Why Christians Should Do Extreme Adventures

I never imagined that canyoneering or participating in the sport of exploring a canyon by engaging in such activities as rappelling, rafting, and waterfall jumping, would be a turning point for my prayer life. As a follower of Christ, one of the core habits that one should form is a life of prayer. And that doesn't just mean saying a little prayer upon wake up in the morning, or before eating main meals for the day, or before sleeping everyday, nor that means praying on more than average duration every church gatherings on a Sunday. Although those are as staple as rice for food, a life of prayer that the Bible commands we should have is a kind that doesn't cease (2 Thessalonians 5:17). But who would relate to me that even as I try to set schedule for personal prayer time, or keep a journal of what to pray for, I still happen to miss out on this simple discipline? I even rush prayer at times or am too busy to stop for a minute to pray for a friend requesting for one. And oh, do you experience falling asleep during your prayers, too?

Developing Prayer Life the Natural Way

In my 10 years of being a Christian under construction though, I have learned that prayer life should not be forced lest it would become just an obligatory routine which, effective as it may be when done with faith, may not be aligned with how the Lord wants me to relate to Him. Why and when and how I pray has to be out of the level of my personal relationship with him rather than the responsibility of being able to do tasks as I bear His name. In short, I progress in my prayer when I do it without pressure, just out of the overflow of my heart. However, outside of my chat prayers with God during transit time and my faith prayers during my daydreams, I would usually forget to come to him for help when I'm already doing my everyday job. I'm grateful that somehow He has already helped me cope with my office job that I could do it but it's not at all beneficial to my prayer life. Although, there are big happenings at work that would really cause me to pray, but business as usual is easy and manageable, therefore prayer is not much needed.

I was highly inspired by Garry Haugen's words in his book Just Courage,
"Mother Theresa said that she couldn't imagine doing her work for more than 30 minutes without prayer. Do you and I have work that we can't imagine doing for thirty minutes without prayer? If not, perhaps we need a new life's work. Or perhaps we need to do an old life's work in a new way. I won't need to be in prayer every thirty minutes if I don't really need God's power to get it done, or if it's work that God doesn't really need done because it has nothing to do with His kingdom."

When I read that, I thought to myself "I want that kind of occupation that would require me to depend on God every moment, not just every 30 minutes or when there's just big happenings." But that hype cooled down a little bit as I know I couldn't leave work yet.

The Canyoneering Experience

I haven't experienced, I think, depending on God that often until I tried the extreme adventure of canyoneering in South Cebu. As my group traversed the canyon stretching from Alegria to Badian, Cebu, I was having more than an adventure, but a lot of revelations. Extreme adventures put you in that position of needing to pray not just every 30 minutes but every second. That's the experience I had during the entire time that I was canyoneering which consisted of the following exhilarating adventures:

1. Cliff jumping. Yes I was almost always the first one to jump. I just perfectly know that nothing would go wrong when I fall and that I would almost instantly come back up because of my Jesus-like life vest. :) Everytime when I would jump, my faith in God was strengthened.

2. Floating and swimming. Wonder how floating enhanced my prayer, when in fact it was easy? Well, when I look forward, beyond or even upward, I couldn't help but be amazed with how beautiful God created this part of Earth, and that I was actually in it :) Words of praise and awe can't help but leave my lips. I couldn't fathom with my mind and heart how God could've brought me there. :)

3. Climbing, descending and traversing through rivers, rocks, both the slippery and safe kind, and wet trails... with no shoes. I only have my slippery-when-wet flip flops with me when during the whole time, although the guides have continually reminded me prior to the activity that it would be better to have aqua rubber shoes, which I could rent for just P50. However, my stubborn self really wouldn't listen because I preferred that my feet would feel free and that I could feel with my skin the water and rocks. Of course, that's not the best practice. I slipped a couple of time and I event had a toe injury after slipping from a slippery rock. Silly me. But what I don't regret with this poor decision was that my faith was not in the soles of a shoes but on God himself. I would lift each step to God so as to make me surefooted, that my feet would not cause me to stumble and cause serious injury.

The Challenge

Now what if we, Christians, get the opportunity to undergo something like canyoneering every moment? How excitingly consistent would our prayer life be? I don't really mean that we pursue a career in guiding canyoneers or other extreme activities that would require us to depend on God's help more than our skills and common sense to stay alive until the next hour. But I suggest that we should engage with some extreme adventures that would take our trust in God to the next level. And by extreme adventures, I meant activities or hobbies that are beyond ourselves... i.e, pouring our lives for the the kingdom of God, shepherding the next generation, helping save and restore human trafficking victims, reaching out to people affected by crisis or those diminished by injustice, or whatever God may have put in our hearts to act on but are too big for our little self to get involve into. These are, after all, what God would want to see us doing more than our usual Sunday worship services and fasting (Isaiah 1:11-17 and Isaiah 58:3-7).

