When I went to Jzone the next day, there were five new first timers who came to our group. I was just in awe on how our leader was able to share the God’s love through Jesus Christ as he made it so clear and moving. God’s way to heaven is truly remarkable through what Christ did, and at that moment where he was speaking of it in that manner, I just felt the need to do my part all over again. I wanted the same experience for the community that I handle. God placed my in that position so that I could make a difference in their lives, to share how Jesus had changed me.

I went to jail.

Anyway, my experience of going to the Bureau of Corrections Service –Learning Activity in Muntinlupa City was quite moving. The experience really brought about so much insight on the way God makes everything work out for the good of those who love Him. Before going, I had this sort of peace within myself, knowing that somehow I’d be able to learn something special that day and be a means of service to others. However, that peace towards the end of the day turned to a struggle on my part, to find my means of service in the community. It started with the bus ride again, where I had to sit alone again because we were of an uneven number. I guess I have been able to realize that I hadn’t really made a friend in my class. Well, it’s not like we’re not all friends, but from there, there’s no one I can really say I got close to. Anyway, Jesus sat beside me again. Haha. The ride was really cold though, I was shivering a little, needed some sort of warmth. However, I thought about some things again, it pertained to this story of how two of my house helper’s uncles were sent to the same correctional facility not because they committed a crime, but because they didn’t know how to read and signed a confession letter. That fact really got me to think about how injustices happen in the world, and it was really disappointing. However, I would later find out the deeper implications to the troubles that people undergo. It rained hard though, many of us got wet, however, this was something that the inmates there had to deal with living in an environment like that. Being placed in a classroom set up where the inmates were given a chance to study, we anxiously awaited the activities to start. There we would later perform our class presentations, view the inmate’s presentations, communicate each other’s situations, start tutoring, celebrate mass, share food and disclose what we’ve learned from one another. From all the activities, I’ve found the sharing of oneself to each other to be the most moving. I was paired up with this man named Noe Tuballas, 49, who was put into prison for homicide. However, it wasn’t as plain to figures as that. As I got to talk to Noe, I later found out that he fought for his life, as he was stabbed by the other but later was able to incapacitate the attacker who ended up dead later. He went on to telling his life story, and even showed me the scar of where he had been wounded. I listened intently as he told about the troubles and hardships of the life he lived, the instance where he separated with his wife, lost his parents, and later his own freedom. I did my best to sympathize with his feelings as he truly demonstrated the glimpse of hope in his eyes. This was a man who somehow endures through all the destitution which has fallen upon his life. He truly had this measure of faith developed not through hearing alone, but through real life experiences. However, I suspected something different from this person, and that assumption would later be confirmed after the mass. He was a born again Christian such as I was. I was later able to connect with him concerning matters of faith, and it just pleased me to have someone like him to converse with the little things in life and the way God uses them to form a greater meaning. Though he was a person who lost almost everything, he still had the will to move on, and the faith to back him up. A person of great understanding once said, “You’ll never know that God is all you need, until God is all you’ve got.” It’s certainly easy to acknowledge something like that, but what inspired me so much is that a simple man like him, learned to live that truth out. In learning that God is still there, still in control and does everything for one’s good, we finally understand the purpose of even the most difficult injustices that conspires in our lives. Going to that place was a remarkable experience, seeing that, people who had committed mistakes in the past were brought to a second chance at life, a shot at conversion. There was actually this group of inmates who were born again and they sought out the kingdom of God in their situation. They’ve been able to bring much people to Christ and reveal true salvation to them. And that’s what makes it so awe-inspiring, the fact that God used everything, including the people’s own sin, and brought good out of it in giving them a new life, hope for a better future. In that correctional facility, inmates are able to study, develop their talents, and even dance. Everything is set in an atmosphere where God is present, and people transformed more and more, in the likeness of Christ. It’s not as good as it sounds though, there are several restraints and difficulties to deal with especially with the most basic matters such as food, clothes, shelter and even toiletries. However, the people learn to endure, assimilate perseverance and build character. Patience was truly lived out by the people inside of that facility as they learned to enjoy the true riches in life. I was able to write a letter to my partner after the visit, and tried to impart words of comfort and encouragement, but also gave a few donations to help him realize that God has set some people to care for him. As I look back on it, I’m once again blessed to know that my Lord had conspired these events to work out for me to learn something special.

