My wonderful memory in Mindanao

Archdiocese of Osaka
Auxiliary Bishop
President of Justice and Peace Japan
Michael Goro Matsuura

I visited Mindanao on 1990 and it was also my first visit in Philippines. That time I had an opportunity to meet and I talked with some groups of indigenous people of the mountain area. It was so wonderful experience that I was able to hear their stories and exchange cultures with each other. Until now I cannot forget about spending special night with them in the mountains.
That was already in the evening we meet some groups of indigenous people on the path of the mountain and they decided to stay and sleep on that place. I confused because there were only bushes around the path, but they began to work immediately cutting bushes and made an open space for talking and sleeping.
Actually after that I could have many surprising experiences of their abilities and wisdoms about how to survive in the nature. Also we talked about some problems about situation of the native people in Mindanao.
After talking I show their dancing and singing. We also exchanged culture and then we slept on the field. I thought it was an end of the day, but in the midnight many Datu (chiefs of the community from different areas) began singing and sharing. One Datu sang like " Today we had good friend from Japan. Their songs were very interesting for us." Then next Datu continued, " Oh! It's true. We want to be friends with them forever." And then next and next they laughed laud and sang many songs. They enjoyed their meeting so much on whole night!
I heard their pleasant voice and chat in the dream. What a wonderful time it was! I had to think and ask myself about what is a real richness, especially when they appealed us , "Please don't take our earth, which we inherited from our ancestors. We only hope that we can live here peacefully." I promised in my mind that I will do my best for not to break their wish.
After 10 years I met Mr. Tomo Matsui, who has been my good friend from the time of the university. I heard from him that he lives now in Mindanao and works for poor children especially indigenous people and Muslim. Then I feel a possibility to be realized what I promised in myself at that night in Mindanao. I am so happy now that I can walk with people of Mindanao through him.