These calling-based occupation would definitely require ultimate dependence on God that would lead to a heathy, unforced prayer life. :) So... when and what is your next adventure?

The Hidden Beauty of Fortune Island

What to so when you feel like your body has been overused from work? Well I grab the nearest opportunity to damp my feet on the ocean or any nature adventure. That's how I end up discovering this hidden beauty of Fortune Island in Nasugbu, Batangas. The week of October has been jam-packed with business travels to Isabela, Iloilo and Cebu, and Manila events that I feel like the work-life imbalance has becoming more and more unhealthy. Although I've been trying my best to maximize my business trips by side tripping to nature spots in those areas, the spare time I have is really not gonna work for me. 

Last October 21, Wednesday, I had another launch event where one of my partners happened to invite me again to her weekend trip. Joyce has been so persistent to invite me to her climbs and other adventure but I would just always not be free on a Saturday, except this one. So I said an impulsive YES to her Fortune Island Getaway with her group of 11 friends/acquaintances. I did not think of the budget, I did not think of how an effort it is for me to be with unknown people on an adventure, I did not mind waking up very early as in 3 am on a Saturday. All I care about was to go somewhere else I haven't been to and be refreshed by the nature. Three days after, I was already on a boat, first one to have hopped in, and on my way to a place I have never even heard of prior to that week. 

I have read a couple of blogs about Fortune Island and have discovered that it was an abandoned resort. No electricity, no fresh water, no wash rooms. But I don't mind. It was a day trip anyway. The island seems a lonely one but when once you see a glimpse of its white sand and Grecian architectures, you'll realize that sometimes beauty is preserved by mystery and solitude.

This is not an itinerary blog so I wont go to the details of how to go there and stuff. :) But overall, this is an escapade that is a cheap alternative for a day trip.

Mongolia TenDays Cross Cultural Experience

With the leadership of its infamous conqueror Chinggis Khan, Mongolia became an Ancient World Power in the 13th to 14th centuries having an empire that stretched from Central Asia to North in Siberia, to West, East and South Asia, even to Central Europe. In modern times, this Land of Steppe and Sky has an easy access to Russia, China and even to North Korea, where most other nations find hard to penetrate.

Now, could you imagine the potential of this nation to spread the Gospel under the leadership of Jesus? Our Ten Days Mission team of 13 went to UlaanBaatar last July 3-14 carrying that vision of God redeeming Mongolia's history by using its influence to advance His kingdom to the ends of the world.

The challenge is, for about 10 years, our local church there in Mongolia has grown to just 55-65 members attending every Sunday. So, being limited in time but overflowing with God's resources, we focused on 3 things:

1. Empowering the small pool of local leaders to grow and to go and evangelize their countrymen;

2. Establishing or ministering to the members of the local church;

3. Engaging with key people in the city.

I. EMPOWERING ACTIVITIES

a.    We conducted a Leadership Training for the local leaders to enable them to catch the harvest of people that God is going to bring to Every Nation Mongolia.

b.  We prayed to commission the leaders and members of the church to step out of their comfort zone and start to Go and Make Disciples of the city.

 c.      We declared God’s Word for Pastor Oyuna and her 3 daughters Jemi, Anna and Esther to encourage them as they continue to lead Every Nation Mongolia.


II. ESTABLISHING AND MINISTERING ACTIVITIES

a.      We ministered to the members of the church through praise and worship, preaching and sharing of testimonies during the two Sundays that we were there.

- Pastor Carlo and Atty. Inky preached about Making Disciples and how important it is to be planted in the Word of God.  

- Jerome and Momar joined the music team in leading praise and worship

- Chris and Jonai shared their testimonies on how Jesus changed their lives

- Beda shared the word about embracing the Father’s love

-  Joy did Tithes and Offerings during the last Sunday worship

b.      The ladies ministered to the kids not just in Kids Church but by caring for them while their parents participated in the trainings. Esther, Pastor Oyuna’s 10-year old kid really has a big heart for teaching those younger than her.

c,  Angelo shared in the Couple’s Night on how to honor God in their marriage and parenthood, and the whole team prayed for the couples a prayer of blessing.

 d. We served the marrying couple in the following ways:
-Pastor Carlo officiated the wedding and proclaiming the Word of God to the non-Christian guests
-Joy, Mina and Rachel served as the photographers and videographers
-Jonai produced an Audio Video Presentation for the couple
-Momar and Jerome played special number for the couple and the guests
-the rest of the team helped in decorating and preparing the venue