I was given the opportunity to buy this work of simple craftsmanship that my partner made.

The day after, after some tedious swimming that caused my arms to ache for a few days, I passed by the overpass over Ortigas and had an encounter with this beggar. My parents tell me not to give any money, ever. A topic such as this has been thought throughout by many, factors such as work, and taking advantage has been considered. There’s also the concern that one instance of helping wouldn’t be able to give much aid, and a long term means of assistance such as teaching would be more profitable. However, for moments like these, where the guy was just sitting down there without anything, weak deprived, I was somehow moved to compassion. Well, it’s just that God has already prepared all opportunities for us to help, and it’s just our decision on how to respond. He may not be there the next day, and he wasn’t in fact. Moreover, I suppose that what moved me the most was what Jesus had said, “If you give even a cup of cold water to one of the least of my followers, you will surely be rewarded.”-Matthew 10:42 Even the simplest of actions, such as a cup of cold water would make a difference in that person’s life at that moment, and show that somehow God is still present. So I chose to respond as Jesus had said, but in my case it was a carton of chocolate milk.

Yet, I’ve been reflecting for a long time, the thing about the servant life, and this concerned my future. I would often think about what I would do in the future, up to now, I’m still uncertain of what career choice to take, and I don’t really have any idea of which college to go to. It’s just that my parents are pushing me into a path which I’m not sure I’d like to take, for I was brought to this understanding that life isn’t about what one accomplishes on earth. Given the wider perspective of eternity, it seems futile to work at something that wouldn’t even last. I wish I could follow my heart. I’ve been so blessed in so many different ways, but I’d want to be the blessing. Knowing that I only have one life, with the fact that there are so many different roads to take, I’m hoping to walk along the lines of the narrow path, where only few would come across. I just don’t want to stand at the end of my life and look back realizing that God could have used me so much better. According to my Multiple Intelligence test, it’s fitting for me to be a surgeon, and that’s what I feel my parents want, but a greater possibility for me is to become a preacher or a sort or inspirational writer maybe. Would my attitude be that of Christ Jesus, who came not to be served but to serve and give His life? I guess not many would understand what it means to be ‘fully alive’, and that’s why I don’t think my parents would be able to accept what I’d like to do with this life. I still live in a world where things work in the opposite of what God would want of us. I do not want to come to the realization that I’ve used my life for my own personal fulfillment because Christ has changed all of that. Therefore I’m faced with the option, to give up my personal ambitions, desires, affections, and even my whole life, to know what it really means to live.

When the time comes, God will help me make the decision, I trust Him.

Several things happened throughout the week at school. There were such good times where the Lord just blessed me during all my tests and troubles that I had to bear, and I had nothing to worry about. However, something that really got me confounded during the week was that I got the results of one of the Chinese tests we had. It was a pair work, where my partner wouldn’t allow me to answer and just went on ahead doing it himself. I sincerely wanted to help and tried to, but couldn’t. At that time, he seemed like he knew what he was doing. However, with some false information from the substitute teacher, and several confusions along the way, it hadn’t turned out any good. 10/100. Most people got nearly perfect, except for some though. Realizing this was one of the most disappointing experiences in school this week. Nevertheless, I genuinely remembered that I had neither feelings of worry nor loss of hope, because I trusted that there would be a way to alleviate what happened. The pain of this is that all of my other tests which were done individually obtained perfect or near perfect results, and here existed this hindrance to what could have been a very successful quarter. Nonetheless, I still believed that everything was going to be fine, and I trusted in One who had a greater control over things. Thanks Raphie for spending time with me at that time, and sharing your own troubles with me. I know your Math will turn out well, just try to understand what your teacher is trying to say, and know that I’ll be praying for you. Later that day, as I was about to leave the classroom, I was told that there was a misunderstanding and we’d get a retest, and I thank the Lord for always being there for me.

