“My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.”
Women mentioned in the Bible were fearless, faithful, and prayerful. For example: the woman at the well who gave water to Jesus, who cared less about being chastised by the culture of not speaking to men not personally related to them (John 4: 1 – 42). The mother who persistently called out Jesus’ name to heal her daughter (Matthew 15:21-28). The sick woman who believed she only needed to touch the hem of Jesus’ garment and she will be healed (Matthew 9:20-22, Mark 5:25-34, Luke 8:43-48).
Sis Delma Dumas became a member of the Handmaids of the Lord in 1996. She was an “accidental participant” in the Christian Life Program (CLP) in Davao because originally, it was her cousin who was attending the CLP and she was only there to pick her up. But while waiting, she was able to listen to the talk and found herself becoming a participant as well. Talk number 4 “Repentance and Faith” touched her most. She realized that she was spiritually poor and attached to worldly things, attributing her success in life to her efforts alone, not as blessings from God. She ended up finishing the program, and after the CLP, she served in the Music Ministry with a new heart, mind and spirit.
But the Lord’s call to service did not end there. She received a job offer in Papua New Guinea as she worked there before as an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW). Instead, she opted to go there as a Missionary. Soon after, her life of routine turned into a colorful and vibrant missionary life.
The life of Sis Delma Dumas, a missionary and Handmaid of the Lord, is a testament to the qualities of the women mentioned in the Bible. She fearlessly stayed on mission in Papua New Guinea despite risks such as physical attacks by rascals, and threats to her life and health. Once she was robbed by rascals who took her belongings and even the car she was driving. Several times she was chased by rascals as she was dropping off or picking up sisters in the community.
But those incidents did not stop her from mission work. The challenge in language barrier and the financial strain as she went on mission did not prevent her desire to serve. She was a key to increasing the members in Couples for Christ (CFC) and Handmaids of the Lord (HOLD). Through active service in the parish, the membership increased by leaps and bounds in Papua New Guinea as she spearheaded CLPs in far flung provinces of Papua New Guinea.
God’s work of evangelization further guided her to start the Literacy Training Program in 2005, which was designed to help sisters with difficulty in reading and writing. It was a blissful sight to see sisters progressing in their skills, and soon, the literacy program became the gateway in the CFC Papua New Guinea’s Work with the Poor.
As the saying goes, “Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime.” To aid the Handmaids toward financial independence, they were trained in sewing and garmentry. And in 2017, 20 Handmaids obtained their corresponding diploma. The workshop was sponsored by HOLD Australia through their HOLD Adopt-A-Scholar, an initiative launched during the HOLD Echo Conference. HOLD Samoa, in the USA donated 10 sewing machines. Those skilled Handmaids have since started their own sewing and garmentry business.
In March 2018, a school intended for early learners and adult literacy was opened, aptly named “CFC Handmaids of the Lord Literacy School”. Another school was constructed in September 2019 named “Holy Rosary Catholic Literacy School”: the first ANCOP school in Oceania. The school was supported by ANCOP (Answering the Cry of the Poor) Australia and ANCOP Philippines, and in the first term of 2020, welcomed 400 students into its halls.
Being a woman of prayer, Sis Delma received an inspiration from Our Lady of Guadalupe to build a church in her honor. The message was expressed through a song with the lyrics “I’m your Mother, build a house for me. Put your trust in me. I’m your Mother.” She immediately consulted the Bishop, who affirmed that it was truly a message from the Blessed Mother. The construction cost was flooded with donations, and the Our Lady of Guadalupe church was finished on April 18, 2022. Its new parishioners were elated that the church is now accessible to them. The HOLD sisters volunteered to help in looking after the parish.
Sis Delma faithfully stayed on course and lovingly held Christian Life Programs. Along her work in helping women in the community in life skills through literacy trainings and workshops on sewing and garmentry, she also initiated the construction of schools and a church in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
She was not only building women of faith, but also independent and empowered women who can stand on their own. Her mission in Papua New Guinea amidst struggles is proof of her profound love for the Lord. Nothing is impossible with the Lord!
Truly, the Handmaids of the Lord is a group of women who are zealous in their faith—no matter what age, physical ailment, or personal challenge. They strive to be a real Handmaid of the Lord in their daily lives. They tirelessly pray, cheerfully serve, and compassionately touch the lives of others. For any stumbling block they encounter, they have the perfect answer: pray and trust in the Lord! May You be magnified, O Lord!
“Let’s not become discouraged in doing good, for in due time we will reap, if we do not become weary.”
(Galatians 6: 9)
Credits:
Written by Hazel Cumpas-Concepcion | Edited by Angeli Arellano | Graphics by Leonne Lester Dalumpines| Layout by Jay Lucena