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Majulah Singapura

The Quartz, Compassvale Bow, Singapore. 2,391 KM from Manila. ( 3-4 Hours by plane)

Majulah Singapura - is the first word I heard when I got there. Pastor Sunday greeted me when they pick me up in the Airport.

This is my first time in Singapore, my first international trip, first stamp on my passport, first time I saw many different races in one place.

All throughout the trip I have so many things I learned about Singapore. They are composed of different races, namely Chinese, Malays, Indians, and Eurasians. With different language - English, Mandarin, Chinese dialect, Malay, and Tamil. Different Religion - Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, Taoism, Hinduism. This is place is a melting pot.

I did not go to Universal Studios, I didn't see the Sentosa, I didn't even actually see the the famous Merlion. I didn't go to the places that people would suggest you should visit when you go in Singapore. I never saw any of its famous beautiful places, but what I saw there is far more beautiful than a place that a tourist would go.

As much as I wanted not to compare, but I really cannot control myself. For 5days that I've been there, I never encountered any traffic jam, were everywhere and in every corner of Singapore is accessible. You could actually estimate your time of arrival without anticipating any traffic. Where in here you always give extra time for your ETA because we are anticipating traffic. There, they only have one card that pays all the public transportation, bus and MRT's. Their buses have different route depends on the bus number and they have 5 different MRT lines all are payable conveniently in one card. They have so many buses, a good bus, it is the first time I saw a brand of bus which is Mercedez Benz. Here, yes, we have so many buses which is should've been phased out but still running on EDSA. They have long railroad for their MRT, here we have a long line of people waiting for MRT. There you could actually go to your office as fresh as you were from your house, here when you ride in MRT, you go in regular employee then you go out as barbarian warrior, lalabas kang mandirigma. Though we have some similarity, their housing system there is like our illegal settlers/squatters here, like a mushroom(kabute) bigla nalang nagsusulputan kung saan-saan. Regular housing system there is like exclusive condo unit here.

There are so many things that I like in Singapore, but there are also some that I don't like, I'm so sorry to say this but I just want to be honest. The cost of living there is so high. For the first time I met Kuya Topeng and his wife Ate Ana, they've been married for years now, and Pastora Fe asked them how come you don't have baby yet? They just simply answered 'coz its expensive'. You have to plan thoroughly about financial matters. We met new Singaporean Couple friends there, they asked Pastora Fe what is her work here in the Philippines, and they are shocked when they found out that she is full time in ministry with 4 kids. With Pastora Fe's status you cannot do it there, both husband and wife need to work to support the family.

Pace - the pacing of their life there is so fast, when we are in public transportation, I notice that they are quiet, so focused on their work, schools. I'm not saying that it is bad, it's just that I don't like to live my life just to work and pay my bills and just do what life requires you to be done. Here when you are in public transportation in after work time and rush hour, I can see it everywhere around the metro like two friends noticeably tired from work, but they are still smiling, laughing, and talking about everything, love-life, rumors, showbiz etc. There, from house to work and from work to house almost all of them are not smiling. I remember one time when I, Pastor Sunday, Pastora Fe and Marco are going home and so tired from the whole day itinerary, all of sudden the couple Pastors teased each other, and they are laughing, I smiled as well, but one thing that struck me I noticed so many eyes on us. I notice in the whole bus we are the only one smiling the rest are frowningly tired.

From the time I knew Pastor Sunday and Pastora Fe, I never saw their real richness since I went to Singapore. They don't have many houses, or many cars, but all I can tell is they are rich. They are rich with relationship, rich with people. I saw how the tandem really works externally and internally. They are rich with the love of the people around them. I saw how people really value, honor and love them. They know how to invest with people, and I saw how the return interest pays it off greatly.

You will like a person when you appreciate  good things about him but yet you will love the person when you appreciate the negative about him. Al-throughout the time I'm with them, I've learned many things about them, their ways, their manner, and their behavior that you don't normally see with them every day. There are times that Pastora Fe would say "Love di ka ba nahihiya kay Rico" and same thing Pastor Sunday would say to her also. That being happened doesn't really bother me, but makes me appreciate them even more. I've begun to love them.

The main purpose why I went there is for the G12 Asia Conference. You will know it's God's will if nothing can stop it. Before I go to Singapore, I encountered financial problem. 5 months ago I was invited by Pastor Sunday about it and I'm really excited about it, one of my preparation about it is the financial thing, I carefully planned my budget so that I could afford the trip, and yes with my calculation everything is feasible until the trip. But all of sudden I encountered a problem, I just found out I don't have enough budget for the trip. Then I prayed to God, I surrender it to Him and thinking and accepted the fact that maybe it's not time for me yet. Then all of a sudden God uses people to help me and I take it as a confirmation that this is where and what God wanted me to be.  If it's God's will, it is unstoppable.

When Pastora Fe told me about our itinerary, she mentioned that we need to cut some of the classes in the conference to attend other commitment. I asked myself why? Is there any other more important matter than this conference? I was thinking that time na "sayang naman yung conference fee". The first day of the conference was so great, so powerful, after a while we will cut the class and will go the other commitment, I'm thinking that time that maybe I could ask permission to them for me to stay in the conference as they go to do their thing and I'll just meet them in the house. I really don't like to miss the opportunity besides that is the main purpose why I went there. But out of nowhere I can't find any guts to ask a simple permission to them, that I know they will surely grant. So I end up going with them to all of their itineraries.

It's just recently I understand why we have to cut the conference, I realized, and it is really the convincingly right thing to do. I've been with them for a few times now, but I never saw how God mightily used the Couple Pastors like this. It is like stretching your life. We attended the Life Group that Ate Jaque have been attending to, they are composed of 3-4 Singaporean couples, I realized that time that I'm the only single in the room, they introduced themselves like "I'm Simon and this is my wife..."  and when I introduce myself I just said "I'm Rico, I'm sorry my future wife is not yet here". One of the things that I learned about Singaporean people, they are not easily to get connect with, it is hard to connect with them, sometimes they can be racist, but when you capture their heart they can give all their commitment to you, all out support to you, that's what I saw in Lifegroup of Ate Jaque.

Part of that commitment, is that Sunday morning, they had to preach in two churches, not one a time, but simultaneously Pastora Fe preached at ate Leslie and Kuya Jerry's church at morning and at the same time I went with Pastor Sunday to preach at ate Janet and Pastor Jojo's church.  Both Pastors preached in two churches at the same time simultaneously. Then, later that afternoon Pastor Sunday preached in ate Leslie and Kuya Jerry's church. After that we went to Ate Jaque and Kuya Lito's place for the dedication of their two children, later that night we meet Kuya Topeng, Ate Ana, Kuya Jason and his fiance, we were supposed to meet Ate Janet later that night but due so much hectic schedule we didn't find any time. There are a couple of people that we should've met that day, but it didn't get any chance to do so. I never saw the Couple Pastor, like big star celebrities, so in demand like this.

