Looking Back

“Don’t look back!”.  This was the echoing command of the Lord to Lot and his family when they were about to flee from Sodom and Gomorrah.  It was because looking back symbolizes yearning for the “old filthy life”.

But the Bible also tells a positive side of remembering.  In Psalm 77:11 it says, “I will remember the deeds of the Lord!”  The psalmist glimpsed back on God’s faithfulness in delivering His people from Egypt.  And the faithful God they have served then is the same faithful God we worship today.

Looking back, we cannot help but praise the Lord for His deeds.  We thank Him for our past trials for we can now see the fruits it bore.  We worship Him for the doors He has closed as we now see His divine purpose for doing so.  O, what a mighty God we serve!

We are not insignificant.  God has wonderful things in store for each one of us.  He has carried us this year and for the past number of years and He will continue to do so even for the next hundred years.

Our pastor often reminds us that promise in Psalm 55:22, 

“Cast all your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you. 

HE WILL NEVER LET THE RIGHTEOUS FALL.” 

And all the children of God say “Amen.”

(Kononia, 1998)

*  photo courtesy of Caroline Joy

Hiking at Wawa Dam

I have invited a friend, and his son, to marvel and see Wawa Dam, located in Rodriguez Rizal.  They came fully equipped, complete with hiking shoes, backpack, bottled water and ofcourse, heavy lunch.  

 

I did not bring food for I plan to just show them the sight up, go down before noon and then have lunch at the town center.  But we ended up having lunch at the riverside, with our bare hands, at one of the makeshift cottages in the area.  Naki-share na lang ako ng pagkain nila.  Sarap!

 

We saw some people crossing the river and we asked where they have come from.  We learned that there is a waterfall nearby, a 15-minute walk from where we are.   So we bravely crossed the river.

 
Initially, we removed our shoes so it won't get wet.  But the stones are hurting our feet so we decided to wear our shoes again and just let it get wet.  Bahala na.   Finally, we reached the Karugo Falls.  The water is quite inviting but we do not have extra clothes then.  Next time, we'll take a dip there for sure.

We were greeted by some groups there enjoying their excursion at the falls.  They readily posed for a picture.  They even asked us to eat with them.  But we just continued to walk up the river trail.  Sige, kaya pa (hingal)...
 

 

Here is the back of the mountain, Bundok ng Susong Dalaga, part of Barangay Kayropa.  We passed by a few houses on our hike.  We were told by some folks there that a Korean national recently died inside the cave.  They even told us  the legend about a beautiful mermaid guarding the enchanted cave and the magnificent pool inside.  I was just amused. 

We exchanged pleasantries with Aling Maura, a friendly and doting mother who tends a small pineapple plantation up the mountains.  She also peddles "Hotel Intercon" scraps to her neighbors -  slippers, soaps, and even left-over foods (I can't take that!). 

We also met Aling Maura's daughter, who was busy washing their clothes along the river (I noticed that she has some kind of make-up on her face, for protection from the sun probably?).  We told her what Aling Maura would have wished for her, that she be able to finish her studies and not marry at an early age.  She just smiled.

Here is a picturesque spot at the river.  During summer, thatch cottages can be seen below, complete with videoke equipment. Hanggang doon ba naman...

Beautiful and magnificent rocks along the Wawa River.  But some already have vandals.  Ang Pinoy talaga... 

 

There is what they believed to be the footprint of Bernardo Carpio.  I do not believe the legend ofcourse, but it's worth seeing.

Upon reaching Sto. Niño Bridge, we saw some young boys, probably the same age as my son, carrying cases of beer. They are being paid P10 for each case brought to that hillside community nearby.  Poor boys.

We saw some locals there packing charcoals, burned from up the mountains and brought to the riverbanks.  We saw small kids working in this trade, together with their mothers.  Sigh.

 

Domingo, a Grade 4 student we met during the hike.  When I asked him of his dreams after finishing his education, he said that he will leave their place and work in Manila.  He would not want to stay and grow old there.  May the Lord guide and bless his paths!

Overall, we enjoyed the hike.  I'll go back there someday and bring with me my kids.  And hopefully meet again Aling Maura and her kids...