Anyway, last Saturday became one of the most memorable get-togethers in a long time. I was able to wake up early that day to start of praising the Lord, exercise, and then work on some schoolwork. Moreover, I tried to polish things up with the CLC concerns that I had and later took some of the work with me. It started off when we had to meet at McDo in Eastwood, and the problem was that I never went there before. Luckily for me, I got directions from Smarla and my mom brought me there. Upon arrival, I waited for a while until Trish arrived. We spoke of how things were going in CLC over there at ICA and then moved on to how baffling Chinese was in our levels because of the over simplification in nursery levels. However, Aldwin arrived after a few minutes and we proceeded to buy the tickets for the movie. It was a shame that TJ, Vince and Raphie didn’t arrive since we ended up buying an extra ticket hoping one of them would make it in time. Awaiting the arrival of Smarla, the three of us went to Gonuts Donuts first and bought a pack of 3, but couldn’t eat mine so it turned out that it was given to Smarla instead. Back at the McDonald’s Café, Smarla showed us her upgraded cell phone design with the new colored GaryV picture at the back.. Now she positions it in such a way that GaryV’s picture looks at her. Trish started teasing on how she saw GaryV having a video shoot in Eastwood a while back, and then Smarla explained how she made this video utilizing GaryV’s video and editing him to say certain things, to say the least. However, since Smarla was the only one eating at the time, we all started staring, thereafter, as Aldwin’s drink arrived, we shifted our attention to him instead. We just spent the time with laughs on silly matters that was still able to entertain us until Marian called. It turned out that she was already outside the Cinema, so went on to meet with her. Later on, we found her resting upon this purple sofa. It had been set that we would watch Fantastic Four, and we started to go to the movie house already, but that’s when it started. There was a rough conflict between Smarla and Marian because of matters which I will not give neither comment nor information about because I’m not part of the discord and I respect that. However, it was something that really got me confused because of how it got a little physical and over demonstrative through the use of the words and actions. I guess I’m not in the mood to comment on the movie anymore, but to say it was worth watching at the least. Aldwin was able to enjoy two seats because of the extra ticket. Then, Marian moved away from Smarla in the movie, as things got worse between the two. I still couldn’t understand it at that point, but later after the movie, matters got clearer after a while. Walking out of the building, they started talking but then Marian got irritated at Smarla for something, and then started walking at a distance from her. It seemed like she was just joking around at the start but it got more serious after. Outside though, there were pigeons and we started chasing them around but I could see in Mar’s eyes that she was not in the mood at the time. Thereafter, we started walking again, but then someone called Marian, but as Smarla was going up to her, she walked away from us.

Okay, the pigeons were too fast to capture.

It was rather enjoyable though.

Thus, we tried to discuss the issue, and at that time, I came to know what the matter was. And the heart of the matter was the matter of the heart. The rest of us tried to talk about it and we just struggled to understand what was wrong and think of what to do. For a while we just couldn’t figure out what was really wrong, and tried calling some people to understand the aspects of the matter, but our efforts lead to a fair assumption of what could have happened. Nevertheless, we sought out to look for Marian, until we couldn’t find her anywhere. Bewildered, we found ourselves just staying in one place trying to contact her. She replied to me though that she wasn’t really angry, but needed time to be alone. Thus, I did what I could to comfort the two, as I tried to sympathize with their feelings, however, there I realized the meaning of what I learned in English Class through the Little Price where it was “such a secret place, the land of tears.” Somehow, I felt the pain of the narrator in the story when he tried to comfort the little prince when he was crying because he came to a realization he couldn’t accept. Just like that pilot, I didn’t know what to say exactly to provide comfort, though I really felt the need that I had to. In some way, I found myself not knowing what to say and feeling awkward at the moment. I didn’t know what to do or say to reach them, went about blundering and felt the anguish of not being capable of setting things right. I just hope they’ll both restore the relationship between each other. I sincerely desire that each of you will be all right.

