Thy Will Be Done

A group of men and women were gathered at Ysidro's Garden. That night, they were bound for a three-day trip to Puerto Galera. Target: Team Building to face a very big challenge of their lives - to become change agents in Obando.

Much is expected by the community when rich leaders came in but the HOPE that was introduced in our town broke into pieces when one promise after the other did not materialize. Another one is coming in who never had any chance to talk to the grassroot level. How could they relate?

The group I am referring is the team who was torn between a decision to run or not to run with Ding. First, the only weapon they have is a firm resolve that they can help the community. PERIOD. NO MONEY TO BUY hmnn. But they have all the pledges from friends who believe in their advocacy. Just like a chicken and egg question who is first. COMMITMENT then RESOURCES or RESOURCES then COMMITMENT? Hard to answer.

Thank God, the team realized that what they are doing was not for a single person and that person needs people to work with. This is really a work of the GOOD Creator. Here are the events that happened:

1. Signal No. 2 in Oriental Mindoro 2 days before the Team Building seminar. It stopped.
2. Daughter of the Resource Speaker had fever. She was healed the night before.
3. Members of the Team were being brainwashed by the evil that men do.
4. Misinformation that Ding will no longer run in the elections was being spread like a wildfire.
5. Chris was sick but recovered from feeling bad.
6. The absence of Cesar and Bening can be redeemed by communicating to them what happened.
7. All negative thoughts were wiped out.

The Team went home with high Spirits after a bloodless compact held on Saturday night.

THY WILL BE DONE!

My First Footprints on Mindoro

March 4, 2009, I was invited by my predecessor to attend their meeting with the employees assigned in the field. The office is very nice including the people I will be working with. I intend to stay in Mindoro even on weekends to concentrate on updating the records and revising the work assignments.

First steps in Mindoro, I figured out I will enjoy staying there. The environment is clean, fresh air, fresh vegetables, fresh thoughts. I will be finishing more books. I love to live in solitude. This is not work for me. I believe, this is a mission.

Dep accompanied me. RM and EO were also with me. That's the support I really need these days.

Kids Touch Our Lives

Last Saturday, February 21, 2009, The Rotary Daycare Center of Obando were on a field trip. About 35 students aged 21/2 to 4 and their mothers went to Manila Zoo, Museong Pambata, and Rizal Park. Cora and I joined the trip coz' we were responsible for that program.

While waiting for the children, I sat on a table near the cafeteria in Manila Zoo. I noticed a conversation between 2 children, about grade 3, who were discussing about the loss of the other girl's twenty pesos. This means, she could not have lunch since her allowance was exact. Her friend told the other that they just buy 2 orders of rice and just buy 1 dish that they both like. They were counting their money to make sure that their budget was enough. I was touched by the sincerity of the unselfish girl. She was making sure that the girl who lost the money will not be sad. I intentionally ignored to help because I wanted to ascertain the true virtues I was watching.

There were some children playing around the area where I was but their attitude were more of letting their classmates know what they have like food, toys, and some stuff but I did not notice an atmosphere of sharing like the girl in my story.

A Fraction of the Whole

This novel written by Australian Steve Toltz made me laugh most of the time. But in some parts, I couldn't help but change my mood and cry. A man of principle, Martin Dean was able to survive all trials from womb to tomb. His philosophy drives you crazy but thinking it twice, his reasons and beliefs are actually happening. The schemes used by his brother Terry to help him out were clueless to Marty in all episodes.

The brothers are atheists. This, for me, made them easier to be indicted in crimes and harder to get out of the mess. They did not realize directly but come to think of some of their testimonies and you'd realize that indeed, they knew a power from nowhere was available.

Martin's son, Jasper, though he hated his father for being difficult to live with, appreciated what the father has done to his whole being. His father did not die in vain.

Similar situations happen in our daily lives but not of the same intensity. These experiences give us better learning, and light acceptance of realities.

First Major Blessing for 2009

Dep and I were into contracts with a bank to buy 2 properties. Due to business losses, we were unable to meet our monthly installments for quite some time. For me, it would have been less of a headache if we just let go of those properties. A number of discussions were made and we settled to retain one property and apply some payments for the other property to the retained lot. Ownership of the lot needs additional payment of 420K but can still be loaned from the bank.
Delaying tactics were done by Dep and I to really make a decision. The properties have good marketability. In fact, we could have earned 2M had we finalize the sale of the lot along the road. But we disregarded the offer years back. Now that we finally made up our minds to sell it before bank action, nobody has the instant money.

Last Friday, we talked to the bank President and after 30 minutes of discussions, he was convinced that we no longer have to pay the additional 420k for the interior lot that we are retaining. That's how prayers work. I believe that what happened had a Divine intervention. I consider this a major blessing on a very special day of the year, my birthday on the 24th, the day following the good news. For this, I plan to share my blessings through an apostolate work once I have the money.

Sanpa Farms

Dep and I aren't farm whiz but we make sure that we learn how to take care of our mango trees. Saturdays are meant for the farm, the tilapia pond, the hogs, and the chickens. Oh, no, the past 2 months, we failed to attend to its requirements. So many occasions. I have a guilty feeling for our "katiwala". They must be very much in need of funds.

Staying in the farm refuels my energy. Clean air! For once a week, I veg out and just listen to the sound of nature. How I wish we could have a rest house there. To attain that, got to earn megabucks. Who knows?

Jewelries are for keeps

Before buying jewelries, make sure that you are not buying it for investment. Most agents would convince you that it's better to invest on jewelries 'coz it appreciates fast. That's true if you appraise the jewelries at the buyer's point of view. To all ladies who are fascinated by the glow of these small pieces of asset, a piece of advice. Buy your diamonds on the intention that you'll keep it for life. It really appreciates fast. But don't you sell them. You'll be losing a lot contrary to the sale's talk that it is an investment. I learned my lesson.