A Greater Purpose!

It's been 2 months since I've arrived from Indonesia. I miss teaching. I miss my friends in Surabaya. I miss hearing Bahasa Indonesia. But I am also happy that after so many years, I now have lots of time in my hands (that's just a better way of saying "I am now a bum").

Sometime last year, I felt a deep stirring in my heart to leave Indonesia and go back to the Philippines. It was triggered by one comment made by an immigration officer. She was checking my passport and immigration card when she asked me whether I was teaching in a private school or a government school. I told her that I was teaching in a private school. Her reply was simple, "Good, 'cause if you were teaching in a government school in Indonesia, I wouldn't allow you to leave". She gave me back my passport and said goodbye casually. She had no idea what she's done.

After hearing the immigration officer's comment, I felt uneasy. The message was clear to me. It was time for me to go back to my homeland and serve my fellowmen. I've been in Indonesia for six years and I have loved every moment that I've spent there. I have been given lots of opportunities to serve in communities. The latest was in a poor community where I had the chance to teach Character Building Education to preschool children. I won't be able to forget the memories that I've had in that community.

I remember that I would always feel nervous when it was time for me to teach as I had to speak in Bahasa Indonesia. I would diligently memorize the "script" given to me, trying to imitate a local's accent when speaking. But whenever I stand in front of the class and deliver my "lines", I only see children with blank faces. In my frustration, I asked my friend why they seem not to understand what I was saying. I asked her whether my accent was wrong or was I speaking too fast 'cause the children didn't seem to understand what I was trying to teach them. My friend just laughed and told me that almost all of the children in that community couldn't understand Bahasa Indonesia. They could only understand their tribe's local dialect. It brought relief and at the same time disappointment. I was relieved that it was not because of the way I spoke. But I was disappointed that they didn't understand the lessons that I was trying to teach them. But despite this, I was still very happy that I had the chance to reach out to them. This is the kind of opportunity that I long for. While others are longing for opportunities to work in highly developed countries to earn big bucks, I am dreaming of finding opportunities where I can help others. I would be hypocrite if I say that I don't want to be rich. Of course I want to be rich! But only so that I can have all the resources that I need to help others.

So in November of last year, it was clear to me that it was time for me to pack my bags and head for my beloved homeland. It was a struggle as I was already used to my life in Indonesia. I loved my job, my ministries and my friends there. But then I know that if I don't do as my heart says, I would always be hearing "What if's" in my mind.

Now, I am back in the Philippines. But I still haven't done anything for my country. I was hoping that as soon as I hopped off the plane someone would approach me and hand me and envelope and say, "This is your mission". But then it only happens in movies. I am neither Tom Cruise nor Keanu Reeves. So there won't be people popping in front of me telling me what my mission is. But one thing is for sure, my Almighty Father has already prepared everything for me. He constantly guides me, leading me in the right path. He is always patient, especially when I am stubborn. I am secure knowing that His plans for me are greater than anything that I could ever imagine. I was created for a greater purpose.