We met our old friend Daniela Bie in her work where we had a free tour on the whole cruise. It is so amazing you will see her so successful in her career and at the same time God is using her mightily in her workplace. Indeed she is taking advantage on her inherited land. You may not take the people in the church but you can bring the church into the people. 

Maybe the conference was not the main thing why I got there, there is something more. Up to now it is still not clear to me why I went there, I asked myself... Is God exposing me on how a Pastor should minister? That it will stretch your life like this., Are You going to give me a wife from Singapore?lol! Are You going to let me stay for good in Singapore? so many things pops inside my mind, but one thing I know for sure, that there is a purpose I went there and I know it is God's will.

As this place is a melting pot, yet I find so amazing that this place is systematically organized, no conflict,  they have respect into each other race and into each other religion. They are leaving harmoniously. Yes, maybe I'm not in the right position to say something about Singapore coz I've just been there for only five days. Either way I will still love Filipinos, as they say, there is no place like home, I want to live in Singapore, but I want to live with Filipinos. Deep inside me there is a hunger. Hunger that how much I wanted the Philippines to be like Singapore, hunger for a change. From easy traffic going to Changi Airport Singapore then almost 4hours flight to NAIA Airport Philippines into busy traffic roads of Manila, how I wish change could take place in just 4hours. Part of running the Vision is Transforming the Nation, in order to change the nation change should start with me first. A New Beginning step starts with me, a transformation within me.

As I saw my Couple Pastor, it's like they are telling me "Rico this is how it should be done". The true heart and the true work of a minister is like this, it was never about us, it was always about God from the very beginning. We cannot demand good things in our life from God, the life that Jesus examples was never easy, so expect that there will be no comfort.

4 Such confidence we have through Christ before God. 5 Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God.6 He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

2 Corinthians 3:4-6 (NIV)

Short Film starring the greatest love-team of all time..Sunday Taniegra and Marife Taniegra and introducing Marco Taniegra at Downtown Line MRT Singapore https://www.facebook.com/rico.urbino/videos/vb.1470366237/10207737188735621/?type=3&theater

#ToGodBeTheGlory #ANewBeginning #IamMessenger #Lente

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8 Months to go in Shy Mountain

Tiwi, Albay, Bicol Region. 464.5 KM away from Manila (10-12 Hours travel time)

This is my first trip that I had to make a check list of things I bring.

Clothes(for 3days) - (√)checked

Camera(Canon60D) - (√)checked  

Canon 50mm Prime lens - (√)checked

Canon 18-135mm EF lens (from Kuya Bong) - (√)-checked

Extra 2 Camera battery (from Kuya Bong) - (√)checked

Camera battery charger  - (√)checked

2 Tripod(from Kuya Bong and Kuya Aaron)   - (√) checked

LED Light w/ battery(from Kuya Bong)   - (√) checked

Mic Cord(from Kuya Bong) - (√)checked

Converter (from Kuya Norman)  - (√)checked

Cellphone charger  - (√)checked

Slippers  - (√)checked

Umbrella (in case of emergency)  - (√)checked

Toiletries (shampoo, soap, toothpaste, toothbrush etc.)  - (√)checked

Towel and face towel  - (√)checked

Bible  - (√)checked

Notebook  - (√) checked

Medyo nadala na ako from Nagsasa, Zambales, when I lost my camera battery and muntikan pang mawala yung lens cap ni Kuya Bong. It’s my second time to bring things that is not mine and kind of expensive, that is why I need to make sure I will not lost their things, I need to make precautions. Yet I count this as a blessings, these people lending their stuff to me, entrusting it to me is a whole another responsibility. They believe in me, they trust me, and I don’t want to break it.

I’m already get used to in traveling 10-12hours in bus, same travel time lang every time umuuwi ako sa province namin, Tuguegarao, Cagayan but this is the first time I will travel along with Pastor Sunday, Pastora Fe and Marco. I don’t know why Pastora Fe ask me to join with them in Mentoring for Awake Church-Tiwi. They said that they’ve been mentoring other satellite churches for a long time now and they don’t have any documentation about it. It’s fine to me, in fact it’s my pleasure and honor to do it. Since I’ve never been into the place, since I’ve never tasted the Halo-Halo na pinagmamalaki nila, so might as well go. I will travel, I will do what I love(video/photography), meet new people/friends, plus I can make shoot on the project that me and Jayvee been working on, and help Pastor Sunday and Pastora Fe to minister. So it is a multi-purpose trip. So go lang ng go

In the Blood.

I know Jeff Galicia for a while now, and he is really good in singing and he is been using mightily by God for it. Then I met Pastor Archie Galicia (Jeff’s Brother), I said to myself, Oh what a good looking pastor, now I see where Jeff got his good look, it runs in the blood. The I met Ning(Jeff’s sister) and, Art (Jeff’s youngest brother), then I found out that Ning and Pastor Archie have good voice as well and Art is really good in playing drums. Then lately I met Kuya Leomar Galicia, and Ryan Galicia, another Galicia siblings, I was told that Ryan is playing bass guitar and I saw Kuya Leomar playing drums, then Pastora Fe told me the Galicia siblings are already a band, and yes this siblings are really engage in music, it runs in the blood. I wonder kung panu pakiramdam nang kasama mo family mo to minister.

That first day I saw this young guy playing bass guitar, then I was told that he is Jeric, younger brother of Ate Donna, then I wonder maybe Kuya Norman(husband of Ate Donna) have influence with this young guy, because Kuya Norman is really good in guitar and this young guy, as young as he is, is really good in playing bass, and somehow I can see the influence of the blood. That first day I met the girl who plays the keyboard her name is Marian and on the second day I was told that she is the sister of Manilyn, I never saw Manilyn singing on stage but I heard her voice and she has a good singing voice as well, and again it runs in the blood. Just like Joshen and Benjo Bueno of Awake Bacacay both part of praise and worship team, I met their younger sister Princess and I wonder if she is also engage in music as well, yet again in runs in the blood.

While realizing these biglang pumasok sa isip ko ang story sa bible, 12 sons of Jacob. Just so you know, Abraham, father of Isaac; Isaac, father of Jacob; Jacob with 12 sons. Then as you go along with the story, the 12 sons became the 12 tribes of Israel. As far as I understand these 12 tribes are named by their mothers, each son of Jacob, each child/tribe is given a name with a particular meaning for a specific reason.  (Genesis 29-30; 35:18)

Reuben – The First -viewing (or behold) the son Simeon – The Aggressor - hearing and obeying Levi – The Cleric- joining or cleaving to Judah – The Leader - confession or praise of God Dan – The Judge - judging Naphtali – The Free Spirit - a wrestler or striving with Gad – The Warrior - a company Asher – The Prosperous One - happy or blessed (blessings) Issachar – The Scholar - reward or what is given by way of reward Zebulun – The Businessperson - home or dwelling place Joseph – The Sufferer - added, an addition Benjamin – The Ravenous Consumer - son of the right hand

Then I realized it really runs in the blood, generation by generation, tribe by tribe, family by family, they have similarities on its own unique way, no matter how much you disagree, your father is your father, you brother is your brother. Pastor Sunday said in his preaching that day “Anak ka ng Tatay mo”(You are your father’s child). Nowadays this statement is somehow consider as a curse, but it should not be, it should be a blessing. By family or by tribe have specific role, maybe kaya ganito nakikita ko sa church ngayon, a pastor who is a son of pastor, musician with son of musician, because God made it as pattern.

