Chiang Mai on My Mind

I took this photo of a lovely pink chrysanthemum on Doi Suthep,

a very memorable place in Chiang Mai for me.
May 19, 2015

In the depth of winter, I finally learned that within me

there lay an invincible summer.

- Albert Camus

Seven years ago, I had absolutely no idea that there was such a place as Chiang Mai. If anyone mentioned Thailand to me, I knew next to nothing about it, except that its capital was Bangkok, and that Phuket was one of its tourist destinations.

In 2007, my husband Ernie was given a special assignment by the West Negros University, and that was to go to Chiang Mai for a year to do the groundwork for Maejo University's International MBA program, upon the invitation of President Dr. Thep Phongparnich.

Ernie accepted the assignment and arrived in Chiang Mai, Thailand in August of that year; I followed him a month later.

It was a new place, with people of a different culture and language, and we didn't really know what to expect. All we were sure of was that it was an assignment from heaven. Our hearts were open and ready for anything.

Within the first few months we had somehow adjusted to the new environment. English was not widely spoken, but because we were in an academic community, we managed fairly well.

Chiang Mai, called "the rose of the North," certainly deserved its name. We considered being there a privilege, a unique learning experience for both of us, and we were grateful for the many realizations. (Read more about this in my March 9, 2008 blog entry entitled Homesick.)

Thirteen months later, in September 2008, Ernie's work contract came to an end. Dr. Thep invited him to continue on for another year, but feeling the need for us to return to our homeland, Ernie declined the offer. 

I, however, left Chiang Mai with mixed emotions, for the truth is that in just twelve months, I had so fallen in love with the place, and the people.

Especially the people.

Read Farewell, Chiang Mai September 28, 2008

So, what do I love about Chiang Mai?

I love the beauty...

the sense of abundance...

the generosity, the kindness, and the gentleness of the Thai friends we have made in the short period that Ernie and I lived there.

But there is another reason why I so love Chiang Mai.

Six weeks after Ernie and I arrived back in the Philippines, I woke up early one morning, rushed Ernie to the Emergency Room, and two hours later, I had become a widow.

No words suffice to describe the pain and the loneliness, a wound so deep no human being could medicate...

the deafening silence...

For months, there was nothing but numbness in my heart.

This was not part of our plans. Ernie would retire. We would enjoy our grandchildren. We would spend the rest of our lives together.

And I certainly wasn't prepared for this. After all, how does one prepare for widowhood?


But over time, healing did come. Gradually, I got used to my new normal.

And today, seven years later, I must wholeheartedly agree that God's ways are not our ways, God's thoughts are not our thoughts.

He alone knows best.

He is indeed too wise to be mistaken... too good to be unkind.

Back then, I could not see His plan... so what choice did I have but to trust His hand?

Nevertheless, I did not turn my back on the grief.  Nor did it become the center of my focus.

Rather, I faced it head on and carried it with dignity and grace.

Shall I receive only joy, and not sorrow?

Here was yet another opportunity to trust God... and to find hope.


One morning I realized... the song was back.

Photo taken by Ut

Truth is, all this time I never walked alone.

God's heart is unfathomable, and until we see Him face to face, we can only see or understand in part. Yet I am grateful for the glimpse I have been given of His beautiful plan.

One of the reasons Chiang Mai is so special to me is that it was the place where Ernie and I spent the last year of his life together.

Little did I know, when we were packing up our things and preparing to leave the comforts of our own home to live in another country, that it would be our last twelve months together. 

But God knew.

And He wanted it to be a special year, in a special place, with special people.

God gave me the best gift, that's for sure.

That is the reason I love Chiang Mai so much: it was a special part of a beautiful plan. 

In January 2010, I received an invitation from my Thai friends Teerapong and Angkab to visit Chiang Mai. At first I was reluctant to go. My heart had not yet healed from the deep wound of losing a loved one. I didn't think I was ready to visit the place that held so many precious memories about Ernie.

On the other hand, a part of me wanted to go back, and to bring things to a closure. 

I decided to be brave.

On January 2010, I went back to Chiang Mai, calling it my Sentimental Journey.

We all have stories to tell. Sometimes, a kind soul is willing to listen to our stories. But eventually, they will get tired. Maybe they will listen, but only up to a certain point.

But there is Someone who is genuinely interested in listening to our stories... that Someone is the One writing the story.

I realized that during the year Ernie and I spent in Chiang Mai from 2007 to 2008, God was writing a very beautiful ending to Ernie's life story.

What touches me deeply as I look back, is that in His compassion and wisdom, God chose Chiang Mai as the setting for the final chapters of Ernie's life.

Isn't that such an awesome thing?