III. ENGAGING ACTIVITIES

a. We engaged with and prayed for Urgaa, a traditional singer in Mongolia, and his pregnant wife, Naranerhes. We prayed that he and his wife may come to the knowledge of Christ and eventually be used to advance the kingdom of God in the entertainment industry.

b. We connected Pastor Oyuna with Mongolian Red Cross Sec. Gen. Bolormaa Nordov (former Member of Parliament) and Admin Director Purevjav Jambalragcha. We prayed that this relationship between the Mongolian Red Cross and the local church will prosper for the advancement of God’s kingdom. (From Left: Admin Director Purevjav Jambalragcha, Atty. Inky Reyes, Sec. Gen. Bolormaa Nordov, Pastor Oyuna Joshua, Pastor Carlo Ratilla)

c. We conducted English Class for 3 days to engage with friends of some local church members.

d. We engaged and evangelized some students in the biking area where young people usually go to hang out.

Missions: The Ultimate Walk on Water

Being in a short-term mission trip to a different nation is packed with privileges that only comes when you obey God  and step into the unknown and uncertain. These privileges include, aside from travelling, being stretched in character and in faith in ways you could have never imagined, experiencing  cross-cultural encounter, connecting to locals from other nations that would be your buddy from somewhere around the world even after the missions, learning about significant things in life, and most especially being a part of what God is doing in advancing His Kingdom.

It's a great opportunity that a lot of believers are missing once they make missions a passive discipline of their Christian life. But who's to blame? Missions have always had a picture of hardship, lack of financial capabilities, and being vulnerable in an unknown territory. For me, these things entirely portrayed missions in hope to get people know Jesus, until God called me to go on my first ever mission trip to  Medan, Indonesia. Since then, I realized there's more to a mission trip than just losing your life. In fact, it's about finding life and its meaning and purpose.

Going on a mission trip is something similar, but not entirely, to going on a different place to explore. When you travel for vacation, the thrill, experience and learning that the tour gives you  makes the money, time and energy spent worth it. Travailing a mountain to its top, diving a cliff and walking in heights are experiences you have to work hard for but when you do, there's fulfilment inside your heart that no save money, spared time or unused energy can equally provide. When you go to missions, all the privileges I stated initially make it worth all the resources you would have to spend, in addition to the fulfilment that obedience to God's Great Commission to "Go and make disciples of all nations" brings.

I realized Christians may be more aware of these privileges if they have a clear picture of what happens in the mission field so I'm writing in the next posts the experiences that my current short-term mission trip in Mongolia are accomplishing in me.

Boracay Diaries

I'm here in Boracay for a 3D2N incentive trip from Microsoft. Oh am I not so much blessed to be able to go to the island so popular worldwide but I had given up hopes of being in due to the cost. So grateful to God for just placing me in the right places. 

Today we had a whole day activity including the ff:

-Cliff diving

-Snorkeling

-Island hopping to Magic Island and Puka Beach

-Parasailing (the one where they fly you through a parachute-like thing)

-Paraw Sailing (the one where you ride a sailboat)

I had a really great time being the naturally adventurous me. But tonight is an equally amazing time as I chose to isolate myself from my teammates who are now in the market. Shopping's just not a priority especially when I have the option to just lay down at the fine sands of White Beach while taking my chance on stargazing on a pretty cloudy night with an acoustic performance at the background from a nearby restaurant.

Oh Lord thank you for letting me experience a simple life at the beach. I can sleep here, you know? :) 

He has Proven! - Mongolia MPD Chronicles

I shared in my previous post about how God has specifically commanded me to not do anything with trust in Him as I near the deadline of completing my funds for my Mongolia short term mission trip. I'm writing to share how He has proven himself once more to be worthy of trust and obedience.

During the 2 weeks span of not doing anything in hope that God will give His provision miraculously, I couldn't help but play in my head different scenarios of how God might meet my need. Scenarios such as:

1. Maybe He will use just one person to provide all the Php15,330.00 I was lacking as of June 3.
2. Maybe those whom have pledged to give but have not stated an amount will complete the lack.
3. Maybe those who have not responded yet to my request for partnership will finally say yes.
4. Maybe a relative will give 'the amount that I was lacking.

Amazingly, none of those scenarios happened! God had His own idea of provision. On the day of my deadline, I was exhilarated in faith that God will show miracles of His provision. Indeed, unexpected support came in one by one. I got 6k of support in the morning, 7k in the afternoon and finally 3k in the evening which completed my funds! And the most comforting thing about it is that all those support were channeled through my mission team mates! These people already reached their target and more partners are supporting them so they channeled the money to those who are still lacking. It was amazing because suddenly, my teammates were not just teammates anymore, but God's instruments to really push me into what He has called me to do. I have gained confidence and trust to my teammates which I believe will bond us stronger as we complete what God has laid out for us in Mongolia. :)

Why I Dare To Do Nothing - Mongolia MPD Chronicles

What do you do while waiting on God's promise that has to come within a deadline yet God tells you to do nothing? Can you really do nothing when you know that your testimony is on the line? That's exactly my dilemma right now.