"For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; 

his faithfulness continues through all generations."

- Psalm 100:5

The Good Samaritan

Hey guys, you’ve got to hear this!  You know, I just met a very unusual neighbor, a very unusual friend. He is so thoughtful, so loving, and so full of compassion. He is the kind of person any man would want to have as friend. You just have to meet him yourself so that you’ll know what I mean. Well, here’s what had happened…

You see, I was on a journey one day. I have already gone a long mile. I was so tired and so thirsty. You might ask where I was heading that day. Well, I didn’t know. I was travelling yet I have no specific destination. I was searching for something, which I was still uncertain what it is about.  Funny wasn’t it?

I was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho when I fell into the hands of robbers.  They stripped me, beat me, then they went away. Man, how could they do that! They left me with nothing.  All the things I have worked for and accumulated through long toiling years have suddenly vanished. The robbers were really unfair!  Worst, they even wounded me up!  Blood was already gushing down from my head.  I was terribly beaten up.  I wanted to go on and continue with my journey but I was in terrible pain.  I just couldn’t go on any longer.  My knees gave in and I fell down on the rocky road.

          

Finally, a priest happened to be going down the same road. “Sir, do help me!” I still managed to cry out to the priest. “I’m wounded. Don’t leave me out here.” But he was in a hurry so he just looked at me then passed by on the other side of the road.  “Oh, how could he!” I muttered.  I felt like being forsaken.  Again, another man, a Levite this time, came on the same road. I pleaded to him, “Please help me. I’m wounded. I could die any moment now!”  I could sense that he wanted to help by the way he looked at me, but he was probably more engrossed with his business so he also left me by passing on the other side of the road.  I thought, “What would happen to me now? Nobody wants to help.” I felt like giving up.  My situation was a hopeless one. “Could there be anyone out there who would be willing to take time in rescuing me?”

I was already losing strength.  I could no longer utter a word.  I could no longer open my eyes.  I was kind of half-dead then.  I was just there lying, in the middle of the desert, alone.  Suddenly, I felt gentle hands lifting me up.  But I couldn’t see who he was.  I couldn’t hear what he was saying.  What I knew then was that somebody has just rescued me!

When I woke up, I was already lying on a mattress.  There was still pain but I felt better then.  Surrounding me were a group of people greeting me with smiles.  I asked them how I was able to get there.  I expected them to narrate to me what had happened but instead, they just handed me a book.  They said that if I want to personally know the man who has helped me and rescued me, I better read it.  I said to them, “Ok, I’ll read it.”

The book was so alive.  There I found out what had happened.  That particular man was also a traveler like me though he has a specific purpose – to rescue those that are in need.  When he saw me in my helpless condition, he took pity on me.  He was so compassionate that he immediately ran towards me.  He bandaged my wounds and poured oil and wine on my bruises.  He then put me on his donkey and brought me to the place where I was in when I regained my consciousness.  He healed my wounds, took care of me and pampered me with his touch.  He was just so great.  I’ve never known such a man like him.  He came when there seemed to be no hope anymore, when nobody bothered to save my life. I was just so grateful to that man!

Before he left, he said these words to the innkeepers, “Look after him.  When I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.“  As I have already told you, he brought me to an inn where everyone there was so warm. He entrusted me to them so I could become stronger and alive.  They taught me more about this man and his words.  They were really so dear.

So here I am know, a man who has been healed by an awesome person.  I found out that there are a lot of people who knows the man.  Just like me, he also rescued them when they were in that desert.  I learned that he travels incessantly just to rescue helpless beings.  And know what, he’s not an ordinary person.  He is a God!  He had died once but now, he is very much alive.  He is working now in my life and in other people’s lives.

Oh, before I forget, the name of the inn is simply called “Calvary Chapel”. The book is aptly titled “The Bible”. The man is the ever loving and ever compassionate Savior, JESUS CHRIST!  His concern for mankind is non-pareil.  I am so glad I met him!

How about you, have you met The Good Samaritan?   

(Koinonia, 1995) 
*  Inspired by the article "Let's Go Back To The Well" by Miriam Sarno Tumangday 
*  Pictures taken at Bio Research Philippines in Sucat, Parañaque