During my flight from Bangkok to Chiang Mai on January 7, 2010, I was busy writing in my journal my memories of Ernie's final year. What a precious time it was, to let my thoughts come rushing in, like cleansing waters washing over my soul.

Read Sentimental Journey, January 7, 2010

That journey back to Chiang Mai had a crucial part to play in my grieving process. I re-traced the steps I had taken, visiting the places that meant so much to Ernie and me.

Seeing those places again brought back beautiful memories with a tinge of pain.

But in doing so, a layer of healing took place.

Rebecca King, a dear blog friend, wrote me these beautiful words:

"Sometimes the journey back carries with it the journey out as well. Our willingness to face our past - both its joy and sorrow - becomes our freedom, wings to the new day."

Rebecca called it my double-edged adventure.

Rebecca's words were so true. That journey back did become my journey out... and gave me my wings back to the new day of freedom.

God gave me an amazing dream during that first journey back to Chiang Mai. I vaguely recall the details of the dream, but when I re-read the account as recorded on my blog, even I am amazed at how much my heavenly Father loved me to speak so tenderly to me through that dream.

Read Jewels On My Crown, January 9, 2010

It was not only a sentimental journey, it was also very much a healing journey for me.

The following year, 2011, in January, my friends invited me to visit Chiang Mai again. My daughter Obedient One came with me. 

It was a beautiful time with beautiful friends. Again, another layer of God's healing balm was applied to my soul. God is certainly wise in choosing the right time, the right people, and the right place, to accomplish His purposes.

Read The Inadequacy of Words, January 16, 2011


Chiang Mai was not only the setting for the final chapter of Ernie's life. It is also the place God chose to bring about my healing.

Four years have passed since I last visited Chiang Mai. Ut and Oy would have wanted for me to visit them every year, but it was not possible.

In January this year our family was awaiting the birth of my fourth grandchild. It was not the right time for me to go to Thailand.

But a few months later God opened a window of opportunity to visit my friends again. What an unexpected surprise it was for me when our plans materialized, and I found myself traveling back to Chiang Mai just over a week ago.

I believe God has a timely message for me when He allowed me to visit Chiang Mai this year, not in winter, but in the summer.

Photo taken by Ut

The past months I have been experiencing a kind of spiritual dryness. Maybe lethargy is the better word.

Hungering for the sweetness of God's presence, thirsting for the rains of heaven to fall on me.

A deep longing in my heart for more of God.

I know Abba Father hears my unspoken prayers. 

The visit to Chiang Mai has once again convinced me of my Father's love and care. My friends Ut and Oy went out of their way to be gracious to me and my daughter... Their kindness to us has filled my heart with gladness and appreciation...

I was in Chiang Mai for a full 8 days. What I realized during this trip is that there was no more sadness in my heart. 

In my heart is a special place reserved for Ernie alone, and I will always miss my husband. But I have come to terms with my loss, and I am just looking forward to living the rest of my days in full anticipation of what lies ahead.

It felt so good to be given another opportunity to look back at the past... and be at peace.

My heart overflows with hope!

Photo taken by Ut

I just love this quote above from Albert Camus: In the depth of winter I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer.

The next line of that quote explains it beautifully: ... no matter how hard the world pushes against me, within me there is something stronger--something better, pushing right back.

The idea of having an invincible summer inside of me pushing right back at whatever this world throws at me is such a powerful picture of God's enabling grace.

Grace is often thought of as gentle... but I also think of the grace of God as having great strength and power.

I want to be all that God wants me to be... and many times, that requires of me a willingness to fight back against mediocrity, against worldliness.

While the rest of the world buys the devil's lies to settle for something way below the greatness they were created for, I choose to go against the flow. No, I do not want to live my life that way.

This year's trip to Chiang Mai has indeed convinced me of many things: 

That life can be simple, yet profound and beautiful and meaningful.

That kindness can be given without expecting anything in return.

That generosity can be its own reward.

That there are people who can accept me as I am, without the cover up of make up, or fancy clothes.

That I can let my raw inner beauty, together with my imperfections, shine through, and still be appreciated.

That sometimes, we need to be willing to receive love from others, in the way they are best able to express it.


Many more thoughts come rushing to the surface even as I write these words.

Father God is showing me the beauty of a life that is uncluttered and unfettered.

I hear Him whisper, Daughter, watch how I do it... learn the unforced rhythms of grace.

And how right He is! My heart rebels against materialism of any form.

For many years now, living as a widow, I have learned that money in my bank account is not the main consideration for my choices.

Fear of lack is not a factor I contend with.

In the autumn of my life, at 62, I have learned the difference between spending and investing.

Many times the money I spend for something is not really an expense, but an investment.

The same is true for time... or the giving of oneself.

