press on

sometime this week, mga tuesday siguro, nanay and I were watching the local news (yes, i even watch the news now) when nanay reacted kase kilala nya ung nasa TV. the girl was crying and the news was about someone who was shot in the heart. motive was para nakawan ng about 50thousand++ pesos ung lalaking nakasakay sa isang motorcycle. (he was involved with Center for Community Transformation (CCT) and they're in microfinance.) so nanay texted one of our friends and kilala pala nila ung namatay. so nanay went to the wake of this friend of hers mga two days later. and there she learned na the day after their friend died, two others from the same organization were killed at their office sa ibang parte ng davao. this time, sinaksak naman sila. a guy and a girl. the girl was stabbed 21 times daw. the guy, ewan ko.

And the Lord used these tragic incidents to remind me that my life is in His hands. He is in control. No matter what happens to me and mine in the course of our different ministries, He holds me secure in His hands and I have nothing to fear. And I was reminded, again, how I should act towards my enemies. Toink! Yes, Lord, speak. For your servant listens.

here is the 'Statement to the General Public' na inissue ng CCT:

"We (CCT) mourn deeply the loss and senseless killing of our three young staff. These are idealistic young people who have dedicated their young lives to the service of our poor here in Davao. They have done this because of their love for God and neighbor. We do not understand the brutal violence that has sent them to their deaths.

But while we grieve, we wish to make it known that we bear no ill will against those who have done this deed. We only wish to make it known that we are prepared to forgive, and pray that they may turn from the darkness that has driven them to this great evil and find forgiveness and new life in Christ.

We enjoin our brothers and sisters in our faith communities to continue to serve, not in fear but in faith; trusting that the God of justice is with us and holds us all secure in His loving hands."