A Secured Life

A secured life is being lived slowly.

Life can be boring at times. When what we do become routinary, we tend to find other things to make us busy and more excited. There’s nothing wrong in pursuing learning. But sometimes, in chasing learning we sacrifice the life already ready to ripe. We become insecure of the good harvests we see around us.

When I was in high school, I loved dreaming about documenting other people’s lives. In college, I took journalism to pursue my dream. But before graduation, I decided to work in the humanitarian world. I wanted to give back. I always find it interesting to know and learn from others – mostly from the most ordinary people in the world. I dreamed of becoming a UN Volunteer and go to the scarcest place we could think of. An adventure for me.

However, everything changed when I was in my second job. God still brought me to my first love; the purpose I see myself fulfilling at present. He wanted me to again pursue journalism by giving this verse from Romans 11:29: “for God’s gifts and his call are irrevocable.” I realized a secured life is ready for change.

I accepted God’s call. But there are times I can’t help but feel insecure. The things going around me seem to be moving very slow. Tonight God reminded me that a secured life really works that way. You’ll recognize this and as you do, you’ll understand that there are good reasons.

In a slow life, God wants you to recognize the simplest things and be humble. He wants you to see all that He carves, His patches, and His little strokes. God wants you to acknowledge Him in everything. 

Remember also that things are routinary because you have not seen the best yet. I remember the time I walked home from our office (that’s a two-hour walk!). I enjoyed the walk because I experienced the things I was not able to do while taking a ride. I did not expect there was beauty hidden on my way home.

This is what God wants to remind us about life. We seemed to be walking the same path each day and it’s tiring. But did we already experience the best out of it?

Do not be anxious! Give thanks. Commit everything to Him. Do not be moved. Understand that He’s acting. Know that God cares. Take it slow and be secured.

In His Lowest, He Dreams

I wrote a story of an orphan I interviewed over the phone which was published in our website in Operation Blessing Philippines. The published story was shortened and the title was changed to 'At His Lowest, He Dreams'. 

The editor and I both want the longer version and the original title (though the only word changed in the title was the first word). But we needed to abide by the story guidelines specifically on the maximum characters we only need to publish. I am posting here the original draft (honestly) to not 'waste' some of the (for me) necessary details that makes the story more appealing and because I am especially fond of this child (and I know God too). Read to know why.

In His Lowest, He Dreams

Source: www.obphil.com

We are privileged to dream. No boundaries are set on the hopes we should reach for. However, we often let our environment dictate what we should dream of, until we are left merely daydreaming.

The challenge for children today is dreaming without limits and being able to achieve their goals eventually. In the case of John Dave Galangue, 14, the latter’s the one he needs to brave – and he is doing this alone. John Dave faces each day with hope that when he grows up, he’ll either be a seaman or a computer engineer.

“Kung may mag-aalok lang po sa’kin magtrabaho para lang makapag-aral, kahit ano po’ng trabaho tatanggapin ko (If ever someone would offer me work in exchange for the chance to study, I’ll accept whatever that work is),” said John Dave, showing that his desire to finish his studies is genuine. His struggle at the lowest point of his life did not discourage him, but rather drives him to persevere all the more.

He lives with his 19-year-old cousin, Ramban Malisi, who’s also an orphan. Ramban’s father left them for a new family when his mother became addicted to illegal drugs. He earns money by selling fish but cannot support John Dave through it. “Bawat isa po kasi sa amin kailangan maghanap [ng pera] (Each of us needs to find money),” said John Dave, in sympathy for his cousin.

Source: www.obphil.com

He tries to act as both a mother and a father to himself while striving to fulfill his role as a child. John Dave’s parents got separated. His mother left them, and he can no longer remember what she looks like. And in 2014, John Dave’s father died in a motorcycle accident. This forced him to be dependent on his grandmother and auntie when his oldest brother also had to leave to the city to find a living at 19. However, when both got sick, John Dave had no choice but to live on his own.   

John Dave and Ramban fit themselves in a small room with no ventilation in one of the bunkhouses the government built for the family-survivors of Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) in Brgy. Bangon, Basey, Western Samar. Education is free in the country, but sustaining it demands a lot, especially for a boy like John Dave. “Grade nine na po dapat ako pero ngayon grade six pa lang. Isa o dalawang beses sa isang linggo lang po kasi ako nakakapasok sa school (I’m in grade six but I should be in grade nine by now. I am only able to go to school once or twice a week, that’s why),” John Dave disclosed.

