Presently Looking Back for the Future (July 2007)
After
some heartbreaking circumstances and adversities, we made it to celebrate our
3rd year of stay in Thailand. We recalled the time when we (as family) treasure
some garbage for survival. That was 2004 that I was literally collecting from
the Wongsakorn market vegetables and fruits that vendors were throwing away. I
made liquefied fertilizer and friendly micro-organisms out of it. We were
crossing the border every month for eight months-very exhaustive and expensive
routine.
I and my kids tried to sell some goods in the “night market”. I bought some
goods from Cambodian Border to be sold in Bangkok. Because, December of 2004, we
need some money to at least make our Christmas celebration colorful. I felt some
resistance deep inside our hearts but we were there the entire duration of
display in the sidewalk-close to the toilet-where nobody wants to buy our goods.
We finally survived the day of making stressful business. It took us few seconds
to count our profit before going home. Our inventory showed; not a shoe was
sold, watches are still intact, and only one pair of sock and one sunglass was
sold. We spent over 200 Baht (more or less 250 pesos) for our transportation and
meal expenses. Our total gross sale that day was 65 Baht (more or less 80
pesos).
That was one of the great experiences which strengthened our faith to keep
trusting the one who sent us here. We cannot simply decide to go back home. It
will take a fortune for us to be able to fly back home. Surviving in Thailand is
easier for my family (with 5 children) than to fly back to Philippines. We never
complained.
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We are here in Thailand,
experiencing the goodness of our Dad up there. He never missed to
graciously supply what we need. Those times of hardship in the past
paved the way for stronger connections with the local people. Those who
witnessed how we dragged ourselves out of obscure situation had really
marveled, asking the secret of getting up from falling. There is no
secret, because we want everyone else to know that God will turn every
opportunity to be a blessing for those who loved Him (Rom. 8:28). |
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