Crossing Over (Journey to the Island)
We can’t change the past.
Whatever has happen in our Life so far- both good and bad – cannot be altered,
and all the decisions and events that have made us what we are today are
indelibly inscribed in the story of our life. But with God`s help we can change
the future- and that what this Journey is all about…
My Prayer as
you read this is that God will use you to help begin more mission- the greatest
expression of gratitude we could ever give to God. As we`ll see it isn’t always
an easy journey, but even in the midst of our problems, temptations and
sorrows, life can be different. Most of all, it is a journey of hope because it
leads us to heaven.
The team tried twice to travel by boat to Fuga island as
planned but God has other plans, the boat's engine was not working and the
propeller fell off, so we travel back to seek God's wisdom on our next move.
The verdict- resizing of the team heading to Fuga. Four members were reassigned
to other places of mission, from the original 17man-team, 13 were left to
travel the next day. Great things come to the daring and the persevering. The
Fuga Islands are as remote as they come, and simply getting to them is a voyage
in itself. To those who brave the trip to the northern-most point of Luzon and
the daily three- to four-hour roller-coaster boat rides on very rough Pacific
Ocean waters, the rewards are nature at its rawest and most spectacular and
adventure travel at its pioneering best.
The team mobilizes to five
different sites in which it will took you five to six kilometer of walking from
one sitio to another. Horses and Carabao are the only available means of
transportation, but usually settlers used to walk so are we.
“Yet, the
strength of those who wait with hope in the LORD will be renewed. They will
soar on wings like eagles. They will run and won’t become weary. They will walk
and won’t grow tired.” Isaiah 40:31
We set itineraries for our one week and a half stay in the Island… Crusades, Worship Gathering, Gospel Sharing, Children`s Ministry and Attending their Medical concern.
During our stay in the island we were able to
see their need in which the group is push to kneel down and lead them to God. I have cried countless tears while living here. Every time we approach them they are not
hesitate to listen to God`s Word, in fact they welcome us in their homes with
great joy. Yet the harvest is plenty the laborers is few. There is also a need
in attending to their medical concern. One of the practices of the settlers
every time a new baby is born is that they put ashes on the baby`s navel to
relieve the wounds. Most of them exercise “quack doctor`s belief. Same as
through with education and poor living. Because of this I believe that God is
leading us to come back to this Island and minister to God`s chosen people. It
is our Prayer and burden!!!
This journey is not
yet done; this doesn’t just happen, however. An Architect draws the plans for a
new building- but it still has to be built. A Composer writes a new piece of
music- but it still has to be played. A chef devises a new recipe- but the
ingredients still have to be cooked. In the same way, God has given us
blueprints for living- but we must know what it is and then put it into action.
And this can happen because God doesn’t leave us to do it. He wants to be with
us every step of the way, guiding and helping us, because he loves us and want
what is best for us. God wants to put our feet on Nis path- Glorify His name.
And regardless of what we may have thought, His path promises joy and peace and
purpose far beyond anything we could have imagined.
And today as
I go on forth doing missions I am filled to overflowing with thanksgiving at
all that God had prepared for me as he pointed toward this Journey. My God is
so sweet to pull me out of the place that I was living in my head and heart and
put me in a place, in a job, in a community that has not allowed me to live an
ordinary life with the Lord. But has pushed me to see beyond myself, my
flesh, and to witness the miraculous love of my God. An extraordinary life I have been blessed to live in
the Island. So the tears – they are still falling, but I taste them on my
lips and am content to sit back in this moment and be reminded of the great and
awesome God that I love and the ways that His thoughts and plans are above
mine. He knew what I needed and where I needed to go. He knew.
And He knows…