When we are on the bus going back to Manila, sa unang stop-over namin, while drinking the coffee I notice Pastora Fe buying something for her friends back in Manila, afterwards suddenly she gave me a plastic bag inside a pack of Pili Tarts she said “Rico oh pasalubong ko sayo oh” I’m shocked and just say “Thank you po”. San ka ba naman makakakita, kasama ka na nga sa trip, ikaw pa yung papasalubungan. This is the second time it happened to me, yet I’m still in awe like it happened to me for the first time. But the first time that it happened to me was when me and Jayvee in Bacolod-Silay Airport and waiting for our plane going back in Manila last April 2015. While waiting sabi niya sakin "Kuya bili lang ako ng pasalubong  para sa mga friends ko". Then I wait for him, suddenly he gave me a plastic bag with pack of Piaya and said “Kuya oh pasalubong ko sayo” and that time I was so baffled and really don’t know what to say, di ko alam gagawin ko because it is really new to me, I’ve been with him from day 1 Manila to Bacolod and last day from Bacolod to Manila. I was under the culture and impression that when you say “Pasalubong” it is for those you left behind, it is a homecoming treat, people who’s not with you in your trip. I just said to Jayvee “Ayos to ah, bago to ah, kasama mo ko tapos may pasalubong ako, Thank you ah”. When Pastora Fe gave me the pili tarts, I had an immediate flashback and have thought of Jayvee and said to myself while smiling “No wonder, mag-Ina nga sila”.

I don’t know if it’s really their habit or just one time act of the situation at that time, or maybe nagmana si Jayvee kay Pastora Fe sa ganung aspect. If given a chance let’s say you don’t know that Jayvee and Pastora Fe are mother and son, and same thing happened to you like what happened to me, for sure you will be puzzled and will say “Are they related?” or you will say "Deja vu". Because of that unique gesture, so specific, so timely, are all the same, you will feel there is a connection, they are indeed Mother and Son, and yes, it runs in the blood.

Character.

While on the bus going to Bicol, Pastor Sunday told me “Sana magpakita sayo si Mayon sayo”   and gusto kong sagutin ng pa-pilosopo si Pastor "Bakit mahiyain ba si Mayon Pastor?" .Pero di naman ako nabigo. Yes. I saw it. First chance I saw it was when we are on the bus and it was not as clear as what we see in pictures, I can’t capture good photo because one, we are moving so fast and two, the bus glass window makes me hard time to adjust the aperture of the camera to have a good sharpness of the picture. Second chance I saw it was when we went to the place called Mayon Rest House, to see the Mayon up close and personal, and it’s raining. When we got into the place, good thing ambon nalang siya, I saw Mayon so close, but it was covered with clouds, after a while suddenly the clouds cleared out and immediately I took shots. Yet again I’m having hard time taking picture kase medyo malakas yung ambon, I don’t want to compromise my camera. I’m looking for a good angle but I have to go outside of our cottage. I went outside take shots and go back right away kase nababasa din yung lente, then maya-maya dahan-dahang nawala yung ambon but when I saw Mayon, it’s already covered with clouds again, wew! What a shy mountain!?

Part of the documentation and the project that me and Jayvee been working on, we are interviewing people about their personal testimony on how God touch their lives and how they fulfill the vision of the church, and for the people who attended the Mentoring in Awake Church Tiwi, how does the mentoring affect and help them in fulfilling the vision. Early that day I already gave a heads up to the pastors who attended the mentoring. I asked Pastor Jun, Pastora Cheryl, Pastor Archie, Pastora Lucy and other key people/leader to give a testimony while I'll take video. After the session Pastor Sunday gathered all the pastors for a meeting and while waiting I started shoot/interview to the people from Awake Church Masbate, I started with Hardy and last Chino, and they gave me such a wonderful and remarkable testimony, no wonder they are really blessed, now I understand why Pastor Sunday made them the prototype church of Awake, I want to immerse with them, capture the fire they have and rekindle mine. Afterwards Pastora Cheryl gave her testimony, while giving testimony I can really feel her anointing, such powerful anointing I'm about to cry while watching her. Ate Beng told me, sister of my friend Maria when one time I attended their bible study, she said that there is a different and great blessing of being single, people who are supposed to be married but in some circumstances they are single and serving God. Then I realized Pastora Cheryl is single, and look at the blessing she's receiving. Pastor Aaron told me the life testimony of Pastor Phillip of Destiny Church, he is single but God is giving him an overflowing blessing. How I wonder I want to be single all my life. haha! But that is not what I'm trying to point out here.

After Pastora Cheryl, I asked Pastor Jun and Pastora Lucy, but they refused to be interviewed, they reason out, hinayaan ko nalang. Then I asked Pastor Archie, he refused also, he did not provide any reason, and maybe just like Pastor Jun and Pastora Lucy they are shy. I wonder bakit sila nahihiya, they are pastors and I know sanay na sila sa pagsasalita sa harapan ng maraming tao. Especially Pastor Archie talagang kitang-kita mo sa kanya na nahihiya siya when I asked him, tinuro pa niya si Emman(the young Emman) to represent him and the Awake Church Tiwi, pero ang Emman nahiya din. I don't know if Pastor Archie is really shy, or maybe I'm new to him and nahihiya siya sakin, but the way I see it, there's nothing to be shy of. I saw him leading and really passionately worshipping God, talagang sigaw kung sigaw, he doesn't bother, he doesn't care. He is good looking person. While watching him leading the worship, suddenly I remember Pastor Bong Sumayod with him, a good looking pastor na kapag nagworship na, patay kung patay. Pastor Archie is really loud and talagang all out when leading the worship, but when I asked him for a small and simple interview biglang tumiklop. I was so amazed with this behavior of him, and all I can see is his humbleness. Kung tutuusin meron siyang maipagmamalaki, for the short time na nakilala ko siya, he is a great person inside and out, the way he leads the church, the way he serves, the way people around him respects him, nakita kong meron siyang "malaking maipagmamalaki", pero mas pinili nyang tumiklop. Just like the great Mayon, with its majestic gesture and great feature, with its great height, full of pride and so proud but shy.

