One unexpected journey

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How's our Bible?

      Last Saturday, I joined the small group (student missionaries) in their annual hiking & outreach program in Sampaloc, Taal Lake, Batangas.  We left AUP 3:30 am & arrived at the shore by 5:30. There were more than 40 students & there are only 3 sponsors – Sir Casel, Shane & I.  We rode boats to bring us to the island. We hiked the Taal volcano in the morning and did the visitation in the afternoon.  The activities were house visitation, conducting health lecture, Bible story with the kids, clothes distribution, and book giving.  There were seven groups organized to visit different houses in Brgy. Sampaloc.

      Kuya Ronnel accepted us warmly in his simple abode.  We saw his three kids & he told us that he gets a living from the tourists who use his horse to hike Taal volcano.  A get-to-know conversation started and he asked, “ ano ang maipaglilingkod ko sainyo?”.  We said, “Nandito po kami para dalawin kayo, kamustahin at ipanalangin”.  Then he asked again, “may dala ba kayo na Bibliya?”. He further told us that he finished reading the Bible and wanted to check whether we have the same kind of Bible. I was happy to know that he finished reading the Bible and that he tells his kids the story from the Bible. I imagined the kind of Bible that I have. He confidently showed his Bible.  I saw an old notebook and an obviously read one as the pages were worn out. It was a Bible story notebook.

Kua Ronnel, the one in the center holding a white cloth.

       I saw Kuya Ronnel’s passion in reading the Bible story notebook and I looked up to him for that.  But I also felt helpless.  I wished that I brought a Tagalog Bible to give him one.  I also wished that one of our members brought a Tagalog Bible.  But none of us brought one.  Fortunately, we are ready to give him the book, “Ang Dakilang Pag-asa” [The Great Controversy] as planned.  He was so happy.  I was relieved when I saw his smile.  We prayed for his family and moved to another house.

      My encounter with Kuya Ronnel reminded me that there are people out there who have no idea on what the Bible looks like, have not touched the Bible, and have not read the Bible.  They are still wishing that one day, that miracle day, they will be able to see, touch, and read the Bible. And I also wondered how many people out there, including me, have Bibles inside our lockers, on top of our desk and inside the bookshelves but have not given the time to touch, scan and read the Bible? May we all be reminded to read our Bibles, not just our electronic Bibles, but the actual Bible book while we have all the freedom & opportunity to do so.

The team...

worship on top of Taal

 

God understands

I have been attending the week of spiritual emphasis here in AUP. Despite the busy schedule, I find time to go to church or listen to the radio to receive GOD’s message through Pastor Willie Hucks.  He gave different messages since Monday morning until this coming saturday. There are times that I just sit at the back because sometimes I am late or in a hurry to go back to work.  But then, there was no instance that I was not blessed by his message.  All of the messages are spiritually uplifting and one of those messages was the topic on, “GOD understands.”  Let me share my reflection.

Pastor Hucks related stories on how GOD understands our situations.  He mentioned that the person next to us, or probably the person we are close with, we walk with, and talk with doesn’t know the struggle we are bearing, but GOD does.  We expect to be understood, but when we relate to them how we feel, we don’t feel understood.  I agree with what Pastor Hucks delivered.  Not all people we work with and deal with understand our situation.  There are deep seated pains, hurts, and problems we ought to keep to our self.  We are afraid to be misunderstood by the people around us. But GOD understands what ever situation we are in.  And so, he ended by saying that, “Where ever we are in our life right now, good or bad, happy or sad, JESUS understands.”  Such powerful words.  It encouraged me to be closer to my GOD and be more open on how I feel about my life.  The message assured me that I have a GOD who cares about my plea and understands my situation. 

I am grateful to GOD that I have this opportunity to listen to His message in the middle of the busy day.  I am thankful to AUP for this kind of spiritual program. We are encouraged to attend and not considered absent in our work.  I know that not all of us have this kind of opportunity in our workplace. But I believe, you can make it possible for you to be spiritually blessed in the middle of the day. Maybe through a prayer before you eat your lunch, a walk or chat with your workmate on how your day went.  A smile or greetings with a stranger. And in those simple acts, probably, you will feel blessed and will be a blessing to that person.  And, you probably made that person feel that GOD understands.  

PEOPLE CHANGE

                I see people getting better; I see people getting worse.  Indeed, people change either for better or for worse. 

                I work in rehab facility where in I get to see patients who are addicted into shabu, marijuana, sex, relationships and are into problematic relationships with their wife and family.  The first time I saw them, I see in their eyes that they seems to be no hope at all.  I mean, there’s nothing that they can do better from what they have been through as an addict.  But after several months, or for some it takes them years to be in the program, they change.  They go out in the center as person different from the first time I saw them.  No more red eyes, untidy hair, dirty clothes and indescribable sadness.  I see them as happy, fulfilled, satisfied, and excited to be in the new chapter of their lives.  Indeed, people change.

                On the contrary, I see people as a very good, talented, successful and powerful.  I don’t know how to describe but I guess, someone I look up to.  But then again, people change.  Years after I met them, I see them different now.  They appeared disturbed, confused, sad, and unsatisfied.  I don’t know what happened to them along the way, but as what I’ve said, people change. 

                This realization makes me think, which side I am in? Am I getting better? or Am I getting worse. People Change. 

Grateful

Here we go again, another week passed, and I am just thankful to GOD for keeping me alive everyday.  Not just alive, but with good people around. My friends, teachers, family, and students who kept me going this week.  I don't know how exactly I feel now, but I think, my feeling is mixed.  Or I should rather say, generally sad.  Yes, really really sad of what is going on in my life.  The question that I have for my self is that, "Did I do something wrong? or I was just true to what I know (as far as I know) is right?."

I don't know, and until now, I am lost.  Honestly, I don't know where to go and what to do in my life.  Yes, there is something I have to do, but where? I wish GOD can answer me literally now, in as much as I want.  But I believe He is teaching me to be patient and faithful to Him.

Today, I did something good I think.  I shared Counselling session with my students and it was very fulfilling to really be of help to others.  I guess my prayer for tonight is to be continually use by GOD in any way I can.  Thank you Lord for today.  I choose to be grateful, and I am really grateful!

Ambivalence

Today I found myself reading my previous blogs.  I don't know what I feel but I think , writing will help me identify what I feel.  Soon.

Obsolete Report

Oh my, it's been a long time since I wrote in this blog.  In as much as I want to, I guess, I am just too lazy or unmotivated.  Anyway, I really want to write now, it's just that I am running out of time since I have to go to CCR, travel, lecture and administer the Suicide Test Questionnaire. Oh my, that excites me.

Oh, I guess I will just type in bullet what happened to me lately (in random order):

• soOoo sad about what happened in Tacloban and other affected areas due to YOLANDA typhoon;  Thus, I donated some of my clothes.
• I just finished being involved in this personal stuff which is confidential to discuss. So better, not mention.  But that issue was really exasperating. I don't know how to describe but yes, I was really affected.  Hopefully, by God's help I can start again.
• My family went to Ocean Park last November 1 and I was so happy because it was our first time to go out together with our Mom. How I wish my Dad was with  us.  Sigh.
• I attended the lecture seminar, "Beyond Success" by Dr. F. Gayoba, and I was so blessed.  I learned a lot especially about where to base my inner identity, the importance of sabbath, the importance of rest, and a lot more.  Oh, I also heard him speak about Maslow's Hierarchy of needs and integrated spiritual principles.  Sigh.  How I wish I can also speak someday and share.  And, write also of course.

That's all for now, I have to go.