An inspiring story shared by a dear friend Bro. Ed Dionisio
Mary Jane Veloso: A Miracle of Love through Prayers
By: Edgardo M. Dionisio
0n 28 April 2015, I received a message from Fr. Harold Toledano, a
missionary priest asking help if I can go to Cilacap to be with the
children of Mary Jane Veloso, a Filipina who was scheduled to serve her
death penalty for being convicted of carrying 2.6 kg of heroin found at
the lining of her bag. My heart beat fast upon hearing it as my whole
being was telling me to go and offer my help to the children of Mary
Jane. However, I need to ask permission from my principal and head of
school. By the grace of GOD, my request was granted and I remember Mr.
Nick my Head of School saying, “Go and be with her children. You are
doing it for your country, for your church and for GOD.” I felt ecstatic
and grateful after I heard that approval knowing that I would have that
very rare opportunity to be with the family of Mary Jane especially
with her two boys who need help more than anyone else.
2 Corinthians 9:7 -
Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, [so let him give];
not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
GOD is truly a generous GOD. Upon the appeal of Fr. Harold to my church
community through our whatsapp group to extend financial assistance to
me for my plane fare going to the place, instantly, one good and
munificent lady by the name of Bang texted me and offered to purchase my
plane ticket. This magnanimous lady said, “This is the least that I can do as my way of helping the family of Mary Jane through you.”
It was very humbling to hear those words. However, since it was late to
book online I can only get my plane ticket straight at the airport.
Also, the Philippine Women's Association in Jakarta extended their
generous support as well. I still tried to finish the simple tasks I
have to do on that day as my commitment to my work is also my commitment
to the GOD.
Off I went to the airport and the taxi was moving like in the movie “Fast and Furious”
but I never felt nervous or scared as I have strong faith that GOD will
protect me throughout my trip until I reach my destination. I was
instructed by the check-in counter personnel to talk directly to the
supervisor where I can book the next flight going to Jogjakarta. I was
taken aghast to hear that they do not issue plane ticket for late
passengers anymore as it is a new policy. In Mark 11:24 it is written, “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”
With faith in GOD, I pleaded and prayed while I was talking to the
supervisor. Lo and behold; my request was granted and GOD has touched
the heart of the supervisor because he said that he will book me to the
next flight going to Jogjakarta due to my urgent reason. I checked in
and waited for my flight at 2:40 pm via Air Asia. Honestly, I felt that
this was the time of my life that I became more prayerful knowing the
accident that happened involving Air Asia flight from Surabaya to
Singapore. I calmed down and again prayed to GOD to bless my trip.
Aleluya! I was able to reach my destination safe and sound.
At
the Jogjakarta airport, I met this lady by the name of Erwiana who was
the contact person of Fr. Harold to guide and assist me to find a ride
going to Cilacap from Jogjakarta. I learned that she worked as a
domestic helper in Hongkong for nine months and was a victim of physical
violence and abuse by her female boss. In Proverbs 21:15 it says, “When justice is done, it brings joy to the righteous but terror to evildoers.”
To avenge herself, she filed a case against her female boss with the
help of Migrante International, an advocacy group based in the
Philippines that supports and protects Filipino migrant workers all over
the world. She won her case and her perpetrator was incarcerated and is
now serving her six year punishment in jail.
According to
Erwiana I still need to travel from Jogjakarta to Cilacap for 5 to 6
hours by land. I opted to rent a car and I don’t mind if I have to pay
and use my personal money. I felt a bit nervous because I have to travel
in the evening as I fear for my safety and security as well. However, I
put my full trust in the LORD and by HIS love and protection I was able
to reach the place with the help of the two drivers who are best of
friends. When I met Fr. Harold at Permata hotel, we went straight to the
parish church where we were supposed to sleep overnight. At around 2:00
am, I heard someone knocking with urgency as if the person would like
me to immediately open the door. I was already asleep and feeling the
fatigue all over my body. When I opened the door, I saw Fr. Harold in a
very jubilant mood saying that Mary Jane was spared from firing squad.
We immediately rushed our way to the port to meet Mary Jane and her
family.