My decision to go to Thailand was made for one main reason... I wanted to invest in time with my dear friends. To re-connect with them. To give of myself to deepen the friendship.

My friends also gave much of themselves. 

We are on the same page... we understand that our friendship is worth investing in.


Money is not the currency of heaven, but love... joy... peace.

Of course, I learned this lesson first hand from my own earthly father, the first person I know who gave of himself without expecting in return.

He did not allow his wallet to dictate what he could do, or not do, for others.

My father had such a refreshing, gracious air of freedom about him.

And in God's act of goodness to me, He gave me another man who had the same philosophy in life as my own father. My husband Ernie gave of himself without expecting to be praised, appreciated, or paid back.

My heart bleeds and breaks when people do kind things for me, and then they make sure I never forget. 

Not God.

God demonstrates His own love for us in that while we were yet sinners His own Son Jesus Christ died for us.

I am so grateful to Abba Father that He continually gives my heart refreshing waters to keep it soft and vulnerable. Reminding me that I was designed to live my life as a free man... not as a slave.


Indeed, this month of May has been such a beautiful one for me. And it's not even over yet. Beautiful things are in store.

There are many wonderful photos of my recent trip to Thailand and I will be posting them in another entry.

For now, I just want to use words to paint a beautiful picture of what God is doing deep inside of me.

Blessed are those who mourn

for they will be comforted.

- Matthew 5:4

... a Defender of widows

is God in His holy habitation.

- Psalm 68:5

Aside from what I have written, the song below probably best expresses it.

Emergency Landing

photo source

Thus says the Lord:

“The people who survived the sword
Found grace in the wilderness—
Israel, when I went to give him rest.”

- Jeremiah 31:2




 This is what the Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says:

“In repentance and rest is your salvation, 
in quietness and trust is your strength.”
- Isaiah 30:15

"But for you who revere my name,
the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its rays.
And you will go out and frolic like well-fed calves.
Then you will trample on the wicked;
they will be ashes under the soles of your feet on the day when I act,"
says the Lord Almighty.
"Remember the law of my servant Moses,
the decrees and laws I gave him at Horeb for all Israel.
"See I will send the prophet Elijah to you
before that great and dreadful day of the Lord comes.

 He will turn the hearts of the parents to their children,
and the hearts of the children to their parents;
or else I will come and strike the land with total destruction.


- Malachi 4:2-6

 

My beloved blog friends, another month has come to an end... and my name for this month is Emergency Landing. If you keep reading what I've written on this post, you will soon find out why.


In my previous post, published over three weeks ago, I wrote:

For me, embarking on a new journey is true not only in the natural sense. I am embarking on a new spiritual journey as well.

When I wrote those lines, I had no idea what God was going to do, or how the events of the days and weeks to come were to unfold.

All I knew was that something beautiful was going to happen, but the specific details would be revealed only as I walked on the road that was being opened up before me.

It was another example of possessing the land... one step at a time.


On May 8, five of us -- Raffi, Honey, Gina, Tina and I -- boarded our flight out of Manila. It was going to be a long journey. Personally, the Lord had already emotionally prepared me for this trip, but a few others on the team were not as ready. When we met at the Manila International Airport at 4 a.m. that morning, one of them told me that she was leaving with a heavy heart. Another friend said that she was embarking on this trip with much hesitation and trepidation.

I listened quietly and understood their inner struggles, fully aware of my own reluctance just a few days before. It was an act of God's grace that He spoke directly to me just that Sunday at my friend Alberto's church. The footage we viewed of the Chinese Christians, so passionate about their relationship with God, was still clearly embedded on my mind.

With a clear sense of purpose, I went through the long process of checking in, having our bags weighed, going through passport control and the series of security check before we finally reached the pre-departure lounge.

"Make it all worthwhile... for all of us, dear Lord," was my unspoken prayer.


Before long we were airborne. Two hours later the plane reached Bandar Seri Begawan, the capital of Brunei, where we were to wait for twelve hours before boarding another plane that would take us to our intended destination.

Thanks to Raffi who needed to be on a wheelchair, we never had to line up for anything at the two airports. Because we were traveling as a group, we all received priority treatment accorded any passenger needing wheelchair assistance.

A shuttle bus took us to the hotel where we were booked for the duration of our layover in Brunei.

Gina had arranged for her friends Jess and Miks to pick us up from our hotel to give us a little tour of Brunei. Honey and I would have preferred to sleep that afternoon, but wanting to be polite, we went along with the plan.

We were not disappointed. Jess and Miks took us to the Empire Hotel, the grandest one in Brunei. Indeed, it was a sight to behold. Later that afternoon, we were invited to partake of high tea in the hotel's lobby. We took advantage of the soft armchairs, the unlimited herbal tea and freshly brewed coffee served with some delicious tea cakes, scones and biscuits.

