Of tearing my tendon while collecting seashells

No, I did not tear my tendon while collecting seashells from the shores of Palawan. I miscalculated my step while setting foot at Sabang, Puerto Princesa from a jeepney. My small jump overstretched my right foot tendon, and with it was my dream of seeing the underground river? Or, so I thought.

Marlon and I went to Puerto Princesa in Palawan to use my expiring Mabuhay miles, spend time together as a treat for our 4^th wedding anniversary, “ag-bonding” as many would say, and well, to pray and see the glory and wonders of God’s creation in this part of the world. It was on record supposed to be my first unofficial travel. I have been blessed to have traveled to almost all major cities in the country, and many major cities in Southeast Asia, but while there were many pleasure side trips during these travels, I have never boarded a plane just intended for pleasure and have never sprained my foot in any of these travels. It was also our very first travel for fun (we “honeymooned” at the Philippine Baptist Theological Seminary in Baguio). But before we could even set foot at the Underground River, I had this little accident. I imagined right there and then that I will be immobilized for two weeks or more and so I thought, I should at least see this cave for the benefit to at least equal the cost. Against my hubby’s will, we proceeded; he carried me on his back to the pump boat, down to the other shore, then on to the paddle boat.

As with the Sumaguing cave in Sagada, and the Malabing caves in Kasibu, Nueva Viscaya, the Underground River was a magnificent display of God’s creation. It could well be explained as natural rock formations, yet just like how plants have xylem and phloem, how animals reproduce, and how babies are conceived and born, the stalactites and stalagmites are no ordinary outcome of natural processes. There must indeed be an intelligent Craftsman, a great Creator.

So after having been amazed at this wonder, we got back to reality and being strident believers of God’s sovereignty, both of us automatically tried to reflect and think on why God had permitted me to be sprained during what was supposed to be our special bonding time. We thanked God still, humbled ourselves and prayed for Christ’s forgiveness. Had I been in my usual performance-based, penalty-based system line of thinking, I would have thought, “What did I do wrong to deserve this?” But since having been enlightened that everything is only by grace and that we really deserve nothing, my thought was “What is Christ teaching me in this experience?”

We can never know for certain, and we can only believe as much as what our spirit and faith will help us see. We think that one thing God is reminding us is to not get caught in the temporal things of this world. It is not that God does not want His children to have fun and engage in pleasure activities, because His words clearly say, “…I have come that they may have life and have it to full,” but God may be reminding us of what it means to have life to the full. As John Piper puts it in the case of America, “the greatest tragedy in America today is the “Great American Dream of houses, cars and collecting seashells.” While we did not only go to Palawan to see the sights, but to retreat and spend time together, spraining my foot more clearly reminded us of God’s goodness and purposes, and bonded us much more than if I had not been sprained. As I had almost the same weight, sometimes even heavier than Marlon, he never dared carry me. In this escapade, he got his chance and we had really good laughs. We were also reminded that indeed, our life is at the mercy of our Maker. At any time, in any place, or in just a snap of a finger, we can lose a limb, any part of our body or our life. We thanked God that this time it was just an overstretched tendon.

And well, while we were not able to set foot at Honda bay and collect our seashells,Paul’s idea of Romans 8:28 (And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.-NIV) is wondrously comforting. I was not yet out of my crutches when I tested positive. God is great and He is good.

(I wrote this some months back but never had time to post it. I still limp from time to time due to pain in my tendon, but I thank God He restored my tendon enough to be able to carry this new life He's given. Blessings, -che)

God's Faithfulness to HPC in the last 15 years

As He was to His Old Testament covenant community from the wilderness to the Promised Land, God has been faithful to us since our establishment in General Lim Street to our settlement in Dreamland. Being the first formal convert-member at HPC, I wit­nessed how God’s faithful hand has been all the way with us . . .

. . . In the midst of our moving from place to place. From the spacious building rented by Grace Missionary Training School (GMTS) to house church­es in Upper Pinget to our present church building, transferring our worship center, carrying our things along, and keeping God’s flock in the fold were not easy. Our nomad-like transfer to 4 sites in Upper Pinget in a span of 6 years alone were not a simple journey to endure.

. . . In the midst of financial crises. Many times and at different magnitudes, we were seized with financial difficulties: overdue building rental and utility bills; missed or late support for Ptr. Daniel and other workers; not enough seminary support for Ptr. Joel; lack of funds for countless activities that neces­sitated sacrificial giving from specific members; non-continuous church building construction.

. . . In the midst of complaining and mur­muring. We have to admit that just like the wilderness generation of God’s people, dissatisfaction, apathy, quarreling, disunity, and non-submission once existed amongst us.

. . . In the midst of leap of doubt and brink of scatter . . . At one span of time, many of us won­dered whether or not there is still value in sticking together as a local congregation. Some opted to find hope in going away, a few attempted to find home in another local church, while those who chose to stay suffered increas­ing agony in the heart because of bitter causes.

. . . In the midst of our successes and victories. Among others, our establishment as a church, acquisition of church lot and construction of our church building which both came after years of praying; the people who were added to our number over the years; the few but growing new generation of leaders now being discipled for Christ’s service.

In all these things our church experienced, God’s faithfulness was at work. In our hardships and downfalls, He sustained us. In our triumphs, He was behind them all. For how could we, weak and unfaith­ful people, deserve all these blessings if God had not kept and gripped us? This must be grace, an ava­lanche of unmerited favor!

. . . So what now? We received grace so let us share grace! How? Let us persevere to glorify and enjoy Him in our life by committing to participate more zealously in the mission and vision of our church.

(This is Marlon's column that came out in the 2011 HPC anniversary newsletter. Just want to share it here. God is faithful.)