Philippines: Part One

If there’s one thing that could summarise my trip to the Philippines it would be: 

‘never doubt your faith.’ 

Out of all the things besides picking up a little bit of the language and dialects, noticing the change in morales by just strolling through the shops, even enduring through both the wet and dry seasons, that is the one thing that had stuck out to me the most. 

I am more than fortunate and incredibly privileged to have grown up and been raised by amazing, God-fearing individuals. These are not just my parents, but it is my grandparents as well. The most I’ve learnt have been from them. They have elevated the standard of what it means to be a follower of Christ, elevated what is looks like to replicate Jesus in their lives, through their testimonies it unveiled just how much they really mean to me and how much I love them. 

For the first two weeks of our trip, we stayed in Pangasinan. It is up north in the Luzon region of the Philippines, province. If you’ve ever visited the province you get a real taste of what the Philippines is like and the struggling lifestyle that many have to endure. It is not the cleanest of places, neither is it that safe. However in these places you find the most joyful people. The little they have does not waver them, they are grateful for simply being able to breathe. Amongst these people are my Lolo and Lola (grandpa and grandma- dad’s parents). They don’t live to the extreme level of poverty that we encountered during our stay but they are incredibly rich.

Rich in joy, love, faithfulness. Not in finances but I bet you if you looked at their bank account in the heavenlies, they have a whole lot packed away! After the several visits to their house, simply talking to them, hearing their stories, being in their presence, I felt more security in who I am and who I am becoming. I was challenged and convicted, that although they have experienced more years here on earth full of wisdom and knowledge, they have caused me push forward and not look back. They are an embodiment of lives in it for the long run with Jesus. And that is reflected through their marriage as well (Golden Anniversary!). 

Lola Carmelita has set a new standard for me personally of what it means to be a Godly woman. As I have coincidently followed in her foot steps, she is also a teacher. A master teacher in fact. Her faithfulness to her career even moved her to use her retirement money to build a school in their community, a Christian school. Through her lifetime so far, she has read through six different versions of the Bible, cover-to-cover, with markings on each verse and chapter to show her study of it. She raised up seven children, including my father, who are all in excellent fields of work and have astounding faith in God. For the new generation, myself included, she continues to meditate on the Word and to pray for us each day. She embodies what it means to really pray for your family. And boy, I can pinpoint the numerous times in my life that God has pulled through for me and see that it was covered in prayer by her. How do I know this? Check out the pages below.

 These are a few photos from her ‘Grandmother’s Bible.’ The more I flipped through, the fuller my eyes became with tears. I was astounded, blown-away, in absolute awe of the love and faithfulness my Lola has. She was and has always been thinking of us, loving us even though we are literally countries apart. She covered topics such as salvation, talents, courage, character, self-image, even future spouse! What an amazing individual of Christ. I can only hope to attain to a standard like that, even more so like Christ. Besides my mother, I now have a new found respect and love for my grandmother. 

From this experience, I have learnt to never doubt the impact of your faith in God. Never doubt and dare to think that nothing is working because God is. Who I am today, the experiences that I've learnt from, the hard times I've endured, have been covered because of not just my faith but because of my Lola's as well (and parents too, thank you!). The faith she has, has had a ripple effect in my life and I never knew that until our trip to the Philippines. I gained something eternally fulfilling, there's nothing more that I could ask for from trip like this. 

Lovely one, this goes out to you. We all strive to be the best that we can be, especially when it's all for the glory of God. We all strive to become that 'Proverbs 31 woman' in life, however did you know there you are more than just Proverbs 31. Yes, you are worth #FarAboveRubies (verse 10). Hardwork  and provision is more than just for yourself (verse 13-16). And fearing the Lord is much greater than external beauty (verse 30). But you are not limited to only pursue these traits to become a woman of God. There is more!  To say that there is more is not meaning to say that you have 'more' to do to become the woman of God you are potentially to be. It's saying that as a follower of Christ, specifically a lady, you're more than that. Here are some examples:

• You are an extension of Christ, clothed by the garments of salvation (Isaiah 61:10)
  Just as you can adorn yourself with strength and honour (verse 25),  as a follower of Christ you are clothed with salvation. And with such salvation, you carry the image of Christ as Christ is living in you. Share it to the world!
  
