Friday, January 29, 2010
Sunday, January 3, 2010
The Journey towards the Destination
"God is interested in the journey, not only the destination."
This quote I've read it from the book "Boy meets girl" is most often quoted by my single young adult friends. Although at this point I like to use it in another perspective, as recently I have traveled to two destinations. Destinations which probably have connection to my father and his ministry. The first travel I've had was going to "Bisal", a very remote place near the Ambuclao Dam, of which he was asked to preach and speak as their guest speaker for their church anniversary. The other travel I've had was our family outing going to Pagudpud, a recent new tourist spot with white sand beaches.
The first travel I've had was definitely an adventure, as we traveled in the very steep mountains and uncemented roughly roads. We also had to hike for 10-15 minutes going down towards our destination. Recalling my previous visits there; I was still kid then, probably more or less 7 years old, I had the experience of hiking for 1 hour or more going there. But actually more of a free ride as someone we call "Manong Ricky" carried me on top of his shoulders almost throughout the hiking period, hiking in a narrow path near the edge of a cliff. That was then when no road is near the place.
It was the church's 25th anniversary and with my father as the speaker, who was one of the pioneers of the church in Bisal, old colleagues of his came too. It was like a reunion for those who helped and ministered in that place. As I look at my father, I got the feeling he is more than happy seeing the fruit of his labor, as God himself has indeed preserved and continue to be faithful to the church.
It was a time of remembrance and a time of rekindling the fire amongst the believers in Bisal Fundamental Baptist Church. A fire that should continue to fill them as they serve God and continue to be a light in there remote area. Hearing their stories, I was able to know those who faithfully continued and grow in the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. And, I was also able to know their own struggles and needs. The need to grow more as believers in the Lord and as a part of the body of Christ, the church.
The other journey I experienced with my family, although focused on having fun and relaxation, went to a different kind of journey. We had no real good plan for it, a reason perhaps things we expected didn't ever happen, or perhaps it was all God's own doing. It was still an adventurous journey, as we traveled towards our destination with no idea how to go there, but simply relying on what we know and what we had. This time my father had the opportunity to see an old colleague as well, who became our guide throughout the travel.
We were able to be on two beaches, one of which our guide, Ptr. Macoy, recommended to us and at Pagudpud, one of which we were eyeing to be and enjoy for the vacation. But with the circumstances, time caught us and never was able to do what we wanted to do. Nevertheless, we still had the opportunity to be in places and my father got to be re-united with his old friend and was able to know his status as well. Ptr. Macoy was one of those people who previously stayed at our house, as my father narrates, who not only learned carpentry but also was inspired and touched by the Holy Spirit to be a pastor. Throughout the travel, Ptr. Macoy and my father was able to talk about a lot of things. And, perhaps gives delight to my father's heart seeing his old friend continually serving God.
Although it wasn't purely an enjoyable travel, as we had the experience to be stuck on the sandy beach, cooked and ate our dinner with lack of light, and rushed to come home, still I think it was a memorable and learning experience as well. We are reminded to plan well in every decisions we make. But far more than that, personally, I think it was a time to see the fruits of our labor blessed by God. And with this particular travels, it wasn't my labor, but my father's, who have dedicated his life in the ministry of God. Truly I can say "Our labor is not in vain with God."
This quote I've read it from the book "Boy meets girl" is most often quoted by my single young adult friends. Although at this point I like to use it in another perspective, as recently I have traveled to two destinations. Destinations which probably have connection to my father and his ministry. The first travel I've had was going to "Bisal", a very remote place near the Ambuclao Dam, of which he was asked to preach and speak as their guest speaker for their church anniversary. The other travel I've had was our family outing going to Pagudpud, a recent new tourist spot with white sand beaches.
The first travel I've had was definitely an adventure, as we traveled in the very steep mountains and uncemented roughly roads. We also had to hike for 10-15 minutes going down towards our destination. Recalling my previous visits there; I was still kid then, probably more or less 7 years old, I had the experience of hiking for 1 hour or more going there. But actually more of a free ride as someone we call "Manong Ricky" carried me on top of his shoulders almost throughout the hiking period, hiking in a narrow path near the edge of a cliff. That was then when no road is near the place.
It was the church's 25th anniversary and with my father as the speaker, who was one of the pioneers of the church in Bisal, old colleagues of his came too. It was like a reunion for those who helped and ministered in that place. As I look at my father, I got the feeling he is more than happy seeing the fruit of his labor, as God himself has indeed preserved and continue to be faithful to the church.
It was a time of remembrance and a time of rekindling the fire amongst the believers in Bisal Fundamental Baptist Church. A fire that should continue to fill them as they serve God and continue to be a light in there remote area. Hearing their stories, I was able to know those who faithfully continued and grow in the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. And, I was also able to know their own struggles and needs. The need to grow more as believers in the Lord and as a part of the body of Christ, the church.
The other journey I experienced with my family, although focused on having fun and relaxation, went to a different kind of journey. We had no real good plan for it, a reason perhaps things we expected didn't ever happen, or perhaps it was all God's own doing. It was still an adventurous journey, as we traveled towards our destination with no idea how to go there, but simply relying on what we know and what we had. This time my father had the opportunity to see an old colleague as well, who became our guide throughout the travel.
 |
| The journey towards our destination!!! |
We were able to be on two beaches, one of which our guide, Ptr. Macoy, recommended to us and at Pagudpud, one of which we were eyeing to be and enjoy for the vacation. But with the circumstances, time caught us and never was able to do what we wanted to do. Nevertheless, we still had the opportunity to be in places and my father got to be re-united with his old friend and was able to know his status as well. Ptr. Macoy was one of those people who previously stayed at our house, as my father narrates, who not only learned carpentry but also was inspired and touched by the Holy Spirit to be a pastor. Throughout the travel, Ptr. Macoy and my father was able to talk about a lot of things. And, perhaps gives delight to my father's heart seeing his old friend continually serving God.
Although it wasn't purely an enjoyable travel, as we had the experience to be stuck on the sandy beach, cooked and ate our dinner with lack of light, and rushed to come home, still I think it was a memorable and learning experience as well. We are reminded to plan well in every decisions we make. But far more than that, personally, I think it was a time to see the fruits of our labor blessed by God. And with this particular travels, it wasn't my labor, but my father's, who have dedicated his life in the ministry of God. Truly I can say "Our labor is not in vain with God."
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