Before returning to the Bandar airport, Gina's friends treated all of us to a delightful dinner.

We reached the pre-departure lounge in high spirits. And since there was still an hour left before boarding, we decided to spend the time in worship. Already our hearts were softened and encouraged by the goodness of Jess and Miks, and so far, everything had been going smoothly for all of us. Our group worship experience further set the tone for our trip.

Our flight took off at 9:30 p.m., and once on board, the captain announced that our destination was approximately eight hours away. Dinner was served shortly, after which we all hoped to settle down and get some badly-needed sleep.

Halfway through our meal, the flight stewards started collecting our dinner trays. I noticed that there was a sense of urgency in their movements. A few sleeping passengers were awakened and told to remain seated.

I grabbed Gina and Tina by their hands and said, "I think we're going to land. Notice how fast the stewards are moving, and why were our food trays collected when we hadn't finished eating yet? We better pray."

So we began to pray. While we were praying, the captain spoke.

As the pilot spoke, I couldn't believe my ears. I never thought I'd live to see the day when the words that I had only heard in movies would also become a real experience for me. I listened very carefully to his words that up to this day, I can still recall what I think he said, almost verbatim:

"Ladies and gentlemen, this is your captain speaking. The aircraft has developed an electrical problem and we have not determined the cause of it. In twenty minutes we will have an emergency landing in Ho Chi Minh airport. Listen carefully to my instructions.

"Tighten your seatbelts now. Ladies, remove your high heeled shoes. Everyone, remove all sharp objects from your bodies.  It is possible that we will have a double impact landing. At my word, everyone must assume first brace position, as shown on the safety card in the seat pocket in front of you.

"When I give the word, upon landing, unfasten your seatbelts as quickly as possible, and head to the exit nearest you. Leave all belongings behind."

There was no time to lose. Raffi and Honey were seated a few rows behind us. I knew they were praying. Gina, Tina and I huddled close together and began to pray in tongues. A few minutes later, I received an instruction from the Lord that we pray to awaken the intercessors, so I shared this with them. Sometime later again, I heard another clear instruction for us to pray for God to deploy huge angels to surround the aircraft, to carry it on their huge shoulders, and let them bring it down safely. Once again, I shared these instructions with my two praying friends.

I prayed in tongues, and I also prayed all the prayers I could think of. After a few minutes, Gina opened her iPod, and with one earphone each, we listened to Psalm 91 several times on her audio Bible.

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
     will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

I will say of the LORD,
     "He is my refuge and my fortress,
     my God, in whom I trust."

Surely he will save you from the fowler's snare...

He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart...

We also listened to Psalm 34.

The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him,
    and he delivers them...

The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them;
    he delivers them from all their troubles.

 The Lord is close to the brokenhearted
    and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

The righteous person may have many troubles,

    but the Lord delivers him from them all;

he protects all his bones,
    not one of them will be broken.

What a sense of peace came over my heart as I heard these familiar words of Scripture!

After a few minutes, we also listened to the song, Mighty to Save.

Meanwhile, the smell of burning wires had intensified inside the aircraft, so we wet our blankets with water and put them over our eyes and noses.

I really had no idea how everything was going to end, but when I heard this question gently arise in my heart, "What are you afraid of?"... I knew it was the heavenly Father speaking to me.

I searched my heart for fear, but didn't find any. My reply to Him was quick: "Father, You know I am not afraid of death. I am ready to see You face to face... but please, for the sake of Raffi and Honey back there, their children are still very young, and they need their parents, dear Lord, please save us!"

This was when tears really started rolling down my cheeks. I pleaded with God to save us from a crash landing that could result in a fireball, knowing that only two hours' worth of fuel for an eight hour trip had been consumed.

At this point, the plane was descending very fast. Still praying, I craned my ears to listen if the landing gear would come out. I didn't hear the familiar thud. As I looked outside the window, I saw a long line of firetrucks and ambulances standing by. That was when the truth hit me ... I was prepared for the worst, but in my heart there was no fear... only peace.

And then, the plane touched down... ever so gently... there was no sudden stop. It really felt like heavens' giant angels had carried the huge Boeing 777-200 aircraft on their shoulders and landed it to safety.

I couldn't help but cry out, "Thank You, Father, for you have heard our prayers." Again and again, I thanked Him.

The sharp pungent smell of burning wires and the captain's voice brought us back to reality. "Ladies and gentlemen, please deplane immediately, and leave all belongings behind."

We disembarked in an orderly manner, clutching only our handbags, leaving behind our carry on bags without complaints... we were only too glad to be alive!

