Mayang Bahay

Thanks to Genista for the Pic.

Your eye is on the sparrow
And Your hand, it comforts me
From the ends of the Earth to the depth of my heart
Let Your mercy and strength be seen

You call me to Your purpose
As angels understand
For Your glory, may You draw all men
As Your love and grace demand

And I will run to You
To Your words of truth
Not by might, not by power
But by the spirit of God
Yes I will run the race
'Til I see Your face
Oh let me live in the glory of Your grace

Herman Dionson shared to us his passion for birds when he arrived from Cebu last week. He lent me his binocular one afternoon so I could clearly see the sparrows on the electrical wires and the one on the roof of the beautiful house in front of the GYMN staff house. I was amazed at the beauty of the sparrow as I watched it closely. I realized nobody seemed to notice these very common creatures. Ptr. Herman said that it is the significance of the song of Darlene Zschech "His Eye is On the Sparrow."

The sparrows or what we call Mayang Bahay are as as common as sand on the seashore, YET, the heavenly Father takes care of them and feeds them. How much more His children whom He loves?... He will not deny His provision.

So why will I worry?

Welcome Back to Palawan

If there is something that I am really thankful of to Ptr.Roni of PCEC-NYC, it was the opportunity to visit Palawan again. This was because of his invitation to attend an event there -- the Convergence hosted by Life Renewal Church.

The people who came were accommodated by host homes, ours was special in that we were assigned to the Magbanua family. We had a room of our own and the house was located on a hill, around 50 steps from the highway. Alvan and I enjoyed it! But we enjoyed most the hospitality of Ate Nits, Kuya Jun, and Kate who became my textmate and a prayer partner.

The Convergence itself was something new for me, mainly because of the huge crowd of believers coming from different denominations and from different provinces! The speakers were national and international leaders of different evangelical denominations. My favorite? None other than Ptr. Pabs Dionisio who always entertained his audience with novelty songs of his very own making. What I learned from him? The basic principle: "An ampalaya (the Word) a day makes you healthy and well!"


After the conference, we went to the rest house of our friend Windy, 30 km north of Puerto, along with the PCEC-NYC group. The dynamic of the group at first was kind of awkward, probably because it was the first time to most of us to get together with the wives, yet it ended the way God intended it to be.


Alvan and I stayed for another night in the native rest house with Windy, we were able to enjoy the very clear sky with sparkling diamond stars and the beautiful sunrise the following day. I just love the place, the house, the mountains, the beach, and the food of course, not to mention the generous treat of the Arboleda family that made our stay in Palawan very memorable. At that time, they were constructing another rest house, 3 kilometers away from that mountain view rest house we stayed in. This one rested above a bukana.


I'm really looking forward to next visit!

The Rat Race

photo courtesy of jeggs

July 23, 2007 was our first meeting with PCEC youth workers in Starbucks. It wasn't really that remarkable if not for the unforgettable MRT ride on a Monday morning-- the typical morning rush hour where we were trapped in the middle of the crowded North station, I could hardly breath. Welcome to Manila promdi! At last, we made it. Our first get together with other youth ministers and area coordinators in different cities in Manila, Wow! Lots of people doing the same ministry, I felt like a small fish in a big pond :).

Our First Sunday in CBCM

July 15, 2007 -- We went to this church on our third Sunday in Manila because of Ate Ruthie (an old friend of mine and a kababayan from Digos) who wanted to see me. The people in the church welcomed us so warmly that they invited us to come back on the following Sunday. Thursday of that week, Ptr. Rene, the pastor of that church invited us for lunch and so we started to get to know each other especially on the area of ministry. The following Sunday, the Young Married Couples (YMC) invited us to their afternoon fellowship and gave us welcome give-aways, we were pleased with their kindness and hospitality. Ptr. Rene, Ate Gene, Ate Venus and Ate Tipen are the people that truly made our souls at home in this church. We've been attending this church since then, not just because they are generous :) but because we've seen that the Lord led us here. This is not a perfect church but I've seen real people who truly love the Lord and a community where love and acceptance is evident.

H2O

Thank you drownedglass for this shot

July 5, 2007 was the day we transfered to our apartment with only two big boxes from Mindanao. We shopped for other needed things and invited the staff for dinner that night for a prayer time. Thanks to Jek who helped us, and the GYMN staff that provided us with other stuff we needed in the house. Some days later we bought a water purifier to be attached directly to our faucet, only to end up cracking the pipe. It was a disaster, we were so thirsty after Alvan's struggle with the faucet that we went to a convenience store at midnight to buy a drinking water! Thankfully, the purifier was attached by our landlord the following day. Oh boy, it was like in my childhood playhouse, but this time I've got a real hubby, hehehe! At the end of the day we were contented and happy for the wonderful experience.

Anywhere, 'wag lang Manila!

picture courtesy of storm crypt

June 28, 2007 at 9:30 AM, our air plane landed at Ninoy Aquino International Airport. I texted my family and friends in Davao and Iligan informing them that we had arrived safely and were now in Metro Manila. I told myself, "This it, no turning back." With two big boxes and six hand carries we proceeded to Quezon City with Jek, as our sundo.

This is my fourth time to step onto this metropolis but never in my dreams did I wish to settle in a big city. I have always told myself, "Anywhere 'wag lang Manila". I have always imagined this city as polluted, noisy, flooded, filled with traffic, and with lots of working people always on a rat race. Believe me, I cried when my husband went to work and I was left alone in the house. So the week after that, I went with him to his workplace. It made my adjustment a lot easier and I started to see the beauty of my new life in this new place.

Our cute little white house is part of a seven-door apartment in Veteran's Village in project 7. It has a single bedroom, CR, cooking, laundry, a dining area, and a sala that is convertible into a guest room :). I like it! Thanks to the GYMN staff who scouted that place.
We are near Alvan's office and walking distance from SM North, Trinoma, MRT North Station, and Muñoz public market, so we don't spend much on our transportation. The neighborhood is friendly and peaceful also, just like in the province.

The amazing thing is, it's here in this city that I have experienced rest. It is a moment in my life when I do not have to worry so much on the things around me--coping with deadlines and schedules. This point of my life is a gift from the Lord, a time of stillness, quietude and peace leading me to HIS presence day after day... and I am thankful for it. I do not know what's ahead, but I would continue to enjoy my today with my Lord and with my hubby.

And so, here I am in a place I never have thought of living in, but God in His sovereign plan placed me and my husband here for a purpose, and it's so exciting to be part of HIS great work. It's been six months since we arrived, and counting.