Racing with Time

As told by: Rowena Sandot, HCBN Volunteer

Date Happened: July 16-18, 2011

" If we surrender our lives to His service, we can never be placed in a position for which God has not made provision. Whatever may be our situation, we have a Guide to direct our way; whatever our perplexities, we have a sure Counselor; whatever our sorrow, bereavement, or loneliness, we have a sympathizing Friend. If in our ignorance we make missteps, Christ does not leave us...The arm of Omnipotence is outstretched to lead us onward and still onward. Go forward, the Lord says; I will send you help. It is for My name’s glory that you ask, and you shall receive. I will be honored before those who are watching for your failure. They shall see My word triumph gloriously. “All things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.” Matthew 21:22.

- Christ's Object Lessons, p.173

I really praise God for the privilege to serve and for the opportunity to be one of the Cross Training facilitators of the recent MAS AMiCUS Iligan Chapter General Assembly.

The Iligan MAS AMiCUS Cross-Training was suppose to be a cancelled appointment because of many hindrances along the way. Everything just seemed to disagree with the events; from financial challenges, to Joan's cancelled boat trip and delayed flight, to shortage of travelling time, not to mention the landslides and all. But it is so amazing how God can turn trials and obstacles into blessings. When it is for His cause, God really extends His hands. Amazing are HIS promises that we can freely claim giving us peace amidst the storm.

On the 16^th of July, Saturday night, Ronald, Joan and I, were on our way to Iligan City for the Cross Training, despite of the obvious time constraints. The Training would start in the morning of Sunday, July 17 and our flight would be on the next morning at 6:00 at the other side of Mindanao, Davao City. We arrived at Iligan City and stayed at Ptr. Cagas’ residence for the night.

Sunday came. 

Some of the youth pose with Joan for the camera.

First stop: Tibanga SDA Elementary School. The Cross-Training for the MAS AMiCUS officers which lasted for three fun-filled hours—5:00 to 8:00 am.

Then at one o’clock pm, the news came. A landslide occurred somewhere between the highway of Bukidnon and Davao City preventing the buses and other vehicles to pass through. The only options were to either take two longer routes which would both take us around twelve hours of travel from Iligan to Davao City. We opted to take the Iligan to Kidapawan route. Now time became a major concern. We needed to leave earlier than expected. We decided to leave right after kuya Ron’s talk.

Second stop: Tibanga SDA Elementary School. This time, it was the Cross-Training for the MAS AMiCUS general assembly. It started at one o’clock in the afternoon. Kuya Ron finished his talk to the youth past two o’clock pm. Fifteen hours more before the flight—and we had to be at the airport check-in area at least an hour before the plane departure.

The Trust Walk activity.

The youth in prayer.

And so at exactly three o’clock, we left Iligan… In your dreams. No, we had to stay because unexpectedly, more than a hundred attendees came to join the Training. More attendees called for a longer and more effort on the part of the MAS AMiCUS officers. We couldn’t just leave them in that kind of situation.

We were finally able to let go of the Training at around five o’clock pm. It wasn’t over yet but we just really had to go and leave the other activities to the MAS AMiCUS leaders. (We thank God for giving them the right spirit and excellence in leading the youth.) We left Iligan City praying for God’s intervention.

Fourteen hours left before the flight.

The Lord declares that He will be honored by those who draw nigh to Him, who faithfully do His service. “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Thee, because he trusteth in Thee.” Isaiah 26:3.   

Third stop: At about seven o’clock pm, we arrived Cagayan de Oro and immediately looked for a van bound Davao. God provided! We finally found a van…with a sleeping driver. It was not until nine o’clock pm that the driver woke up energized and ready for the long drive. The van left immediately.

Joan and I (R-L) at the front seat of the van.

Ten hours left. Will we make it? Anything could happen along the way.

Inside the van, we calculated our travel time. We left at nine o’clock so we would likely arrive Davao City at around five o’clock in the morning (and Davao City is known for its large area. A taxi ride from the Davao City Ecoland Terminal, where we would go down, could mean several agonizing minutes to the airport). If only the van would go fast enough to make a twelve-hour-drive an eleven-hour-drive. If only there would be no stop-overs. If…what if…what  if…. Yes, we did have a lot of “what ifs” but God gave us a settled peacefulness in our hearts. He will take care of everything.

Fourth Stop: We reached Valencia City—past twelve. The van continued on.  

Five hours more before the flight.

Fifth stop: The van stopped. A man approached the van.

Four hours and something minutes more before the flight.

The highway cleared of the landslide mud.

Trucks and other vehicles line up to wait for the slow process of passing the landslide affected area.

A pile of landslide mud beside the road.

The driver finally slipped back inside and closed the van door shut. “We’re going through,” he said.

Minutes before the van arrived the crossing to Davao City (short route with landslide) and Kidapawan City, we were informed that the Davao City route was just recently opened enough for smaller vehicles to pass. Praise God!

When I think back of that landslide experience, I am always reminded of how God parted the Red Sea for the Israelites. For us, He parted the landslides!

         

          Sixth stop: The time was around four o’clock am. We stepped down the van into the Ecoland Terminal and paid a taxi to drive us to the airport.

Seventh stop: Davao City International Airport. We checked-in (together with our co-volunteers from Bukidnon) an hour before the flight.

"…we can never be placed in a position for which

God has not made provision..."

Tuesday, the next day, we were informed that that the Davao City route was once again closed….

___________________

Thanks to:

-       Kuya Eric and ate Milma Villavicencio and kids for sharing with us their home during the Sabbath stop-over at Cagayan de Oro City.

-       Ptr. Cagas and family for accommodating us while at Iligan City.

-       MAS AMiCUS officers and youth for the opportunity to facilitate, all the fun experience with you, guys.