Last Saturday, on October 17, 2009, the RAIS tenth graders went on an outreach ministry to Baan Phra Phradaeng, a home for the disabled in Samutprakan province.

At Baan Phra Phradaeng, the residents were allowed to roam around freely. Although the people were distorted in appearance and/or mentality, they were quite cheerful folks. A few were extremely comfortable in the presence of RAIS students. They would approach us, get a conversation going, and would even ask for snacks. Most of the residents, on the other hand, shied away from the students. They simply observed us from afar. Whenever I sat down with one of them, however, I noticed that the others would gather around me. I realized, then, that they were just waiting for us to open up to them and make them feel accepted. 

This trip to the home for the disabled has taught us some valuable life lessons. After spending some time talking with them, I found them to be really nice individuals. They contently talked about their daily lives. Some were obviously happy about being there; some were not. We could tel that the unhapy people were hoping for something more, something better, in their lives. We do not blame them, because we are pretty much the same in that sense. Most of us, constantly ask for miracles in our lives, yet we neglect the fact that life itself is a miracle. Nothing will ever be enough if we are not content with what we have. Be grateful for the things given to us and make the best out of it.