Courage – I AM WITH YOU

Last year, I applied for the Special Professional Licensure Exam (SPLE) for Psychometricians in Abu Dhabi, UAE in the hopes to improve my career. I have done the requirements, and the next step was to study for review. We are blessed that nowadays, so many review materials are available within our fingertips. One example is the free e-books circulating on the internet. However, it is very strenuous to the eyes if you read e-books on your gadgets. Well, in my case, I had to print those suggested review materials given to us and that was my problem. I didn’t have a printer. I never thought of needing one since I only print in the office. Commercial printing in Dubai is quite expensive unlike in the Philippines, not to mention that you will be printing thick books!

I had already exhausted my savings just for acquiring my documents (processing and shipping fees from Dubai to the Philippines then back to Dubai). Again, I prayed to God to help me, this time with my review materials. When I finished praying, I remembered that I have a church mate who has a printer who lives nearby my flat. At least my expenses would be cut. At least I only had to buy A4 paper and ink cartridge. I contacted Alex and asked him that I would use his printer. I was so glad that he would lend me his printer. After talking to Alex, I asked my roommate Jessa to accompany me to buy the stuff for printing. I knew that I would need more A4 paper and ink cartridges. So, I decided to print first the documents that I urgently needed. With that in mind, I only bought one ream of A4 paper and an ink cartridge. After shopping, Jessa and I both agreed to stroll around the mall before heading to Alex’s place. We enjoyed window shopping so much that we lost track of time. Silly us! I told Jessa that it was already late. And, maybe Alex had gone to sleep too. I didn’t want to cause Jessa and Alex more trouble. I thought to myself that I would print the ebooks the next day instead. So, we went home. Since it was summertime in the UAE, it was very humid, even if it was already late at night. When we reached home, we got so thirsty that we hurriedly went to the pantry to drink water. Cheyser, our housemate happened to be in the pantry as well. She asked us where we’d been. And so, I told her the story.

Upon hearing my new endeavor, Cheyser was so thrilled about it. Much to my surprise, she offered me something that I was not expecting at all. She said that she would print all the e-books and review materials that I needed. I couldn’t believe my ears. I couldn’t imagine God’s providence. I didn’t see it coming at all! I thought that my plan for using Alex’s printer was a good idea. However, God gave me a better, much better solution to my ‘problem’. You see, the gesture of my housemate, Cheyser, reminded me about a scripture in Isaiah 55:8-9 which says, “for my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” I thought that my way of saving money by using Alex’s printer was good. However, God’s way was much better. Instead of buying many reams of A4 and lots of ink cartridges. God used my housemate Cheyser to print all of my review materials for FREE! Isn’t it amazing?

As Christians, we don’t believe in coincidences. We believe that we meet people for a reason and a purpose. God’s ways and plans are better than ours. And, not to mention His timing, always perfect. I was so convinced that meeting Cheyser in the pantry at that specific time (especially when Cheyser usually sleeps early) was God’s way of answering my prayer. God answered my prayer through my friend Cheyser.

There is no wonder to me why our Father is called Almighty Father. He does mighty things. He is a God of infinite possibilities. Amazing God, He truly is. I had an ear-to-ear smile and was a little bit teary-eyed when I reached home the following day seeing the printed e-books placed on our table. God is marvelous! I still couldn’t fathom how great His measures are. Marveled as I was, I touched the books as if it was treasures of gold! I felt like God was telling me, “Here Rebecca, I have had provided you ALL the things you needed. Go, study, and give your very best.”

The A4 paper that I bought (left), and the printed review materials that gave me for FREE (right).

I wrote this love letter when I was on the plane going back to Dubai from the Philippines. While I recalled the moments, I remembered one of the toughest circumstances in my life. I tried to hold back my tears, yet I couldn’t contain it. Tough times caused me to shed tears of joy.

I just want to share with you how God rescued me from one of the most tremendous storms in my life. It’s been years since I became a single mother of six children and what burdens me more is that I’ve been away from them since I had to work abroad to support them. But I praise God that He sustained my family.

One day, there was something serious happened in my family that it came to the point that I had to make a tough decision. Tough in a sense that I didn’t know what would be the outcome of that decision that I made.

It was in the month of September 2019 that I received a message from my daughter which troubled me a lot and I understood how she felt because they had a traumatic experience when their father became irresponsible. While I was talking to my daughter and she told me everything that had happened. I was greatly worried when she said, “Mama! I don’t want to stay in this house. I better go and run away from this house or else I will die.” At that time, I was speechless then after a while I responded, “what’s going on?” I couldn’t work properly. I was bothered on she said daughter. I wanted to call her but I couldn’t because I was at work and was not allowed to use my mobile during working hours. I knew there was something wrong why my 12-year-old daughter thought like that. And soon after our conversation, I came to know from her siblings that she attempted suicide. I didn’t know what to do. I just sat down for a minute and I told myself that I had to go back home to the Philippines.

