Hopes and Prayers

My dearest sister,

In a special day like this, I just want you to know that no time and distance can separate my love for you. Though I’m far away from all of you, the warmth love of a son to Mama and Papa and the tender love as a brother to all of you will always remain the same. In your birthday, treasure every chance to be with them. Let them feel through your smile and affection that you love them. Since I am not with you, I want you to build the most memorable memories with them. Find more time, seek advice, laugh and cry with them.  In all circumstances, you stay with them. Your presence is a gift. You can always draw your strength and inspiration from them. I hope and pray that one day, I can be with you my beloved family. I miss you all, so much! Happy Birthday gang…I LOVE YOU!

Missing you all,

Manoy Nino

"Thy Will", My Purpose

     Yesterday, I was confronted with the one truth that let me realized on my life’s purpose. For quite a long time, I have always been seeking and wandering to find meaning in my existence. There was a time when I asked myself if what I am doing at present gives more value or worth as a person. Does it lead me to where God really wants me to be? At the end of the day, I always have been reflecting on how I could make such life meaningful without being chained by the attachments of the world and live a life that maximizes my fullest potentials as I share the God-given gifts. 

      “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.” (Proverbs 3:5-6) These verses remind me to always entrust to God all of my plans and heart’s desires. In every time I make decision, small or big, has to be offered to Him so as to find inner peace. I, sometimes, had made irrational decisions on my past which I thought was the right thing to do. But, it was just all my self-centered wants that left me wounded in the journey. After all, I learned my lesson and just moved on.

      God's will is the purpose in our lives. All I know is to live the present with full of trust in the Lord and eventually will reveal His plans for me. Where I am at the moment is leading to His ultimate purpose in me.

Me, Embraced by Christ (MEC Experience)

 Every time I remember the Middle East Conference (MEC), 

I just can’t help but smile and become teary-eye. I feel so blessed for that life-changing event in my life.  As I reminisced, I come to think each and every single detail of my life as a blessing. Everything that happened led to the very reason of my existence and made me who I am now. 

     

“I can’t get enough of You... how I long for You... Cause I am in Love with You, Lord!” While these lines of song were sung, I was reminded me of His immeasurable greatness in my journey towards Him. God’s love is overwhelming that He has blessed me much throughout my life. My presence in the MEC was a great gift for me.  

 Seeing my brothers and sisters in the community worshiping our Great God made me believe that each of us in the conference has its own story of awesome blessings from our Lord. I would affirm that experiencing God’s way and His instruments was a privilege that truly blessed me. 

                           
     God truly provides us what we need. He has filled my cup with so much joy that I cannot contain it.  Throughout the event, I felt that I am always been blessed by God in so many ways that astounded me with His glory.

       From my family to all the people I have met on my journey and for all the situations I have encountered, they were all but wonderful blessings. My past is a memory that has to be cherished. It might brought pain and failure, but, one truth still remains. And that is God will forever love me whatever happens. His loving embrace will assure me of His best plan in my life.

Blessed and grateful as I am, I rededicate myself to the Lord no matter how difficult it may seem.  I will continue to testify His greatness in my life with my service rekindled and faith deepened. As it says in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, “"Be Joyful always, pray at all times, be thankful in all circumstances."   TYPG (Thank You and Praise God!)                  

                                                                                                                                                                                                  

                                                                                                                        

Noise in Silence

Often the noises we hear around us become ordinary in our everyday living. But the noise that comes in silence is the most disturbing one. When the usual noise shuts down also starts a noise that chases us.  From that silence in our hearts, a spirit is longing for freedom and peace that only God can give. 

Against All Odds

     The more you nurture the relationship with God, the more you love the service God has entrusted to you. The more also you embrace the sacrifice and bear every pain you can receive along that journey.  Being called to serve ultimately reveals God’s plan in your life surprisingly. Jesus did not only overcome those tribulations because He is the son of God, but because of God’s will and grace, He knew that being crucified is the defeat of the enemy and the salvation of the humanity.  How willing am I to continue and follow His journey even in the midst of worst circumstances? Isn't it amazing that the little sacrifice we do is worth it when we finish the spiritual battle with God on our side? Let the battle continue…no retreat, no surrender!