  
• You are an athlete, running the race (1 Corinthians 9:24-27)
  Proverbs 31 doesn't say much about you being athlete although it does say that the 'virtuous wife' clothes herself with strength, you are not only to be strong but you are to be perseverant. We are running without uncertainty, we are fighting with a purpose. It is not just to obtain an imperishable crown but it is to please an imperishable God.
  
  

• You are gifted for such a time as this (Esther 4:14)
  Now when it comes to scripture, do not limit yourself to sticking by Proverbs 31. There are women in the Bible who are amazing examples of what is means to be a woman of God, who are people that became all that God wanted them to be. Esther took the time to find her calling, so should you. Wherever you are you in life, you are called for such a time as this. It may be as simple as to love, to serve, to invest, to pray.
  
  

• You are a spiritual warrior (Ephesians 6:12)
  We all know it, we do not fight against flesh and blood. Do not cease to fight the good fight.
  

There are probably even more verses but hopefully you got my point. Strive to not only be a 'Proverbs 31' woman, strive to be more than that. Strive to be more Christ-like. To reassure again, in no way am I disregarding Proverbs 31. I am however reminding you, dear friend, that there is more than that because God definitely believes in you so much and I do too. I am on this journey to strive for more to give back- more for His kingdom's cause, join me? 

Night Noodle Markets

So far, most of my posts have been about food and that's because it's food. Food is great, food is fantastic and yet we can consume it til we knock ourselves out into a coma. Which is not necessarily the idea and purpose for food. That'll be saved for another post. Last night, a few friends and I went to the Sydney Night Noodle Market, pretty much promoting 'Good Food Month.' It's at Hyde Park from 5pm-10pm on Monday-Friday and 4pm-11pm on Saturday-Sunday. Better experience it cause it's only around til the 24th of October.

I have to say .. I have incredible friends that I'm doing life with and it has only been two years since I've known these people. Sounds cliche but they are all answered prayers. I grew up in school never having one friend to stick by me in the long run. I went through the heartbreak of being ignored, replaced, rejected, forgotten, and taken advantaged of. That changed when the fire nation attacked ... That changed only two years ago starting senior high school. I met people who shared the same passion for Christ that I had and people who accepted me for who I am. And I can't be anymore thankful for people like them. They are the future leaders, world-changers, rule-breakers of the future and I get to do life with them. 

Even just the gathering together for food and good company, it makes you count your blessings, turn away from technology for a while and enjoy these moments because it's these very times that we need to cherish. So what's something that you feel incredibly thankful to have? 

We need prayer warriors

(*this post is more directed to those who attend FCF however may still be applicable to you if you attend a church that holds prayer meetings. this is also a short rant. thank you*)

Tonight we had 10 people (out of a supposed 200+ attendees) at prayer meeting. No matter how big or small the number of people, prayer is still powerful which stands as true. However, I couldn't help but feel my heart sink as I walked into church seeing such a small amount of people there to pray. 

It is understandable that possibly tonight, the 'regular' attendees all had schedules or something else on that meant for them to not be able to make it. Regardless of that, where are the prayer warriors? As a church, we are expanding in many areas of ministry however we are decreasing in the amount of prayer warriors that are needed. This is heart wrenching, for me at least. Especially the fact that there are so many prayer points, there's an urgency for spiritual warfare, for God's children to take up their swords and put on their armour. As much as we can rest in God, we are called for battle as well.

Most people don't know but the prayer points for healing is two pages long (A5 size). TWO pages. The amount of people in our church community that are diagnosed with cancer is crazy. The sudden loss of family members, the rising concern of young people in our church suffering from depression. Again, there is an urgency to intercede for those who are in the valley, for those who are in the fire, in the storm. We are more than capable to pray for our own needs and desires, we are the body of Christ. It's time we started to look after each other and lift each other up through prayer.

To go to prayer meeting you are sacrificing an hour, an hour and a half, out of the 24 hours of your day to pray and intercede beyond yourself. Even attending at least once a month, twice a month. We need prayer warriors. I'm not saying that you gotta go to prayer meeting to be able to pray for others, no no. You can do that anytime! It is by attending prayer meeting that you are physically gathering with other people to pray together and prayer in a group is even more powerful. You don't need to have the best words nor be the best at structuring a prayer. A prayer is a prayer, God will/does listen. 

Trust me, it's worth praying for more than just yourself. You're never wasting time when it comes to interceding for others.