For the past few months I've been praying on how to be humble, how to put and stay my feet on the ground. Nasanay akong nasa spot-light lagi, nasanay akong sikat, nasanay ako na ako ang bida. I want to break that, and as my personal prayer, I want to do things not please people or magpasikat, but to please the Audience of One, to please God. The Lord gave me a perfect demonstration about it, using Mayon, and for the very short time I know Pastor Archie, he didn't know na napakalaking lesson na tinuro nya sakin. Hindi pa kami nagkausap nang masinsinan nyan ah, this is just my observation on him. He didn't know that for just a simple interaction with him bring a big impact to me. Just like Pastora Cheryl di nila alam na na-bless ako sa overflowing anointing nila. Again, the anointing power of singlehood is different. haha! That's why Pastor Archie and Pastora Cheryl if you are reading this, from the bottom of my heart, thank you so much. I owe you big time.

Family.

When Pastora Fe preached on the first day, I remember her testimony, if I'm not mistaken sabi niya, nung time na ikinasal sila ni Pastor Sunday, Papa/Pastor Ray told her that, she need to support Pastor Sunday, meaning she needs to give up working, sa house lang siya, and do the role of a Pastor's wife. As per Pastora Fe she was blessed about it, because of it,  she was able to raise their children, nakapag-focus siya sa mga anak niya which is good. Now she is fulfilling her calling as a Pastor, and pwede na niyang iwanan ang mga bata kase natutukan niya, na-train niya. I'm so blessed with this family, from the father to the mother, to the eldest son Jayvee, and next to him Benjo upto the youngest Marco, though wala pa kaming gaanong bonding masyado ni Abby(unica hija). And yes Marco, yes even the youngest have blessed me on his own innocent way. 

Nung first day, out of nowhere binigyan ni Pastora Fe ng isang oblong na tablet, I looked at it first and tumititig sa tableta na may question mark sa ulo, Bakit ako binigyan ng gamot? Then Pastora said, “Vitamin C yan” ohw! Vitamins pala, ayun walng tanung-tanung ininom ko. Also nung 2nd day, to be honest hindi ko talaga napansin na singhot nako ng singhot, as in hindi ko talaga napapansin kase medyo busy sa mga pinag-gagawa ko, napansin ko nalang na may sipon ako nang tinanong ako ni Pastora “Rico sinisipon ka?” then I realized oo nga, kanina pako sumisinghot, akalain mo siya pa unang nakapansi, then nung before kami gumayak pauwi bigla niya ako binigyan ng gamot(decolgen ata) “Oh inumin mo, isa ngayon isa after 4 hours”, sabi ng Pastora na may halong “command” and lambing ang tono. At hindi pa yun ang huli, nandito na kami sa Manila Pastora is still checking me, at nagdala pa ng pepakwa(pei pa koa) para sakin nung nagkita kami sa Destiny Church Mentoring, kase medyo sumakit narin lalamunan ko, ako naman si inom pagdating sa bahay “ulk” ang pangit ng lasa. At may pahabol ba na T-Shirt from Bicol. Haay Pastora is spoiling me. 

And Marco have his own way that he doesn’t know..

One Sunday in Awake Cubao, medyo nalate dumating si Don2 because he need to run some errands first, pagdating niya he is wearing his gloves and holding his helmet(he is riding his motorcycle). Then Marco borrowed it and wear it, the helmet and the gloves and he just play with Caleb(Son of Kuya Rico). Just like Yael(Son of Marianne) kahit sumuot sa karton, they will do anything just to enjoy and make the most out of it.

On the bus going to Bicol, pagkasakay namin, while waiting na umandar yung bus from terminal, Marco is looking for his candy(TicTac-Banana Flavor). Pilit niyang hinahanap kung san nakalagay, or kung sang bulsa niya naitago, pero di niya talaga mahanap. Pastora Fe is comforting him and saying they will just buy new one. I've been seeing him before na nagdadabog, I've seen him kapag pinapagalitan ng kuya niya and his parents, but for the first time I saw Marco in tears. He reason out to his mother and said "Marami pang laman yun eh" and still keep looking for his TicTac, and Pastora still comforting him and saying bibili nalang daw sa next stop over. For me or probably for us maybe ang babaw lang ng iniiyak ni Marco, just for a candy he cried, but that is on my perspective, and for the for Marco's perspective that candy is so important, so valuable to him that it made him cry when he lost it. After a while nakapa niya inside his jacket, nandun pala yung Tictac, then Pastor Sunday teased him, me smiling and Pastora Fe laughing, I saw Marco smiling with leftover tears.

Saturday(1st day) afternoon, Benjo Bueno treat us in the famous Halo-Halo in the town, DJC Halo-Halo. I would like to thank you Benjo for the treat, at najustify ko ang isa sa mga purpose ko sa pagdayo ko dito sa Tiwi and in fairness masarap naman talaga! Now after maghalo-halo di pa muna kami umalis, kwentuhan pa, asaran, fellowship, and ang bumangka, si Pasotra Fe. After a while biglang merong family na pumasok maybe around 10 people ata sila. I didn't even bother to notice them because nakikinig ako sa kwnetuhan, suddenly si Marco may binulong kay Emman, after hearing it Emman burst out laughing, tawa ng tawa si Emman. When we asked why, medyo nahiya pa si Marco na i-share ni Emman samin kung ano sinabi niya, then Emman said " Sabi ni Marco, lahi daw sila ng matataba"  then when we looked at the side of that group of people, we realized yes may kalakihan nga sila. I noticed ang galing ng observation ng batang to, though yes di maganda yung na observe nya, but I like the way he observed, I like his wit.

Sunday(2nd day) after service, while waiting for our service papuntang Mayon Rest House, kami lang naiwan sa church, me, Pastor Sunday, Pastora Fe, and Marco, because its lunchtime Pastor Archie and the rest of the gang need to eat first so kami naiwan sa church, which is Ok lang naman, then habang nagkukwentuhan, si Marco biglang nagdrama, hindi na raw siya tinuturuan ni Kuya Jayvee niya mag drums, you can see in his eyes na may lugkot talaga siya, then Pastor Sunday explained to him, also to me and I realized din naman why Jayvee hold his teaching to Marco, na kailangan daw matuto daw muna siya mag-stay sa isang place and mag focus, and pag nagawa niya yun, tututukan daw siya ni Kuya Jayvee niya, but knowing Marco na super-duper-hyper-active and to be honest, I think it will take time for him to be stay still. Yet of course Pastora Fe(to the rescue) again comforts him, as mother as she is sinabi nalang niya kay Marco na don't worry sasabihan ko kuya mo na turuan ka na before siya pumunta sa US.

