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Aussie ‘Lolo’ loves us
optimistic Filipinos
In your excellent editorial (December 31)
“Hope is a virtue and a duty” you mention the contrast between
the people I have come to love from three visits to the Philippines
in recent years and the rich first world countries so shattered by
pessimism—the half empty cup attitude, instead of the half-full
cup attitude.
The key factor, as you rightly assert, is
religion.
We in the richer countries have gone on as if we
were God, failing to acknowledge that the components for some of our
advancements were already there, provided by a loving creator God,
who is a higher power than us.
I pray that your 90-plus percent Christian
population will never lose their vitality of faith, or an
understanding and commitment to it’s implications for social
justice and peace. I pray that you beautiful people called Filipinos
will shine like “Light in the Darkness” as the Gospel Writer,
John, called Jesus and, indeed, influence the richer nations to turn
to that light. Here in Australia we almost need “Filipino
Missionaries!”
You also mentioned the OFWs who are the
nation’s humble but true economic heroes. I see this duty in
action here in Australia, as I mix with some of the 120,000
Filipinos who now live here.
They inspire me so much, in our small project of
direct aid to ten families in the Philippines—people, now dear
friends, I met with, ate with, laughed with, on my three preaching
“The Gospel of having a sense of worth” visits. They are full of
hope that their kids will have a good future. God bless the
Philippines!
Geoff ‘Lolo’ Hinds
33 Fowler Road, Merrylands,
Sydney 2160 NSW Australia
geoffhinds@optusnet.com.au
[Editor’s note: Mr. Hinds attached a
picture showing him preaching during his last visit to the
Philippines at a small church in Tacloban City.]
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