I'm Php 15K short of funds for my short-term mission trip to Mongolia. Around last week, I feel prompted to just trust God that He will complete my MPD. However, I wasn't sure if that prompt came from the Lord or if it's just the work of the enemy trying to hinder me from reaching my goal. But deep inside, I feel like being asked to step out of the boat and walk on water where there's just a lot of uncertainties. So I stopped approaching people when I started to feel that call, even though I wasn't really sure if that's from God. However, came Thursday, 7 days from my deadline, I came across  verses in the Bible for that day's Bible Reading Plan which loudly spoke into my situation.

That’s it. You’re not “doing” anything; you’re simply calling out to God, trusting him to do it for you. That’s salvation. With your whole being you embrace God setting things right, and then you say it, right out loud: “God has set everything right between him and me!” Scripture reassures us, “No one who trusts God like this—heart and soul—will ever regret it.” (Somewhere in Romans 10, The Msg)

Although the verses refer to Salvation, those words were like a confirmation in my heart to just be still and do nothing. And how timely that the verses I was going to share on that coming Sunday was about obedience, i.e, Obedience puts us in a position to receive God's promise. That was a big warning sign for me to really stay still and not get my hands into work!

But I get feeds from Viber about my team mates getting support here and there with the partners they are approaching. At first it was really encouraging but when I realize everyone's moving forward but  me, I can't help but start to doubt if God really intended me to just keep still. Besides, isn't approaching partners to share the vision one of the goals of MPD? And is that being excellent to do nothing knowing that you have a deadline to beat? I hear myself now screaming inside my head "Could you just let me do something, Lord???" I have a couple of people in my head that I could still approach or follow up. Yet I know in my heart that that would be disobedience. Plus I know that what pleases God is faith and not excellence!

So what can I do now? And then I was reminded to say in response "Praise God." Yeah that's what I'll do. Praise God when he has called me to focus my eyes on Jesus even though the situation is a bit rocky. Focus my eyes on Jesus knowing that He is faithful to bless me when I obey. Look beyond this deadline and be in faith that I will be in Mongolia despite the oppositions. And most of all, trust that whether I reach 100% or not, God is in control. :)

Calling Unfolding

My local church Victory Pioneer is really good at equipping and empowering its people to do the ministries that God has called each of his followers to be a part of. Just last month, we got trained on The Power of United Prayer. Like a Swiss knife, prayer can look such a basic tool in a Christian's life but it can really come in handy in unlikely situations. The basic of course is God's love, and from that, we can extend the same love to other people by praying for them and even prophesying or speaking God's Words to them. I remember really being in faith during the training that God would give me divine boldness to pray even for people whom I have never known. That boldness would really be useful as I meet people when I travel. Even more so that Í feel like being sent to places where people are in need.

Just this weekend we got trained on Spiritual Warfare. This topic has always got the least of me as I would always think that fighting spiritual warfare are for those who are hard core Christians... those who spend their whole day praying or casting out demons. But then my eyes were opened to the truth that God can use anyone to deliver people from the oppressions they are facing just by being motivated by the love of God. The stories, tips and videos shown all appealed to my heart that I'm convinced now that God can use me up to the point of facing demons and casting them out.

Probably for other members of the church, these trainings are the normal stuff that feeds their spiritual discipline. However for me, these events are like subplots that unfold and confirms the major plot in my life which is to say, my calling. I realize that traveling has greater purpose than just exploring but it can spread the love of God contagiously if only travellers are aware of the same love that Jesus shown on the cross.

May 16 would always be a remarkable day as once again, it has confirmed and made clearer the calling that God has planned out for me. It's even crazy that I was woken in the middle of my sleep and though I tried to go back to sleep, I couldn't help but cry out of the overwhelming things the Lord is doing in my life. A wretch that God wants to use. That's me.

9 Things You Can Enjoy in Singapore even on a Tight Schedule

When the year started, I prayed to God to send me to 2 countries. Send is the best appropriate word for me since going abroad is something I cannot do by myself alone. I need a sponsor, a generous one. God, being the faithful One that He is, answered that prayer through a surprise. Earlier this April, Microsoft announced a training in Singapore that involves the product I'm handling for my company. In no time, I was walking the streets of Singapore.

Although I was there for only 3 days and 2 nights and my free time didn't start until 5pm, I planned spontaneously for my tight wanderlust adventure. And though the schedule is tight, I had the best of city experience in this world-renown country.

