EAO Salesian Brother's Convention

From the 21-25 August, Don Bosco Cambodia (Phnom Penh) hosted the East Asia- Oceania Region's Salesian Brother's Seminar (click on the link for more technical information). On the 22nd, although some of our students had to present some dances, I chose to remain in Sihanoukville, until a telephone call from one of them beckoned me to take the bus to Phnom Penh. That evening I met my good old friends, many whom I haven't seen in years especially those whom I've worked with in Papua New Guinea, Thailand and Philippines. I got the chance to meet other brothers too from Australia, Vietnam, Korea, Japan, China, Samoa, Indonesia, Timor, and Mongolia. Some 15 of them did in turn visit us in Sihanoukville on the 26th.

So, what is a Salesian Brother? He's a "lay person" and yet "a consecrated religious." Don Bosco envisioned them to be in places or works where priests cannot or would not thread. Being a lay person he is able to be involved in the world, and yet being consecrated he is commited to poverty, chastity, and obedience, and of course community life.

Sentenced Home

The other day I chanced upon a Korean television program (“Heart to Heart”) an interview with film maker David Grabias. His latest film (with Nicole Newnham) entitled: “Sentenced Home” touches the plight of around 1400 American-Khmers being forced to return to Cambodia. This documentary follows the heart-breaking story of three Cambodians from their birth in that homeland that starved, tortured, and murdered their families (Pol Pot times) to their being raised from childhood as Americans in the USA. And ironically this same country that raised them to adulthood is now pushing them back to an unwilling return to a distant homeland they never really knew. And the reason is because of law infractions in their youth whose sentences they have already served.

I really do hope I could find this film in the market. I'm excited to watch it. I’m sure this film will become a firestarter for more discussions about being exiled and about going home. The real controversial point is the question: “Where is home for you?”

I’ve read a line before which says: “Home is where your heart is.”

Next month, I move again to Poipet – the fifth time I move to another home in my six years here in Cambodia. It’s a no big deal for me now. When I was back in the Philippines I got three assignments in three years during my practical training days right after college. Later after theology, I got assigned to six houses in a span of ten years. So if You ask me did I feel at home in all those places – a resounding Yes and no regrets! But how come they keep moving me on? Ah… after all, You did promise a home in your Father’s house for us pilgrims down here. That’s where our heart is, I suppose. Not in the house, but with You as home.