Manila sights!

Manila Sights

My just-for-fun ear rings series

I simply love the idea of being able to make something practical and beautiful! This morning, i made a set of ear rings and bracelet called 'unending love' just before mass. And wore them to church! This idea was something that popped out of my mind when i woke up this morning! Anyway, here's a small selection...just for fun! However, if you are interested to help out with my fund raising effort, these are available for a small donation.

The (one) day i became number 1 :)

It was the funniest/strangest/awesome thing seeing my name with '#1' under it. I wondered who nominated me? And why? Its not for lack of faith in myself. Not so, not so.

But i also wondered how the rankings change as fast as one says 'huh'? Surely the value of friendship is not limited to a ranking.

So instead of being philosophical and saying things are passing blah blah blah... i have decided to take all this in my stride (with a big silly grin on my face) and thank all the lovely friends (you know who you are, though i dont) for voting/nominating for me. It was nice...even for a day :)

Day of recollection for Youth- 14 June 2009

the Joy of baking!

My latest venture into the 'unknown' is baking. Who would have guessed?

Lately i have been watching Martha Stewart on tv. I'm amazed at the talented personnel she has on her staff roll. And I appreciate all the people who love what they do and do what they love for a living! Whenever i wanted a recipe would be Martha's website. I salute all the untiring people who put the recipes together and share them so generously. Made the recipes so easy to follow and so enticing!

I have since baked:
Carrot ginger cake
Bread pudding with bananas
oatmeal chocolate cookies
Hummingbird cupcakes

Last week, i was so craving for those ginger snaps i used to have as a child. They are swirled brown (the ginger bits) and white (non ginger bits) and are more biscuits than cookies. Does anyone out there know the English name for them?

Anyway, to satisfy my craving i baked a batch of 'Chewy Chocolate Gingerbread cookies' (29 June 2009). http://www.marthastewart.com/recipe/chewy-chocolate-gingerbread-cookies?autonomy_kw=chewy%20chocolate%20gingerbread%20cookies&rsc=image_8
Everytime i bake, i try a new recipe and each time they come out as expected... delicious! The recipes are almost fool-proof!

These were the last 2 cookies, the others have been shared and everyone loved them. I'll definitely make them again. Although mine arent perfectly round like Martha's, that's the way i like them, natural!

Youth ministry!

A picture speaks a thousand words! We just recently started a new series of teachings : Be all you can be! based on a book written by John Maxwell, that i have been reading and still being very inspired by. Thanks Audrey for the gift of the book!

Creative things!

Part of my time is spent on creatively using limited resources to create things for birthdays, festive meals, welcome cards etc.

Here's my first foray into 'Quilling'. Its been hiding from me all these years! Its so easy! This is absolutely the first thing that came out from twirling small strips of paper around a paper clip (i didnt have the quilling tool). And they turned out so delightful! I dont know what i will do with them yet, but i'm thinking of door notices, cards etc. It can also be made into script (like calligraphy) but mine didnt turn out so nice. I'm excited!

Making a new lampshade!

The life of a missionary is not confined to just going for outreaches and preaching.

Recently, I was energised and determined to use my energy to explore new ideas and practical ways to improve things around the house. (since i'm also the house manager) And we have a big mission centre!

This lampshade has been in disrepair (see left). No one knew how to repair a broken lampshade. While researching for something else, i chanced upon this 'lampshade slip cover'. And see what a transformation!

All that was needed:
Paper
twine
cutting materials and board
single hole puncher

And here's the 'new' lamp in its old place.

For more on this:
http://www.marthastewart.com/good-things/lampshade-slipcovers?autonomy_kw=lampshade%20slipcover&rsc=header_2

Photo of the month - the simple bulbul bird

This is the most common bird in South east asia (i think). A bird watching told me that there are so many of them, keen bird watchers cant even estimate nor count them.

My Casio caught about 200 shots of these simple birds, thanks to a steady pillar and high speed continuous photo snapping capabilities... and of course a super 10x optical zoom.

Movie clip of the month -Is it a bird, a plane, a PYTHON!?

No, i did not catch this reptile. But i did see an armed bodyguard going through the gates and pulling this humongous reptile out hanging from a 3 metre stick. (on April 18, 2009!!)

Point to note:
When asked, someone said it ate only insects.

The bodyguard said he doesn't yet know what to do about it, and then proceeded to mend the basket which previously held the snake...with the snake just a metre behind him.

i took the photo with the maximum zoom. And admired the beauty of such a reptile!

someone else might said 'Eeeeee, dont come near me!!!'.

well, one man's meat is another man's poison.

Heart wrenching True Story of the month - Life and death

Just want to share a happening here with the poor we work with in the Philippines. This just happened in the last few days.

One of the earliest friends we encountered is a lady who i shall call 'Julie'. Though she's a nice lady, it was the choice she made which we could not understand, nor can we change. She was separated from her husband and went to live with a another man and had children with him. He is an alcoholic and from what we know, has been showing very young children pornography movies.

'Julie' though barely in her late 30s already has a daughter who is barely 20. we shall call her 'Ann'. Ann already has a 'husband' whom we suspect is also not civilly married to. She already has one child with him and now with the second child. Now comes the real story.