Then that day also, Sunday afternoon, on our way to bus terminal going back to Manila, nakasakay kami sa tricycle, sabi nila that is the service of the church, I find it cool. Pastora Fe and Marco sa loob, Pastor Sunday and me sa likod. Our chauffeur is Jerry and si Marvin nakasabit. All of sudden the tricycle stopped, maybe it run out of gas or whatsoever, it just stopped in the middle of the highway. Jerry being the driver, siya nag-CPR sa tricycle, reviving the tricycle, isang malakas na padyak-wala, padyak ulit-wala ulit, 3rd time, 4th time na padyak wala parin, medyo nagworry na ako kase baka maiwan kami ng bus, then isang  padyak pa, bigla kaming nakarinig ng ingay ng makina, parang pelikula na biglang sumipa at tumunog ang life-line ng bida na muntikan nang mamatay, lahat kami nabuhayan ng loob, lahat kami tumigin sa makina ng motor kahit iba samin walang alam sa motor(including me), animoy ekpertong na nagmamasid sa pinanggagalingan ng ingay. Pastora Fe burst out and said "In Jesus name".  Then wala pang 3 seconds the motorcycle died again. Then si Marco biglang humalakhak, as in laughing out loud and said "Haha, 'In Jesus name' ka pa ah" (pertaining to his mother). To be honest natawa ako when I heard him, then after I understand what he said, para sakin di magandang pakinggan. Jerry try to revive the tricycle again, then afterwards Marvin helped also, bumaba muna kami from tricycle. and of course me with camera, shot dito shot doon. Maya-maya bigla nanaman umandar ang tricycle but just like the first time, it died again, then Marco continued laughing and said "In Jesus name pa ah". When the second time I heard it, di na talaga maganda pakinggan. Then Pastor Sunday said "Marco di na maganda yan ah" , then Marco obeyed. What I'm trying to say here.. obviously Marco didn't know the ground of what he just said, yet I was amazed by his wit and keen observation. I like the combination of his intelligence and innocence. I remember Pastora Fe gave me small pack of Pili nuts, when I looked at it, it is so white, I never saw Pili nuts as white as this, then I asked Pastora Fe, "Tita pwede na po bang kainin to?" I was thinking na baka hilaw pa, or it should be cooked first. Pasalubong pala yun ni Pastora Cheryl kay Pastora Fe, shinare lang sakin. They said yes pwede nang kainin yan, pure Pili nuts. When I tasted it, masarap ah! So fresh and so raw. I never saw and tasted Pili nuts na unsalted, unsweetened, and unprocessed. So pure. I would say I can described Marco just like this, pure innocence and pure intelligence, waiting to be salted, to be sweetened and to be processed. For those who know Marco be careful of what we teach to this boy because as smart as he is he will surely adapt it right away.

As young as he is, he already have plans for himself, I heard him that he wanted to be a pastor, I heard him saying na ipagpapatayo nya daw ng rest house parents niya, I heard him saying na magpapayaman siya at tutulong na magtayo ng church, kung ilang pastor daw meron tayo yun daw yung dami ng church ang ipapatayo niya. I'm really amazed with this boy. Somehow I like to have faith like he has, I want to unlearn all the thing that I know right now, because of my knowledge it makes me ask more questions, I doubt, I don't believe right away, because of what I know it makes think before I believe, and sometimes it makes me confused. I want to be innocent again, I want to be doubtless, I want to believe like a child, gusto ko maging uto-uto. I want to trust like a child, I want to dream like a child. I want to have a child-like faith.

Mentoring

When they said Mentoring, of course I’m a mentor before in our office  so I know what is the purpose of it, but I don't know kung anu yung imementor nila. Pastor Sunday is being mentored and now he is mentoring others. As far as I understand it's just like passing the baton, teaching the G12 Vision. So when we got there I'm pretty much aware and sure kung anu ituturo ni Pastor Sunday and Pastora Fe, mentoring them spiritually in order to advance the kingdom of God and fulfilling the G12 Vision. Pero isa sa pinakamagandang na witness ko is they did not just mentored them spiritually, yet they mentored them in other aspect of life.

Kuya Leomar is about to marry sa August and si Pastor Sunday ang magkakasal sa kanila, when they got there, with his bride to be, ate Marie, they are holding some papers, I really don't know what it is, then Pastor Sunday looked at it, then after a while nagkaroon ng discussion, I really don't know the details, wala din naman akong alam about kasalan,haha! All I know there is something wrong with the papers. When I saw the couple, talagang mababakas mo ang pagkabahala sa kanila, you know na may problema. Then with his experience Pastor Sunday talked them through and provided a solution to their problem. Later that day, they were also being counseled, being married for almost 25years and as their Senior Pastor that need to have marriage counseling to them, Pastor Sunday mentored  them. Then after a while I heard Pastor Sunday said to the bride kay ate Marie "Don't worry matutuloy ang kasal". When I see the couple smiling, I know Pastor Sunday helped them a lot. I may not be in the position to say this but Pastor Sunday did a really great job, Kudos, and it's my pleasure an honor to witness it.

I met a lovely couple there, Jerry and Ana, and from what I heard they've been together for 8 years now. Since the time we get there, every now and then Pastora Fe and Pastor Sunday keep teasing them, especially to Jerry, kelan ka mapopropose?, kelan kayo magpapakasal? etc. they keep pushing him, and also Pastor Archie hindi rin nakailag sa mga mala-Boy Abunda na tanong ng mag-asawang pastor. It's so funny on how see the perfect tandem of Pastora Fe and Pastor Sunday when ministering ganun din sila ka kagaling mang asar in tandem. Ang laging tampulan ng asaran pag pag-aasawa ang usapan ay si Jerry and Pastor Archie. Ang tampulan naman ng asar sa pag-gigirlfriend ang usapan ay si Emman and Marvin. Ang laging tampulan sa "8 months to go" ay si Ning, na hindi ko talaga alam kung anung ibig sabihin. Ning is also one of the initiator ng asaran, pero pag siya na ang inaasar just liker her brother tiklop din.

Let's go back to the lovely couple, later that day I found out what's the reason why they are not marrying yet, maybe it is not the main reason, or maybe it is one of the factor, I don't know. As the couple Pastors keep saying, "Baka makawala pa", "Baka mainip", "BABALA asawa ni BABALU", and me na nakaka-relate and somehow my experience narin on that matter, nakisabat narin. Sabi ko "ako nga na for 10years iniwanan eh", then I saw the face of Jerry who is in shocked, then he asked "Anu nangyari kuya?", I just said "Wala eh, nagsawa na eh". -I hope I was able to helped you brother-. Finding the reason bakit di pa siya nagpopropose, Pastora Fe provided a wise solution, and on that night Pastor Sunday provided a same advice. If I were in situation of Jerry I would really agree for the suggestion. Yes, the great  tandem strikes again, with their experience and with their wisdom, indeed they mentored them.

Pastora Fe explained to us kung panu yung combination nila when with other people she said "Ako lage ang pangbungad, ako ang pang opening, ako kase ang maboka, at kapag naka-penetrate nako, saka na papasok si Pastor mo, siya naman yung mga pang malalimang usapan na, pang malalimang connection" . I was so amazed with the combination, parang one-two punch knock out agad. Of course hindi rin ako nakaligtas sa tandem na ito.