9 Things You Can Enjoy in Singapore even on a Tight Schedule.

1. Checking my bucket list to walk the OCBC Skyway in the Supertrees of Gardens by the Bay.

I get my everyday feeds of wanderlust articles from different sources but most of it I catch from people I follow in Instagram and from Lonely Planet articles published daily in MSN. Thrillingly one day, I stumbled upon the article "Best Skywalks in the World" and OCBC Skywalk in Singapore happened to be one of them. Right at that instant when I was looking at the photo and reading the caption, it instantly became an item in my bucket list and I knew I could tick it off so soon. So April 27, we were settled at Carlton hotel at 3pm, worked a bit, and by 5pm I already hit the road for Gardens by the Bay.

It was a long walk from Marina Bay Station to the Gardens and I should've taken the Bayfront route but it was worth the 45-minute walk! :) The Skyway is not very high and is entirely secure with no chance of you falling unless you intentionally jump. It was glorious to see the sun set within the towers of Marina Bay Sands. It's worth my 5S$ (168Php) to see the different shades of green in this modern city. 

My signature pose on OCBC Skyway across Marina Bay Sands

A snapshot of the supertrees light show taken while I was laid on the grass.

2. Lying down the garden grass to watch the Supertrees Light Show. It couldn't be more romantic to just lie down under the sky so carefree while watching a spectacle of lights dancing to mashed Disney and some modern music. :) I don't have hand to hold right there but my heart was so bursting with romance and I could only credit the experience to God's awesomeness! :) The show lasted for 15 minutes and was for free! ^_^

The streets of Singapore.

3. Walking the unfamiliar streets of SG. I'm a walker especially in an unfamiliar place. I cherish every step I take towards the destination I have set, or sometimes away from it. I did it in Vietnam and I would definitely not miss doing it in SG especially that its streets are clean, modern and so safe!

So you can travel the whole country using the train system?
Impressive!

4. The complex yet commuter-friendly Train System. It was an adventure of a lifetime to undergo the whole train riding experience. I had to ask a lot about directions because it's more fun to ask than just completely rely on Google Maps. I had to bother a couple to instruct me on how to get a train ticket. Here in Manila I just had to fall in line and mention my destination. But in SG you have to operate a ticketing machine but once you have mastered it, it's very easy to get anywhere especially.

German girls who helped me
take shots :D

Malaysian local who helped me with
my train ride :)

5. Talking to locals and non-locals. SG is so diverse and I'm so thrilled to be surrounded by people from literally Every Nation. Surround me with a Filipino crowd and I will probably be nonchalant. But my heart is all out for people of different nations. It could be really inconvenient to be in a place where you know very little but I actually enjoyed talking to locals and non-locals alike to ask for directions, help, or to take me a photo since I was wanderlusting alone.

6. Modern structures. The high rise structures, although present in Manila, gave me a more western feel. I'm a nature lover and nature never fails to be my favorite but I highly appreciates architecture as well.

Majestic view at the Merlion Park

There's wifi almost everywhere!

7. Free WiFi everywhere! Unlike here in the Philippines where only a few establishment offer free wifi, in SG there's free Wifi everywhere if you have a good signal. I think they put the whole country under a network of access points so you can get internet anywhere. Even hotels give it for free. I was waiting on a cab queue in Fullerton Hotel under strong rains and was surprised to find out that I could access the hotel's wifi although I'm not a guest.

Met my friend Dianne.

8. Meeting a friend in SG. There are a lot of Filipinos in SG and I know a handful of them. It's always enjoyable to meet friends in a different setting other than where you have met them. In SG I met my friend Dianne, working as a nurse for 3 years, for a short late night catch up.

9. Waiting is not boring at the Airport. It is recommended that during international flights, you should be at the airport at least 3 hours prior to ETD. Most of the time, I bring a book or something else to make myself entertained of productive between check in time and boarding time. However, I didn't need that in the mall/terminals of Changi Airport. I didn't even notice the time passing while I was window shopping!

Mall feel in the airport

a

There are still a lot to enjoy in SG that I wasn't able to do due to lack of spare time. However, I'm definitely gonna make time for the following on my next visit.

Go to the farthest stations of the Train Station in the North, East and West lines :D (Bucket list)`
Explore the Little India and Chinatown

Universal Studios

Botanical Garden

Shop till I drop

See you next time, Sing!

The Best Wanderlust Ever!

In the span of almost 10 years of being a Christian whose one of the disciplines is to inconsistently read the Bible (being honest here), I have gone through the book of Acts a lot of times since I pass through it at least once a year. The New Testament for me is like a balikbayan package, full of good stuff. However Acts appealed to be the most boring for me, and therefore least favorite, because the story is like a repetition of people (almost entirely Paul) going to a place, preaching to the people, getting persecuted, being saved from murder plots, then moving on to the next city or province. It wasn't like the other books in the New Testament where you see Jesus taught or performed miracles a lot (as in the Gospels) or where you see practical tips as you walk your Christian life (as in the letters/epistles). 

