Journey in the UAE (2011-2013)

Think about your story and thank God for bringing you this far. Praise Him for His mighty acts; praise Him according to His excellent greatness. - Psalms 150:2

Every experience is a memory worth remembering and a story worth sharing. Allow me to narrate my story on how I came to the UAE. It all started last June 2011. I was asked by my Father if I wanted to go abroad and He mentioned that there's YFC there. I thought about it and immediately I said Yes, not knowing what will happen next. I trusted God and I prepared myself because I said I'd go mission there.

I was working as a volunteer nurse that time and I was actively serving YFC in High School Based. God knows how much I loved serving YFC and I was dedicated to empower and equip the high school to become future leaders. I pushed them to go on mission while training and teaching them more about service. We had leadership training, fellowship, youth camp and household. I felt confident and calm because I know they will stand for the province and will become better leaders. God prepared my heart and strengthened me to leave without regrets knowing that I gave my all for the province and for the YFC community.

I arrived in Dubai, October 8, 2011 and I brought with me my birth certificate. Unknowing of what lies ahead I kept going on. I learned step by step on what I should do. I was guided even though I felt so lost in a foreign land. I then realized that I was prepared spiritually but not physically and mentally. I was blinded, insensitive, selfish, confused and eventually I almost gave up. I struggled and it was hard for me to overcome it. I made mistakes and have hurt a few people which then I regret doing. It was when I learned to trust and have faith in God more that I started to build myself again. I tried to stand up and motivate myself to keep going even though it means fighting over homesickness and selfish desires. God made his presence more felt and I was surrounded by love from a family who hosted my stay here. God blessed me with so much that I forgot to appreciate and be thankful for the blessings. God made me realize that I can change, I can make mistakes, I can repent, I can grow, I can be hurt and I can move on.

God has a right time and everything happened with a purpose. I had my CV ready, applied jobs online, tried walk-in and my authenticated documents arrived then I had a job at a nursery. God never left me when I needed Him the most. I wouldn't have a job without the help of my family and friends. I started working and it was where I experienced the ups and downs of life. I realized that it's hard to work with different people having unique attitudes. I felt pressured and stressed yet I was able to manage in the end. From then on, things started to change and I was getting better. God allowed me to learn through my experience that it resulted as a consequence of my actions. I then realized that I should think before I do something. I was able to adapt to the job I am in and it went well but then I felt incomplete. I searched for the community because I was spiritually dry. I was longing for the comfort of my family, brothers and sisters back home.

It was somewhere in January 2012, when I had my visa and just finished attending the Holy Eucharist that I received an invitation about an ongoing CLP for SFC. I then reflected that maybe God is calling me to go back to Him and that the CLP would be the answer. I decided to go and attend the CLP. I was welcomed and I felt at home. I made a decision to start the CLP again instead of being endorsed to a household because I wanted to refresh my memory and learn more about God through the talks. Everything was new to me and that's where I started journeying with God and with my newfound family. I finished the CLP with God's grace. 3 months later we had our covenant orientation and it was a go signal for me to start serving God.

After Covenant Orientation, I hungered for fellowship, service and worship. I started serving in Kids for Christ. It was in that ministry that I learned to be close to the children. I learned to speak, act, pray, play, learn and enjoy like a child. Now I realized that I am indeed close to the children for they have taught me to be expressive of my emotions through actions like hugging, etc. I continued serving them and eventually I grew matured and I knew I was getting better. For every service I had with them, it was an opportunity for me to learn and improve myself. All I can say was YES and I just kept going for I know the Lord will be glorified more through the service with the kids.

Finally it was nearly the end of the year. I got to complete my 1^st Simbang Gabi in the UAE, celebrated my 2^nd Christmas and New Year. Months flew like hours and before I knew it 2013 came in like a bang! Then my 24^th birthday came and I celebrated it with my SFC household! God is great! Then I became busy with a blog account and was able to manage it for 3 months but then became inactive due to demands with the schedule and lack of sources. I managed to update my blogspot for a while so I tried hard to write and post.

Activities come and go wherein you never knew that it was done. I attended the several KFC activities but the KFC desert camp was the most memorable and totally fun because the focus was with the family. Also I had the chance to attend a Mother-Daughter weekend before Mother's day. Of course the KFC monthly activity in Dubai and Jebel Ali was a great blessing to me and gave me chances to learn and improve myself.

Unexpectedly God blessed me the opportunity to go home this year. With second thoughts God pushed His will for me. I immediately planned my destination and budgeted my money. I was able to send a package with God's grace. I felt being alive and extremely happy knowing I can see my loved ones and be finally home. The feeling of going home really made me crazy and so expressive. And it was totally worth it! I felt so blessed and loved extremely that a lot of things happened according to God's plan for me.

My vacation flew like hours and now I'm back in Dubai. Said hello to new challenges and greater struggles. I felt homesick like it was the first time and I was able to get over it. I experienced the Eid holiday, Dhow Cruise and it was a time wherein I focused more on myself as I learned to stand up again. I realized my self worth, I gained confidence and I was up and ready to go out of my comfort zone to meet new friends instead of isolating myself.

Then CLP came. I was called to be a facilitator in which I doubted at first but then said yes. God moves in mysterious ways and I felt myself changing slowly. I really felt better than ever and my desire to serve Him grew stronger. I started loving and embracing the cross He entrusted to me. I know this is just the beginning and a lot of things will be happening and knowing He's with me is all I need to go on. My faith became my weapon and I felt it growing and improving to withstand any circumstances that come my way. And I know I have a great and amazing God that will never leave me at any cost.

I may have my own problems and issues yet I place my trust on God who will never gave up on me, who continuously trusts in me, who believes in my capability, who empowers me to go on, who blesses me beyond measure, who understands and hears the real me, who inspires me to serve others, who uses me as an instrument for His greater glory, who pushes me to the limits of my capacity and who loves me the most in spite and despite my flaws and imperfections.

MEC 2013 at Al Ain

Lord, thank you so much for being with me and for that I will continue to be faithful in finishing whatever you have started in me. Let your will be done. I lift up everything to You Lord knowing that you are God and I am not. I am excited for what lies ahead knowing that I am never alone for you are in me.

You are God's beloved! The Lord loves you so much no matter what you are going through! :)

.Blessed. Loved. Happy. Empowered

May God be praised!

Nov 2013