notes from ikaw & ako retreat
Here are some notes from my journal I wrote during the “Ikaw at Ako” [You and Me] retreat at Samaritana just a few weeks ago:
Catherine, a black Filipina, shared how she sought escape from the chaotic tensions in her life. At a young age she started working in the bars in the Olongopo area. She told me earlier that she has two boys, 4 & 2, one is David Andrew. She is married. She is amazingly beautiful, you can see the stolen youth in her eyes. Her smile is radiant filled with real joy. When she shared her story, she spoke with confidence, like it was not the first time sharing it for her. Ate Thelma translated for us, she wasn’t fast enough my heart beated fast as I waited for the
interpretation! Catherine smiled as she shared the pain she endured as she lived in a dark place. Then, she spoke of the time that she had heard the gospel. It was like lighting on a stormy night! It was loud, powerful it stood alone. The news of the gospel spoken from one that was once captive is powerful! Her voice went at slower pace, her face filled with sorrow as she recollected the life she had prior to hearing about Jesus. My heart sunk taking in this emotion, connecting with the truth the depth, the freedom that came when the gospel was spoken.. and so it was for me, just like the first time I was told the gospel I knew it was for someone like me. My heart, my soul related, she too is like me, saved by the gospel. Saved from a life of dark emptiness and brought into a family.
Malou shared her story tonight. Ate Thelma said this was the first time for her. She said she was 14 yrs old when she convinced by her friends to become a GRO (guest relations officer), working in the bars. Her attitude became very bad she gave into the pressure of her friends. I saw mallow leaning on Roselyn’s shoulder at one point tonight. It was evident that Roselyn was going through something, maybe she’s in the decision process, something that had taken her attention & it was clear her mind was not with us. malou is young, maybe 22 or 23 yet she has become an ate to Roselyn (and she is older than malou). This caught my attention, this was beautiful. It did not look like Roselyn was having a hard time allowing malou to care for her. I saw them sitting together during dinner last night. Lord I pray that ate Roselyn will open her heart to you. Please keep using mallow to speak.
Catherine, a black Filipina, shared how she sought escape from the chaotic tensions in her life. At a young age she started working in the bars in the Olongopo area. She told me earlier that she has two boys, 4 & 2, one is David Andrew. She is married. She is amazingly beautiful, you can see the stolen youth in her eyes. Her smile is radiant filled with real joy. When she shared her story, she spoke with confidence, like it was not the first time sharing it for her. Ate Thelma translated for us, she wasn’t fast enough my heart beated fast as I waited for the
interpretation! Catherine smiled as she shared the pain she endured as she lived in a dark place. Then, she spoke of the time that she had heard the gospel. It was like lighting on a stormy night! It was loud, powerful it stood alone. The news of the gospel spoken from one that was once captive is powerful! Her voice went at slower pace, her face filled with sorrow as she recollected the life she had prior to hearing about Jesus. My heart sunk taking in this emotion, connecting with the truth the depth, the freedom that came when the gospel was spoken.. and so it was for me, just like the first time I was told the gospel I knew it was for someone like me. My heart, my soul related, she too is like me, saved by the gospel. Saved from a life of dark emptiness and brought into a family.Malou shared her story tonight. Ate Thelma said this was the first time for her. She said she was 14 yrs old when she convinced by her friends to become a GRO (guest relations officer), working in the bars. Her attitude became very bad she gave into the pressure of her friends. I saw mallow leaning on Roselyn’s shoulder at one point tonight. It was evident that Roselyn was going through something, maybe she’s in the decision process, something that had taken her attention & it was clear her mind was not with us. malou is young, maybe 22 or 23 yet she has become an ate to Roselyn (and she is older than malou). This caught my attention, this was beautiful. It did not look like Roselyn was having a hard time allowing malou to care for her. I saw them sitting together during dinner last night. Lord I pray that ate Roselyn will open her heart to you. Please keep using mallow to speak.
posted by brian sanders at 11:08 PM
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