Idle Lands

Our residence is a walking distance away from the newly constructed road C6.  Once in a while, we take a walk either Saturday or Sunday morning to jog or exercise.  Cyclists are also seen on the road.  I remember spending one morning there, around 7am to have my devotion and the experience was great!  I noticed that very few motorists knew this new route because the road is quiet and few cars are passing.

The first time we (yayas, sam, ceana and myself) went there, we were struck by a certain area where we saw good camote crops.  We thought that there must be someone taking care of them and we wish to ask some for home use.  However, we didn’t spot anyone so we temporarily forgot about it and continued to walk.  After a while, an old man riding on his shabby bike approached us and asked, “Would you like to buy some patola? This will just be for P5 because these are my last items and I am about to go home.” (Gusto nyo ba ng patola? P5 na lang kasi onti na lang ito, pauwi na ko.) Then I replied,” No manong, thanks. We just finished purchasing in the wet market early this morning.” In my mind, had I known his items, I should have bought from him.  The three pieces patola was affordable and looked freshly harvest.  However, Manong’s appearance didn’t convince me to buy his items.  His clothes were filthy and smelled foul.  His legs were covered with some mud.  Then, he wasn’t pushy as others do, he just left, I thought he’s dismayed.  

We spent another 15 minutes walking. On our way home, we saw again manong where he’s seated under an aratiles tree (I don't know if this is familiar to everyone is familiar but I love its small, sweet fruit), taking his rest.  It was the same area where we saw camote plants we wished to get.  I knew then he is the one taking care of those plants. To my surprise, there were a lot more good plants and trees in the area. There were okra, tomato, papaya, gabi, kangkong and a lot more.  This man taught me so many things about life.   

Manong Luis is not hindered by poverty.  Admittedly, he does not own the land. He is taking advantage of government’s property. He tilled the idle land, planted various crops and watered them.  He searched for a well to draw water from. He just started last November 2010, almost 6 months and his crops have grown a lot. He does not have his own workers to sell those vegetables he planted so he does his own marketing. There are some vendors purchasing from him in exchange for a very minimal amount and he was happy for the small profit. He said he was able to save through this simple hobby.

As he narrated, he worked in a company for 20 years and they were forced to be retrenched because the company declared bankrupt.  He said he received almost half million as separation pay which he bought for jeepney converted into public transportation to support his family.  But since he is not into driving and would like to spend more on field, he opted to hire a driver.

Manong was pleasant to talk to, he looked he’s in his 60’s or 70’s but he said he is only 56.  His skin is tanned since he is frequently under the sun.  All his children are already married.  Some are still living with them because they cannot afford to have their own house.  Some still ask money from him though he has no stable source of income. He said, he was able to give his savings from his crops.  Neither his children help him in the maintenance of field, he said they did not like to be under the sun.

Let me reiterate the LEARNINGS i got from this man:

·    BE PATIENT - How easy to say yet so difficult to do. I remembered the passage on the bible highlighting farmer’s patience in waiting for the fruits of his crops. I heard many saying, these are the last days. We need to be prepared because the Lord is coming so soon! “Be patient therefore, brothers until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it until it receives the early and late rains. You also be patient. Establish your hearts for the coming of the Lord is at hand.” James 5:7-8

·    AN EARTHLY FATHER REFLECTS OUR FATHER GOD WHO ALWAYS PROVIDES - Manong so loves his children, he still supports their needs though he has no stable job and even if it means giving up to his last penny. And I’m so glad to see the Father’s reflection of character in his life. But I know he still fails, we have a great Father who can provide all our needs when we ask Him. “If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good gifts to those who ask Him.”Matt. 7:11

·    DILIGENCE - “The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance.” Prov. 21:5 Indeed, Manong’s diligence is all worth it and are paid off. He has good yield in his crops.

·    GENEROUS – “It is well with the man who deals generously…” Psalm 112:5 Even though Manong is not well off, he is generous to give his crops if for home use only. He said since the field he’s currently using is free, he will likewise give away some of his crops to the needy like him.

Some photos taken during our last visit in his field. 

Some gabi and kangkong plants at the right side.

Camote plants and gabi.

Papaya

Other root crops - kamoteng kahoy, my favorite to cook with coconut milk.

Mang Luis watering his crops. Rolled dried leaves/grass beside.

Water well which Mang Luis sourced (above). This field is beside the Laguna Lake.

Some jealous, bad men burned Mang Luis' nipa hut. Traces are seen. (below)

If only a lot of Filipinos would be diligent enough to convert idle lands to be productive, no one would suffer poverty. May the good Lord bless the hands of Mang Luis and other farmers doing the same.