God, an Orphanage, a Young Man, and Me

When I got ready to go to Tacloban, I was only thinking of Typhoon victims who need food, daily living supplies, and counseling. Ministering to orphans never crossed my mind. 

However when I arrived in the Center for Change in Binaunan, Leyte., I knew God has set me up for bigger things. First, I did the opening prayer for the simple children's program. Second, I counseled teenagers. (Something I was not prepared to do and for more than 10 youngsters; all clamoring for attention). 

However, one special incident which happened in the midst of all the activities there will forever be etched in my heart: A young man, 18-year-old, approached me to tell his life story. I was shocked out of my wits because it's our first time to meet, yet he had the urge and boldness to tell me the most significant aspect of his life. He started his narrative in this fashion -- he was born in Manila. Then when he was old enough to travel, his mom scurried with him to Tacloban. Then the incident he regrets the most in his young mind, transpired. His own mom left him in the city to survive on his own. After many days of roaming the city by himself, God moved and he finally found himself in the orphanage. 

I was moved beyond comprehension. Disgusted and angry, I asked myself -- how can a mother abandon her toddler in a big city? Doesn't she care about her child? Does she love her child? If she does, then why leave him to fend for himself in the dangerous streets of Tacloban.  

Maybe even in my whole lifetime, I will never be able to formulate an acceptable answer to those questions. While I listened to his story, I felt overwhelming compassion. Something Jesus felt for the multitudes in this verse: 

“I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. Mark 8:2 

Back to the orphanage, he led me to his room. He stays with 2 other people. One woman who's advanced in age, and another orphan who's younger than him. He pointed to his bed saying that's where I sleep. Next, he led me to his locker. He told me he shares it with another orphan.         

What struck me the most is why among the members of my team did he pick me to share all of these things. In hindsight, now that I'm settled in my familiar environment, my home office, I realize, he was longing for a father figure and someone to guide him in his affairs who is male. From my conversations with my team, I found out, all the house parents and staff in the orphanage are females. And one more thing, I realized, as I prayed that God has assigned me to him. While writing this article, I have come to the conclusion that he needs my help and I have the desire to contact Miss Margaret Pashley, the orphanage founder to ask her permission for me to have an ongoing correspondence with Roel (the young man). Maybe in my humble means, I will be able to help him in whatever needs he has during this time of his life.  

With my experience in the orphanage, I realize how blessed I am to have grown up with my own parents, had a house, stuff I personally own even as a child, nice clothes, and most importantly, education in the best schools in the country. Sometimes we ordinary mortals, even us Christians, take for granted the blessings God has bestowed upon us. My trip to the orphanage was an eye opening experience that has intensified my thirst for ministry, for meaning in my life, and for a more rewarding spiritual journey with our almighty Father. 

Looking back in my preparation to join the relief operation in Tacloban, God has impressed upon my heart that he has loaded me with writing assignments to bless me with more than enough funds to go help the Typhoon victims but most especially to help Roel who is longing for a father. The Holy spirit is also guiding me so in a special arrangement, I can experience how it is to be a father. Even in an unorthodox way. Who knows I might decide to convince my wife for us to help Roel for further studies. 

All in all, my experience  of visiting the Center for Change has enriched my life not only as a minister but even as a member of the human race.   

In all of these matters, to God be the glory!

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I went for coffee, but I ended up doing ministry instead

Today is Wednesday, prayer meeting day at Church of Our Saviour, my church. I was working on some articles for Lifehack, and at around lunchtime, I was thinking, I'd just have lunch at the church canteen. So, at around 1:30 pm, I went there looking for food. There was fried chicken, but the rice had been kept in the ref, so I decided to look for chow somewhere else. 

I found myself crossing the street to the neighboring store to grab a bite. After eating, I went to the coffee shop inside COOS and ordered cappuccino. 

While sipping my favorite brew, I read the Word and a few minutes later, a lady entered the cafe. She started talking to the other lady having coffee. She narrated that she has been spending so much for medical bills for someone (I wasn't sure who that someone she was referring to since I was reading), who frequently have seizures when having fever and that she was worried about that person (I suspected it was her). And she rambled on, her doc declared she needed to go through more tests, more visits to the clinic, more medical checks, so she blurted out more complaints about too much bills, and all. 

The lady sounded troubled and while I continued listening, I realized that she was extremely stressed, and worried about her health, and the health of her family. 

As she was expressing her concerns, I felt compassion for her so I looked toward her direction. She glanced back at me and smiled. I felt a strong urge to ask her just to be sure if she was the one who was sick. She told me, no, it was her son. 

To pacify her, I told her, as a child, I was sickly, but despite that, I still excelled in school. She voluntarily shared her son was 1st honor last year. With that revelation I knew God was up to something again (I didn't know her son did well in his academics and continue to do so), so I asked her and her friend, "Would you like to pray?" 