Julie had been diagnosed with cancer for the longest time, but since they did not have money they prayed and trusted God. At the time we knew her, she was heavily pregnant. But Doctors say the baby will not survive, because her cancerous condition will not allow it, doctors even say the baby is dead inside though i don't know what tests have been done. We prayed with her and she also fervently prayed (she's still Catholic) and the baby survived and was born. This in itself is a miracle. The gift of new life.

A few months ago, 'Ann' herself, was pregnant with her 2nd child. However during her first trimester, she had to take care of her mother who became increasingly ill. 'Julie looked like she would not survive this time. She needed many blood transfusions and there is only so much funds we could raise for her. 'Julie' eventually died in a hospital fit only for the poorest people, with no privacy, no dignity, no proper health care, no mercy from her own doctors. She was just another case, another dying patient with no money.

'Ann', on the other hand, had many mixed emotions and responsibilities to carry. We can only imagine how traumatic all this is. Hence she miscarried her child. There is death, again.

Again, due to lack of finances, 'Ann' couldnt get the medical help she needed. She said 'We can only pray'. The dead foetus stayed in her womb for 2 whole months, dead. How can this be? She has put her own life in danger. Did she miscalculate the dates? Are the doctors wrong? There was no more movement in her womb.

Finally, one of our missionaries brought her, together with donated funds to the hospital. She was induced and finally, the baby can now be blessed and given a place to bury.

Questions in my mind:
What are we really fighting about? Better healthcare? or basic healthcare?
Dignity of persons, or right to abortion?
The right to live, the right to die as a human being?

Prayer:
Thank you Father God, for You alone are the one who pulled this through.To give new life in a cancerous womb. You alone sustained the mother who kept carrying a dead child in her womb. Who could live with a dead baby in the womb for 2 months if not for your providence, your hand in this? You, Father give dignity to us your children, I pray that not only do we wait for those who can make decisions to make them, but to give us opportunities to co-operate with you, in bringing a little hope, a little help to those around us, to give a little dignity to those who have none, to those who do not think they deserve it. Amen.

Quote of the month -Catherine of Sienna

'If You Can Be What You Are Meant To Be, You Will Set The World On Fire'

It's Ash Wednesday.

These links have been very helpful, sharing it here with you.

Our Pope's Lenten Message for 2009
http://www.catholic.org/featured/headline.php?ID=6099&page=2

What's fasting and abstinence got to do with it?
http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/Lent/fast-abstinence.html

Beginning new patterns
http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/Lent/patterns.html

= new = Stations of the CROSS
http://www.vatican.va/news_services/liturgy/2007/documents/ns_lit_doc_20070406_via-crucis_en.html

Air Pollution and other stuff

I have not been blogging for some time. For those who have been asking why... well, I've not be well. If it's not a consistent cough, it's an infection of some kind. Feeling healthy is a bonus, and each day that i'm healthy, i'm grateful.

Lately i've been thinking a lot about air pollution. What kind of sicknesses are directly linked from it. A check on wikipedia defines air pollution as :
.." the introduction of chemicals, particulate matter, or biological materials that cause harm or discomfort to humans or other living organisms, or damages the natural environment, into the atmosphere."

A quick check on the public roads in Metro Manila, and one sees men, women and children, young and old, holding up hankerchieves to their mouths and noses. I for one, know for a fact, that i can choke and cough uncontrollably as a vehicle passes by. Or as the 100 plus children run around, a dust cloud becomes very visible. I'm not a special case, we all are breathing in the same air, some are just more affected than others and I blame it on my delicate lungs.

Last year, the amount of money i had spent on doctors consultations and presciptions exceeded beyond what I spent in a year for other things like government taxes, visas, air ticket home, daily expenditure. The frustration comes from not getting well, in an air environment that could have been more conducive for healing.

I've been persevering in the hope that my immunity system will buck up and fight off all the different things the the air.

Thanks for your support, do keep my health in prayer,thanks.

Our weekly children ministry!!

This week we had 120 children. In this particular session there were around 80 of them. In case you are wondering, yes, that is me in the black teeshirt leading action song. hehehe.

Christmas pageant

For the first time, the children wrote their own script, directed themselves with a little help from us. Their costumes were clothes with a hole cut out for their heads and a little sash for the belt, doesnt look that bad at all. And make up courtesy from our own make up palettes.

For more photos: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=78172&l=3d4ae&id=588321659

(Reverse) Carolling 2008

This year, my team of 6, together with other teams went out caroling to the poorest families. These 100 plus families were recommended by our own Balikatan members in the adults ministry.

The families my team visited this year truly opened my eyes to what Mary and Joseph could have experienced. Everything looked so make-shift, so temporary. I can only imagine that even with their ‘home’ they could easily be looted from all that they own. There was no lock in place, sometimes the main ‘door’ was only a curtain.

Many of them were living in conditions that most people would not consider staying for more than a few minutes. Some homes do not even have walls, their ‘walls’ were made up of whatever they could salvage. Pieces of old material, wood, metal. It was only slightly better than a tent. Many of the children looked malnourished evident in their protruding stomachs and bulging eyes.

All of the families prayed for good health and joy in the family.

As I tried hard to hold back my own tears, the Balikatan members themselves could not hold back theirs. One family said they wanted to pray that they get to keep their home because there’s news that the land will be cleared for development. And one of our own members said “same situation as my family”.