Source: www.obphil.com

When not in school, he drives a pedicab (cycle rickshaw), cleans the bunkhouses and draws water for other residents in order to earn. What John Dave earns only allows him to buy one meal a day; the other necessities, he can’t afford. “Meron lang po akong bag at papel ‘pag pumapasok. ‘Pag dating po sa classroom, nanghihiram na lang po ako ng ballpen sa classmates ko (I only bring a bag and paper to school. When I get to the classroom, I just borrow a pen from my classmates),” John Dave explains.

Source: www.obphil.com

John Dave and Ramban are among the residents who fetch water from the well Operation Blessing Philippines (OB) drilled in Brgy. Bangon after Yolanda’s devastation. John Dave explains that they don’t like the water from the bunkhouse because it tastes like chlorine.

OB wants to give him more than the water he needs daily. Help us in alleviating John Dave’s hardship everyday, which may worsen if it remains unaided. “Kaya ko po ‘yung pang-araw-araw kong ginagawa. Ang pinakamahirap lang po talaga ‘yung wala kang pamilya na pwede kang pag-aralin (I can endure what I am doing every day. The hardest part, though, is when you don’t have a family who can send you to school),” John Dave said.

Join us in reaching John Dave and a thousand more children to prevent their hopes from fading. Each day, we don’t know how many dreams are dying. John Dave is among those who kept dreaming even in their lowest points. Help him and more today and let us see successful children in the future! Visit http://obphil.com/home, or call us at 477 7802 to 06 to find out how. 

For More Birthdays

Today is my birthday. To celebrate, I planned to travel alone. I envisioned myself discovering places up north; Zambales and Aurora were among the options. I wanted to spend more time to discover myself and to hear more from the Lord. I was thrilled to step on the beach and witness the sun rise and set, because I MISS THAT SO MUCH. Sadly, Typhoon Ineng became a threat.

So, instead of travelling far, my plan B was to wait for dusk in Manila Bay after watching a movie (alone). However, the sun doesn’t really want to see me or doesn’t want me to see him. Thus, I ended up eating dinner with my friends after watching Fantastic 4 (which I enjoyed too).

I was a bit disappointed but I realized may be this was how God wanted me to spend my birthday. From what had happened today, I understood that I am already depriving myself of the things I should’ve enjoyed. I believed I’ve known myself better. I don’t know myself that much because I was not aware of these things I needed. From this day forward:

I need to be more joyful. The past months I felt like lacking some joy. To those who were affected by this, aside from saying ‘I’m sorry’, I’d like to say, ‘Could you please help me be more joyful?’ Life is diverse, Cervin! Do not complicate things. You have the capacity to make a difference but you cannot always make things different. Leave it to God Who has greater plans.

I need to be more thankful. A friend sent a text message to greet and told me she read one of my articles entitled “White’s Darkness”. I forgot what it is about so I read it again. I am now in almost the same situation when I wrote it. But I still choose to thank God.

I need to love more. As love multiplies, it shall also increase. I’ve been sacrificing some love for a new one. I did not realize real love grows.

I need to learn more. There’s a lot to discover in this world. Instead of envying others, I need to create an inspiration. I should start learning on things I know will make an impact. I shall live my purpose.

I need to dream more. Not fear more. Do not let your situation dictate you. If you know your purpose, do something aside from knowing. Move! Dreaming is boring when you’re dreaming the same thing. Make new dreams out of a dream.

I need to believe more. Make a bold resolve! Remember, ‘believing triggers the power to do’.

When Trapped, Remember Who You Are

I am the type of person who wants to learn things my own way. I love discovering new things, creating new tastes, and even perceiving new wisdom. Well, at least for me they were new; because often I would eventually realize the idea was already born. It feels like a scientist – just assuming I know the feeling of uncovering something scientific – when you unearth a “treasure”. The feeling was temporary because as I've said the treasure was before searched but what eternal is the learning.

These discoveries are what I am made up today. I loved playing alone may be because I was (pretending I am no longer) short, thin, and deprived. So I strove. I wanted to prove to many that I can do it alone. I admired to be the epitome of success in independence.

I grew up insecure. I remember one summer I would peek at our window and cry on my pillow after a minute. “Someday I will bring my family to the pool. We will have our own excursion,” I would declare while sobbing. I wanted to do it myself. I was so confident I can.