Without any hesitation, they agreed. 

I went beside them and started to pray. 

Upon completing my prayer for their sons and for their families, I wilyly squeezed in a prayer, or more like insinuated that if they would accept Jesus in their hearts someday we'd all be in heaven enjoying each other's company. 

I knew they agreed because when I was through, I saw the same expression on their faces -- RELIEF. 

They said their "thank you's" and I said "bye" knowing I did what God wanted me to do on that specific moment. 

Praise God for using me to touch lives. He is an truly an awesome God!       

     

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The Prodigal Son Lost in Laoag City

For years I have prayed for restoration. Both for my soul and for finances. I've been asking God for these two aspects of my life for two years; maybe even three.

After persevering within those years, events happened in my life that have aroused my spirit. One of them occured quite casually; however, after a more thoughtful hindsight, it was not a random affair at all. It happened this way...  

A missionary based in Cambodia came here for a vacation. We're supposed to be talking about other matters relating to ministry; instead, he opined -- I'm like the prodigal son in the book of Luke15:11-32. 

He demanded I go back to COOS, and he lightly said, almost jokingly, that I'm like the prodigal son in that, I left my home church and went around wandering, looking for my supposed to be ministry, when in fact, my calling is actually right under my nose; in my home church. 

Since at the time these events were happening, I didn't realize my true calling; I told the missionary, with pure conviction, "I can't go back. It's impossible, I complained. I said goodbye twice to the church". And in my private thoughts I said, there is no way I would go back, there's nothing for me there, because I had done so many mistakes at COOS. One thing more, I was hurt and obviously, I offended some brothers and sisters, and even leaders.   

I added, the people there were so turned off they will just give me a cold shoulder if I suddenly showed up. In short, great fear gripped me everytime I thought of going back to my old church.    

I can't explain it, but however uncomfortable the thought is, even with many doubts bumping each other inside my head, and the heavy apprehension brewing in my heart, I went back after two weeks. 

When I finally stepped into COOS, I never expected the preacher would talk about the prodigal son in his sermon. 

Not only that, I also noticed one very evident fact: God's presence was extremely strong the moment I stepped into COOS' sanctuary that Sunday. 

I was like walking on clouds. Actually, I was feeling intensely strange, and I seemed transported into another realm. It was surreal.

The voices of the singers and the actual singing inside the church had a different flavor, it was angelic. I was sure, there was a huge portion of anointing being poured out from heaven that time.

The whole church had a heavenly atmosphere and I knew, without a tinge of doubt, God was agreeing with what I have done. He was joyful I obeyed. He was glad I went back. 

At this point, it sank in, He sent the missionary to talk to me, and I obeyed. He was smiling because despite the fear I felt going back COOS, I followed His guiding hand. My fear was due to the wrong notion I had that if I go back, I'll be embarrassed to the core. (That's the enemy's lie, it's evident now.)

I was so wrong, I was not embarrassed at all, on the contrary, I had a glorious encounter with our Creator.      

I thought that was it, God was through with His message. Man... was I wrong; I had another divine visitation the next day. A pastor on TV talked about... what else, the prodigal son. I was alone in our house that time, so I was not conscious when I shed tears of joy.

And again, I thought it's done, 'cuz that's strike three! But, wait, God is not yet through with me. The next day, a Tuesday, as I laid down on my bed, part of my bedtime routine is to read a Christian book, there it was, right in the middle of the page, the story of "the prodigal son".

Tell me, how can I NOT obey? God clearly talked, and instructed me, not once, or twice, but four times.

I thank God, He made time to instruct me. Praise His holy name!  

Now I'm back to COOS and I have peace and unspeakable joy. I praise the name of the Lord! All glory and honor belongs to Him. 


Anthony Dejolde
The Write Freelance
tonsdejolde@gmail.com
Anthony Dejolde's Google+

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The Drought Is Over

by Anthony Dejolde


Recently, I received abundant blessings from the Lord.


I'm here to tell my story. I'd love to share you my exhilirating experience receiving blessings from God. 

So... let me begin.  

I started hunting jobs since April, 2013. I was searching for freelance jobs over the Internet but, sad to say, I struggled, I cried, and... I failed. Yes, those were more than 3 months of terrible dryness. 

If I say, I had a drought in my writing business, it would be an understatement. It was cracking dry. You could peel off the cracks individually like chips. It was lifeless, desolate. A barren desert.  

Within those months I was in deep communion with God. In the first month, I was praying fervently telling Him -- "I badly need cash. We need to pay our bills, and have food on the table." 

One month passed without any positive development. Slowly, I slipped into deep depression.

The next month, my hopes were raised. There were some inquiries; but still... nothing materialized. That's it. I'd reached my saturation point. 

