Shukran, Shukran... Ibn GWYY

Dear 'Kuya',

filipinos concept of sin is 'shame' that's why when you call a person 'no-shame' that would be the worst situation one can ever be, synonymous maybe to an 'end of the world' condition. it can be the equivalent of japanese or chinese's concepts of honor.

because of this, when we are grateful, we coin it with this. so, i would like to say, i am so full of shame in my inability to thank you enough for everything... but thank God, we also have this concept of 'utang na loob' which, literally translated as 'debt from inside' with the word 'inside' relating to the deeper being of the 'heart'. however, 'utang na loob' really means the 'debt of gratitude' which, because of the 'goodness' of shame, it puts one in such a deep obligation to be indebted or thankful for a lifetime.

so, i will not be stuck in shame anymore as i have the chance to be indebted to you in this lifetime. but of course, the Lord repays and rewards on behalf of those who are unable... i pray that the Lord remember you with favor on our behalf, on my behalf... as Nehemiah prayed for God's favor.

having said this, i praise God for the sense of 'life' that Dr. WYH's words has brought to my spirit. i am deeply humbled, honored, enriched and encouraged! thank you to you both for this honor and journey.

hope to hear from you again as you deem it necessary to get in touch with me po. i will also take it as my privilege and obligation to keep in touch with you as needed for the sake of building God's kingdom!

best regards to your family and the family and friends in the movement...

shukran!
~shajarah

Taken, Broken, Given Away

Brokenness 101

I'm not mad, dear. Just feel a bit tired. Can you stop complaining for yourself? You can rebuke and scold me if it is for God, but not for you, please. Thanks.

Please memorize Colossians 1.16. Everything is created by God and for God. I am created by God and for God, not for you. Same thing with you, and the other people as well. Thanks.

Ravens 101

How can one be so ungrateful and hopeless? When everything around points to favor and gracious?

people in the dorm
love and belonging
community life
acceptance and joy

dormitory privileges
a home here and now
temporary abode
haven of rest and restoration

tipid, tipid, tipid
walking-walking
reflection-prayer
exercise, veganism

free $30 reader
from ruby and robert
encountering the world
my world of islam

lunch 101 today
a lady in shining armour
18 pesos salvation from shame
free lunch, pay it forward

thank you, beth
God bless your soul!

daming free ngayon
in-in and carla
prayer mountain bonding
free everything plus, plus

food, food, ride
stories, stories, plans
pizza, friulli, pizza
time, presence, love

sino pa? at ano pa?
ate pearly and her constant
presence and reminder
for my own future

health card and benefits
payments here and there
scholarships and support
ano pa nga ba? salamat talaga!

ate libay, ate elsie
dakilang mga kaguruan
ibn gwyy, dr. hwy
dakilang mga geya

syempre si iva, si sheena
si rhea, si chris at si kalai
dami-dami naman pala
la pa nga si sheila at reena

syempre pinakamahalaga ngayon
si yonan at mga nanay at tatay
salamat sa pag-ibig at pagtanggap
mabuhay kayo, purihin si yhwh

mga bagong kakilala sa pasay
abdullah at jj at em at ric
salamat, salamat po
hanggang sa muling pagkikita

dami naman nito, ah
wala ng pakawala pa
eto na sila sa frontiers
mimi, roen, buddy, joy

kailangang mag-take stock
magbilang at magpasalamat palagi
pagpapakumbaba at pagsunod
focus, focus: SOLI DEO GLORIA!

my shajarah, oh, shajarah...

how have you been?
how was the journey?
how is your heart?
are you really back home?

my shajarah, oh, shajarah
welcome home...
is it really home?
will it ever be the same again?

six months
a hundred and eighty four
days, to be exact
long nights and days

emotional whirlwind
onerous movements
coming to and fro
restless, volatile

arbitrary
fleeting
transitory
momentary

shipwrecked
ecstatic
push and pull
unfamiliar

nothing certain
all taken away
east and west
highs and lows

two things i asked
two things granted
simplicity and poverty
brokenness and suffering

yet never was gone
gnawing peace and endurance
such majesty of calmness
always extensive, long-lasting

where have you been?
where are you going?
are you really back?
are you really home?

is it really home?
is it still the same?
will you ever be?
home and home again?

changes
brokenness
growth
suffering

home
is it true
will it ever be
such a reality

never will your heart be
home again
never will there be
the same home again

arbitrary
fleeting
transitory
momentary

so how is your heart?
will it ever be
a welcome home again...
oh shajarah!

Homecoming Entry

Dear Lord, your apostle Thomas wanted to see you and touch your wounds. He was not satisfied with the enthusiastic words of his friends. He wanted to experience your presence with his own senses.

How I can understand that desire! Haven't I been praying to you often and fervently to let me see you and touch you? And what do you say? "Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe."

Are you asking me to stay in the darkness of faith and surrender to you that feverish and impatient desire for a direct, sensible experience? Are you inviting me to live my life in simple faith, obedient to the witnesses who saw you after your death and who based their teaching on the fact that they indeed saw you alive?

O Lord, I believe; help my unbelief. Amen.

(A Cry For Mercy: Prayers From Genesee, Henri J. M. Nouwen, 2002)