Trying our best to give the matter some time, we diverted our attention to politics as the happenings of present time are really tedious. Moreover, finding ourselves back in McDo, we just tried to put things to rest. A little later, Trish had to go already, and we ended up eating an early dinner there. However, it was at that time that I was able to contact Marian and she said she was all right at the moment, and that she was watching Marc’s performance at one of the establishments. For me, that was very consoling to hear as somehow, we wouldn’t have to remember that things turned out too bad.

It was just Aldwin, Smarla and I left there, and we got to talk about many things. One topic turned out to be how much of an honor it was to have Ronald McDonald’s presence because the training of that position would take years to accomplish and thus only one would be present in the whole country. I remember back in the Aeta outreach where I had the opportunity to see him. He was nice though, and really made the children happy. Anyway, keeping that in mind as we were leaving for Koine, we took some pictures together with the statue.

Smarla, Ronald, Aldwin.

Ronald and Leonard.

To get to Koine, we were able to ride Smarla’s car. The ride there was made much more enjoyable because we kept on talking about different matters, even childhood. Actually, from my childhood, I can’t help but cite this instance in my nursery days which I could really never forget. It happened when I was given this special candy from my great grandmother which was my favorite. Being such a conservative child even at the time, I didn’t eat it right away, since I really try to keep special things for future times. However, one day my mom packed it in my lunch, and when I opened my lunch box after school, I found it. However, this one kid came up to me and offered to open it for me, but when he got hold of it, he ran away. I cried on the way home, to say the least. I still know who that person is and what section he is, but you know what, I have learned to forgive him in my heart.

Oh yeah, Smarla kept saying how she couldn’t pronounce, “Ahya.” We were talking about Aldwin being our older brother, and Smarla being the little sister. Smarla was telling us on how she couldn’t speak Chinese and all she knew was how to say, “How are you”, and “I love you.” And she cited that she could speak a few words of Bisaya too. My dad’s actually Chinese and my mom’s from Visayas but it turned out that they couldn’t speak to each other in those languages so I learned neither. However, the car ride there was something else, and we really enjoyed it as we kept bouncing up and down. Hahahahaha.

Getting to Koine was quite the experience for each of us simply because we missed the place. Looking back, I’ve actually had so many memories made in that place, especially since I’d been there too many times. We delighted in the all too familiar songs that used to captivate us as we were waiting for the presentation to start.

Same Ground again, but check the reflection in the mirrors.

The mirror again. That’s us.

Smarla wasn’t in the play this time, thus making this the first instance where I’d watch a play with her and Aldwin together. This time, the presentation was entitled, Suppressed Desires and Stealth Mode. I had thoughts about those plays, because of the titles; it just seemed fitting for me in one way or the other. However, the plot was something different from what I had expected. Suppressed Desires entailed this story about how one’s dreams, actions and words could indicate some hidden longings for something or someone. What really charmed us at the beginning of the one act play was that one of the actors had to pose sleeping for quite a while, he was there sleeping by the table since we entered the room until the director finished his opening remarks. Though I thought that it was going to be something about people restraining their feelings, it actually took more of a psychological approach in the analysis of indicators that could surmise what the concealed feeling was about. The play was filled with humorous jokes and scenes which contributed to the entertainment provided by alluring one’s curiosity to understand what was going on with them. Moreover, it was quite funny to see the characters work out their problems with each other using the best of their understandings. However, this understanding of how they responded to their own personal desires, questioned their beliefs and standards allowed me to ponder on some thoughts regarding the way we respond to our feelings, seeing that there is still a choice to how one would submit. In the same way, the relationship between the main characters was patched up, and the play ended with the demand that the other would suppress her desire as well.