I began a different angle in my prayers. 

I begun to question God... 

I cried "Why would You want me to experience this spiritual darkness? Why this material lack? Where is my reward for obeying you?"

Why was I questioning God? 

Last year, I went to Manila to work as an Instructional Systems Designer for Sutherland Global Services. I was tasked to create manuals for trainers in the Business Process Industry. 

While there, my employment immediately gained traction. I had an astoundingly fast development as a department head. The best part is, I was up for a promotion after just two months. I was so excited. No, ecstatic is  the right adjective! 

So... I was enjoying my job. I have a new career as an instructional systems designer, then... without warning, like a sudden gust of wind, the hand of God dropped from heaven; telling me with a signal -- go back to your city. Go, BE with your wife.

I fell down on my knees and cried. Asking why, now, that I'm up for a promotion. Relectantly, and with all the courage and self discipline I could muster, I obeyed. 

I prepared to resign from my job. With deep sadness in my heart, and with clenched fists, I tendered my resignation. I had all the reason to feel that way. I didn't know what'd happen next. I was jobless.

Events transpired, the days passed, then weeks, finally, months. I and my wife had the worst time of our life. There was financial dryness. Poverty stuck with us like a leech.  

They were times when I'd eat only thin slices of bread for breakfast and lunch. Gloomily, even down dinner time. Aahh... those were horrific days of lack, of questioning, of seeking God's face, of pitch-black depression; not to forget, unbearble confusion.

Then the winds changed direction. As events led me to my life's deep blue period, events also rolled in, ushering me into a sphere of victories, favorable developments, and peaceful nights.

It's amazing, I can call 'em peaceful now; but, during those times, through the night, I'd toil 'til the wee hours of the morning. I'd drink gallons of coffee to stay awake; trying to learn the concepts, the new updates I needed to comprehend as a new blogger and freelance writer.

Right, I became a sponge for digital knowledge. I knew it's crucial for my survival; not only as a writer, but more so, as a human being searching for validation, and almost desperately, for purpose.

Then God moved... 

Finally... he heard my cries... this is the shining portion, the blessing part. 

After months of writing cover letters and pitches, I finally got hired as a writer of one of the biggest productivity sites on the web, Lifehack.org; and I was flabergasted! Never thought I would pass the grade.

This is a lesson in not having enough self confidence; of not giving God the full trust He deserves.

All the while I was thinking I belong to a lower class of writers. However, with this event, I'm sooo... proven wrong.  

Obviously, I belong to a higher class; much to my delight, and I can only attribute it to God's anointing. All glory to God!

So... as a personal resolve, after being hired, next time I set goals -- I must aim higher. It's validated. This recent adventure confirms I must. 

However, the humble side of me can't remain mum. He blurted out -- "perhaps 'twas just good luck. Maybe 'twas just the right time for you to present yourself as a writer for Lifehack.org."

Whatever maybe the case, I had revelation: Experiencing a lesson from life itself, of course, taught by God Himself is absolutely different from just reading lessons from books; or learning 'em from workshops.

Hence, when God creates a PowerPoint presentation and pitches it to you, better listen. And listen good. 

Your learning curb will be expedited; and, the intensity even heightened by a 1000%.

Indeed, it has; and on that fateful day, that sparkling email got into my inbox containing the greatest news of my life...

  The drought is over...

Finally, God gave me a freelance job -- A writer at Lifehack. 

The desert has turned into a stream. 

God's grace fell on me; and I was deliriously happy. I leaped, I danced, I shouted for joy in my loudest cry. And that wasn't even enough -- I told everyone I know.

The lesson I learned: Trust God unconditionally.

Praise the name of the Holy One. He is faithful! May His fame crown His name forever. Halelluia!


      

      
      
        

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Humbled

There were many times I was in a deep rut.

I noticed... every time I'm in one, I'm humbled.

The painful experience brings with it value I can't get from good times.  

However, what is good about it is, I learn every time.

I gain wisdom each time I encounter a bad bump on the road.

Every accident I run into taught me lessons I would never get from driving smoothly.

Of course, I don't crave, I don't desire accidents, but based on my years living on this planet, they are absolutely necessary.

Why? 'Cause without them, we can't learn beautiful lessons.

Without them, we can't gain wisdom that can help us avoid accidents.

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Be A Friend

One of the best ways to encourage somone is to be a friend.

A simple act of making yourself available to someone who is in need of attention, of affection, of a listening ear, will assure that someone, you are there for them.

You are ready to listen...

You are someone they can trust with their private thoughts, with their deepest emotions, with their fears and aspirations. 

That is a true gift.  

The very act of sharing your time with them, listening to whatever they want to share is a big step towards building a relationship that matters.
  

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