The Best of Life

              I live only once in this world but the world have given me thousand opportunities to live that life significantly. Seldom do I see living by myself. I always want to spend every single day with the people around me. Then, at one moment I have just realized that I am still alone, even if I was already in the crowd of people.  At the deepest of my inner self is a longing for something unexplainable. Something that is unreachable, unknown.    
         All of us for sure have its different longings, dreams that we want to pursue. Whatever it is, it will always be temporary. Because living on earth is just a part of our existence. Reaching one of those may fulfill one’s satisfaction or a realization for a greater purpose. I have just recalled the days I have started to fulfill my goals and dreams were also moments I missed so many chances. Yes, I was blinded by the comfort and freedom it had provided. It maybe had put me into the pedestal of success, yet, pulled me away from the most valuable people and memories. I enjoyed for a short time the luxuries this world had offered. But I carry the agony of the destruction it had brought to my soul until now.   
   I recognized the lessons brought to me by the past. Though wounded in this journey, I am still hoping that someday, the long lost me will find its meaning in life.  I just don’t know how and when. This gives me the reason to live each new day like a newly- born baby whose life is significant to all. To live in this world is a never-ending search of meaning and purpose not until one can learn to live that life significantly everyday.

A Treasure I Value

There are so many things in life that I have been longing for. Most of them were very simple moments yet very memorable ones. They were the very usual things that happen every day.  I remembered fishing just right in front our house or using our mosquito net just to catch the small fish. Swimming under the heat of the sun with my neighbors and the best part of all, is the meal together with my beloved family.  But gone are those days when I enjoyed that simple life. Life changes as we grow older. I have greater hopes that those memories will come again, in God's time.

                                                                             

SA MAHAL KONG "PAPA" ( A Tribute To My Father)

     Napakaraming klase ng ama sa buong mundo.  Iba’t-iba man ang ating pagpapakahulugan sa kanila, may isang nagingibabaw na katotohanan sa kanilang pagkatao, ang pananatiling ating ama kahit ano at sino man sila.

                                                                             

     Mula sa aking pagkabata, alam ko kung gaano ako inalagaan at inaruga ng aking ama.Simula sa paggising at hanngang sa pagtulog ay ramdam ko ang kanyang nag-uumapaw na kasiyahan sa pagkakaroon ng isang anak. Bilang panganay na lalaki, walang masidlan sa kanyang puso ang  galak at pagmamahal na bumambalot sa kanyang pagkatao. Naalala ko pa noong napakataas ng aking lagnat, hindi na niya alintana kung ano ang kanyang suot sa pagmamadali para maitakbo ako sa ospital. Alam ko kung gaano kahalaga sa kanya ang pagkakaroon ng anak.  Lahat ay kakayaning gawin para lng matustusan ang pangangailangan at maipadama ang kaginhawaan sa pamilya.

     Lumipas ang mga taon at habang kaming magkakapatid ay lumalaki, naiba ang direksyon ng aming buhay. Minsan dumaan ang pagsubok na siyang nagpapatatag sa buong pamilya. Minsan na rin nadapa at nalugmok sa bisyo ang aking ama. Kung paano siya nakabangon sa kanyang kahinaan ay isang bagay na lubos kong pinapasalamatan sa Diyos.

     “Pa”, alam ko na may mga bagay na hindi na natin pwede ibalik. Gawin na lng po nating isang malaking aral sa buhay ang mga pinagdaanan ng ating pamilya noon.  Sa araw na ito, gusto ko lng malaman mo na sobrang saya ko po na ikaw ang aking naging ama. Wala man po ako sa tabi niyo ngayon para sabihin sa inyo kung gaano ko kayo kamahal, ay palagi po kayo nasa aking pagdarasal. Alam ko kung gaano niyo po kagusto mabuo at magsama-sama na ating pamilya. Ipinagdadarasal ko na sa tamang panahon, matutupad din ‘yong pangarap na iyon.  Marami pong salamat sa lahat ng pagsasakripisyo at walang-hanngang pagmamahal sa amin. HAPPY FATHER’S DAY PA!

A GREAT GOD FOREVER!

            

     “YOU ARE A GREAT, GREAT GOD! YOU ARE A GREAT, GREAT GOD! YOU ARE A GREAT GOD!” These lines of the song comforted and assured me of God’s never-failing promise to stay beside me even in the midst of sufferings. My heart was moved by His loving embrace that I felt during the Praise Fest. I just couldn't hide my feelings. Real joy and hope reigned over me in the victorious 3^rd Kuwait National Conference.