Sa bus papuntang Bicol, I sat beside Pastor Sunday, and on the other side Pastora Fe and Marco. Along the way napunta ang usapan namin ni Pastor Sunday sakin and my ex-girlfriend for 10years, Pastor Sunday knew the girl well, sabay kaming naging Christian at dumating sa church. I told him na one of the major reason why di na kami together is because wala si Lord in our relationship. We commit sin then eventually the relationship was not blessed. Of course being a pastor he provided his insight and advice. One thing na nag stick sakin na sinabi niya is "Our emotion have saturation point" that if we just drive our relationship based on emotion it will fall a part, nauubos din ang emotion, dun papasok ang Lord. Based on my interpretation, Pastor said that if sa tao tayo magcocommit mauubos tayo, but if you will commit to the Lord your relationship it will be strong. He shared and explained also about their marriage life, that is why relationship needs to sanctified by marriage, fortified by God. 

Then syempre di rin ako nakawala sa isang pares ng tandem, later that night sa place na tinulugan namin, Pastora Fe asked me about us, then I explained to her same thing I explained with Pastor Sunday. My jaw dropped when Pastora Fe told me "Ang emosyon kase may saturation point Rico" not the exact words verbatim like Pastor Sunday said, but same words. Natawa talaga ako, thinking to myself "nagusap ba tong dalawang to" same advice ang binigay sakin. Ang galing ng connection nila, somehow they are in same frequency.

I explained to Pastora naman that I entrust all to God na, then I shared to her if God will give me someone else I’m praying for someone na magaling kumanta, a worshipper, and someone that would complement and support my passion. Then Pastora Fe said(not the exact words) "Number 1 factor na titignan mo is spiritual, dapat parehas kayo ng vision and paniniwala para iisa ang tatakbuhin nyo, dapat OK siya kay Lord spiritually, 2nd is the heart status, ready kana ba talaga mag-asawa? Pwede na ba yung girl mag-asawa? 3rd nalang yung papasok yung emotion, and last nalang yung standards na hinahanap mo, just like Pastor Sunday said, he was praying for a girl na mahinhin and magaling kumanta, pero ako ang binigay, because God knows who is perfect for you".  After what she said, dumiretso siya agad sa puso ko, parang patalim na unti-unting umukit sa utak ko lahat ng words niya.

Now I know why I came here in in Tiwi, to be mentored. 

Inspiration.

That night in the place we sleep in, Pastora asked me about my family, then kinuwento ko ng pahaphaw na may broken family ako, that I have half brothers and half sister, then she asked “So nakakarelate ka pala kay pastor when he testifies about his family” Opo nalang ang naisagot ko, kaya din siguro hindi ako nahirapan i-portray ang role of being young Pastor Sunday when we shoot the “DUGO” that time. (DUGO - Indie Film that we made, life story of Pastor Sunday).

When I heard the life of Pastor Sunday back then, it became my inspiration, he became my inspiration. When I was 2nd year high school, when I had the full grasp that I have a broken family, ito yung time na may 5th partner ang father ko, I was so devastated, so rebellious and in pain of course. Since that day,(Hindi pako Christian nito) I promised to myself and I promised to God, na hindi ko hahayaang mangyari sa future wife ko ang nangyari sa Mama ko, at hind ko hahayaang maramdaman ng mga magiging anak ko ang mga naramdaman ko.This has became my virtue and goal since then. Then na-inspire when I saw physical and true testimony of life of Pastor Sunday, from his broken family into this wonderful family na meron siya ngayon. Mas lalo akong na-inspire nung mas nakilala ko na yung family niya, when I got time and nakabonding ang mga anak niya, naramdaman ang kalinga ng maybahay niya. Super na-overwhelmed talaga ako sa family nato, gusto ko tuloy magpaampon sa kanila. haha!

While realizing these, I said God Thank you for the life of Pastor Sunday, thank you for the warm kalinga ni Tita Fe, thank you kay Jayvee whom I can really feel I have my own brother, thank you kay Benjo na nakaka-relate ako sa pagiging passionate niya, I know magkakaroon din kami ng bonding time ni Abby at thank you sa pagiging inosente ng batang makulit at ginusto kong mangarap ulit, and maybe this is the reason why my next trip is titled is “A New Beginning”. Thank you Lord kase di ko lang nawitness but naexperience kung panu ang isang blessed the family. Mas lalong naging solid sakin to raise a great, lovely and God centered family.

This is my shortest trip this year pero dito ata ako may pinamaraming naisulat. I’ve never been into travel before, siguro if I will estimate maybe I have like 2 out of town travel for the whole year before. But this year I already traveled 3 places and I have upcoming this August, and for the first time my out of country travel. Thank you oh Lord for this journey.

I know there is more to come...

“Take nothing for your journey,” he instructed them. “Don’t take a walking stick, a traveler’s bag, food, money, or even a change of clothes”.

-Luke 9:3 NLT

[iammessenger]

The Beauty of the Lord

Nagsasa Cove, Pundaquit, San Antonio, Zambales. 156KM away Manila (2hours and 30mins travel time)

- God is so beautiful

Communication.

Uulitin ko na may halong kulit, Communication is a vital key into a relationship.

Nang una kong nalaman na walang electricity sa pupuntahan namin, hindi ako natinag. Somehow kase nasanay na ako. When I was a kid, every summer nagbabakasyon kami sa province namin, and there walang electricity talaga, yung tipong 5pm lage ang dinner nyo and hindi pa sumisikat ang araw nakabangon na ang lahat at pag lilinisin mo ang loob ng ilong mo ay sobrang itim dulot ng ilawan naming de-gaas. Medyo na-bother lang ako nung sinabing walang signal. Meaning, no text, no call, no online and especially FB! Hindi ko makikita yung notifications ko, kung sino mga nag-like sa post ko, hindi ko mababasa balita sa mga friends ko, hindi ako magiging updated sa chis-mis, hindi ko mala-like yung post ng crush ko,haha.

Then I realized, God put me here on purpose. In a place where there is no communication, isolated, malayo sa kabihasnan, no signal. So that I will be able to communicate with Him. It is so nice that kahit walang signal you will still be able to talk to God. You don't need online access, load balance or to have unli-call or unli-txt coz there's always easy access to communicate with Him and good thing is ULIMITED pa lage. Kay Lord naka-wifi ka worldwide, always connected.

-Castaways

Back to basic.

It all comes back to basic, that everything in this world, in this metro, the technology and the all unnecessary stuff are really nothing. With no electricity, no signal, no online access, where the only connection is human interaction, where the only communication is an actual human conversation, with the mutual respect and appreciation of human and nature. Where the way of life is really simple, that all we need in life is not what we have right now and not what we are longing for. Where we could only live with just water, food and shelter.

"I fear the day that technology will surpass our human interaction. The world will have a generation of idiots." - Albert Einstein.

Im not saying technology is bad. It is actually good, it's just that we are forgetting the essential of life... on how to be a human freely. With abusive use, technology makes people lazy. By constantly relying on it, technology makes human to be less human. I noticed this also to myself, everytime I wake up the first that comes in my mind is to check my FB account, who like my post, who add me, who sent PM, how many notifications etc. and the same thing always happens before I go to sleep, where it become a routine and already in my system. God rebuked me on this, He helps me realize that it should not be that way. Don't let technology devour you instead use it as an advantage, for such a time like this.