At that time, in my mind I prayed to the Lord. I said, “Lord, you know my situation right now. I am not financially ready to go home and send my kids to Mindanao.” I asked the Lord to give me strength to carry on and to think positively. But still I couldn’t sleep that night. I was worried about my children back home. I didn’t know what to do. Morning came and I praised God because when I approached my employer and asked for two weeks leave, she gave me permission without any hesitation and she even booked my ticket. I knew that it was hard for my boss to give me leave of absence as her roster was full at that time but she understood my situation nonetheless.

You know when you’re in an emergency situation and worse you don’t have enough means it gives you a lot of stress. That was how I felt that time. And so again, I prayed to God saying, “Lord, you know I have only one-month’s salary with me as a pocket money, it’s not enough but I need to go home. Help me how to find a way for the rest of my needs.” It was Sabbath day and I was in the church. My dearest friends invited me to join for a prayer bond. I find ways escape from them not because I don’t want to join in prayer but because I cannot hold my tears. I didn’t prevail in my plan as I was sitting with them. While praying, I kept on crying until the prayer was over. I was so thankful for my brothers and sisters in church for offering me a prayer.

The next morning Sister Jane sent me a message, it was good news. Without my knowledge, she was trying to help me sort out my needs. Indeed, God uses people as an instrument. In my case, He answered my prayer through my brethren in the church. I couldn’t forget my churchmates especially Sister Millet, Sister Hershey and her family, Brother Princely, Brother Rot, Sister Jinky, Sister Rina and to all of my brothers and sisters in Christ who prayed for me continuously. Until now, I am still very thankful to them from the bottom of my heart.

I was already set to go home for two weeks. As soon as I arrived home, I cleared all of my children’s school papers for transfer. It was really strenuous. I was so exhausted every single day. I had booked our tickets going to Mindanao and time was running out. I was not yet done with their school papers. I started to worry. I had only few days left to settle everything in Laguna. Lo, and behold, God is always on time. I got all the papers that I needed for my kids at the last minute. I praised God for His goodness! We could finally set sail to Mindanao.

Because of the time constraint, I didn’t have time to ship our things through cargo and so we had lots of luggage. Imagine, we brought all our things all the way from Laguna to Mindanao by ourselves! When we reached the seaport at 4 am, one of the officers told me that the schedule of our voyage would be delayed for 2 days. I was distressed with that bad news not to mention my exhaustion from having insufficient sleep ever since I arrived from Dubai, and from packing our stuff by myself. I have decided to sleep for a while in the pier then stay in the nearest and cheapest hotel while waiting for our voyage. Though we all slept on the bench for a short period, I was thankful to God and praised Him for our safety. Despite our situation, I could still see how happy my kids were especially the little ones.

Finally, the day had come and we boarded the ship. We traveled for one day and two nights then we reached Cagayan de Oro or commonly called CdO. Upon reaching CdO, we needed to travel four hours by bus to reach home. My mother was surprised to see us because no one told her that we were coming. She hadn’t seen me nor her grandchildren for fourteen long years. She couldn’t even recognize her grandchildren because the last time I went home, I only brought my eldest daughter who was then two years old.

Despite life’s problems, don’t forget to smile.

My children enjoying the view. First time to ride a ship.

I knew that it would be difficult for my children to adjust to their new environment especially in terms of communicating with people in their new community. All of them were born and raised in Laguna in which the dialect was Tagalog. My children had to learn Bisaya. I believe that eventually they can adapt so I keep on encouraging them.

After two weeks I had to leave them and go back to Dubai to work. I left them with a happy face. I thank God for helping me through my siblings and my church family. I also thank the Lord for my sister who pledged to take care of my children while I am away for work. Sometimes, I keep on asking why I had a lot of trials in life. But, in spite of these trials, I always keep in mind that God is always with me. And with God beside us, nothing is impossible.

I praise God for His promise in Joshua 1:9 which says, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage, do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord God is with you wherever you go.” This verse gives me strength every time I am feeling down. I thank God for the trials that I had. I know in this world that we live in, there’s always problems and tribulations. But we have a God that is bigger than our problems. A God that is able and mighty. A God who is faithful and keeps His promises.

I keep on praying that God will help me to stand still whatever trials may come. May we have faith and be of good courage just like Joshua. With this, I encourage everyone to keep the faith and to pray more as we are face life’s challenges. May this testimony of mine inspires you and makes you see how wonderful our God is. God bless us all.

Tag: Courage

When God Turned a Ream of A4 Paper to Piles of Books

Lord, Thank You for the Trials

I wrote this love letter when I was on the plane going back to Dubai from the Philippines. While I recalled the moments, I remembered one of the toughest circumstances in my life. I tried to hold back my tears, yet I couldn’t contain it. Tough times caused me to shed tears of joy.

One day, there was something serious happened in my family that it came to the point that I had to make a tough decision. Tough in a sense that I didn’t know what would be the outcome of that decision that I made.