A Worth Visit

A three-day visit was too short a time, but the love that filled each heart was lasting; so mesmerizing. Those sweats and labors are worth reminiscing. Paul of Tarsus once said it – “your labor for the Master is not in vain.” Thanks for bringing the real joy, for showing the love of the Father, for offering your blessings sacrificially, and for sharing every amazing experience the kids will never forget. A big HUG goes to each one who came - straight from the kids and from all of us here.

The kids at the center had a wonderful time with you. No need to remind you of that – you knew it for sure. You have brought a lot of smiles and happiness even in a short course of time. Each goal was done superbly undeniable. For one reason - because you guys took a step with a willing heart to touch lives. The kids say…a trillion thanks!

Some of you could have gone somewhere else for a BIG holiday, but you sacrificially set aside a comfort for your selves. And such decision was no regret because it turned in another awesome journey for you to count on for the rest of your life; for eternity. Now I say… good for you and God bless each heart with manifold blessings!

To the rest who had flown so long distance just to visit us – it was another item to salute for. We understand how busy you really are back home, yet you also took a step without excuses. Amidst paradox of our age, you were able to bring the love of the Father to each kid comprehensively – in words and deeds. Words are not enough to thank you. So touched!

Motive check - we all had different agenda. For whatever hidden purposes we had at first, God has reminded us through our encounter with the kids. They captured each one of us teaching us to be more loving, to be more generous, and to be more caring. And when the Father has gathered each motive we had in the back of our minds, He turned them into ONE – to love the kids with the love of another kind, the Love of God. I was so amazed!

As cultural informants, you have brought new things for the kids to see your own belongingness (not to mention the dance). And so they did. The cultural exchange night may not be as important as the other programs, but you have taught those kids one thing. Let’s say a moral lesson to look back to – that amidst diverse heritages we can still be friends, we can still laugh together and dance, we can still be a loving family, and we can still be united in the name of Him that created us and made us diverse.

But what brought joy the most (in my case at least) was the idea of parenting some kids. Thanks to the idea of Ate Janeth who encouraged each one to do so. This made all the kids truly loved and cared.

They are no relations to you, and vice versa, but you have shown them the love of a true family – as loving mothers and fathers. And that love binds you together so happily. Now you have extended kids in virtue of God’s kingdom.

You were there to listen to their dreams and aspirations when no one took the same task; and when no one shared the same responsibility. They were like chicks with so fragile feathers. But you guys taught the how to soar and fly after their dreams. You have taught them to see what is ahead brightly with hopes by trusting to the One who owns time and destiny. They were encouraged!

You put those words into actions not just clanging cymbals. You have shared both spiritual and material blessings. That’s for sure how God desires each one to do. I do believe!

To me, I feel strengthened. I was like having a broken wings but you backed me up so I can flop again. It was a worth visit in deed. Thanks for sharing the burden and concerns. What more can I say? Thanks a lot and more power to you. Please, come again!

I VOLUNTEER!

Anyone can really do a volunteering endeavor regardless of the status. Willingness is the only issue. That’s it!

In many ways and in many cases, I raised my hand to voluntarily help despite challenges along the way. In the end, it is always worth recalling the many decisions I made. I cannot remember how many times I’ve raised my hand though.

Questions have been asked about such a thing. I’ve addressed them in various forms – in words and in actions. But one thing I never let a pass was encouraged someone to do the same – at least motivates one to try.

This time, my kids at the center had to hear my speech. Daddy had to declare a Volunteer’s Day – their day. We usually had a Workshop or a Fun Day every Friday – but not today. Thank God, I have seen more than one hand!

That day I encouraged my kids to fix the restrooms since a good friend of mine had sponsored the need for fixing it. Huge thanks goes to JOY!

I was so encouraged on the one hand for their willingness, and for their voluntary efforts to make the restrooms usable again –at last. Because of their willingness, it allowed me see things unexpectedly, surprisingly.

That day I have learned how to mix cement and sand to make concrete flooring and blocks – from kids who hailed from the village. I was so amazed on how skillful they were for such a work.

I have learned something important that a University doesn’t teach – a practical life. I was happy to be an observer and learner of a precious task I will never forget. Now you can hire me to fix your restrooms as well.

That day I also heard more than one voice saying "I VOLUNTEER!" Thanks to these kids- they are so amazing!

I am reminded of a famous proverb that says "Birds of the same feather flock together." But allow me put another implication to it: If you teach youngsters to do good and be of help, in the end they will do the same thing with people of the same intention.

UNDER HIS WINGS

I was around when those three short-circuit incidents happened at the center. Look what kind of structures we do have – a house and a building prone to a fire. In a perspective of a person who is too much concerned, paranoia is not absent. And who wouldn’t be concerned?

When our time keeper pressed the electric bell so hard for not working, it immediately exploded creating a fire. We were all panicked and yet managed to put the fire out. That was the first one!

One of the teachers was screaming at the top of her voice for help. Suddenly, there was a fire inside the house. This time it was worst. Thank God we were able to put out the fire before it causes casualties. It was again an issue of electrical wiring. The second incident!

