LOVE INTERNATIONALLY

Lucy Castillo was working then in Lebanon. When she came to New Zealand in 1986 for a holiday, her friend advertised her name in the Trade and Exchange paper. That's how her love story started with Robert James McCoy Ainsworth.

Lucy hails from the province of Negros Occidental in the Philippines. Except for a sister who lives in Italy with her Italian husband, her other sister, six brothers and parents are all in Negros Occidental.

Robert was born in Lismore, Australia from an English father and an Irish mother. He has a sister in England and a brother in Sydney, Australia.

Robert and Lucy had been communicating, for three years, through letters and telephone conversations before they decided to settle down.

On November 30, 1991, they had a memorable wedding in New Zealand at St. Benedict’s Catholic Church in Newton, Auckland. They then settled in Auckland.

Lucy works in one of Auckland's five star hotels while Robert works at Spectrum Painting Company in Onehunga, Auckland.

They wished to have children but instead they are simply blessed with each other. "Before, we struggled to have our own house but now we finally have fulfilled our dream," says Lucy.

At the start, it was very difficult for us to communicate because of Robert's Kiwi accent.

I also had difficulty in cooking our food but my Kiwi friend taught me to cook European dishes.

We live a happy and contented life. During our days off, we stay together doing the household chores, doing some paper works, shopping, watching television, listening to the radio and attending parties.

After work, I devote my time doing voluntary work like visiting and giving communion to the sick, comforting the lonely and helping those in need.

I also attend religious meetings, go to church on Sundays and on some weekdays.

I serve our Filipino community in Balmoral and our parish in St. Benedict's.

As a Filipino living abroad, Lucy feels that Filipinos are generous to share the fruit of their hardships.

Filipinos are there to support, financially and through prayers, their families back home in the Philippines.

She believes that Filipinos are missionaries to the world.

Lucy says, "We Filipinos in New Zealand are chosen by God to come in this peaceful and beautiful land." So in return, let us give thanks and praise Him for all the blessings He showered to each one of us.

"I hope that all of us, Filipinos, here in New Zealand will unite, love one another, continue to pray and proclaim the good news to the whole world".

Coming from two different cultures, Robert and Lucy have learned to be understanding and be patient with each other, to be charitable, and to be generous.

In November, Robert and Lucy will be celebrating their 16th wedding anniversary.