I was like that. I chased my dreams because of a lot of insecurities. I was wise who I would befriend with; segregated who will cause harm and who will give benefits. But all these, the Lord knew (Psalms 139:1). He already perceived my thoughts and is very familiar with all my ways (Psalms 139:2-3).

In some point I succeeded. But it was an empty victory. I realized I was not created like that. For God created my inmost being; He knitted me together in my mother’s womb (Psalm 139:13). I created myself and knitted darkness that covered me. When I am trapped again in this darkness, I would just remember who I am – that I am fearfully and wonderfully made.

I remember my first year working. I got a very hard supervisor. He would make you feel idiot and poor. I really thank God for reminding me who He is in my life during those days. In many days, I would just look in the mirror and remember who I am. 

When Your Plan Seems Failing

As humans, it is normal to be disheartened when the harvest is weak. We feel such when we've already invested a lot in the sowing and the cultivation stages. When storm and plague suddenly ruined the crop, we tend to blame ourselves, others, or sometimes, God.

We love mapping our way, planning our future, or preparing too soon. There are no problems in doing these because we want to invest more on something we value. This is the reason why we expect big. Big in a sense that often, we want an easy way, an instant result, or an excellent outcome. However, expecting big sometimes results to big disappointments.

I am reading Moses’ journey of freeing Israelites from Pharaoh’s regime in Egypt, as he obediently followed God’s commands with Aaron’s help. There were several attempts which all first resulted to Israelites’ still being in captive. But Moses did not run out of courage and strength. Though at first hesitant to follow the Lord’s purpose for him, Moses’ faith brought him to the fulfillment of his goal of pursuing his people.

But what really kept Moses from trying when he already failed numerous times? And what might be the things that drove him to hang on?

While reading his journey, I realized that aside from Moses’ faith, it is his OBEDIENCE that brought him to success. At first it is easy to obey, but real obedience demands accomplishing the whole cycle of obeying (just obey, obey, obey, and obey). Many times, it is quite easy to obey, yet often, we also simply give up in the middle of completing the reason why we followed.

We tend to leave everything when none’s going well. When we feel like running from the mess, let us always remember that God is the One who commanded us to do what we are doing (I hope He really is). That should keep us from going.

Moses failed numerous times but he did not stop because he knew the commands were from God. When we know that a certain instruction is from the Lord, we will believe it will come to pass, no matter how hard or how far. And just like Moses, we need to worship the Lord even after every failure. Worship in times of trouble lets people know that ‘there’s no one like the Lord our God’ (Exodus 8:10).

As I continued reading Moses’ story, I got puzzled with the phrase “the Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart” mentioned several times. Then I started to realize that God really allows bad things to happen for a purpose. And this I think was the thing that drove Moses from hanging on. He knew that his journey will be hard as the Lord allowed it. But he also knew he will finish it so he kept trying until the time he made it. 

Questions That Don’t Matter

I got an encounter with a demon today.

I visited the nearest mall from our apartment -- wearing my newest eyeglasses, basketball shorts, slippers, and shirt -- to eat my comfort food, Lola Nena’s Bulaluhan’s malunggay noodle soup with siomai. I never thought my one-day-old eyeglasses would catch this man’s attention while we were in the line to the cashier. He asked, “Saan mo pinagawa ‘yang frame mo (Where did you get your frame)”, while pointing to my eyewear. Then I said, “Sa office ko to nakuha. May doktor po kasi kami dun (I got this from the office. We have a doctor there).” And to make the story short, I got to introduce to him Operation Blessing Philippines, Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN) Asia, including my church, while I was paying my food.

To balance the conversation, I asked where he is attending church. His response surprised me. “Magugunaw kasi ang church pag pumasok ako (The church will tear down when I get in).” I assumed he was the usual person we used to minister -- pitying himself and sees forgiveness passing on to this world. So, I said with confidence and motivation, “Jesus loves you, Kuya (brother)!” He smiled and I thought he was happy for what he heard. Not until he uttered this in whisper to my ear, “Demonyo ako na nagtatago sa katawan ng tao (I am a demon hiding inside a man’s body)." It was as if the environment froze, and I did not know what to answer. I relaxed to show him I wasn’t scared. The thing I thought to let him know he cannot deceive me was to throw another question and not leave without saying anything. I asked, “Paano mo naman nasabi, Kuya (How did you say that, brother)?”