Our loving Father really knew how to bring hope to the poor, Jesus came into our world in similar conditions, with no pillow to lay his head. Constantly on the move.

My prayer is that the poor will be empowered, those in authority will uphold integrity and look into ways of providing a better world for its citizens to live in. With job opportunities, with relocation possibilities that will enable the poor rather than place them in a position that might prove to be worse than before.

Christmas, a very good time of the year

This the season, which in Philippines has been preparing itself since September. Carols, Christmas decorations have been donning buildings since 4 months ago.

This year, we outdid ourselves in all our ministries.
Balikatan (adults) ministry packed food 150 hampers and gave them all out during the reverse carolling
Children ministry similarly packed 150 presents ranging from bibles, dictionaries, stationaries to toys.
Youth ministry had a very simple Christmas get-together for the first time.

And our small community celebrated together in our usual way of celebrating life, with members and guests coming from nations:
Singapore,
Malaysia,
Indonesia,
Philippines,
The Netherlands,
Czech republic,
Korea

At the end of the day, after all that is said and done, after all the presents are given out, all the food handed out, we only need to look back at the simplicity of our Lord.

He was born in darkness, in a small smelly cold place, with only animals as witnesses.
Will he be born in our hearts, in the darkest places where no one knows? It's our choice.

http://icpephilippines.blogspot.com

as defined by wikipedia : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philippine_Christmas_traditions

Parol
Though not strictly a custom, every Christmas season, Filipino homes and buildings are adorned with beautiful star lanterns, called parol (Span. farol, meaning lantern or lamp-Merriam Webster - English English- Spanish Dictionary). The earliest parols were traditionally made from simple materials like bamboo sticks, Japanese rice paper (known as "papel de Hapon") or crepe paper, and a candle or coconut oil-lamp for illumination; although the present day parol can take many different shapes and forms. The most base form of the lantern is a 5-pointed star with two "tails" at the lower two tips. Other variations are 4, 8, 10 pointed stars with the rarer 6, 16 and so on pointed stars. The parol is also traditionally made of lacquered paper and bamboo, but others are made of cellophane, plastic, rope, capiz shell and a wide variety of materials. Making parols is a folk craft, and most Filipino kids have tried their hand at making a parol at one time or another, maybe as a school project or otherwise. The most basic parol can be easily constructed with just ten bamboo sticks, paper, and glue. These lanterns represent the Star of Bethlehem that guided the Magi, also known as the Three Wise Men or Three Kings (Tatlong Hari in Tagalog). Parols are to Filipinos as Christmas trees are to Westerners- an iconic and beloved symbol of the holiday.

This is a small group of the children we work with. The Çhristmas tree is made out of string and straw and whatever material they can find.

Doing something new

The gift of self

This is one of our children (the older sister) who regularly attends the weekly children ministry. She is one of many children who bring their younger brothers and sisters to the sessions even though these sessions are prepared for their (9 and above) age group.

While the teachings, activities, singing is happening, these older ones take care of their younger ones as a parent would take care of their own. Often they cannot participate in games, sometimes while doing the activity, they run off halfway after the younger ones, sometimes running home for a quick change of clothes once the young ones soil them.

All part and parcel of life here.

These older ones are giving the gift of themselves, learning from this early an age the gift of self sacrifice. Often I think of children of the same age in other more progressive countries, where all they need to concentrate on is their school work and how sibling rivalry is so rampant.

2 lizards in a sink

The other day, we woke up to find 2 mature size lizards in our sink. They probably fell in and couldn't climb out of the slippery sides of the sink. When we gave it a gentle probe, they didnt move, they were not dead yet but they are probably very tired from trying to escape.

Then we had a grand idea, since none of us were brave enough to handle them, and they couldnt get out, we gentle placed an old chopping board sideways into the sink to make a 'platform' for the lizards to just walk out. Surely this 'bridge' is the best solution.

But there was no movement.

We tried talking it out, gently 'guiding' them via a soft toilet roll, reasoning with them even. But still no movement. Finally, someone hand-handled them and moved them out towards the open window.

As i reflected that day, we are like those lizards when it came to sin. We know it is sin, but we often didnt know or forget the consequences and, fell in it ourselves and can't climb out. What we needed was a helping hand, someone brave enough, strong enough to bring us out to safety. And just like the lizards, i scurry away and very soon forgot who saved me.

Jesus, you are my Savior, let me never forget that you are my loving, all sacrificing Savior.

a great day for families

We had a session for families to help prepare for Christmas. Children from our children ministry brought along their parents and brothers and sisters.



We prayed for mothers, fathers, grandparents, and all the children.


The Emcee (me) welcoming all who came.


Giving a hand to families to make their wreaths.


Each family made their own advent wreaths. It only took 4 toilet rolls, some crepe paper and a paper plate.


A drama on the real meaning of Christmas.

'Mariella' - a single mother's story

A few days ago, i had the opportunity to chat with 'Mariella' (not her real name). She's a lady in her mid 40s with a nursing baby at her side. As i shared my story of not experiencing Christ personally in the past, she opened up to share hers.

When she was expecting her child, she tried to abort him with all the medicines and drugs that she could get her hands on. She figured that since the child will not have a father who is available to love and care for him, and she has another daughter from another relationship, the child would be more of a burden than a gift.