This year however seems to have a different turn. As I read on Acts, I'm really hooked with where the disciples are going, why they are going there, who they are meetin along the way, and how they respond during transistions and their  actual stay. I get so excited to read an when I see an ancient place where the disciples have gone, I would open the maps and trace where these cities are !

I also got hooked with the turn of events as if I've never read them before. 

I was recently reading Acts 22-24 about Paul getting back to Jerusalem from hist missionary journey inspite of the threats to his life and I could see a movie playing in my head while reading about the mob, the trials, the plot of murder, his public speaking as he explains very well the Way, and how he responded to all of this hardships. It was all exciting that I would want to move and read the next chapter! But I wouldn't want to deprive tomorlro of it's exciting chapter.

I was just amazed that my current season changes a lot of things. Good changes. I believe that it's because of the missionary side of me growing more that makes me more susceptible to the ministry of the Holy Spirit through the book of Acts. And Paul, you're the best WANDERLUST ever!

My Burning Heart for the Nations

One of the most wonderful feelings ever is when you see your purpose in life starting to unfold. Many of us live for the moment trying to excel at the most, or survive at the least. However, I believe that a God so good and great did not just create a person to exist then just die. There must be a purpose why He took time to form a man, and when things didn't go right, He sent his most precious one to redeem that same man, including his identity and purpose in life. But even finding your purpose is not that easy to do. Maybe because purpose is not something you have to find, but rather a marvelous thing that God unfolds right before your eyes if you're paying attention. And when you see even a glimpse of it unfolding, your heart starts to burn. A burning sensation that is not painful, but actually exciting and life-giving. That's when you really start to LIVE rather than EXIST.

I feel like this has been what's happening in my life at this season, which started as year 2015 unfolds. But before I go to that part, I would like to paint the whole picture for you, my dear reader, and it started with a break up last July 2013. It probably sounds cliche that sometimes you become someone you never expected to be after a break up. I was a typical Christian, satisfied with having a job, some friends at Church, and a boyfriend. I feel so blessed that I felt like I could live like that with life revolving around basic things that are satisfyingly good. However, without me knowing, God was planning another thing. It led to me and my ex breaking up and an emotional whirlpool consequently. It was hard to breakup with the man you thought you were going to marry when you are 25 years old, especially if you're breaking up with him at the age of 25. :) What would happen to my dream of marrying soon?  Surely it doesn't take  just 1 year to be with another man just so I could squeeze my plans of marrying in my self-plotted calendar. It was a season of crying and doubting and trying to move on. But I was thankful that God had a "moving on strategy" for me:

• He surrounded me with friends full of Godly wisdom
• He spoke directly to my soul through podcasts. Read how a couple miles away helped me move on without them knowing!
• He used my mess to be a message to the girls I was leading in my church group.
• He started a spark in my heart by speaking through a book "Sun Stand Still" which told me that God has something big for me to do, and what was happening to me at that season was to prepare me for it. He was taking out people and things, and He was adding another. That taking and adding were both blessings.

The fourth item was really what got me moving forward fast. I knew that just like any person aiming a goal, he has to submit to the preparation. Just as how an athlete trains hard everyday, depriving its flesh of its desires just to enable his body to be made close to perfect for his sport. Just as how a soldier is disciplined hard during training so that war would be a familiar environment once it comes. And it consoled me a lot that the hardships I was going through at that time were necessary to prepare me for that something big which I had no idea yet.

Year 2014 came bringing a theme of fire for the year. You may read this post to be inspired even when going through fire. I've gone through a lot of hardships which taught me important things like:

• Trials are actually situations you can be thankful about, rather than complaining about. Trials refine you like gold and sharpen you like iron making you mature.
• My life is not my own, and that should make me excited. I can't imagine how miserable my life would be if I'm in control of my own life... and that's based on experience. However God is in control. 
• Enjoy whatever you face in life. Even if sometimes it causes you to eat or sleep less, or feel miserable or emotional, or get weary and hopeless... all these situations can be used for your good if you trust God.

I can't really summarize all the lessons I've learned from that year but somehow, those lessons changed a lot about my perspective as a 26-yr old single woman. Of course there were also great things that happened like being promoted, getting to travel to Vietnam for training, being sent all over Philippines to do my job and getting used by God for a short-term mission trip in Medan, Indonesia.

