A Train Called Kindness

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Blessed is the man
Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,
Nor stands in the path of sinners,
Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;
But his delight is in the law of the Lord,
And in His law he meditates day and night.
He shall be like a tree
Planted by the rivers of water,
That brings forth its fruit in its season,
Whose leaf also shall not wither;
And whatever he does shall prosper.
-Psalm 1:1-3




...with everlasting kindness I will have mercy on you,
says the LORD, your Redeemer.
- Isaiah 54:8

Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,

when it is in your power to do it.

- Proverbs 3:27

It's been more than two months since my last blog post. There have been many important events I would have wanted to document and evaluate. But life has been on the fast track these past weeks. And the chunk of time required to write about them has not been readily available.

But if there is one picture that I can use to describe my life since the start of this year, it is that of a train traveling from station to station, with people getting off, and some more getting on. Each passenger with a goal and a destination in mind: some departing, some arriving, and the rest, in transit.

That is exactly how I feel with the events of the past days and weeks. I have been on a train, getting off at one station to attend to an assignment, then boarding the next train to get to my next destination.

Life

is a 

series 

of  train 

stops... and 

mini destinations.

In my heart are questions and unresolved issues, questions needing answers, but for now, my bags are packed.

The questions must wait.

There are things that need to be done.

I don't want to miss my train.

Here's what it's been like, in photos.

The month of March ended with a celebration of my 63rd birthday (shared some photos in my March blog post). The celebration continued into the first week of April.

Belated birthday celebration with Lanie and Miriam

Another belated birthday celebration with Pat

In early April, I attended the beautiful wedding of JD and Denise. JD is the son of my dear friends Bodie and Marie Rose. 

JD and Denise giving their wedding vows

At the wedding reception, with friends Trude, Mayang, and Arlene

with dear Ruby

In mid April, I was part of three major events with our Family Foundations International ministry team: 

- a Financial Foundations seminar with Fanny Serrano and Jimi Buenconsejo, two world famous icons in the beauty and fashion industry...

with Fanny Serrano and Jimi Buenconsejo

lunch break at Chicken House

 - an Ancient Paths seminar with participants from the UAE and the city of Tacloban...

Pat and me with our small group

participants and ministry team

Ancient Paths Level 1 April 21-23, 2016

- and a week of reviewing the School of Ministry video teachings with friends David and Tata Jarvis.


Through these three ministry events, Abba Father once more confirmed to me His calling for my life: to be a minister of His redemptive purposes in the life of others.

On April 23, together with my children First-Born and God-given, I attended a congregational celebration of this year's Passover.

with First Born and God-given

Tata, Doc Pinay, me, Pat, and Honey

On April 27, the first grandchild of my dear friend Melanie was dedicated in a beautiful ceremony.

Danjo, Monica, and Baby Eliana

Me, Monica, Baby Elle, Danjo, and Melanie

On April 28, I was glad to have another lunch devotional with my Women of Purpose friends, before leaving on the last evening flight to Manila that same day.

L-R: Pat, Trina, Elena, Arlene, Josie, Jing, Mayang, Mae Ann, Arbee, April, me

My evening flight to Manila was delayed by two hours, but my heart was settled.

Yes, I really had a full plate this April, but this trip was one more thing on my heart that I wanted to do before the month ended. And I was just so grateful for my thoughtful daughter who had arranged for an Uber taxi pick up upon my arrival at the airport. It was past midnight when she and I got home.

The next evening, Obedient One left for a three-week travel adventure to Europe. I was really glad that my desire to spend some time with her before her departure was granted.

Obedient One just before going to the airport 

I was in Manila for only nine days.

On May 8, I returned to Bacolod City, mainly for two reasons: to celebrate Mother's Day and First Born son's birthday with my family, and to cast my vote at the May 9 elections.

Mother's Day and First Born's birthday dinner at Bar 21

First Born, Gid-given, Forerunner, and Peaceful One

with the rest of my family (minus Obedient One)

May 9 was First-Born son's actual birthday, and his family and I had dinner at the Chalet Rooftop.

May 9 was also the day the Philippines voted for the next president and vice-president of the country. Worshiper and his wife Chosen One, and I had to wait almost four hours in line just to cast our vote, but I believe it was all worth it.