When we reached our destination, I saw a lot of
people waiting at the port especially from international and local media
doing their live report. I had mixed emotion because many where crying
and in deep pain as my attention was captured by Michelle, an Australian
who was grieving for the loss of her friend. On her shirt it was
printed, “Abolish Death Penalty!” She hugged my companions whom I have
only met at the port and they were consoling each other. Michelle was
very kind to say, “We are happy for Mary Jane!” I felt the genuine
goodness and sincerity of Michelle and I agree to her that death penalty
must be abolish. In James 4:12 it says, “There is only one lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor?”
The
group decided to leave the place to rest as everyone looked very tired
and exhausted. There I met Connie, the chairperson of Migrante
International, Pamella who works for Migrante as well, Atty. Edre the
lawyer of Mary Jane from the National Union of Lawyers in the
Philippines and Monique Wilson, a celebrity in the Philippines who was
the main star of the London musical Miss Saigon. She was there as a
representative of “One Billion Rising” an international organization
that advocates women’s rights and protection of children.
Since
Mary Jane was brought back to Jogjakarta as well as her family, we have
to travel back to Jogjakarta and endure the long hours of traveling to
meet her family and hopefully to visit Mary Jane. This time I felt relax
and calm as I was traveling back to Jogjakarta with the presence of a
priest and a nun. As we reached the hotel to meet the family of Mary
Jane we were informed that we have to wait because they were in a
meeting with the officers of the Philippine Embassy and Department of
Foreign Affairs.
After spending a very long time traveling
back and forth to Jogja and Cilacap, I have finally met the family of
Mary Jane. With much anticipation and alacrity to meet the family
especially the sons of Mary Jane, I prayed and prepared myself on how to
approach and connect to the children. Daniel, a 12 year old boy, in his
blue sando who looks tired was quite aloof as I tried my best to talk
to him. He appeared nonchalant about it which was very understandable
because it’s our first time to meet each other. On the other hand,
Darren, a 6 year old boy who appeared sleepy was being carried by his
father. I tried to approach him and introduce myself. He responded in a
very respectful way with a prodding from his father. I asked him if he
likes toy cars and without hesitation he said yes. I immediately handed
him the toy car I bought at the Jakarta airport. I asked him if his
brother plays it as well and as a young child who love toys he said no,
thus, I have to give him the other one. That moment, I felt that I was
able to connect to him in my humble way. It was very clear to me that my
intention was to be of help to the two boys, I attempted to talk again
to Daniel. This time I started the conversation by asking him about
dota, clash of clans and other computer games. Finally! I got his
attention and we were able to start a conversation. I showed him some
games in my hand phone and allowed him to play with it. That was simply
my “golden moment” to be able to connect to Daniel. We have to say
goodbye as we all need to rest after a very long day.
My
encounter with the family of Mary Jane also gave me a rare opportunity
to get to know the people whom I called the “unsung heroes” who have
unselfishly shared their time, personal resources and showed their
genuine concern to all the members of MJ's family. Fr. Harold who
invited me to be part of this holy journey for me to witness, learn and
realize a lot of things from this edifying experience. Connie, the
chairperson of Migrante, she worked as a domestic helper for 13 years in
Hongkong. She was called to serve the Filipino migrant workers without
any remuneration but only relying on the allowance she receives as
donation from generous and kind people who understand and support her
group’s advocacy. Pamella who gets the same treatment like Connie but
decided to work as a full time volunteer despite having a family of her
own which she has to support. Monique Wilson, a very talented and
intelligent woman who left the glitz and glamour of show business and
decided to work as a full time volunteer of “One Billion Rising”
advocating the rights and protection of women and children. She came all
the way from Bali for her medical treatment for blood cancer. Iwenk,
head of ATKI Indonesia the counterpart of Migrante Philippines here in
Indonesia. Lastly, Atty. Edre Olalia, the lawyer of Mary Jane from the
National Union of Lawyers in the Philippines. He was also the lawyer of
Flor Contemplacion, a Filipina who worked as a domestic helper in
Singapore and suffered the fate of death penalty by hanging.
These
people have touched my heart and soul to see another dimension of life
that is cruel and despicable. I have truly felt and witnessed the
authenticity and genuineness of their intention to help without
expecting anything in return. In Deuteronomy 15:10, “Give
generously to him and do so without a grudging heart; then because of
this the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in everything
you put your hand to.”