It was remarkable how long he kept that way.

Introduction by Sir Neil.

The second play was entitled, Stealth Mode, regarding this school girl who ended up hiding in the comfort room thinking whether it was the right time to reveal her feelings to her beloved friend. This time, what caught our attention was the stage set up of the comfort room which even included a toilet, sink and wonderfully constructed background. Similar to the other presentation, though not limited to that, this play was filled with short songs, dances, and action. No there were no firearms, as this was a stealth operation. Hahaha. The whole process of how Kate discussed the issue with herself in the washroom reminded me somewhat of myself in some aspect because I often end up discerning about many matters, but that’s done in my mind though. That’s why when it appears that I’m passive; the opposite is actually true since most of my reactions I think throughout so as to avoid saying the wrong things, but most of the time, it becomes to late and that’s why I don’t get to express my views. Nevertheless, I found it better that way though, as it works for me. Anyway, the second play served well to amuse us and we kept our share of videos. There were several cute and charming scenes especially where there were these little kids who acted out as their older counterparts when the main actress was narrating what happened through song. Moreover, I was rather impressed with the talent and work put into the presentation as it surely entailed much preparation and practice. The show ended with the last song sung was by one of the scholars who was celebrating his birthday. The song was Gary V’s The Warrior is a Child, which inspired me because of the humility and trust of one in the Lord. Moreover, it spoke about the whole armor of God as reflected in Ephesians 6 that simply expressed one’s dependence of strength to the eternal equipment which God bestows upon us for the spiritual war. I guess that’s what inspires me the most about Gary V, he is able to utilize his God-given spiritual gifts, talents and abilities for the purposes that God created Him for. I mean look at the way it worked on my little sister.

Take note of the setup.

There was even the smoke-screen effect.

Filled with dance and songs.

The kids made it rather delightful to watch.

Each one contributed in making it more enjoyable.

The young bachelor, himself.

The final song.

Anyway, after the play, the three of us proceeded to the nearby Chowking for some food, but what made this meal so memorable and special is that we decided to share the meal. As we waited at the table for our order of noodles, congee and the chicharap, we established that Aldwin and I would be the brothers and Smarla would be our little sister. Well, in reality, that’s the way we’re all bonded in the Body of Christ, so why not? The time there was still filled with laughs and engaging conversations on the silliest of matters, but that’s what made it rather special, the way we were able to delight in matters that didn’t really seem to have long implications but contributed to the enjoyment and cherishing of each moment. As I’ve learned before, most of what is kept and understood by a listener is not the message itself, but how it is said, and that’s why most of what I can remember right now is that we simply took pleasure in the company of each other and were filled with the plain satisfaction of being around close friends. When the food arrived, we started off with sharing the noodles. However, there are some issues came up from sharing food such as noodles, certain implications because of the sheer type of food it was. Nevertheless, I’m not going to talk about it. Next were the congee and the chicharap, which was rather good to eat as what made it special was not the substance eaten, but the people whom it was shared with and the way it was eaten---together. Thus, we were just so adorable in the way we enjoyed that meal, as it became a matter of intimacy in friendship. After eating, we still continued in talking about many different things, until we started staring contests and ended up with going about a photo war. There we just started taking shots of each other for the sheer fun in it, but what’s important is the memories that the pictures hold.

Communion

Our humble food.

She’s quite pleased with her new cell phone design.

Staring contest.

I got Smarla distracted.

The war begins.

Smarla took that, take note of the reflection in the mirror.

The shield of faith.-Ephesians 6:16

Counter from below.

Well, you can just tell that we truly enjoyed ourselves.

And what a night it was.