TIME SPACE WARP NGAYON DIN!
10 years ago, while the whole world was scared of the Y2K and thinking of ways how to put down the millennium bug on computers, one Friday afternoon, after worship service, just when they're about to go home, some of our Churchmates were persecuted and brought to jail by the moslem police since they've found out that we have a so called "underground Church" at our Villa. (Saudi Arabia is a very conservative country)
As the head of our Church, upon hearing the news, my Dad immediately prepared himself, packed a couple of clothes and brushed his teeth. He was so sure that he will be taken too by the Mutawas. Never ko kinakitaan ng TAKOT ang Daddy that day. He just prayed.
As far as I can remember, marami pang natirang tao sa loob ng villa though mga families na lang naman. My Dad told them what he knew and the rest was history.
Actually, 1 Church member who had the chance to talk to my Father even said that the authorities know every single thing going on inside our house. They even asked him "Who is your Christian leader?" something like that. Ang vague ng araw na yon sa utak ko, flashes lang ang naaalala ko.
Mom was I think 3 months pregnant then with a baby girl. What's odd was, she also didn't show signs na natatakot sya for the life of my Dad. She had faith kay Lord na hindi Niya kami pababayaan at this time.
Basta what happened was, in one week, all the lights were turned off sa buong villa. We didn't even talked loudly. Lahat ng Bibles were put into black plastic bags and distributed to different houses. Yung mga files ng computer about sa Church were all put to "hidden", musical instruments which we use during praise and worship were all bagged out, the Church which used to be a big room was converted into 2 rooms para if by any chance na pasukin ang villa ng mga authorities, wala sila makikita. We still did our everyday routine BUT WITH CAUTION.
1 week passed and thank God, my Dad wasn't brought in for interrogation. Prayers were in-depth during those times. Some people were getting paranoid about the situation, but my Dad's faith was unshakable. 2 weeks after, nothing happened. 3 weeks, still no news. Hindi ko na maalala when it happened pero the people who were brought to jail was pinalaya rin. Hanggang sa balik sa dati nanaman ang lahat sa dati.
Dahil sa nangyari, naisip ni Mommy na ipangalan ang FAITH sa upcoming member of the family since faith really was the only reason for us to live just like any other day. EVERYBODY WALKED BY FAITH and LIVED BY FAITH for that 3 long weeks.
September 8, 2000
Baby Faith came into our world. I became an Ate once again. Ang bilis nya lumaki. As a child hindi sya mahirap kausapin. She would crack the family up every time. Hindi sya mahirap alagaan though minsan sinusumpong. She was the perfect little sister an Ate could wish for. AND I HAVE HER! :)
FAST FORWARD September 8, 2010
Faith is now 10 years old. A lot taller than the Faith I saw 10 years ago. Her arms and legs are a lot longer now. She doesn't need a candy to settle things anymore. We don't need to sing for her to go to sleep anymore. She knows how to take care of herself na. Knows what color of shirt ang teterno sa color ng leggings nya. And what color of legging ang teterno sa flip-flops nya. Faith is full of surprises. She never fails to show me everyday na kapatid ko nga sya. The way she speaks, the way she moves, the way she laughs, the way she sees things.. It's like I'm looking at my self 12 years ago. She is indeed a gift from God. A gift that I will forever cherish and love.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY FAITH! I pray na you would grow up according to God's plan and that you honor Mommy and Daddy as you age. I'm sorry if minsan napapagalitan kita. Kung hindi ko gagawin yon, no one will. Alam mo namang busy si Daddy sa hardware, si Mommy malayo si Kuya may sariling mundo. hehe. Wag sana sasama ang loob mo everytime napapagsabihan kita kase I don't get mad naman for no reason diba? Minsan lang pag may sumpong! :))) May the Lord would always fill your heart with love and happiness. You are blessed kaya be a blessing to people rin.
Daddy, Mommy, Ate and Kuya will be forever thankful kay Lord for your life.
We love you so so much.
2 comments:
aww this is so sweet.. reminds me of yza when she was still a lot younger.. ohmy.. it also reminds me that i am getting.. oh well.. a lil younger at heart :P :)
Indeed, you are so lucky in having her.
Happy birthday Faith and may you continue to be a blessing! :)
We won't really realize how old all of us (your Ate's) are becoming, but then looking at you, and the other babies ng songers...:S HAAY, ang bilis bilis ng panahon.
We met year 2001, and you're already as adorable as you are now. Kitang kita ang pinagmanahan hahahaha! I remember those times when we would fight over who gets to carry you longer pag dinadala ka ni tita Wennie sa school.:)) Then when you learned how to speak na, lagi mo kami binubuko kay tito mon huhu.
Remember when we would ask you of your name? you'd answer, "FaitH!" with so much emphasis on the "th" sound.=)) zushal!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Faith! :) I have no lil sister, but I love you as my own. Your ate knows that.:)
Post a Comment