The third incident was just last week. My kids were taking a nap. I was on my way to the rest room when I heard a loud explosion. When I went to check what it was – another short circuit thing. I saw a fire started burning our house. Anyway, we worked that fire out before it takes away our home.

...where the third incident happened...

Was my presence a big thing to thank about? As a father who takes care of these kids – YES! But in a perspective of a finite being – NO! It was about Someone’s embrace! He covered us with protection under His wings.

Few days after the third occurrence, we went to a familiar village to condole with a family. It was already after dusk. It wasn’t always comfortable traveling this hour but we still went. One song came to my mind as we were driving through villages. I kept humming it and sang some lines. It’s one of my favorites – “Hide me now, under your wings. Cover me within your mighty hands. When the ocean rise and thunders roar, I will soar with you above the storm, Father you are king over the flood, I will be still and know you are God.”

On our way back home, I still had the song stuck in my mind. More than just humming and singing, it became a prayer. It reminded me about all those awful things recently – yet was in HIS very embrace.

As we kept driving through the dusty road, suddenly a big stone flew towards us. It was from a truck’s wheel pressure (running from an opposite direction) caused that object to fly in front of us. No one was hurt fortunately. It could have hit one of us so badly. But that stone turned in a feather so light, so harmless because of His mighty wings was covering us.

True to the song, I felt we were truly under His wings in every danger and snare. Not just that day or in those incidents but each moment especially. Please sing with me - “Cover me under His wings…!”

FEATHER

In two preceding years, I had my curtains wide open for my readers to see each journey in villages. There I had tremendous encounters with people and creations – defined under the Grace of the Father. Words and pictures were evident to these. Responsibility wise – not guilty! I think I was able to display each story unsparingly in my blog and on facebook.

As this year drew nearer, I was wondering what would be the highlight or the theme itself. Of course, without having the context of libod-libod neglected. When 2012 finally came, I have decided to get easy on my self instead. That’s it – taking it lightly.

I was in the bus when an idea popped up - a feather. This will be the focal point and my pattern for telling stories. Since I had enough stories about villages and so this year will be a total shift. Again – a feather!

What’s with the feather? It is not because I am writing on my new book - WHERE ANGELS TROD, but it has a message concerns me. I want this year’s blog a unique one to portray. And where each step treads is simply patterned in this piece.

Three things in mind for sticking to this new concept:

It doesn’t take a meticulous-scientific observation to say that a feather is soft. One simple child can tell its texture accurately. Right there, the word “soft” is an exact message for me. Starting this year I will be soft on myself, to others (especially), and so to every circumstance. I don’t mean being soft to mistakes – but handling it softly in truth is a different angle. This is no making an oath for an abrupt change, but it will take me there I believe - softly but surely. This is one.

A feather also signifies flexibility- at least for me. If one lets go a feather in his hand, obviously it will freely go where the wind blows. I want my life that flexible in all areas. Waves may toss me here and there; destiny may poke fun at me; life will put me to the test; the world may be unfair at times – like the wind treats a feather, I will be flexible. Looking back on those past journeys, I was always caught surprised. Lately, I realized that the only key even to seemingly awful situation is flexibility. Now I have learned and learning more of this character. This is two.

Last year was focused on GRACE – this very year will be in His EMBRACE. It doesn’t mean I am no longer under His grace. It’s just that my blog will be centered on this beautiful object – a feather. I cannot keep any wings in my bag, but one feather a way. This will remind me through no matter what life may bring – I’m under the wings of the Almighty. This is three.

I can’t wait what this feathery year has to bring – so excited!

FIRST MEMOIRS OF THE YEAR

When the year 2012 finally took its throne, I was sitting round the bountiful table with friends and unfamiliar folks. Of course, fully to the brim since it was a party. Like previous years, I had again a not-so-loud-countdown anticipating another year. No fireworks and so we can clearly hear everyone’s greetings and wishes.

I was at the house of my old-time-landlady - enjoying the kindness of her. I was honored indeed and grateful as a guest of the banquet she prepared to welcome the year has to come.

I decided to walk back to the guesthouse instead of taking a taxi or a xe om – to join the crowds in celebration. It took me longer though since streets were swarmed with people in all kinds. It was already 2:00 in the morning but noises everywhere still filled the air. Look at how crowded these places were!

It was an amazing experience in fact. But what made it so cool was greeting individuals I do not even know.

Then I snored.

I woke up a little earlier before my phone alarmed. And then I called my friend for a simple breakfast - caphe sua da (the country’s traditional ice milk coffee) and banh mi (a famous French bread filled with some veggies, meat, and eggs) at our favorite coffee shop. He was the first friend to join me in my first meal for this new season.

Three hours later I was at the bus station. I had to leave the country immediately for visa purposes. I was only permitted to stay until today. But I considered it a blessing still- my first stamp for 2012.

This time I was enjoying the ride.

This time I met a new friend.

And this time I am staying at my favorite guesthouse enjoying the internet -reconnecting and writing my first entry of the year.