There is no fish in the soup, only vegetables, and no money left to share with your brothers and sisters who have nothing. Children are being sent home from school because parents cannot pay the meager fees being asked.

Our hearts weep as we watch our friends trying to carry these heavy burdens. We help where we can, but it never seems to be enough.

Yet, in the midst of such darkness, these people know the light of Jesus, and he gives them hope. We frequently hear, "Our God will not abandon us."

Not only do people say this, but they also live it in the depth of their being, as we see them praising him with song, dance, and great joy during Masses and feasts.

We have just finished National Elections. Needless to say, people here are also hoping for "change" and perhaps also placing too much expectation on frail humanity.

We can only pray for those who have been elected, that they truly carry the good of their people as they take on these responsibilities and hopefully become witnesses of light in the darkness.