The biological father of the child has another family which he is responsible for.

Now they, like many others who don't have jobs, no opportunities, have problems putting food on the table. Some of these families only eat once or twice a day. Mariella's child survived, all those drugs did not affect him, he is born healthy, with all parts intact,and no complications during child birth. He has a big will to live for his mother. Through this little baby, Mariella found joy, knowing that God provided for him while he is still in her womb, that God protected him from all effects of the drugs. The child is lovely, and very handsome, he was always smiling all the time we were talking. She gave him a name which meant 'God's gift'

My heart was so broken from hearing these stories. But also filled with hope.

So many are so broken inside, so in need of love that we (humanity) are willing to love at all costs. Even love the unavailable, emotional, physically etc To subject to risk of diseases, danger, more pain and suffering, uncertainty and hunger.

Humanity is hungry.

Mother Teresa once said 'Being unwanted, unloved, uncared for, forgotten by everybody, I think that is a much greater hunger, a much greater poverty than the person who has nothing to eat.'

How do we quench this hunger?

We can start by giving kind attention to someone who needs it today. A neighbour, a class mate, a long lost friend, a family member.

We can listen, smile, give a gift of ourselves by being present to them, doing a kind act, a pat on the back, spending quality time. One never knows what an hour can mean to a lonely person.

"Time is too slow for those who wait,
too swift for those who fear,
too long for those who grieve,
too short for those who rejoice,
but for those who love, time is eternity."
- Henry Van Dyke

Just a page off my journal

Psalm 37 was a reading for the day

DESERT (ED)

When the heart is hard and parched up,
Come upon me with a shower of mercy.
When grace is lost from life, come with a burst of song.
When tumultuous work raises its din on all sides
Shutting me out from beyond, come to me,
My lord of silence, with thy peace and rest.
When my beggarly heart sits crouched, shut up in a corner; break open the door, my king,
And come with the ceremony of a king.
When desire blinds the mind with delusion and dust,
O thou holy one, thou wakeful,
Come with thy light and thy thunder.

Rabindranath Tagore
Gitanjali – “Song of offerings”

Why are we friends?

Excerpts from ‘I love you, I hate you’ by Carlos Valles

‘As our personality is varied and complex, we need different persons in our lives to respond to the different aspects of our character. We may find one friend more amenable to discussing our ideas with, while another may be a genial companion in games but may not respond to an intellectual exchange of any kind. One friendship may be more affective, another more entertaining, a third one more cerebral. We like to joke with some of our friends and be serious with others. IN fact, one good way to measure the closeness of a friendship is to see how many aspects it covers, how many facets of our personality are reflected in that friend, in how many of the circumstances of life we seek his or her company. We are many things to many people, and the more things we are to one particular individual, the closer will he or she be to us, and we to him or her. The ideal friend covers all our life with his or her affection, understanding, patience, silence, conversation, sympathy, criticism, partnership in games, company in travels, care in sickness, echo in laughter. The more of our life we can share with a single individual, the more intimate the friendship will be, and since often we may not find that universal response in one person, we widen the range of our friendship and open up different angels of our life to different people to fit into them and complete between them the circle of intimacy we need for our happiness and well being.

Photo credit: Therese
Place: Tagaytay, Philippines

Teeming with life!

My reflection on Ezekiel 47: 8-12
“This water flows … and flowing into the sea it makes it waters wholesome. Wherever the river flows, all living creatures teeming in it will live. Fish will be very plentiful, for wherever the water goes it brings health, and life teems wherever the river flows.”

In many tribes, whenever they settled, they would choose it to be near a river. The river brings much needed water and food. The river provides a place to meet while doing the laundry. A place to play, to hunt.

Is it any coincidence that 80% of our bodies are made up of water?

Christ has Himself said “but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life” John 4:14

This river of life is very much available to us, whenever we partake of the Holy Eucharist, whenever we let the Word of God sink deeper into our souls, when we keep our focus on Him, when we look at our future with hope (in Him), we are opening ourselves up to ‘LIFE’. When i was sick, i had no life in me, i was 'teaming' with disillusion, disappointment, anger. Why do i need to be sick at this important time? But even then, i can either choose to use my waking hours to read on spiritual books, pray OR sulk and pout. I wanted to choose life.

‘Fish will be plentiful’. God has, out of his generosity given us each unique gifts. ‘What do we have that He has not give, what do we have that is not already Yours?’ Our ‘5 loaves and 2 fish’; the gifts which He himself has given us are meant for sharing, for building up his Kingdom. And in this light, our little ‘fish’ (gifts, talents) will be plentiful as we gather in one body to serve Him. ‘To those who have, more will be given’. My piano playing skills are not up to scratch, i am self taught and i often feel self conscious playing in front of people who are trained to played Bach and Tchaikovsky, but i relented and started playing for my community. Many have since told me they were ministered to during those moments. God multiplies! i only need to put in my small part, and big effort.

‘It brings health’. More than physical health, we will have emotional healthy, spiritual health!

We have great opportunities in our midst!