I got my order and I thought of leaving him with the hanging question; as if telling him you did not win. But he said, “Sige, sundan kita kung saan ka uupo (Okay, I’ll join you where you’ll sit).” I had no choice but to accept the challenge. Before eating and letting him reach my table, I prayed for God’s wisdom and grace. I cannot narrate far-reaching our more than an hour conversation. But let me highlight some questions he threw to me during our talk. First, “Why did God said in Genesis “let US make man”, when He was alone then. Is He really the only God?” Second, “Are you sure God is in your church?” Third, “Is Jesus really coming the second time around? Can He come again?” And last, “Why did God let Lucifer’s power remain?”

I will not tell how I responded in every question, but honestly, some I was not sure I answered correctly. I am not a theologian, yet I am also not making it an excuse to not know God more. In fact, that experience urged me study Bible deeper. Those questions don’t really matter but WILL matter.

Knowing and believing will get in the issue. That man knows God, may be more than I, but does not believe Him. The reason is, he knows God wrongly. Wrongly might be because he just wants to be different, but for sure evil is controlling him. Believing is another thing. When you believe, you will obey, and in obeying you will experience. If I am a person without a real relationship with God, I would have nodded a lot and got deceived by that man. 

The real sweet taste of a cake will never change for a man who already ate one. No matter how others will convince him that a cake is salty, he will never believe. But if he never tasted one, he might get fooled of a salty cake others will let him taste first. I pity that man he first tasted the salty cake.

That man disclosed it was his first time at that mall and just went there to eat after a business appointment nearby. He said he ‘did not think he would talk to a warrior of God in the place.’ During the last part of our conversation he said, “Akala ko made-demonyo kita (I thought I could deceive you).”

I felt joy I did not run from that demon’s challenge and God was with me in responding. Then, I realized how important it is to minister to other people. And not just introducing Jesus, but helping them have a real relationship with Him.

So blessed I have an encounter with God daily.

4 Things My Colleagues Should Know Before I Leave CH

March will end I will already be leaving my comfort for one year and a half. May be my colleagues would expect me to make something ‘cheesy’ as they used to tease me to give a message during my despedida dinner.  But sorry guys, here are not tear-jerkers but things I need to confess to you all which will surely amuse you and hopefully will give you a good vibe. As I leave (since Miss Net could not reprimand me for some of these anymore) I would like you to know that:

1. These are my favorite places in the office.

I know Pat’s favorite place is the pantry and Anna the conference room, but believe it or not, these are mine. The reason is…they used to be my beds! You read that right! You may not notice it, but when I was out sometimes for five minutes without telling anybody, I was probably inside the CR sleeping. I’ll leave it to your imaginations how I was able to have my naps on the toilet bowl. Also, these triplet chairs were my comforts after immersions when I was on my own! Huhu! Often I’d woke up so late (around 8pm) after a half day event. So guys, I believe there’s no mumu in the office! Be more scared with Tita K (peace Tita K)!

2. This is my real reaction whenever you have girl-talks.

I may seem used to hearing you discuss about your PMS or Channing Tatum, but honestly, sometimes I would like to make this face. And not just because of this! I think it’s innate to women to repeat a topic to discuss on in a week. I was usually amazed when you all give the same thrill on a story that was just told few days back! Amazing girls! I don’t want to give examples; it’s for you to find out! Hehe!

3. I did covers inside the office.

You all know that I am a frustrated singer and I am so happy that I have a few fans from Children’s Hour. So, I know you’ll understand why I did these. You’ll remember the times I would leave the office last (but I did not file OT! Hehe!), those were the times I would record songs. Unfortunately, I was only able to make a cover of Jason Mraz's Details in the Fabric (and it's not that good). And worst, my first video which was supposed to be a present for my mother on her birthday was a crap! Hahaha!

   

4. I love you all!

Now here’s what you all want! Hehe! I don’t want you to see me cry but honestly, guys, I will really miss you. And I hope I will also not make you cry because of this. I just want to say thank you and I really love you my friends and my Ates! I am not good in saying this in person so better do this through this blog. I certainly am enjoying life because you are all part of it. I want to say sorry because I am making you sad (assuming ako) and I'll be leaving so early. Yet I know you understand and that’s the thing I will be so proud about you all, you are so mature!

I will not see you during weekdays anymore but for sure our adventures will not end. I have a lot of prayers for Children’s Hour and for each of you. And I claim God will answer it all. I am still with you in making this world a better place, one hour at a time!

This chapter of my life taught me three things. First, that there is no perfect place; YOU NEED TO MAKE ONE! Second, GOD WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU! And third, YOU NEED TO SURROUND YOURSELF WITH AWESOME PEOPLE. J