Then 2015 came, the year of the unfolding. First day of the year, I felt a spark in my heart to travel. It was like a zing when you meet someone you are attracted to for the first time. But this time, this zing happened when I think I have seen a glimpse of my purpose in life. The days ahead did not dry from the same spark... actually the spark continued to grow until it is now a fire, due to confirmations from God as prompts in my heart. Everyday, I would dream of travelling. I would beg God to do something. Sometimes I would surrender the whole dream to Him just to make sure it's not eating me. But I wake up the next day still in faith for the same thing I have surrendered. 

My only problem with this vision is that it seems too self-serving. The burning desire was to travel but I could not link it with advancing the kingdom of God. Missionaries do by staying in a country to soak with the people there as they establish or plant a church. However, I wasn't leaning to that, although it is a noble cause that I believe in. But one thing's sure, it's gonna be fulfilled by traveling. I was already planning on a 12-month trip around the world. Yes, as in quit my job and just explore. But money is a big problem so I also forming Plan b which is to work abroad to fund my travel. That's my own mind trying to control the situation.

However, the purpose unfolds more as recently, my heart resolved that I want to do aid work in United Nations. My heart was burning the highest one day when I realized I'm called to pour out my life to the nations by being sent to places where others may be afraid of going to. I have the least idea about aid work but I'm sure that it is hard. But hey, that's why I spent the whole 2014 learning about hardships, right? :) A friend whom I've contacted who also works for United Nations wisely asked me the 1st important question: "Are you sure?" And  I was pretty sure I am.

So as of today, April 15, that's what's in my heart. (to be continued...)

When Attacked Emotionally

I thought it was just the time of the month when the women hormones manifest big time. March 29 was quite a busy day, leaving home at Pque at 8am, prepare some spiel for the Tithes and Offerings exhortation, 11 am service, lunch with the girls, Eizza's baby shower, final exam at RTU and review for my 2nd certification exam for Microsoft. But the ending of my very fruitful day is furthermore sweet was I was expecting to go home with my family. However for some strange randomness, it took so long for a Boni Derecho jeepney to arrive for me to ride to EDSA. Even worse is that it took an hour (I feel like it was that long) for me to ride an air-condition bus going to Bicutan. Not that there wasn't any that passes by. But the first one drove by without even stopping for me. Had to wait some more time and I also missed the second bus. I think I was already out of my mind to see 2 more pass by without stopping for me. I can't describe the betrayal I feel when I was so excited to go home and yet I cant get a ride.

Right at that moment I was already have tantrum-like thoughts towards God. I know that He could've done in His sovereign power some normal thing so that at least one of those 4 buses stopped by for me. I was already shouting in my heart, wanting to cry, doubting God's love. I couldn't believe I was starting to doubt God's love again for me just because I couldn't get a ride home. Finally when I was already forcing my tears to fall so I can release some hurt and disappointment at least, a bus stopped for me. I was so emotionally stressed that I was crying in the bus. All I can remember is myself saying I'm so tired... Tired of the too many things I'm doing, tired of all the challenges and testing, tired of the disappointments given to me by other people (yeah that's very specific to AJ and BJ backing out from our Sagada trip). I'm emotionally and physically tired.

I got to SM Bicutan and went to Zagu for a comfort drink but as kind of expected, they're already closed. I went to Bon Appetea because I really wanted a comfort drink to calm me down. But they don't have pearls. It was such a big deal that my expectations weren't met by a lot of things/people.

When I get home the drama still continued and I still kept on crying to God. But at the end of it I was thankful to God for my wonderful emotions. I was asking for forgiveness for my emotional tantrums. And the experience is over.

So I thought. How timely that in the book I was reading...

There are several points that arise from any analysis of the Fall narrative and Eden... 

Third, the underlying impulse of that external force is aimed at undermining and despoiling God's handiwork, and its chief weapons are the assertion of autonomy and DOUBT OF GOD'S LOVE.

The enemy got me there. I doubted God's love. And I realized it wasn't just a hormonal attack but an attack of the enemy. But I know that I'm over it because I feel God's love so much today. I passed the certification that I only reviewed for 1 day. God's grace! Love you Lord!

Where to next?

Beginning the moment I fully accepted the vision to travel last January 2, 2015, never a day passed without a thought that feeds the desire larger. Thoughts vary from: new places being added to my list as I scroll a couple of travel accounts i follow on instagram, to deciding whether I'd like a companion in this expedition, to linking how God might use this desire for His glory, even to doubt whether is this really possible... Can i make it through? Will I die during the journey? Will I be able to handle new relationships well, or will I ever get new ones? How the heck will this happen next year without a large amount of savings? A lot if questions but the fire inside my heart feels so sure it's going to happen. So will you help me God?

