Delayed!

Story told by: Joan Buncad
Date happened: July 15, 2011

     Kriinngg.
     I picked up my cellphone. It was one the of MAS-AMiCUS: Iligan youth leaders reminding me of my appointment to facilitate the Cross-Training for their General Assembly on June 17, 2011. Seven days more before the Cross-Training but I didn’t feel like going. I still had no ideas for the activities and above all, I didn’t have the FARE to and back. But at least I had to try secure a ticket. So on Tuesday, June 12, I booked a ticket using ate Gaelle’s (one of the volunteers) card.
     Denied.
     Huh? Impossible! We’ve been using this card for booking tickets so many times before. I tried it again. And again. And again…
     Denied. Denied. Denied!
     The MAS-AMiCUS Iligan tried to book me a ticket as well me using their friend’s card but the same thing happened. Denied.
     This time, discouragement began to really sink in. But despite of everything, I kept on praying and praying and finding a way to go because I didn’t want to disappoint the youth at Iligan.
     Thursday (July 14) came. Still no tickets and no direct flights from Iloilo to Cagayan. Though discouraged, I still kept moving forward, excited of what would happen next. I went to the ticketing booth to buy a boat ticket to Cebu. Guess what? Trip cancelled.
     Waaahh! What’s wrong?! I convinced myself to give up. So many tries; all to nought. “You need to go,” a still small voice whispered.
     But Lord, even if I get to Cebu City, my situation would still be 50/50. I don’t have plane ticket to Cagayan de Oro. Plus, there’s no boat available! I argued. Tears began running down my cheeks. I was tired and couldn’t understand why God was allowing all these things to happen. After the tears subsided, I called a friend to ask of some possible ways to get to Cebu.
     “The only option you have right now is to take a ferry boat to Bacolod then a Ro-ro bus to Cebu,” he said.
     Arrrggh! You really want me to take the longer ride, don’t you, Lord? I was now sulking. Fine. But you have to give me more patience and faith. If this is your answer to my prayers, then I trust You.
     The trip to Cebu lasted for fifteen long hours. Finally, I stepped out of the bus onto the terminal—starving and without sleep. What now, Lord? No one was around to fetch me.
     Three hours ticked by. Who is going to fetch me, Lord? Or do You want me to wait some more? I sighed.

Mrs. Suplig and I in the Suplig residence. 

     Finally, a nice SDA family came and offered me a ride, lunch and rest at their house. Plus, internet! Wow! Lord, what a surprise! What convenience! My dampened spirit began to brighten. My excitement heightened when the youth leader called me and said that they were finally able to book a plane ticket. My flight was 1 o’clock pm that same day. Praise the Lord! I immediately printed the ticket. After a few hours of rest, although their house was a bit far from the airport, the family once again offered to drive me to the airport. Gratefulness to the family and praises to God flowed through me.
     By eleven o’clock am, I was at the check-in counter; two hours early, with a full stomach and a long time to relax and to enjoy the cool environment inside the airport. Finally! Mindanao here I come!
     Twelve o’clock. “Flight number…please proceed to the check-in area…” I was kind of drowsing so I didn’t care. But I knew I was one of the passengers mentioned. The announcer continued: “The flight is cancel
led due to…”
     The flight is cancelled due to… Flight cancelled. That got my full attention. My flight was cancelled!

Flight delayed. Waiting...
waiting...

     Lord, why? I began questioning the Lord again. I don’t understand. I should be at Cagayan at two o’clock because then, we’ll still be travelling to Iligan City for two hours—just on time for the Sabbath…. What is happening?
     The flight was moved to four o’clock pm.
     A five-hour-wait! Why, Lord?
     “Just trust Me.” That came from the still small voice again.
     Okay, Lord. Okay, Lord. I’ll trust You. I began singing Isaiah 26:3,4. Peace came to my heart. God knows what’s best.
     At three o’clock we heard another announcement for the delayed passengers to proceed at the counter area. What’s up, now, Lord? I asked—this time, truly trusting Him.
     The man behind the counter handed me a free domestic flight card. Free flight! Yeheyyy!
     Finally, I understood. This card was my ticket back to Iloilo. God cancelled my boat trip and delayed my travels so I could be on this flight and have a ticket back to Iloilo.

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, 

neither are your ways My ways, saith the LORD." 

Isaiah 55:8.

     The Sabbath was spent at Cagayan de Oro along with Weng and kuya Ron (HCBN volunteers). The Cross-Training was a success. And my faith grew an inch taller than before. We serve a wonderful God!

Thanks to:
The Suplig Family for graciously accomodating me at their home.
The MAS AMiCUS Iligan Youth for booking my plane ticket and the wonderful experience with them.