Tomas and the "Village" of Manjarin

Where Tomas sleeps.

As some of you may know, Tomas of Manjarin had surgery recently.

He is in Molinaseca recovering.

Friends of his, Acacio and Orietta, of the albergue in Villoria, have set up a Paypal account and are accepting cash donations to help Tomas with his expenses while he is recuperating. So far, they have collected a bit over €2000. I received a message from Tomas yesterday morning. He is very grateful for the help. He is also touched that so many would reach out to help him.

The approach to Manjarin "village."

More village dwellings.

One of the village houses.

The village cemetery.

The bedroom of the albergue in the attic.

Tomas' kitchen.

One of Tomas' altars.

Tomas waiting for pilgrims to arrive.

I have seen Tomas in action. 

In my experience, he is quiet, non-presuming, very humble.

He is a kind man with a good sense of what is needed. 

I have seen and experienced his kindness 

toward a young pilgrim walking barefoot in silence.

The rest of us judgmentally thought the boy was a bum.

Tomas realized the boy was on a spiritual quest, 

and treated him with respect.

He fed him a big meal, 

gave him a bed and breakfast, 

and blessed his journey.

This is the not the action of a selfish rich man.

And Manjarin certainly is not the home of a selfish rich man.

Study the photos yourself.

Look closely at his costume.

The clothes of a rich man or a humble man?

Rich?

* * *

When I was a child, 

there were racial tensions in the town where I grew up.

Our family had a standing feud with one particular family 

down the street.

They were mean as snakes, 

and we often came in with black eyes or bleeding lips.

We just clashed, like oil and water.

One day, one of the younger cousins came home 

and told my aunt,

 "Their parents are sick and can't work 

and they don't' have food. 

They are hungry."

My aunt picked up a gunny sack, 

went to our big deep-freeze, 

and began to fill it with meat and frozen vegetables. 

She stuck in a $20 bill and told one of the older boys to deliver it.

It didn't matter that these were our enemies.

The children were hungry, 

and we had plenty.

She taught me a beautiful lesson that day.

Alicia, whoever you are, 

I pray that you never need help, 

and that if you do,

 your own mean-spirited tactics don't come back 

to bite you in the butt. 

Tomas,

 best wishes and quick healing to you.

Acacio and Orietta, 

thank you for doing your best to help a friend.

The rest of you - well, you'll just have to decide for yourselves.