Isn't it more beautiful when you laugh on a joke of your friends who's with you rather than you'll type "LOL" because his post is funny? Isn't it more gratifying when you see the real expression their face when they laugh rather than emoticons and stickers? Isn't more releasing where you can say your feelings to your friends in person rather than typing " - feeling sad"  after your post?

It all comes back to basic, where nothing is more essential for us human than human interaction. God put me in a place where there is no communication in outside world so that I will be able to realized the value of true communication. A perferct and beautiful timing where I can communicate with God and beautiful view is a very plus factor. As God made us to communicate, we are born to tell a story, to declare the good news, to deliver a message. So in order for us to deliver it well we need to communicate well. That indeed communication is the key in every relationship.

Bonfire.

Dito ko naranasan ang isa sa pinakamasarap na praise and worship for God. Habang kumakanta kami, ang sarap ng hangin. And the stars?(aaaahh! aawwwe), parang naka magnify, kase mas kitang-kita mo ang bawat detalye. At parang nakikitono rin sa kanta namin ang paghampas ng alon sa tabing-dagat. Lalo kang-maiinlove kay Lord sa ganda ng paligid mo.

That night is a commisioning for us, our major purpose why we went here. To address the issue and a reminder for us that we are not just young professionals that need to work, not just our work as a career, but also the real job, why we are in this field and avenue, to win a soul and make disciple.

-Surround yourself with people on the same Mission as you.

Later that night I woke up 3:00AM. Tulog ang lahat, naghihilik ang iba, hindi ko na sasabihin kung sino-sino sila.haha. Hindi agad ako nag atubiling bumangon, grab my cam, tripod and penlight for little light. Mission: Stars! At hindi naman ako nabigo, when everyone is sleeping peacefully ako lang mag isa sa beach, na ang tanging ilaw ko lang ay ang mga bituin sa langit at munting penlight ako. There I saw the stars on its most perfect view. I feel peace. At ang tanging naririnig ko lang ay pagaspas ng tubig, ang pag-hinga ko, at malakas na tibok ng puso ko. Yes I'm alone, but I never felt alone there. When everything seems silent God whispers. God as a creator is an Artist, and He made his creations on its most creative way.

- You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name. Indescribable

Trek.

Pagkatapos ng isang gabi, in the morning the group decided to go trekking in the small mountain that we saw in the place. Again with hesitation, I just agree with them(even if I don't like it) for the sake of the group, for fellowship, and because I need to be there because somehow I am the "unofficial photographer" of the group. Lahat kami may kanya kanyang baon ng tubig, pero lahat ng bote na plastik na may tubig ay nilagay namin sa isang bag, at si Jayvee ang may hawak ng bag. Then lumakad na kami..

If I remember it correctly merong 4 stops yung bundok, and nasa unang pahingahan palang kami, naramdaman ko na agad ang pagod, and yes hingal kabayo na ako, sakit na agad ng mga binti ko, at unti-unti napapansin ko nahuhuli nako sa grupo, kukuha ng shots, kukuha ng video para makapagpahinga ng konte. "Gusto ko ng tubig!!! " sigaw ko sa sarili kong diwa. Pero panu! Si Jayvee ang naglelead ng trekking namin at ang mahirap nasa unahan siya ng pila at nasa hulihan ako. Ang iba rin sa grupo gusto nang bumalik, then bigla ko nalang nasabi sa kanila "go lang, nasa unahan yung tubig". Kahit papano nagkaroon ng konting motivation para umakyat pa.

-Water Please!!

Then we reach the second stop, YES WATER!!!!!! pero nang hinahap ko na yung bote ko, di ko makita yung bote ko. Ako lang naman ang may lipton iced tea(lemon) na lalagyanan ng tubig, pero di ko talaga makita. At di ko narin matuloy ang paghahanap kase.... "Rico ang ganda ng view"(shot), "Rico isang shot dito"(shot pa) , "Rico dito naman"(shot pa ulit). Di ko masabe sa kanila na gusto kong hanapin yung water ko kase nauuhaw nako, pero I can't resist them kase maganda naman talaga yung view. Ang sarap mag-shot and mag-shoot. After ng mga shot, naramdamdaman ko ulit yung uhaw ko, at nang hahanapin ko na ang bag ni Jayvee, biglang nawala.(waaaah), napansin ko nalang nagumpisa na palang lumakad ulit ang grupo paitaas. And Yes si Jayvee nasa unahan, so no choice but to move forward.

- Where is Jayvee!!!

In the middle of the trek, mas lalo akong napagod at gusto ko na talaga bumalik, then may isang nagsabi sa grupo.. mas malayo yung babalikan natin sa cottage namin for water kesa abutan si Jayvee sa next stop. Oo nga naman.. and again, no choice, If you want water you have to move forward. And habang naglalakad, shot dito, shoot doon, somehow slowly I learn the technique, on how to move forward nang di ka masyadong nahihirapan. Just rest once in a while. Pag hindi mo na kaya, just rest... slowly catch your breath, then pag medyo OK kana, lakad lang ulit, wag fast pace agad, basta lakad lang, then pag napagod ulit, rest lang ulit, then pag medyo OK na lakad ulit.. kahit paunti-unti ang mahalaga umuusad ka. Slowly but surely ika nga.

Exodus 33:14 “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”

Then we reached the 3rd stop. "WATER!!!!!!!!!" ipinagsisigawan ng buong pagkatao at kaluluwa ko! Before ako makarating sa 3rd stop, nagpapapicture sila, pasensya na pero sabi ko "wait lang, habulin ko muna hininga ko" At ang unang hinanap ng mata ko ang bag ni Jayvee!!! At buti nalang nahanap ko ko narin yung tubig ko at kahit hindi na siya malamig but that was the sweetest water I've ever tasted! Sobrang sarap parang holy water na nilinisan ang buong pagkatao ko.haha!(joke). Hindi alintana yung mga nagpapa-picture sakin, (galit-galit muna tayo) basta kailangan ko nang uminom. Nang medyo naging normal nako. Ang iba samin umusad parin papunta sa last stop and some choose to stay and rest sa 3rd stop. Ako, di ko pa talaga alam kung dederetso pako or stay nalang to rest, then I heard Marianne "Nandito narin lang ako, lubuslubusin ko na" . Oo nga naman, napagod ka rin lang sulitin mo na pagod mo, medyo na-refresh narin ako so I choose to go forward to the last stop.

-The DON Pose.

Beauty.

At the last stop, suddenly dahan dahan nawala pagod ko when I saw the "view" on its most perfect view. Sinabayan pa ng napakasarap na hangin, tinanggal ko ang panali sa buhok ko, at pati buhok ko nakisayaw sa sarap ng nararamdaman ko. Lahat ng pagod, lahat ng hingal, sakit ng binti, ay super worth it pagdating sa dulo. From literal na almost out of breath dahil sa sobrang pagod into almost take your breath away dahil sa ganda ng view. At one moment I want to stop all I'm doing, and just experience the moment, just feel the heat of the sun and the smooth breeze of the wind. Halos lumuwa at lumuha ang mata ko sa ganda ng nakikita ko. At one point bigla kong naisip na gusto kong tumira dito mismo sa kinatatayuan ko.

