those poor people, because his own family doesn't even care for him. your affection must have meant the world for him.
@mykmari_08 (2464)
• Philippines
28 Sep 07
I also see so many beggars and less fortunate ones in the street. They are oftentimes selling various items or are singing to entertain people for a few centavos or pesos, whatever amount passersby could spare them. Others climb public utility vehicles, particularly the jeepney, and polish passengers' shoes for few seconds. They seem not to really polish these shoes satisfactorily, but even so, I take pity on them who are most often minors about the age of six to twelve.
That's a great thing you've done there. Whenever I have time and extra funds, I try to give them something, usually food to eat. Some consider them as eyesores but personally, I pity them and their children, and would like to see them have better lives.
2 people like this
@jlara_gtr34 (3491)
• Philippines
1 Aug 07
hi there! ;0
i really appreciate your compassion for that old man.
you see, i am from the philippines too,
and i can see that there are lots of old men being in a situation like that.and sometimes, it is really so exasperating to see them be like that and i cant do much to help them get out of that situation. *sigh*
3 people like this
@Zelmarq (12604)
• Cebu City, Philippines
26 Sep 07
He is near from where I live,I hvae not visited or talked to him lately. Sometimes when I pass by his is is soundly sleeping and I just dont want to disturb him from his deep sleep. I hope next time when I pass hm by I can also hav the courage to ask him about the updates of his life.
1 person likes this
@williamjisir (22819)
• China
1 Aug 07
You are so nice and kind to the old man. There is also an old poor man in my city. He is hunchback and sells newspapers and magazines every day. We have compassion for him and buy a certain kind of magazine from him every month.
2 people like this
@williamjisir (22819)
• China
26 Sep 07
We consider it as a way to help the poor man out. He is often seen on the street selling magazines and newspapers. And he is nice to come to where we live and will yell, "Magazines and newspapers", so each time we hear him, we would call him to stay for us to reach him for the magazine we like. Thanks for your response.
2 people like this
@faith210 (11224)
• Philippines
1 Aug 07
Hi Zelmarq! That story really touched my heart. I am glad you finally got the courage to approach him and be his friend and helping him somehow but the most important thing is that he accepted Jesus as His Lord and Savior. You made me cry and dear Zelmarq, may there be more like you in this world and May God bless you more and protect you. And I pray for that old man that his children find him soon.
3 people like this
@Zelmarq (12604)
• Cebu City, Philippines
26 Sep 07
SOmetimes helping is like something that comes like a blessing from heaven, when we are touched by the misfortunes of others, its no longer us alone but God touching us at the center of our hearts and be ableto reach to the needy.
1 person likes this
@carmelanirel (20942)
• United States
26 Sep 07
Wow Zelmarq, sounds like a divine a appointment, the L-rd knew that he was ready and had you and your friend ready too. That is awesome, Praise G-d!
@Feona1962 (7526)
• United States
1 Aug 07
This is a very nice story and I am glad that you reached out to him. Everyone needs to feel wanted and loved. I am sure that you lifted his hopes when you went to meet him. I think you are a very kind person and you are very caring..I am sorry to hear that his family does not know where he is..It saddens me to see people in this kind of situation..it is happening all over the world, more in some places than others...He is worth caring for...
@kitty1234 (1476)
• United States
1 Aug 07
It is a sad situation that is happening more and more all over the world. I am glad he accepted Jesus and I am grateful you help him. If more people showed compassion the world would not be such a lonely place.
2 people like this
