My dear friends: I received a letter these days has filled me with joy and I was "caught" the bowels. I hope Tètouwala, my young friend Togolese not be angry with me to share with you part of their history. I asked a few months ago tell me what had been their experience with the Salesians , especially with José Antonio Rodríguez Bejarano , who welcomed him in the Foyer Don Bosco (Kara - Togo) where only a child, had been expelled from his family accused of witchcraft. Here is part of his testimony:
"For two years he lived on the street . My own family had abandoned me after my mother's death. My dear mother left me on June 17, 1990, two years after the death of my father. Accused of witchcraft, they decided it could not live with anyone and I drove from home (...) But a new chapter of my life opened when others had closed. The man leaves the man, but God never abandons : November 14, 1992, P. Antonio crossed my life and took me to a house where many other kids. Among them I realized that his situation was very similar to mine (...).
I was able to resume studies and paternity and affection that we needed the got from the Salesians (...) The day to day we did find that there are men in the world who think about the good of others and forget themselves. It was a great and wonderful discovery ...! And the best part is that in the midst of this situation, I felt - especially - the most beloved Fr Antonio . I knew he was always with the kids, but when I was transmitting me all the affection that I needed . Thus was born my love for him also and made it big. He became a father for me, my dad.
One day I realized that I was not alone who was so loved. All colleagues with whom I spoke were believed to loved ones. P. Antonio had become the father of all staff, every one in particular (...). I made the promise, and all my colleagues, that would always be with us in our battle for life and we argue all the time it took . But the good Lord had other plans ... "
So far the story of Tètouwala. José Antonio died of cerebral malaria in 1995 . As the grain that falls to the ground and breaks to bear fruit, his life was for many children from Togo, a word from God that led them to understand how much they wanted . Today, my friend Tètouwala third study of sociology at the University of Lomé and still struggling to be happy:
"Who would have thought ... not even me, I only was a street kid .. The works of P. Antonio will continue to bear fruit for ever. I think, and I think too many of my colleagues, P. Antonio pronounced a blessing upon us all , his boys ...".
love is not enough ... they realize that they are loved ... Does that sound right? A José Antonio, doctors said, the heart was left intact, only the heart. Could not be otherwise: big heart, heart of the Good Shepherd, heart Salesian passionate heart to the end.
Goodfellas. Like you. Like me.
Your friend, Jose Miguel Núñez
"Who would have thought ... not even me, I only was a street kid .. The works of P. Antonio will continue to bear fruit for ever. I think, and I think too many of my colleagues, P. Antonio pronounced a blessing upon us all , his boys ...".
love is not enough ... they realize that they are loved ... Does that sound right? A José Antonio, doctors said, the heart was left intact, only the heart. Could not be otherwise: big heart, heart of the Good Shepherd, heart Salesian passionate heart to the end.
Goodfellas. Like you. Like me.
Your friend, Jose Miguel Núñez
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