I said to myself, God your creation is so beautiful, so majestic. The creation reflects the creator, indeed You are beautiful oh God. Gusto kong sumigaw sa sarap ng nararamdaman ko. Holy spirit is there while we are celebrating with our SUMMIT, once again Victory. I want to stay like this, super solved ang mata ko sa ganda, super solved ang puso sa sa presensya Niya. I cannot contain it to myself. Hindi ako mapapalagay na ako lang ang makakakita at makakaranas nito. I want to share this to others, share this to the world. As my personal mission, I will declare the beauty of the Lord.

-Blue

It so nice to realize na ang naging motivation namin to move upward is water, sa hindi sinasadyang pagkakataon na nakay Jayvee ang bag ng tubig namin at siya ang trekking leader namin, so para makainom ng tubig you have no choice but to go upward. Just like in our walk of faith, di mo man mapapansin di mo alintana merong inilagay si Lord na "Water" sa buhay mo na magsisilibing motibasyon mo at maghihila sayo sa paglakad mo.

God speak not just in His Words, but also by nature. Sabi sa film workshop na sinalihan ko last year, "Kung anung klaseng pelikula ang gawa ng isang Direktor ay ganung klaseng tao rin sila, ang pelikula ay sila. At sa pelikula rin nila isinisigaw ang mga gusto nilang sabihin sa buhay". Just like God and His creation, kung ganu kaganda ang mga nakikita nating view ng nature ay ganun kaganda ang Lord, at dapat ihayag to sa buong mundo. Kung gano kaganda ang Lord sa buhay natin at buhay din nila.

God did not speak to me as words from bible or sa word ni Kuya Aaron that night. God speak to me kung san alam Niyang I would appreciate Him in the most special way, nagspeak Siya sa avenue and skill na binigay Niya sakin. Visually. Pinaputok Niya mata ko sa mga nakita ko, sa mga magagandang ginawa Niya sa mundo. I saw God on His most beautiful way!!

Get closer to nature and you'll get closer to God.

“The heavens declase the Glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. There is no speech, they use no words. no sound is heard from them. Yet their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.” Psalm 19:1-4

- Declare the beauty of the Lord

-Dusk

- Even other creation appreciate the work of God

[iammessenger]

Hangover from City of Angels

Bacolod, Negros Occidental. 645KM away from Manila.

New Land, new territory, new terrain, great people, great food, new friends. Wonderful experience.

As they say communication is the key in every relationship. But how can I communicate if I don't know the dialect, I literally don’t understand what they are saying, but I can feel it, I like the way it sounds, and it is the sweetest speaking tone I’ve ever heard, “Malambing”.

As a human, one of the reasons why we are made, is to have fellowship with God, so it is innate to us to seek for a relationship, so it is natural for us to communicate. Even if there is a language barrier, it doesn’t hinder me to communicate.

-NO LANGUAGE BARRIER

One day, we decided to have a swim in the river, then the group decided and asked me to join a trek with them to go upward the hill, in higher grounds and deeper water level. I’m not really a trekking person, in fact, I have low stamina, and I really don’t want to go with them, but for the sake of the fellowship and don’t want to disappoint them I still choose to go even if I have hesitated. While trekking I saw them jumping from one big stone to another, it’s so nice to see different people, with different culture, different language, from different place conquering new territories, higher and more difficult terrain, defying adversaries with one goal and one objective…to go to our summit, our destination. In the middle of the trek I got tired and I really wanted to go back, then when I saw them still jumping from one big stone to another, I don’t know but something deep inside of me got inspired and pushed me to move forward.

  - STEPPING STONE LITERALLY

When we got there I saw them jumping from the high big stone to plunge into the water, screaming and enjoying the water. That day I saw a vision, different people with different language and culture with one vision and one goal. That day I saw different churches conquering new grounds, go beyond the border, and advancing their territories. That day I saw the tribes of Israel screaming, jumping and plunging in water with victory. We conquered the promise land. 

-MAKE THE MOST OUT OF IT. DON'T HESITATE. DARE

 I never felt stranger in this land, I never felt an outsider, indeed this is city of smile, but from what I see, it is not their faces that are smiling but their heart. I never encountered people whom I knew for an hour, but it felt like I knew them for them for many years. “Feeling Close” in a positive and sweet way which is I love. Their sweet tone manifest from within, it is not just their tone which is “malambing”, but you can really feel their “lambing” in their own unique way and your heart will just melt from it. This is not city of smile, this is City of Angels, and I am Home.

- CHERISH EVERY RELATIONSHIP

-WHERE FELLOWSHIP IS INNATE 

At some point, I have to make a decision. Boundaries don’t keep other people out, they fence you in. Sometimes we are just too afraid to be exposed that’s why we draw the line. Sometimes we limit ourselves of what we can really do, comforting ourselves, just sleeping and dwell in our own comfort zone. Life here is too short to hesitate, we only have ONE CHANCE TO LIVE. Life is messy, that’s how we are made, so you can waste your time drawing lines or you can live your life crossing them, yet there are some lines that are too dangerous to cross. But one thing I realized, if you’re willing to take the chance or take the risk, the view from the other side is spectacular, coz after all I’m a barrier breaker, it is in my spiritual DNA.

- WE ARE DESTINED FOR GREATNESS

I received the vision way back many years ago, and it took me more than a decade to have a full grasp of it. The longest journey is when a Vision captured by your eyes, travels into your mind, then the hardest and longest part is into your heart. But when your heart was caught by the Vision that's the only time the Real journey actually begins. Journey Now.

-WHERE JOURNEY BEGINS

Home is not your destination, the journey itself is your home. We are not residing in it, home is actually residing within us. All roads lead home.

Before, all I can see is darkness, blurriness and most of the time nothing, but now I can see it clearly. Just like Jesus heal the blind (John 9:1-7). I have regained my vision.

Before, I feel isolated and I just want to run away from everything, but now I belong. Just like the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32) and I’ve been a prodigal son for so many times. I am home.

Before, I feel the most excruciating pain, then I feel nothing, coz it was broken into pieces, but God picked it up one by one and made it whole again. “He heals the brokenhearted and bind up their wounds”, Psalm 147:3.

I’ve regained my vision, I’ve found my way home, my heart is whole again, what more can I ask for. This time I’ll bring it back all to Him, bring back all the glory to my God. He died for me so that I could live for Him. ONE LIFE TO GIVE, ONE CHANCE TO LIVE.

#Kairos #toGodbetheGlory #CaughtbytheVision #IamHome

-WHATEVER YOU DO, DO IT WITH PASSION AND ENTHUSIASM