Robert Lalah, Staff Reporter THE CRY of the poor and helpless often falls on deaf ears. Those who do answer the call are themselves frequently forgotten, the significance of their work for the most part, going unnoticed.
Ever so often, however, the spotlight is thrust upon those who quietly tend to the helpless, who have nothing to give in return. Highlighted are those who, by their works, demonstrate unwavering compassion to strangers; strangers, who by simply being who they are, are shunned by the rest of society.
Gleaner Honour Award nominees, Missionaries of the Poor, led by Father Richard Ho Lung, are the quintessential examples of unconditional love and compassion. By the pledges they take and the way they lead their lives, they commit themselves unreservedly to provide free service to the poor, to give all they have expecting to receive nothing in return.
The Gleaner sat down with the unpretentious Father Ho Lung recently, who spoke openly on the history and work of the group he founded over 23 years ago.
"It all started in response to a growing problem of homelessness that was plaguing Jamaica at the time. I began to raise funds to tackle this problem and became more involved when I realised how appalling the problem really was," he said.
From this isolated desire to assist in one area, was born the group which over the years,
has blossomed into an international foundation, providing immeasurable help to the poor and
destitute in Africa, the Philippines, India, Haiti and Jamaica.
BROTHERS SHOW NO INHIBITIONS
The Missionaries' five centres in Jamaica are operated in the heart of downtown Kingston
and cater to the mentally retarded, physically
challenged abandoned babies, victims of HIV/AIDS and the elderly. At these centres,
the helpless receive help with an uncommon affection. The brothers show no inhibitions
as they tend to those who most people would
consider the dregs of society.
"They are God's creations and must receive from us, the same love Christ showed to everyone when he walked the earth," noted Father Ho Lung. He added that when he became deeply involved in providing care to the needy, his
profession at the time, which was teaching at
the University of the West Indies, began to seem irrelevant. He, therefore, decided that he would follow his heart and commit himself completely to providing free service to the poor.
With so much suffering taking place in the world, it would seem that the task of caring for the helpless and impoverished, would inevitably become overwhelming. Not so, said Father
Ho Lung.
"It doesn't become overwhelming because I don't feel as if I'm in control. God is in control and I am guided by him. Christ helped the poor and expected nothing in return. This is what we try to emulate day by day," he said.
Despite his seemingly divinely-inspired compassion, Father Ho Lung said he did not believe there was anything special about him or the brothers of the group. "I believe we are led by God, but I believe everyone is led by God," he said.
A tour of the Missionaries of the Poor's
five centres in Kingston, would, however, seem
to challenge the group's belief that they are not special.
'SENT BY GOD'
Indeed the brothers at these centres seem to have been sent by God Himself. When The Gleaner visited recently, the foremost realisation was that there seemed to be no deformity too gross, no disease too extreme and no action too uncouth, that would deny a patient care of the most loving nature from the brothers.
There were physically deformed abandoned babies, persons on the verge of death from AIDS and dozens of mentally challenged adults, who themselves require the care given to infants. Most persons would cringe at the sight of many of these patients but as one brother at the home for abandoned babies put it, "We (at the Missionaries of the Poor) don't see the illness or the deformity, we see the person."
The brothers commit themselves to this work with absolutely no thought of self. Indeed, they gain nothing but the satisfaction of knowing they are doing God's work. They sew their own clothes, grow and cook their own food, cut each others' hair and keep no money, yet they have a gleam in their eyes that suggests internal peace and happiness.
Although the group that was founded
in Jamaica has already blossomed into an international entity, Father Ho Lung still has plans
for expansion, in his ultimate desire to help more people.
AMAZING VIEW
"We are building a new facility in Golden Spring. This will have the most amazing view from up in the hills. When this is finished, we want to take those who are very close to death
up there, so that they can get a little glimpse of heaven before they go," he said. "My main goal at this stage of my life, however, is to help to mould a new generation of brothers to ensure that the work will go on," he added.
Looking back on his life and the choices he has made, including giving up all worldly possessions, Father Ho Lung said there has never been a day that he has felt even a hint of regret, because as he put it, "I gave up everything and I now have everything."