Story of the month - Carl's garden

Carl was a quiet man. He didn't talk much. He would always greet you with a big smile and a firm handshake.Even after living in our neighborhood for over 50 years, no one could really say they knew him very well.Before his retirement, he took the bus to work each morning. The lone sight of him walking down the street often worried us.He had a slight limp from a bullet wound received in WWII.Watching him, we worried that although he had survived WWII, he may not make it through our changing uptown neighborhood with its ever-increasing random violence, gangs, and drug activity.


When he saw the flyer at our local church asking for volunteers for caring for the gardens behind the minister's residence, he responded in his characteristically unassuming manner. Without fanfare, he just signed up.He was well into his 87th year when the very thing we had always feared finally happened.He was just finishing his watering for the day when three gang members approached him. Ignoring their attempt to intimidate him, he simply asked, 'Would you like a drink from the hose?'

The tallest and toughest-looking of the three said, 'Yeah, sure,' with a malevolent little smile.As Carl offered the hose to him, the other two grabbed Carl's arm, throwing him down. As the hose snaked crazily over the ground, dousing everything in its way, Carl's assailants stole his retirement watch and his wallet, and then fled.Carl tried to get himself up, but he had been thrown down on his bad leg. He lay there trying to gather himself as the minister came running to help him.

Although the minister had witnessed the attack from his window, he couldn't get there fast enough to stop it.'Carl, are you okay? Are you hurt?' the minister kept asking as he helped Carl to his feet.Carl just passed a hand over his brow and sighed, shaking his head. 'Just some punk kids. I hope they'll wise-up someday.'His wet clothes clung to his slight frame as he bent to pick up the hose. He adjusted the nozzle again and started to water.Confused and a little concerned, the minister asked, 'Carl, what are you doing?' 'I've got to finish my watering. It's been very dry lately,' came the calm reply.
Satisfying himself that Carl really was all right, the minister could only marvel. Carl was a man from a different time and place.

A few weeks later the three returned. Just as before their threat was
unchallenged. Carl again offered them a drink from his hose.This time they didn't rob him. They wrenched the hose from his hand and drenched him head to foot in the icy water.When they had finished their humiliation of him, they sauntered off down the street, throwing catcalls and curses, falling over one another laughing at the hilarity of what they had just done.

Carl just watched them. Then he turned toward the warmth giving sun, picked up his hose, and went on with his watering.The summer was quickly fading into fall. Carl was doing some tilling when he was startled by the sudden approach of someone behind him. He stumbled and fell into someevergreen branches.As he struggled to regain his footing, he turned to see the tall leader of his summer tormentors reaching down for him. He braced himself for the expected attack.

'Don't worry old man, I'm not gonna hurt you this time.'
The young man spoke softly, still offering the tattooed and scarred hand to Carl. As he helped Carl get up, the man pulled a crumpled bag from his pocket and handed it to Carl.'What's this?' Carl asked. 'It's your stuff,' the man explained. 'It's your stuff back. Even the money in your wallet.' 'I don't understand,' Carl said. 'Why would you help me now?'

The man shifted his feet, seeming embarrassed and ill at ease. 'I learned something from you,' he said. 'I ran with that gang and hurt people like you. We picked you because you were old and we knew we could do it. But every time we came and did something to you, instead of yelling and fighting back, you tried to give us a drink. You didn't hate us for hating you. You kept showing love against our hate.'He stopped for a moment. 'I couldn't sleep after we stole your stuff, so here it is back.'He paused for another awkward moment, not knowing what more there was to say. 'That bag's my way of saying thanks for straightening me out, I guess.' And with that, he walked off down the street.Carl looked down at the sack in his hands and gingerly opened it. He took out his retirement watch and put it back on his wrist. Opening his wallet, he checked for his wedding photo. He gazed for a moment at the young bride that still smiled back at him from all those years ago.

He died one cold day after Christmas that winter. Many people attended his funeral in spite of the weather.In particular the minister noticed a tall young man that he didn't know sitting quietly in a distant corner of the church.The minister spoke of Carl's garden as a lesson in life.In a voice made thick with unshed tears, he said, 'Do your best and make your garden as beautiful as you can. We will never forget Carl and his garden.'

The following spring another flyer went up. It read: 'Person needed to care for Carl's garden.'The flyer went unnoticed by the busy parishioners until one day when a knock was heard at the minister's office door.Opening the door, the minister saw a pair of scarred and tattooed hands holding the flyer. 'I believe this is my job, if you'll have me,' the young man said.The minister recognized him as the same young man who had returned the stolen watch and wallet to Carl.He knew that Carl's kindness had turned this man's life around. As the minister handed him the keys to the garden shed, he said, 'Yes, go take care of Carl's garden and honour him.'

The man went to work and, over the next several years, he tended the flowers and vegetables just as Carl had done.During that time, he went to college, got married, and became a prominent member of the community. But he never forgot his promise to Carl's memory and kept the garden as beautiful as he thought Carl would have kept it.One day he approached the new minister and told him that he couldn't care for the garden any longer. He explained with a shy and happy smile, 'My wife just had a baby boy last night, and she's bringing him home on Saturday.'

'Well, congratulations!' said the minister, as he was handed the garden shed keys. 'That's wonderful! What's the baby's name?'
'Carl,' he replied

Thought for the day

We are ever being born, or dying, and the thrill of choosing which is ours. Only once must we be born without our own consent. Only once must we die without our own permission.