I don't have access to all the details. But I personally believe that things could have been much worse, and God did spare us from a possible crash landing.

We were shuttled to the pre-departure lounge of the Ho Chi Minh Tan Son Nhat International Airport where all 144 passengers, three of whom were babies and one was a three-year old girl, spent the night.

Our pilot, Capt. Jeremy Saap, updated us of the cause of the trouble. Some wires behind the kitchen ovens at the gallery catering equipment of the aircraft had overheated resulting in an electrical malfunction.

He didn't state it, but we all saw the wisdom of what he did. It was necessary for the aircraft to land for there was no way it could have survived the six more hours to our destination. As it was, Raffi, a former pilot, thinks that the airplane was already running on reserve power.

For those of us who understood, Capt. Saap was a hero. God guided him every step of the way, and he exercised quick thinking in the decision he made.  

It was near midnight when we landed. We were all uncomfortable as there was not enough space for all of us to stretch out on the seats, and the floor was too cold and hard for us to lie on. But nobody was complaining. We knew that negotiations were under way to transport us to a hotel, but this being an emergency situation, no one at the airport was prepared for the immigration issues that arose. Besides, as we found out later, the aircraft we were on had no landing rights in Vietnam. Clearly, we were on Vietnamese soil only as a sheer act of kindness.

At 7:30 a.m. of May 9 we were allowed to leave the airport. We lined up at the immigrations where our passports were taken in exchange for a numbered control card. Then we boarded several buses that were to take us to a hotel where we could finally freshen up and be served breakfast.

The rooms were very clean and the beds so inviting, but we really had no time to sleep on them. We only had time for a quick bath, and then breakfast.

New boarding passes were issued as we were informed that a new aircraft was arriving to pick us up before noon of that day. We were shuttled back to the airport where our passports were returned to us.

We were once again in high spirits as we thought that our long wait had finally come to an end.

But noontime came and went. Lunch was served at the restaurant on the second floor of the huge airport.

Still there was no sign of the new aircraft.

A few passengers started to complain. Many had already missed their connecting flights to various destinations. There was a growing sense of restlessness.

We in the team were not exempt from this. Some of us began to voice our doubts to one another, and the heart cry of the four of us women in team was: "I want to go back home..."

It was getting dark, and we had been in Ho Chi Minh for nearly 20 hours. We decided to once again come before the Lord and open our hearts to Him. We also waited to listen to what He had to speak to each one of us individually.

What an amazing time we had in His presence. Right in that pre-departure area, where others were waiting in agitation, some in quiet resignation, all of us unsure of when we were ever going to leave that place, God our Father met with us.

We were in a wilderness of sorts... like refugees with no legal status. We were out of our comfort zones. And we were uncertain of what was going to take place. But the Father spoke so gently that He was pruning us, allowing us a first hand experience of waiting on Him, learning endurance and perseverance, going through discomfort without a complaining spirit... because the work ahead of us required an undivided heart. He didn't want us to lose our focus, our upward gaze, for there was much work to be done in the days and weeks ahead.

We came out of that prayer time renewed and refreshed.

Dinner was served. But we as a team had had enough of airport meals. We decided to celebrate the fresh word God had spoken over Burger King and Illy coffee. One hour later, the new aircraft from Brunei had arrived, and by nine o'clock, we were once again airborne.

We had our belongings with us, and we all sat at our original seats. The flight stewards on board were very professional and catered to our every need. It was as if nothing happened. This new flight from Ho Chi Minh was God's beautiful and wise way of redeeming us from the trauma and anxiety we experienced on the earlier flight.

The flight was smooth and we landed at our destination past midnight of May 10, seven hours after we took off from Vietnam, exactly one day after we were supposed to have arrived.

What happened in the next eighteen days of ministry will forever be recorded in the annals of heaven. There were breakthroughs, deep level healing of emotional wounds, cleansing from demonic defilement, and cutting off of ungodly soul ties that have hindered God's people from moving forward in their destinies and kingdom assignments. Marriages were strengthened and families revived as Raffi and Honey shared the painful story of how God healed their broken marriage. Children who had dishonored their parents repented for doing so, and many of them called up a mother or a father and asked for forgiveness. There was instant reconciliation after years of being estranged from one another.


On the day of our return to the Philippines, we were all aware of the importance of the Vietnam experience to this ministry trip.


The emergency landing that we experienced was not an emergency landing for a malfunctioning aircraft. It was an emergency landing for a malfunctioning team who needed to be given focus, a vision, and a clear sense of calling for this season of their lives... that together we may be obedient to the assignment mapped out for us.

God wanted us to be his agents of healing and reconciliation, to prepare the Church, the bride... that she may stand before God spotless, without blemish, in all her radiant beauty.

Once again, it was all about obedience and God-focus.

