Let your face shine on your servant

In August 2008, the choir I was leading moved involuntarily to another parish.  You can find the story behind that move in the archives.  After two months, I went to Africa.  Fast forward to 2013, I am still in Africa and the choir will be celebrating tomorrow five years of service to the Our Lady of Mercy Parish.  Some members have gone to live or work overseas.  Some new faces have come to replace the old ones.  But several of the members are still very much active in spite of their schedules.

The other day I was inspired by the following verses from Psalms 31:16-18.

Let your face shine on your servant; save me in your unfailing love.

Let me not be put to shame, O LORD, for I have cried out to you; but let the wicked be put to shame and lie silent in the grave.

Let their lying lips be silenced, for with pride and contempt they speak arrogantly against the righteous.

 

This was exactly how we felt five years ago.  I showed strength in the face of what they did to us.  Maybe because I was already expecting to leave the choir for the work in Africa.  However, the members were not.

 

But then God knows better and He makes all things work together for the good of those who love Him.  Today, I came across this verse (John 15:16) which further inspired me to persevere in my calling:

 

You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit - fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.

 

I continue to pray for our group which is now led by my younger brother.  May they continue to bear fruit and that God will bless their efforts as well. 

Sausage tree in South Luangwa National Park in August 2009

A home for me

After four months of staying in a hotel, I will be moving to a house in a few days.  Actually, I should be grateful because where I stay is quite comfortable.  Besides, they allowed me to cook in the balcony.  Where I am, most people cook with charcoal, including me.  Electricity comes only at night time from 7 to 11 pm.  Although I have an electric cooker, I don't think the electrical connections in the hotel is good enough.  It is better to be safe.  I don't want to cause a fire so I persevered with the charcoal.

After all, if I really want to experience the culture, then I should live it first hand.  I still struggle to start a fire.  It tests my patience.  I had to use a lot of matchsticks before I can build a fire.  I cannot complain. As compared to the rest, I have only a few inconveniences.

The hotel room: the steel door leads to the balcony

As I experience their way of life, I get to understand more why it takes a long time to be served food in restaurants here.  Also, I get to be less concerned with little imperfections in their cooking.  When I move to my accommodation, I think I will still be using charcoal to boil water for my morning bath.  Although, I am also thinking about buying another thermos so I can boil water at night time when there is electricity and keep it until morning.  In any case, I'll see.  Hope, I'll learn the technique soon enough.

Be as little children

When I was on vacation, I had an idea to write about my reflections on the daily bible readings.  I should strive to make it short but meaningful.  Something for those who are just starting the daily bible reading habit.  Since I took up this assignment, I always struggle to find time to do my daily readings.  There are just too much work to be done.  I know, I should find time but it is better said than done.  But then trying to stick to the habit is in itself a challenge.  Hence, the idea of having a short reflection.

Today's gospel reading is taken from Matthew 18: 1-5,10,12-14:

"Unless you be converted, and become as little children, you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven."

I remember as a child, life is simpler.  I have my parents and my grandparents to take care of serious matters.  I didn't have to think about where the next meal would come from.  All I had to do is do my share in the house, school and community.  These are often small tasks.  Who cares if I didn't get them done?  Of course, there are consequences.  Like if I didn't do the chore assigned to me in the house, then the elders will be mad.  At worst, I'll get some punishments.  If I didn't do the school homework.  Then, it would be embarrassing in class if the teacher found out.

What is good about being a child is that I always look forward to the next day.  Whatever happened today is just a memory.  If I had a fight with my siblings over some games we play, tomorrow is a new day to play again.  There is just no room for anger inside a child's heart.  I guess that makes children happier.  A child's innocence about pride, riches and status also contributes to that happiness.

As we grow into adulthood, we leave behind these virtues.  We focus on things that we think are more important. However, on the contrary, they make our life miserable.  We forget the value of friendships as we strive to make more connections which will benefit our careers and ambitions.

It's time to go back to being a child at heart.  No worries, no pain.  Only hope that tomorrow will be another day.  May the Holy Spirit instruct us how to live like children as we journey to the kingdom of our Father in heaven.

Two years ago

Now, I understand.  I was able to make a connection to the miracle that happened today.  It was two years since I arrived to take up my assignment in Congo.

I had to go through Entebbe.  The instructions say that the following day, someone is going to pick me up in the hotel.  At 9:00 am, I called the contact person, asking why no one has come yet.  There was a mistake!!!  It was a Sunday and obviously, there was no work.  He was probably sending the same message to newcomers.  Unfortunately, I arrived on a Saturday afternoon.

As I was ready to go, I inquired in the information desk about the closest Catholic church.  The lady was kind enough to call a motor taxi to bring me there.  She said it was not far and I can go on foot.  Only that the mass had already started so it would be best to go by motor bike.  I dared take the motor bike ride to Sacred Heart Parish.  I am glad I took a photo right after the mass.  Whenever I am in Entebbe, I find time to attend mass here.

Sacred Heart Parish after the Sunday mass 14 August 2011

Inside the Sacred Heart Parish

A Miracle

It has been four months since my last post.  As I have previously mentioned, I was relocated to a new duty station.  Life has been difficult.  In fact, as of this writing, I am still staying in a hotel near our office.  A month ago, I signed the contract for an accommodation, when I learned that my colleague who was staying there will soon be leaving for a job in Afghanistan.  It turned out he will be leaving middle of August, which is a few days from now.

Anyway, I was not able to post anything because personal blogs are blocked here in the office.  And there is no reliable internet connection here except for that one.  I don't know what happened today.  I was browsing the internet.  Then one link led to another until I realized I was on a personal blog.  It dawned on me that if I was able to access this blog then maybe I can also get through my blog.

Voila! So here I am, typing my post entitled "Miracle".  For after exactly four months, I got the chance to write something.  Let's just say that probably someone has unknowingly unblocked some websites which gave me this opportunity.  Maybe it was a coincidence.  I'd rather call it a miracle.

Yes, miracles still happen when you least expect it.  Hope it continues for a while...