-Calvin Miller

Being a light

I had been making dipping candles. They are so-called because the way to make them is to dip it, wait a few seconds for it to cool and then dip again. And this goes on for 20 dips.

A revelation came to me.

As we are called to be the 'Light of the world'. We are the wick, we could easily just burn down as quickly as we are lit (without the wax). But God is the wax that surrounds us, layer by layer, with love, patience, grace, delight, mercy etc.

And so only with these can we burn more brightly, with His grace, his wax. Burning slowly, brightly.

At the end of my life, with his grace, encouragement, mercy, we would have been able to be His light. And even after we are totally gone, He would still be there, the wax still there at the bottom of the candle.

Without him we can do nothing.

Above all Powers

My room is on the fourth floor facing a little road where telephone poles line the streets. After rainy days the little bulbul birds like to ‘sit’ along the telephone lines. It’s almost like gathering of friends after a storm to share a sigh of relief. There is one particular pole that seems to catch my eye every time I sit down to write or work on my computer. Atop that wooden beam, I often see two of these birds perched. Sometimes they disappear into the pole, and so my only guess is that they’ve got a home, a nest right there at the top of the hollowed pole. This is the monsoon season, it rains daily sometimes all night and all day. And I wonder whether the little home is flooded, whether there are little chicks there and whether they are warm enough.

But as these photos will tell you, they are very resilient. But more than that it is a reminder of God’s providence. “You made us, we belong to you” “You made all living things and you constantly provide for their growth.” Even on cloudy days, rainy days, extremely hot days, everyday, we are well taken care of. No doubt about that.

God Provides

For the past few weeks, due to some administrative problems we had not been able to use the usual venue for our children’s ministry. From week to week, we have been praying for God to provide a way for us. We have 3 sessions on a regular Saturday and it’s not an easy task trying to secure one venue for it. Having a regular venue also means that all the children will know where to go, since for the most part, we only know where we are going to hold the sessions when we arrive.

Last Saturday, one of the children’s lola (grand mother) offered us their simple home. It’s a 3 x 4 metre room which doubles up as a living room by day and a bedroom by night. At a corner is the toilet, covered by a small curtain. And in this simple home, we had our session.

With 27 children, 6 adults, furniture, a cat and a rooster at the back yard. Most of the children sat on the floor, some sat on the stairs leading to the attic.

In this space, we praised and worshipped God, we learnt about being a ‘Disciple of Christ’ a teaching by Celine. We shared about our World Youth Day experience in Australia and shared snacks. We even managed to have small groups sharing, and a presentation of skits that the children came up with. What a gift! To be part of the lives of people, to be offered their homes when we had no where to turn to, to have warm shelter while a storm is happening outside. God hears the cry of His people, and He alone provides all our needs.

Royal Botanic Gardens vs Vigil (WYD08)

Typically, a sleep out vigil happens at World Youth Days. Since some of us already suffered colds, it was in our best interest not to subject ourselves to a cold night out under the stars. Instead we visited the Royal Botanic Gardens.

The garden was vast and when we arrived that evening at 5.30pm, families with strollers, joggers, couples were taking walks. And we simply enjoyed the slow walk, marveling at the century old trees, the bent-over ‘Dragon Blood’ tree.


Just then a ranger car drove past with a loud hailer announcement: “The park will be closing in 5 minutes, please make your way to the nearest exit.” It was 6pm.

*Gulp* Where IS the nearest exit? The more we walked the darker it got. Then I noticed there are not a single lamp post in sight. If we don’t get out, we’ll be in a pitch dark garden, with no sleeping bag, no warm clothing. We’d be forced to ‘camp out’. Wouldn’t this be a real irony that we ‘escaped’ the vigil to be ‘stuck’ in an involuntary camp out?

Soon enough we found the exit, following out instincts.

Days later, I read it in a magazine that
“The Royal Botanic Gardens reluctantly hosts 11,000 grey-headed flying foxes, numbers have tripled in the past decade and they’re overwhelming and killing off historic Palm Grove, a world-renowned tree collection dating to 1828. Gardens authorities are determined to uproot them, so marvel at Sydney’s largest concentration of wild native mammals while you still can. www.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au”

Too bad we couldn’t stay to ‘marvel’ at 11,000 flying foxes. Thanks but no thanks 

A masterpiece in an orange

I ate my 2nd orange today… in my entire life. Peeling an orange is a new experience for me. Looking at the insides, the ‘anatomy’ of the simple orange is intriguing. It actually isn’t so ‘simple’. Beneath the peel of just a few milimetres lies sacs neatly packed side by side, within this sacs lay even more mini-sacs. I wanted to count how many pulps there were within each neat portion and gave up after a while, its impossible to count as you orange lovers can imagine. The juice is so... well juicy, and yet it was well protected by the peel and the even thinner membrane of the pulp.

This is a masterpiece! Well designed, environmentally friendly, its ‘packaging’ will not strangle any seals/dolphins. It even leaves a refreshing fragrance on your hands after you’ve savoured it. Like a little ‘Thank you’, a great ‘after-sales service’.

Thank You God for your Ingenuity. Thank You for providing Vitamin C is such a neat little package.