Yes, true to what I had written, I am on a new spiritual journey. After what I have gone through this past month, I will never be the same again.

To Him alone be all the glory for what He has accomplished.

Official RBA Facebook update (May 8, 2012)
Local News on www.brudirect.com (May 10, 2012)


 Below is the song of worship that God has given to me for this stage of my journey.

Encouragement

"You can do it!"

Encouragement.

We all need it. In a world that is starving, crying out for kindness, even just a tiny drop of encouragement will go a long way.

This life is not an easy journey. Daily we face challenges, hurdles, disappointments, frustration, failures.

Broken dreams, unmet expectations.

Unexpected reversals.

Financial, health, and relational issues.

Deprivation.

Pain.

Crippling loss.

We would have become weary and given up, thrown in the towel, so to speak, were it not for a kind gesture, even just a random act, an encouraging word... a word in season that someone spoke to us.

This is one of the verses in Scripture that God sent to speak life to me at a time when I was just too weary and about to let go.

The Lord God has given me the tongue of the learned,
that I should know how to speak
a word in season to him who is weary.
He awakens me morning by morning.
He awakens my ear to hear as the learned.

– Isaiah 50:4

These past years God has led me to rediscover my true identity, and my true God given worth. It has been such a life-changing turn of events.

Because of this, I have decided that I will be God's mouthpiece to this weary generation, whenever possible, to speak a word in season to him who is weary.

And I appreciate those who do the same!




Maryleigh over at Blue Cotton Memory gave me a blog award, right on the first day of August!



I love blog awards because they encourage my heart. It is a message that says, "You're doing great, keep it up!"

That is why I never take any blog award that is passed on to me lightly. I acknowledge the giver, and recognize the effort and the kind thoughts that go with the gift.

While searching for a suitable picture to go with this simple post, I stumbled across this blog:

The Discovery


Wow! I must say I got a double encouragement today - from the award and from this new blog that I just discovered.

There are just too many good blogs out there, and I always have to resist adding another new blog to my ever expanding blog roll. This is because I want to be "truly present" for the blog friends whose lives I follow on their sites. But this new discovery, aptly entitled as such, will certainly be a welcome addition to my blog reading list.

Well, never say coincidence.

There really is no such thing as a chance encounter, only divine appointment.


Thank you, Maryleigh for encouraging my heart.

Again, I give my Creator all the credit, all the glory, for I am His workmanship.

In receiving this award, I understand that I have to pass it on to 15 new blogs I have recently enjoyed reading. The truth is, I don't have that number... so I will modify the mechanics a bit and will pass on this award to only seven others, in no particular order:

Christy Rose at http://thesecretlifeofanamericanwifeandmom.blogspot.com/

Saija at http://saija.blogspot.com/

Jennifer at http://jenniferdorhauer.blogspot.com/

Cory at http://californiaisoms.blogspot.com/

Katie at http://hopeiscalling.blogspot.com/

Julie at http://jewelsightings.blogspot.com/

Elsie at http://epogle.blogspot.com/

Have a blessed week, my dear blog friends!

Another Goodbye

This orchid planted by my father 40 years ago still blooms very often!


For I know the thoughts that I think toward you,
says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil,
to give you a future and a hope.

- Jeremiah 29:11

In just two hours I will be leaving for the airport to board my flight back to Bacolod City. It's been nearly three months since I got here.

AS I've shared a few times on this blog, I got here on April 14 for what I thought was going to be a mere two week visit with my daughter. Circumstances changed, plans had to be revised, and now, after eleven weeks, I'm on my way back home.

My suitcase still has to be packed, but I want to spend a few minutes to post my online journal entry for today.

I don't really like goodbyes.

I woke up with a lump in my throat and a tight knot in my stomach. I know that familiar feeling, that feeling of having to leave my daughter, someone I love so much, and the home where I grew up, and where my own daughter now lives.

It's been an unplanned extended time for me, really an unexpected gift because it gave me so much time to be with Obedient One. But it also gave my heavenly Father the opportunity to speak new things to my heart, and allow me a fresh perspective from which to look at the road ahead of me.

My daughter, Obedient One, is my baby. She is 24 years old, my youngest and only daughter. Her gentle and generous heart is such a blessing to me. Even though she's 24, I still love to do special things for her, especially since she lives such a hectic life in the metropolis that MetroManila is. I have loved preparing nutritious meals for her, and being with her late evenings when she comes home after a long day at work. Our weekends have been really special, all these weeks.

So it is with a heavy heart that I leave her.

At the same time, I also leave with a heart full of new expectations. How true it is, my expectation should always be from God alone. Then I will never be disappointed!