    The said conference has enlightened me with a great truth. My mind and heart was overwhelmed of His awesomeness for being greater than whatever problems, pains, and fear I am experiencing at the moment. He has shown through Mary a perfect example of obedience and complete surrender. Yes, I need to offer once again everything in me to God. Healing won’t just be happening easily, I have to unload some of the heavy burdens and to trust fully in our heavenly father of His grace.

     It was a life-changing event since it made me realize that even the people who caused us the pain and all the situations that brought us to misery must be accepted with a grateful heart. Without these, I will not be as strong as I am now. It reminded me of the moments when I was down and hopeless. It became a way for my connection to our Lord.  It taught me how to call on Him in the darkest hours of my life.

     In everyday that the Lord has shown the love through the people around me, no definite words can describe how much I glorify Him. When most of the time that I struggle against the world, He continues to use other people and situations for me to have a deeper and a personal relationship with Him. It made me believe that in every situation God invites us to dwell in Him is also an invitation to be more like of Christ. In everyday that we live with His commandments, we proclaim how great He is.  We magnify His being a great Father to all of us.

      A conference like this has marked a great impact in my spiritual journey. Seeing upon the faces of the other SFC’s and Non-SFC’s, I can say that God’s greatness above all others was proclaimed. We have received inner peace and blessing as well. I am not sure of what would happen in my future, but with a Great God, I am certain that He will always be at my side no matter what happens. Mathew 28:20 says, “And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

I LOVE MY HOUSEHOLD!

      

The Household is the heart of CFC-SFC.  It is where I truly appreciate the essence and existence of what I called “A HOME AWAY FROM HOME”. Being far away from my family is a struggle which I cannot hide from my brothers and sisters in the community.  My first 3 months in this country was filled with so much longing for my loved ones.  I often shared to them that God must have a great purpose for bringing me here in Kuwait. When I started to involve myself to the service, this made me feel the real joy of being a part of the Household. 

I would say that Household has greatly helped me in my journey with Christ.  A Household is where I expressed my praises and thanks to God for the everyday blessings, sincerely asking for His mercy of my imperfections and lifting up the prayers and hopes  with full trust that His will be done. While saying the thanksgiving of each of us, I feel so much blessed, even in the midst of scarcity. There were times when I just cried as I shared through my prayer the answered prayers.  It has helped others as well to recognize God’s abundant blessings to them. It is a manifestation that God provides.  In every state of one’s heart, only God knows and that I cannot hide anything from Him. All I can do is to recognize and humbly seek for his mercy and forgiveness for the weaknesses and failings as a son.  At times that I opened up, I felt relief and peace as well. No more guilt and pain for God is a great healer. Then, I started to become hopeful as I lift to Him my plans and decisions in life.  Claiming the victory with my dear brothers is incomparable. With God, I learned to trust with all my heart and soul.

There is still much more in Household that reveals God’s magnificent power on our lives. More than the sense of brotherhood that I felt is the love and care shown from one another like my real family.  I will never sacrifice my Household over all other things. It is because I know that it is the Household that keeps me holding on and makes me the person God wants me to be. I love my Household and forever will be treasured for this priceless gift from above.

A LETTER TO A SIS.

Dearest Sister,

This letter is written with the faith that our way may come across again.

     I usually ran out of words when I write articles. So when this happens, I let my mind shut and my heart speaks.  The moments we spent together were more than enough to embrace you for who you are. Those few conversations we have had are so significant to me. It has somehow made me a better person. You don’t have to ask an apology for you have not hurt nor disregarded me. In fact, you are one of a few who made a great impact in my life as you encouraged me to open up my thoughts and feelings to the world. There is no need to go back of what has been done. While we are still alive, we can always make a way to cherish the present. Let us not wait for the star to fall from above.

     I might not have seen you since last year, but, you will always be visible in my heart.  I can tell what’s inside your heart. It’s a heart full of goodness, a sister with a big heart to everyone.  There is something in you that make you a special sister to me.  Your sincerest desire for helping others and the longing for a relationship to God are so inspiring. I hope and pray that as you journey, you can remember to call on me, whatever happens.

     Thank you for being the instrument in fulfilling God’s plan for me. 

      Keep in touch :)

      Your brother in Christ,

       Bro. Nino