The Uniforms

We were exceptionally impressed by the New South Wales police force. During the "receive the power live' concert, many inflatable balls were thrown around, and many a time it landed on the 'zone'. Strips of paths meant for emergencies, ambulance, Pope motorcade etc. But the police personnel were always obliging and picked up every single time without complaints. So accomodating!

They exhibited a great deal of tolerance, courtesy and handled the event very professionally, and kept all of us safe. Speaking to these two, I learnt that they worked 10 hour days, 10 days in a row without an off day! Thanks so much!

Cold hail and Warm feelings

While we were in Bendigo,Victoria, Australia, it suddenly rained hail! The first thing in my mind and 'head for shelter'! and pointed out a bookshop that was about 50metres away.

We were dripping wet and there were about 10 of us in that small shop. I know that i cannot pretend I want to buy something, so I apologised to the shop assistant. Instead of chasing us out (as i would imagine in some other countries), she smiled very warmly and welcomed us. I explained that we were a group of missionaries and what we did. The shop, as we learnt later is a resource for learning. And shortly after, these ladies gladly gave me a pack of 'Feeling Cards' as a resource for our children ministry! These can be used internationally since they didnt have any words! And what a gift this is!

After returning back to the group and showing them the gift, they all were very amazed and surprised, this was exactly what we have been looking for, for a long long time. And this may not be something we can afford at that moment.

So thanks Nola and Christina for your kindness, your warm hearts melted the hailstones on our backs. God bless you!

World Youth Day 2008

We're in Sydney! World Youth Day(WYD) is an event held every 3 years in a different country. The last WYD was held in Cologne, Germany in 2005.

This time WYD is held in Sydney. Our little group left Manila for Melbourne first for the 'Days in Diocese'. Many events were held in various venues, various parishes.

The ICPE Mission (which i belong to) held our inaugural Youth Fest there. It was 2 full days of teachings, sharings, networking, fun and games. check out the website: www.firebrandz.net there's also a whole lot of photos in the gallery. check it out.

Returning to Melbourne after 10 years was an interesting experience. I remember the winters well, and was very hesitant about facing it. But i willingly packed my thermals, hot water bag, warm sleeping bag and got ready.

But the first thing that hit me is not the cold. But the warmth of the people who welcomed us, made sure we had a host family (thanks Charlie Gatt), made sure we are fed (thanks to the kitchen team), made sure we had a lift home (thanks Dan Perera!), made sure we had a warm home to go back to (thanks Cluny Sisters! love ya!), made sure we had food to eat for our 10 hour bus ride to Sydney (Thanks Alex and Joe Yap). Thank you Castellon family (Kuya Jun, Ate Paulina, Gretchen and Lorraine) who made us feel so much a part of your family. Maraming Salamat po. Pagpalain ka ng Diyos. And many countless volunteers who laid out snacks, set up chairs, vacuumed carpets when everyone went home, did all the behind-the-scenes work, stayed up late waiting for pilgrims to arrive, worked overtime without pay, and those who have kept us in prayer. Thank you thank you thank you!

For more information on WYD, check out the official website: www.wyd2008.org

Back to School Mass

Unlike some other countries, the new school semester here in the Philippines start in June, end of 'summer'. We thought it might a cool idea to have a special mass for the children. They were also very excited to be actively involved in this special Eucharistic celebration. Normally, children are not so involved, but in this one, they were involved in reading the Word of God at the pulpit, the offertory procession and even signed 'the Lord's Prayer' in sign language in front of the altar! For weeks before this, the children were prepared spiritually with a clearly understanding of this special celebration.








At the end, we gave out blessed pencils, specially hand painted by our team members as a souvenir of the event.

Library with 6 books

We started a trial run for books that we received from donors. The trial is only with 6 books and even while we were explaining the borrowing system, the kids were already eyeing on them! At the word ‘Go’, all the books were snapped up that morning. When we met them again later that afternoon, they were still hanging on to their books carefully, devouring every word. Here’s how some kids were enjoying their book!

Catechism under the trees

Last Saturday was the usual day filled the the unusual excitement in the air. School's reopened. Over here in the Philippines, the new school year starts at the end of 'summer'. So June marks the start of a new promotion to the next grade.

It was my turn to give a teaching. As usual, our 'class' was held in a little front porch of Auntie Bing's home. The children were spared of the heat with the help of the shady trees above. Since there is no chalk board/white board. We came up with the idea of using Bing's clothes line. And here i am giving my teaching with a carbon board and big clothes pegs (from Singapore) and my teaching slowly being revealed line by line as i 'unroll' it as i teach.

Some people might say 'Ay, these children so poor thing' or 'What ancient methods to use'... while the latter might be true, we thoroughly enjoy ourselves, the children do not mind it too much. We're just happy to be there amongst friends.



Seen are some more teaching materials. All hand made lovingly by Chris, our other team member. We make full use of what we have!

Life in the Spirit Seminar for YOUTH!

The long awaited Life in the Spirit Seminar finally arrived and around 30 young people, both participants and youth service staff, descended upon our mission centre for the three and a half day seminar.

These glorious days were fun filled with laughter, fellowship around meals, sessions on God's love, Holy Spirit, New Life, Growth etc, evenings of prayer.


God has been really faithful, even while we, his creation has been unfaithful, sometimes even forgetful that He is the one who loves us first. Time again, God shows us that He can transform lives once we are open to experience a new life. If we want it, He can give it.