My soul, wait silently for God alone,
For my expectation is from Him.
He only is my rock and my salvation;
He is my defense;
I shall not be moved.

- Psalm 62:5-6

When I reach my home city this afternoon, I know there will be new things waiting for me.

Thank you dearest Father. Truly you hold the times and the seasons of my life in Your hands.


Below are a few pictures that I took this morning of my last day here in Manila. I want to share these with you my dear blog friends. I know you have prayed for me, and for the fruition of God's purposes for my life. You have all been such an encouragement to me, just by showing interest in my journey, in my family, and in our country.

May God continue to abundantly shower His blessings on each one of you. I do want you to know that I often pray for each one of you BY NAME.

I treasure my relationship with you. Our having met on cyberspace is definitely not a chance happening!

Obedient One and me, just before she left for work this morning.

Here are some snapshots taken around our home.

My favorite front porch where I would sit early mornings and evenings, meditating on God's goodness in my life. There is always a gentle breeze blowing in this place! And it is a perfect place to watch a downpour here. So refreshing, so cool, and so beautiful!

I Love the Philippines-7: Global Day of Prayer

If My people, who are called by My name,
will humble themselves and pray
and seek My face
and turn from their wicked ways,
then will I hear from heaven,
and will forgive their sin,
and heal their land.

- 2 Chronicles 7:14

Today I attended the Global Day of Prayer here in Metro Manila.

It was a concerted effort of many churches here, united for the single purpose of praying for our nation, the Philippines.

There are 220 nations who have registered for this global event, and these nations are crying out to God to hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land.

Translated to numbers, 220 nations praying with one voice and purpose amount to millions of people storming the gates of heaven with one plea: "Have mercy on Your people, O God!"


I have begun to understand why I am still in Manila.

These past weeks, God has been re-uniting me to my friends with whom I have a "kingdom connection." I have also recently met people who have a burning passion to pray for our nation and for Israel.

God has made it clear in His word that we as His people, the ones who are called by His name, are the ones given the mandate to humble ourselves, to pray, to seek His face, and to turn from our wicked ways.


There is something so beautiful when a group of people who love God and who love their nation band together to seek God's face.

Righteous governance, unity of the Body of believers, Godly stewardship, world missions, Israel, and the Muslims were among the points that we prayed for.

I can't share everything that transpired during the day, as every prayer point was valuable! But here are some of them:



Righteous Governance

Not only the Philippines, but every country in this world, is in dire need of righteous leaders.


But these are crucial months for us. Next year 2010 we will elect the next president of our nation.

We need to be in constant prayer against greed, corruption, abuse of power, and mis-use of authority.

We prayed according to these beautiful words from Psalm 78:70-72

He also chose David His servant,
And took him from the sheepfolds,
From following the ewes that had young
He brought him,
To shepherd Jacob His people,
And Israel His inheritance.
So he shepherded them
according to the integrity of his heart,
And guided them by the skillfulness of his hands.

We cried out to God Almighty to raise up the Davids that will rule in the humility and meekness of Godly wisdom, to shepherd this nation with integrity and with skill.

Praying for Israel

God promised the heartland and surrounding areas of Israel to Abraham in Genesis 13:14-17

Lift your eyes now and look
from the place where you are --
northward, southward, eastward, and westward;
for all the land which you see I give to you
and your descendants forever.

This promise was given while Abraham was standing on Beth El, a high point at the heart of Canaan, and in this point one can see all around quite clearly.

In Genesis 28:12-15, we read that Beth El is also the place where Jacob was given a dream of a ladder going up to heaven, with angels ascending and descending on it. It was the point of heavenly connection. Jacob called it "the gate of heaven," and re-named it Bethel, which literally means the house of God.

In this place God re-affirmed to Jacob the promise that He originally gave to Abraham.

It is interesting how this very place is now the center of focus of world leaders who think they have a say as to how this land is to divided, when it was clearly promised by God to be given to Abraham and his descendants forever.

It is a hotly-contested area because its former name is the city of Luz, or the city of light. Lucifer, the fallen angel of light obviously thinks he has a right to it.

And so there is a widespread attempt to divide this nation into two states, but nowhere in God's word is that stated.

In medieval times, city gates were very crucial, because it has been said that whoever controls the gates wins the war.

Jesus Himself promised to Peter in Matthew 16:18 that on the rock of his faith, Jesus will build His church, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it.

This declaration points to yet another gate mentioned in God's promise to Abraham after he offered the ram in place of Isaac.

...your descendants shall possess the gate of their enemies.

- Genesis 22:16

Intercessors for Israel, we have to stand with Israel these days as there has been a Satanic plan to wipe them out from the face of the earth, laying claim to the land promised to Israel by God Himself.

