Friday, September 29, 2006

Identifying with Nehemiah

My mind has not really arrived especially since hearing the news regarding a most recent typhoon to hit our country. It was as if meant that we would not meet – Milenyo came just as I left. The following day, all flights were cancelled!

So how bad was it? Here is an account from my wife chi –

Hay papa… we're fine.

With the hyper emotions of yesterday because of the unexpected effects of the storm on metro manila, you can't help but be filled with news of horror and feel badly. It was a 2-hour onslaught that saw so much damage in the sense that several bill boards fell and a whole lot of trees were uprooted with lots of galvanized irons flying around. But after all that – there were relatively few "casualties".

In terms of our own family – we experienced sad news of Sonny's mini-stop store having leaking roof problems and his house under water (waist-high) with his furniture water-damaged (ref / bed / tv / etc…) but Virgie and Patricia found safety in the house of their neighbor. So relatively – what matters most is intact and safe.

As to Lola Ave….. during the height of the storm, she decided to leave Archie's place and proceed to her own room despite Archie's protest. She was probably concerned that the roof might be blown off… She slipped along the way and hurt her leg. She shouted for help but Archie couldn't hear amidst the howling winds and the closed windows. Lola Ave managed to crawl to her room and send a text to Archie. Her ankle got swollen. She was brought to see a doctor today and they found out that she suffered a fracture and though they will cast her leg… it's only a temporary remedy and that she will eventually have to undergo an operation.

We still don't have electricity though other parts of the subdivision have… because a major post near the basketball court fell. I've instructed the maids to cook what should be cooked and to give what can't be eaten today to the pedicab drivers instead of letting the food spoil.

This news really hit home. Now it was not just about a mass of faceless people. I found myself weeping as I pray. Pictures of my people facing again another calamity kept appearing before me even as I close my eyes. Suddenly, I understood how Nehemiah must have felt upon hearing the broken walls of Jerusalem and how his people live in disgrace and constant vulnerability from the surrounding nations.

This was not about Milenyo alone though how bad it seems. No, it was really about our nation’s walls and gates and how we continue to live in disgrace and vulnerability even among our own people. Our walls – what makes a nation stand proud and secured – have long been in shambles. The sad part is, most of us have been used to it. Perhaps just like in the time of Nehemiah, the remnants that remained were no longer bothered as such was a “regular site”. And it had to be viewed from the outside to see how bad it really was. Like Nehemiah, the dynamic interplay of my concern for my family and my people, and the relative comfort and pleasure of my current situation, somehow enabled me to feel with so much intensity, an otherwise familiar “regular site.”

And for this alone I am thankful. That the numbness has been removed; the callousness of my heart softened to be sensitive once again and responsive to what truly matters – the transformation of my nation! Like Nehemiah, I continue to pray and seek out God’s leading as to how I can take part in rebuilding the wall. What is clear is to share to those who are here, what is in my heart, and hopefully widen the circle of Nehemiah.

Here is the rest of t news from my wife:

I had a wonderful experience of how God provided for me and kept me safe despite being out in the storm at its height and seeing all the damage along the way…. I feel so amazingly blessed and acutely aware of His presence that I can't help but be so thankful of this experience.

Don't feel so burdened about all this…. Metro Manila was greatly spared by being lashed for only 2 hours. This is so far from what happened in Samar – and other true tragedies.

You were also so blessed to have had your flight a day before this storm!

Over-all, what we had is more of great discomfort above anything else. And that's the true state of the nation. Perhaps you feel more because it hit so close to home in a sense… since we all experienced misfortunes…. but – they are all the kind that can be overcome with relative ease and with certainty.

You know, I had left the car out on the main road and was concerned that it might have been damaged… Thank God it was spared! JJJ

We had so much blessings along with this storm! Let that not be hidden by the horror stories that accompanied it.

I love you!

Remember – brown-out in many parts pa rin, including our house kaya soon, all our celfones will be low-bat, but the telephone works fine. Again – such a blessing!
Mwah!

Now what else can I say.

http://mommywrites.blogspot.com/

Wednesday, September 20, 2006

Friendships that would last!

http://www.wcgip.org

The gathering was especially meaningful for the freindships that were developed. After being together for the past 7 days - sharing and listening - the challenge now is how to sustain what was, and nurture it to what it can become. In and through our friends - old and new - the "Word become flesh" and dwell among us! Meet some of them.


Raoul, Mang and Tiscia with me. Mang is from north east india who is currently a student in a seminary in Manila. Raoul and Tiscia are a couple and natives of Moluccas but residents now in Netherland. All three desire that their people would come to a relationship with Jesus and affirm their God-given culture .




Sam Chapman - a Mouri from New Zealand. If you think he is big, wait till you see his heart! He believes that God calls us to be a blessing and that our immediate resource is our home. He works with the gangs of New Zealand - accepting them as they are and allowing love to be pratical. Even the notorious is helpless when confronted with God's unconditional love!




Mike and Jen from Tacoma - native americans with Kodi their son. They affirmed and modeled the truth that God desires to bless us all and that we only need to learn the meaning of making the most of the present. Some of us are so caught up with the future that we fail to make the most of the moment.

http://www.tacomafirstnationsgathering.com



Sarah from Davao, one of the many volunteers, who took time off from her work so she can lend a helping hand. Aside from her ready smile, she genuinely relates to everyone - making them feel accepted. She has a heart for children on the streets left unattended by their parents who perhaps are busy looking for means to earn a living. She gathers them every Sunday afternoon, teaches them songs, stories from the bible and some games. She is thankful that the Lord led some other friends to help out.

Created for Worship!

Like coming Home - a very apt description of a unique experience that is WCGIP! Let the photos speak to you!



Noemi, a marvelous lady who has been helping out in translating the bible for the Manobo tribes the past 18 years!

A mouri friend who dances for the Lord with so much grace and sponteneity!

Lifted hands in worship! All our extremeties were given by God to be in tune with our voices as we sing songs of worship to him!

The many colors adorn by our indigenous brothers and sisters celebrate the marvelous works of the Creator! He has given us all that we need so we can worship him in our respective cultures consistent with His intention for all peoples! Such beauty expressed in our diversity. Oh what a site!

Better late than never!


My first attempt at blogging. Better late than never. My daughter Regina introduced me into this and I think this is a good way to share my thoughts and let my friends be updated with what's going on with my life. I am very mobile and can only be reached most of the time through the internet and cellphone.


Just a week ago, I bought a Casio Digicam and tried it when I attended the 6th World Christian Gathering on Indigenous Peoples in Davao City. It was such an awesome experience -- like coming home! I will post some of the pictures and let you have a glimps of the marvelous event that have changed me and my spirituality.
This is a photo of Ray Minniecon an Aboriginal Christian from Australia and Kaluwa from Hawaii during the opening parade in the streets of Davao.


Monte Ohia, co-founder of the World Christian Gatheriing on Indigenous Peoples, marching along side another Maouri person. He taught us to sing and dance the Haka - a Mouri warrior dance and cry, this time redeemed and used for God's purpose.


Our lumad sisters in Mindanao showed the way to us lowlanders how it is to worship -- in the beauty of culture consistent to God's intention for all His peoples.