Surrender the Dark

She wouldn't survive it. She had already lost her heart once. It took her years to pick up all the tiny splinters and put it back together. She could not afford to loose it once again. She was certain that if she would loose it again, her mind and soul would go with it, and she would be left with nothing--just an old dried-up empty shell.
She was contented being left alone. She was at peace. She had no one to run all her plans through. She didn't answer to anyone. She had the freedom to do anything and everything she wants. The possiblities were endless. She was at the prime of her life. The oppurtunities opened their doors wide in anticipation for her. She had vowed never to kneel down again--never. And promises could never be broken.
Her nights were spent catching up on her reading and writing. Oh, how she loved to read and write. Reading was her escape from the harsh realities of life while writing was the outlet of her pent-up emotions. Or sometimes, she would just lit a scented candle, clutch her guitar, and softly sing her favorite songs by Regina Spektor and Nora Jones.
Her days were filled with activities. She'd wake-up early to greet the sun and jog through a trail that leads up to the top of the hill overlooking the see. There, she would sit for a while and meditate about the things she had learn the day before. Then she would slowly descend back to her little cottage where the steaming hot coffee she had prepared earlier wait for her. She would then head out to whichever activity she had lined-up for the day. There were always art exhibits, theatre workshops, meetings with various cause-oriented groups, lectures and speeches at forums, and activities to organize. Plus her self enrichment activities: dancing and violin lessons, swimming, and target shooting.
She also loved to travel, and she maximize each travel oppurtunity that comes her way. She had been to quite a few places already. She enjoyed these travels--she get to meet lots of people, see the gut-wrenching reality of the world as well as its breath-taking beauty, and experience strange but unique adventures. Little did she know that it is during these excapades that she would finally loose not only her entire being but her soul as well.

Duetchland

First and foremost, let me say that I had never in my wildest dreams ever thought that I would be able to travel abroad. But then again, I was content in staying in the Philippines for I love my country so much.

Then, this invitation from the United Evangelical Mission came. It was a time when I was thirsting to serve the Lord, a time when I wanted to be of service to Him and His people again.

I have been sent by the church (UCCP) and by my faith in God to various areas in my community. I have been to the fishing islands, the urban poor communities, and even the mountains of my land to share with the children and the youth God’s message of love and redemption.

The invitation of UEM was a chance to share with my German brothers and sisters in faith about the Filipino people—our beliefs, our aspirations, our struggle… our lives.

And indeed I had felt welcomed in the UEM community. I was able to meet youths who were concerned with the plight of the Filipino people. I was touched by their desire to be of help to us and their willingness to help despite having to endure uneasy circumstances here in the Philippines.

During the day of the presentation, I was surprised and glad to find out that many were interested to learn about my country. They were interested in watching the documentary and playing the game of life that the youths in the UEM had prepared. I was also glad that I was able to answer their queries and enlightened them about the situation in the Philippines.

It was an experience worth remembering for the rest of my life. As I came back here in my country, I was thankful to be able to share my experiences in Germany through the school paper with my friends, with the youth of my church, and most of all with the whole Silliman University.

I hope that the partnership between UCCP and UEM would indeed grow stronger as the years progress. And that the two institutions would further intensify their commitment in serving God’s people and fighting those that violate the basic human rights of all the peoples of the world.