With these elections, our nation is entering a new season. It is my fervent prayer that we Filipinos will unite in support of the man who will sit as captain at the helm of our nation's ship.

The very next day, I was again on an airplane, this time to be part of a Family Foundations International (FFI) team with Raffi, David, and Tata, on a ministry trip to Cambodia.

Raffi, David, Tata and me awaiting our flight to Manila, May 10


at the boarding gate

May 11: on the bus after spending the night in Siem Reap

we rode the Giant Ibis bus from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh

May 11 arrival at Phnom Penh

School of Ministry-Facilitator Training for Rogil and Jaja

First day of Ancient Paths in Phnom Penh

Hands on ministry training for Rogil and Jaja

Ancient Paths Level One 

Breakfast at the home of our hosts, Rogil and Jaja

Ancient Paths Level One ministry team and participants
Phnom Penh, Cambodia May 13-15

Mission Accomplished
On board the bus leaving Phnom Penh, 
on our way back to Siem Reap May 16

A few sightseeing photos in Siem Reap before returning to the Philippines:

At the Bayon, in the Angkor Thom compound

Siem Reap, Cambodia May 17

At the South Gate of Angkhor Thom

Tata and me

We were in Cambodia a total of eight days. On the 17th of May, just before midnight, we boarded our flight from Siem Reap back to Manila. It was nearly four in the morning when our plane arrived in Manila. Then a three-hour wait for our Bacolod flight.

We finally arrived in Bacolod after a sleepless night, exhausted and travel weary. But deep inside my heart was soaring. That trip to Cambodia filled my heart with so much meaning and purpose.

Breakthroughs... Kingdom connections... open doors!

How awesome to have been a part of what God is doing in this part of the world, reclaiming territory in people's hearts that have been taken over by the enemy.

A day after our team's arrival in Bacolod, we heard the sad news that Pat, one of our ministry team members, met an accident at the Sugarland Hotel. She broke her left femur. She needed to undergo surgery for Dr. Kho to put a metal brace and screws on the broken bone. Naturally, this was a difficult time not only for Pat but for all of us as well.

Visiting Pat at the hospital two days after the accident

My family and I also had a lunch together one day before I was scheduled to return to Manila, since I was going to be away from my home base for more than one month.

Capturing the moments with my grandchildren. They're growing so fast.

Forerunner

Full of Hope/Mighty Warrior

 Joyful One

Peaceful One

May 21, my last day in Bacolod was truly a full day. I went home after lunch to pack my suitcase... again.

But there was one more assignment for that day. I wanted to have a good-bye dinner with my friend Nening.

after dinner at L'Fisher Hotel with Nening

Then it was time to get back on the train again.

After just four days in my home city of Bacolod, I was back in Manila on May 22. My daughter Obedient One was arriving from her European adventure that evening, and I wanted to be around to welcome her.



Obedient One went on a tour of Italy, Spain, and France, and a Mediterranean cruise for three weeks.

Here are a few of her photos:

Verona, Italy 

 on board the ferry from Salerno to Amalfi Coast, Italy

 Ravello, Italy

 Rome, Italy

 Cinque Terre, Firenze, Italy

Portovenere, Firenze, Italy

Park Guell, Barcelona, Spain

Plaça de Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain

St. Malo, Brittany, France 

Chateau de Versailles, France 

Musée du Louvre, France 

Bike Tours, Paris, France

View of Monte Carlo Harbor from Grimaldi Fortress (Palais du Prince), Monaco 

Outside the Palais du Prince, Monaco 

some of the things she brought home for me 

A week after Obedient One's arrival, her maid left for a one month vacation. I was happy for the opportunity to be with my daughter during this time.

In between the daily chores, the yard work, and many domestic concerns on the home front, I made sure to give myself time to "smell the flowers"!

I was also able to meet up with some friends.

with Cora

with Marilou

And of course, my daughter Obedient One and I enjoyed being together for Sunday worship and eating lunch out after.