Coron's Extra Mile: What You've Never Heard or Seen of In Palawan, Philippines

I couldn't agree more with travelers who voted that the title "World's Top Island" belongs to Palawan, besting other wondrous piece of water-surrounded-lands on earth in the Conde Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Awards for 2014. I have been dreaming to experience with my own naked eyes the beauty of Coron, Palawan because it really looks lustful to the eyes of a wanderer like me. Two years since I conceived that bucket list item, I still didn't have the money but I got an incentive at work allowing me the privilege to tick off this Island from my list. Oh thank you, Microsoft Philippines for paying for my Coron adventure. :)

There are countless travel blogs about Palawan ready to be served by Google (Did I just mention Microsoft and Google in the same blog? Haha) or your mobile travel app at your fingertips. Replicable itineraries, places to go to, restaurants to eat at, hotels to stay in, where to go and how to go, costings, and the likes. This one, however, will not enroll from that roster of documentaries, else I will bore myself in writing this knowing that you have already read most details in the previous blog you checked or the next one you're gonna click. But as my title goes, I'm 99.9% sure you haven't read or heard or experienced. Ready, be? :)

What I describe as the Extra Mile in Coron is not the breathtaking Islands, lakes, coves nor beaches but the guy assigned by Calamian Travel and Tours to be my traveling group's Tour Guide. If the picture of an island tour guide that comes to your mind is a Palawan local whose skin is darkened by the sun's everyday rays, sometimes confidently communicating in English in the local accent, then you got the initial scenario right. But unlike any other hired local tour companions that I have encountered in the past who would really just show you where the way is and that's it, our tour guide in Coron adds a colorful paint to our adventures. Roy proved to be genuinely an enthusiast and an amazing Palawan local.

He tells historical facts charmingly keeping you from getting bored. (Who doesn't, on history?)

Yes, he gave us Coron's geographical background interestingly in good english :)

With his ice-breaking jokes, he uplifts some tension caused by the 2-hour delay in our island-hopping trip.

He guides us life-vested, scared to drown non-swimmers to the best spots.

Friendly fishies from Skeleton Wreck

This is me and Era in a funny position about to enter the cave! We got out safely, by the way :)

Tirelessly, he pulls us back to the boat when the waves are more than we can conquer (and reminding us not to drink salt water like a salt drink... sounds like soft drink!)

He swims so excellently that you'd feel safe around him when in the deep waters.

Illegal must be a dangerous word, but he does break some rules so we can experience holding a giant clam he fetched from the corals of Cap's Point. 

The giant clam he borrowed from the reef so we can experience touching it :)

This is him showing us the the giant clam in close encounters :)

But he sent it back safely, don't charge him! :)

He patiently guides us up and down some peaks though he's gone the trails probably a hundred times.

Like a dolphin, he enjoyingly performs tricks to entertain us like diving thru a deep rock formation's openings.

Dive trick at Kayangan lake

With willingness, he takes excellent pictures of us, really taking the extra mile just to get the best angles!

So how do you imagine he took this shot? :)

The focus may have not set right but the angle is amazing. He took it from inside a cave!

He takes additional requests outside his job description... like handle valuables when in the waters so they don't get wet, or carry items while trekking up and down hills or even assist each step of our trek.

Like a chef, he prepared our lunch while at the boat.

Roy does the cooking too! And we enjoyed our lunch by the bay :)

I sound like I'm promoting him, and yes I do promote him. But the joy of enumerating all these is the revelation that the list of extra miles that makes Roy different from other tour guide, and consequently that Roy makes Coron different than  other trips I've been to, leads me to discovering amazing attributes of the God that I know... Unlike how many other people perceive him, the truth is the God is,..

Full of adventures and challenges

A source of security and enjoyment

Brimming with surprising ideas or revelations

Bringing you difficult roads but at the end leads to breathtaking experiences.

Never leaves you nor forsakes you.

I had a short conversation with Roy after the trip to thank him for making the tour extra fun. Eventually, I found out that he's a Christian, too. Then I had no wonder why he reflected the characters that our God possesses. :)

P.S. If you're having second thoughts of getting Calamian Travel and Tours to set your itinerary, I assure you that it will make your trip worth the money you paid. And if you can, request for Roy's service. Then comment on this post if you have also experienced Coron's Extra Mile :)

My Moonriver Prayer

Found myself almost posting my prayer tonight in Facebook but I was in doubt so I reverted to my month-long forgotten online journal (aka blog). My intention was to share to my virtual world my longing to Travel the World and Being with my Huckleberry Finn. I'm not sure which item God would like to answer first but it would be sweeter to aim for the same Rainbow's end with another glider.

Moonriver, wider than a mile, I'm crossing you in style someday.
Two drifters off to see the world. There's such A LOT OF WORLD TO SEE.
We're after the same Rainbow's end, waiting round the bend, my Huckleberry friend.
Moonriver and me. (#ALotOfEmotionsWhileTyping)

My evening prayer in a form of this classic song. I know you hear me Lord :)