I woke up at 5:00 am
of 31 April 2015 not feeling tired or even with a heavy head but with
anticipation that I would have a chance to meet Mary Jane. I had a “holy
breakfast” in the presence of priests, nuns and religious brothers and
sisters from Focolare community. It has always been an inspiring
experience to mingle with religious people as I always feel GOD’s
presence and holiness. We said our goodbyes and thanked the religious
sisters for accommodating us. We were picked up by Ate Linda, a Filipina
who lives in Jogjakarta for almost 30 years now. She was another lady
whom GOD has chosen to help us make our stay in Jogjakarta safe and
convenient.
From the church we went straight to the hotel
to meet up with the family of Mary Jane. Again, I had another humble
moment to be with her two sons. I saw Darren, the youngest asking his
father to buy him a flying toy bird made of plastic. I approached and
told him I will buy it for him. I held his hand and without hesitation
he joined me as he looks very excited as a young child longing to have a
toy that he wanted to play with. I bought two, one for Darren and one
for Daniel. I felt the simple and profound happiness from the two boys
as I tried to play with them. After few minutes of running, playing and
laughing, we have to end our play time as everyone was ready to go to
the place of Mary Jane.
As our car was moving towards
Jogjakarta penitentiary, I felt excited and happy that I will have a
golden opportunity to see a person who was given another chance to live
through the unceasing prayers of many people who believe that miracle do
happen. As we reached the place, we were welcomed by media people
taking photos here and there. At least for few minutes I felt how it is
to be a celebrity. Kidding aside, Mary Jane was described by her family
as a very kind, generous and loving person. For almost five years that
she was in prison, she accepts laundry from her fellow inmates and
prison personnel. She would save her hard earned money and send it to
her family in the Philippines. For many Filipinos working abroad, we
love to send or bring home gifts for our family. Mary Jane bought and
collected different items like shampoo, soap, coffee, and other stuff
and put it in one big box which she gave to her family even if she knew
that her final day is already about to come. According to her parents,
Mary Jane told them not to be sad because it will also make her feel
sad. She was very thankful to the LORD to be able to talk to her family.
She asked for their forgiveness for the sins that she has committed
against them. She even invited her husband to join her family despite
the fact that he already has a new family of his own.
If
this is my time to die, I believe that GOD wanted me to be with HIM in
heaven. If it is His will for me to live, even there’s only one minute
left, He will spare my life from death and miracle will happen. She
requested that she not be handicapped and not wear the cloth that will
cover her face. She will face her executioner with dignity as she wears
the shirt given to her by Fr. Harold with the face of JESUS printed on
it. She believes that during her execution day, she will not be alone
because GOD is with her to protect her and welcome her to heaven as
narrated by her brother Christopher.
Her sisters, a priest and
personnel from the Philippine Embassy heard many gunshots as they were
in the place where Mary Jane was supposed to be executed. They thought
that she was already dead. Indeed miracle is for real. It was announced
few minutes later that Mary Jane was not executed and was given a
reprieve for a chance to prove and defend herself further in court that
she is not guilty of the crime accused of her.
In John 11:40-42 Jesus said to her, “Did
I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?” So
they took away the stone. And Jesus lifted up his eyes and said,
“Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear
me, but I said this on account of the people standing around, that they
may believe that you sent me.” It was indeed a miracle, a
miracle brought about by great love, hope and faith through the
unceasing prayers of the people of GOD who believes that miracle do
happen.
POINTS TO PONDER
- Will you be an instrument of grace and blessing to people by allowing them to have a holy opportunity to be in this moment of crisis?
- Will you be willing to offer and sacrifice your time and resources to someone you do not know and not even acquainted with?
- Are you ready to be a catalyst of change for others no matter what it takes?
- Are you willing to fight for justice for the greater glory of GOD?
- Have you truly found and discovered GOD’S great plan for you?
Edgardo M. Dionisio I
was blessed enough to be given a chance to be with the family of Mary
Jane Veloso and see her in person. I made a blog about it with the hope
that you may also learn something from my humbling and edifying
experience.. Let us continue to pray for her
that her death sentence be commuted as well as others who are victims
of human and drug trafficking. Thank you to all your unceasing prayers.
May the good Lord continue to bless each and everyone of you.
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