Jane Hammon at Victory QC, speaking on Divine Reversals

enjoying a bowl of Vietnamese pho

beautiful sunflowers on University Avenue

Towards the end of June we were given a wonderful opportunity to minister in an Ancient Paths seminar to a well-known person in the beauty industry. My friend Ruby traveled to Manila to be with us for this kingdom assignment.

Over all, I am amazed at how everything turned out. The timing was perfect, and everything went smoothly. Anna's maid Aiza returned on June 21, and the following morning, June 22, I was on my way to pick up Ruby from the airport. That evening, Tina and Rosemarie arrived at the lovely condominium where we were staying. 

For the next two days, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit ministered to a broken heart that was in great need of heaven's healing embrace.

Again, this was another confirmation for me that God is indeed calling me to a higher level in my kingdom destiny.

View of the city from the condominium where we stayed 

Rosemarie, Tina, Ruby and me

Ruby went back home with me and spent the night with us at our home in QC.

Breakfast the following morning together with Obedient One, then lunch at Cyma Greek Taverna in TriNoma Mall, then it was off to the airport for Ruby and me!

On June 25, after being in Manila for more than a month, I arrived back in my home city of Bacolod. 

It was with the usual mixed feelings of sadness and gladness that I boarded my flight. Sad to leave my daughter and our Manila home, yet eager to be with the rest of my family again.

final approach to Bacolod Silay airport

We had a welcome home family lunch the day after I arrived. I don't think I had fully landed as yet, but it just felt good to touch base.

Reconnecting with my Family Foundations International (FFI) - Philasia ministry team family!

On June 30, our nation said good-bye to our 15th president, President Benigno Aquino III. He was a good leader. He did his best.

For six years, this man sat as captain of our nation's ship, sailing through turbulent and stormy seas. But with integrity and humility he saw us through. His administration achieved gains not thought possible given the circumstances we were in... 

Yes, with God's help this quiet unassuming leader saw us through.

I salute you, dear P-Noy. You were maligned, laughed at, ridiculed, insulted... yet you did not flinch. You just moved on. Thank you for your example of humble leadership. God Almighty will reward you. Words are not enough... but Thank You.

And on the same day, the sixteenth president of the Republic of the Philippines was inaugurated into office, together with our fourteenth vice-president, Their Excellencies Rodrigo Duterte and Maria Leonor Robredo. 

I support them in prayer. And I believe that they are the leaders ordained by God, as they have come to their position in the year of the ayin vav 5776, the jubilee of jubilees in the Hebrew calendar. It is a divine appointment. 

As I say goodbye to the second quarter (April, May, June) of this year, one predominant theme resonates. And that is the theme of kindness.

Kindness begets kindness.

People have been kind to me. Not all... but most of the people I know have dealt kindly with me.

I have been shown compassion...generosity... kindness.

And I want to give back.

When I went to Manila on this trip, it was with the kind intention to be of help to my daughter while her maid was away. She has a long day at work each day. She gets home late. She works hard. I want to show her kindness by serving her.

With joy and gladness I have done it. And that makes everything so light.

With readiness, I accept the assignment God gives when I hear the call. (At least I try.)

I want to be kind in my thoughts, my opinions, my assessment of others, my perspective of my life events, my interpretation of the motives of other people.

I pray God will honor my heart to be a healing presence wherever I go.

That my words will heal, and not wound.

That my opinions will be kind, not demeaning, or self-righteous.

That my actions will reflect the kindness of the heart of God.

And in view of what I have seen happening the past three months, I name this quarter, Kindness.

God's word has spoken this word to me clearly:

"For the mountains shall depart

And the hills be removed,

But My kindness shall not depart from you,

Nor shall my covenant of peace be removed,"

says the LORD, who has mercy on you.

- Isaiah 54:10 

In the midst of the many questions in my heart, these words are enough for now to keep my heart at peace.

No matter what may come, I am assured of the kindness of my Father.

And I want to be His channel of kindness in the life of others.

Certainly not to be a doormat for others to trample on, but be a reflection of the Father's heart.

I believe kindness is a gentle force that helps people break free from the hard shells they have built around their hearts. It is simply walking in the opposite spirit. It is a kind of warfare, really.

Good-bye June... Truly you have been kind to me. What can I say,  but Thank you.

A few parting thoughts:

This is what has been on my heart...