The war is at the gate, and the promise is that Israel, both the physical Israel and the new Israel which has been grafted into the olive tree, shall possess the gate of their enemies.

However, we have to stand ready to contend for the destiny of Israel!

And Scripture is clear. Where the nations of the world are not aligning with God's purposes for Israel, there is judgment in store. God is a consuming fire, and when He rises up to be the man of war fighting for His nation, there will be no mercy.



Praying for the Philippines

As I listened to the various prayer leaders for this day of prayer, my heart was gripped anew by how God was positioning the intercessors who have been committed to praying for this nation.

God is bringing us up to a higher level still, revealing new insights, giving us fresh glimpses into His end time agenda for Israel, for our nation, and for the world.


It was mentioned that our nation is entering the seventieth and last year of a curse that we have been under because of wrong blood covenants that our forefathers have entered into.

Part of the destiny of the Philippines as the only Christian nation in the Far East is to manifest God's presence to a lost and dying world.

It is not a mere coincidence that we were under the rule of two major colonial powers for centuries! Spain ruled our islands for nearly 400 years, and we were under the United States for more than half a century. Both of these nations left a lasting imprint upon our land and people, but it did not happen by chance! God has a purpose even in the historical events of our nation.

History is actually His Story being lived out in the life of a nation!

One passionate prayer that brought tears to our eyes was the prayer for godly stewardship of our God-given resources.

No longer will we accept the curse of poverty over our islands, for we are a nation rich in natural resources, from the seas, to the mountains, to the mines. Our soil is fertile, our valleys are verdant, our rivers and lakes are teeming with life! There is natural gas, and there are initial findings of oil in several parts of our country.

Yet repeatedly foreigners have greedily used up our resources for their own benefit and gain.

No more, no more, enough is enough, we all cried out to God. Let there be no longer any confusion about the ownership of our land, wealth, and resources!

Corporately we broke the curse of poverty that has held captive our people. In the midst of plenty, our people think and believe they are poor.

We called an end to murder, violence, oppression, and we declared that we will be able to steward our resources in a godly way that we might leave a good inheritance to the next generation.

We decreed that the only blood covenant we recognize is the one we have with Jesus, who shed His precious blood on the cross to redeem us from the grip and stranglehold of the enemy.

Our forefathers had entered into wrong blood covenants, such as the blood compact between Ferdinand Magellan of Spain and a local chieftain Rajah Humabon, and many others.

Historical records show that anyone wishing to join the secret society called the Katipunan formed by Filipinos in hopes of breaking free from Spanish domination had to go through rigid tests specifically designed for the would-be-Katipunero. The final test was the sandugo or "blood compact".

The recruit was asked to make a small cut on his left forearm with a sharp knife. He then signed the Katipunan oath in his own blood. Afterward, the new member chose a symbolic name for himself. For example, Bonifacio was called "Maypag-asa"(Hopeful).

We negated and broke the agreement that our nation unknowingly entered into with the kingdom of darkness through these wrong blood covenants.

We repented of wrong alliances with foreign nations for economic gain, thus giving power to the spirit of mammon to rule over our nation, and causing us to be blinded by greed. We asked God to remove the veil over our eyes, that we will no more worship our own version of golden calves, Baals, and Asherah poles!

Oh, how we cried for God to bring us back to our own homeland, living in exile right within our own land!

How we cried out to God to bring back home the fathers and mothers of our fatherless and motherless youth, working as overseas workers in foreign lands. We recognized that this was possible only when there were already enough jobs for them in this nation.

We prayed for righteousness and integrity that will open up the wealth and riches of our land to us!

We asked God to bring back our sons and daughters back from self-imposed exile, bringing with them the wealth of the nations.

We also asked God to send us out into the world, bringing with us the wealth of our faith, our servant spirit, our compassion, and our creativity!

Oh, how we cried to Jesus our Redeemer to remove the shame and the reproach over our people!


Lord, how we want to clothe ourselves with our true identity, and to represent You and manifest You to the world as our Majestic Lord and Glorious King, with righteous pride!

Lord, we receive a true apostolic calling from You.

Help us dear Father to be stewards of a new heart, and a new spirit, no longer a self will, but a God-will.

Give us prosperity and progress, Your way.

Cleanse us from the contempt of the neighboring nations! Help us to rebuild the ancient ruins and the waste places of our nation!

We declare that dead dreams, dreams that we have lost hope for, will come to life again.

Restore hope, purpose, peace, passion, order, and dignity to our people!

We ask You dear God that Your presence will go with us, and grant us Your power to spoil the enemy, to reclaim what the enemy has stolen.

Help us to be righteous stewards of our divine call.

Help us to live up to our true destiny as a Filipino people!





Ninety Days of Blessing Prayer Guide