We have seen how faces have slowly slowly day by day changed into cheerful happy youths, all within a short few days. As Jesus died and rose in 3 days, we too can resurrect with him in 3 days! Yeah!

God creates us special

'Ako ay espesyal!' (I am special! in tagalog)

This week's session was a reminder of God's special love for each one of us children. Our skit for the day was based loosely on the children's story by Max Lucado called 'You are special'.




This was also the same weekend we witnessed and participated in a funeral mass. The mother of one of our children passed away because of complications in her health. She was only 41 years old. Leaving behind young children and a husband. Already in our present world, very few people around us would affirm us of our 'uniqueness' and 'specialness', if ever, they would have come from our own parents and when we were young. reflecting on this child's life without a parent now, i wonder...

Thank you Lord for every moment i could spend with my family. To cherish the numbered days, to practise patience remembering that i cannot take each day for granted.

Finding new gifts

Although I used to work professionally as an art director, I have no need to be good at illustration/drawings. All of my work is in my head and i only need to put it out there on the computer.

But now, new sides of this creativity has shown itself in ways i 'knew' i didnt have a talent for. Seen here is the most recent illustration of the empty tomb, coloured in by all the children who came. Pictured here is Franchesaca aged 9.


This is April. She is aged 3. One of those who brighten up my day with her generous smile. On this day, we had to share space at the basketball court with basketballers. Our 'classroom' suddenly had other on-lookers, no chairs nor tables. So everyone ended up colouring on the court itself.

Easter!

Sharing of the word, seen here is Amilia (in red) a missionary based in Singapore, and Celine, full time missionary in Manila.


The 3 bibles were shared among the children and they read the passage from John.


Crossword puzzle to find words relating to Easter.


'Mary Magdalene (me) cries at the empty tomb.


'Colour-by-number'

It is always a blessing to be able to share and witness the simplicity of children. Throughout the season of Lent, we had been moving them towards a better understanding or clear up misconceptions of the season.

Last week, even though it was Holy Saturday, we prepared the children for Easter! Hence we took the opportunity to incorporate the solemnity of it by not playing musical instruments. We re-enacted The Empty Tomb scene. Usually these little drama plays are not rehearsed and we too just enjoy ourselves interacting with the children. The activities were based on 'finding'. One game was to find the exact candy that had their name on it. Another was a 'colour by number' colouring activity, they had to look for the colour relating to the numbers within the picture.

Lent: The Stations of our life

It just amazes me that someone brilliant once thought of doing this as a rememberance of Christ's ultimate relationship with us, enough to sacrifice everything, leaving nothing.

There was a story about a man, his mother and his girlfriend all in a boat that was in the middle of a storm. The boat tossed everyone overboard and the man got back on but the boat is beyond its original capacity. There can only be one more. Who will it be? Mother? or girlfriend? I always thought it be so romantic to be the one who is saved. But on the other hand how ungrateful he would be if he didnt save his own mother.

My answer came. Jesus would have given up his own place, to let all go on board and choose to die instead. What a guy!

Looking through all the different methods, reflections, i found one that i adapted to suit our youth. One that reflects on our own lives. The 14 stations were strategically positioned around the various parts of the house, the last station ended in an open roof deck with a view of the sky. A time of thanksgiving with songs and personal prayer was held at the chapel. In the serene presence of our Lord.

"I had a very peaceful, wonderful moment (during the Stations of the Cross)" Said one of the youth, Key Ann.

"It was a good and perfect moment that reminded me of all the good that has happened to me. It is a good reflection before Holy Week. It has helped me to repent, give thanks to God and to all the people around me" Ghel

Thank you Lord for your victory over death, your unsurpassable love for us. Thank you for embracing the cross. That in your death, we might have life.


One of the stations around the house

Quote of the month

"Don't just be an aging female—learn to be a real woman.'"

This quote speaks to me especially when i celebrate a new phase of life. This month marks my birthday. And yes. I am still learning to be the woman i have been created to be. Thank God that we always have opportunities!

Thanks for the journals

We have been journeying together with these youth, some for 2 years now. I have the privilege of hearing some of their precious stories and I must say I have been blessed to witness the transforming changes that many have gone through. Though we meet them sometimes only once a month, it is amazing what the desire and will of a young soul can do, create spaces in their lives and hearts for God, for themselves, for their loved ones.

" I would like to give thanks to those who have been really supportive and with their open hands helped out other people. The journals have helped us especially in writing down notes of the good things and low points of the day, but most especially it is one of the many ways to communicate with God" Angel

Seen here is a session on 'creative journalling', awareness, lectio divina with music, photo reflection etc.

Here's a big thank you to those who have pledged monies towards buying journals for these youths. All 25 of them have received new journals bought by your contribution. The journals will help them chart their spiritual walk, become more aware of where they are, and serves as a tool for reflecting on the day to day blessings. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. Maraming Salamat Po!

Preparing for Lent

How does one bring the story of the Prodigal son to children? I updated the story with modern scenarios, which involved the son stealing from the father, womanising, begging in the streets etc. finally walking over highways, small villages and coming home to daddy.

Here's an activity for the kids, try helping him find his way home!



Drawing cartoons is part of my journalling, however this is the first time I am able to string a story line together in cartoon form. God's good! He helped me!