My Travel from Phil- US

It been a while that I didn't updating my blog. I just don't feel like writing for the past few months and year. By the way, here I am again starting to write about all the happenings during my travel from Phil- US.

It's been a while that I didn't update this blog because of business...

Struggles In Life

It's been a while that I did not updated my diary after few months of rigid and hectic schedules. Like school requirements, thesis book, practice teaching, processing my papers in coming to US, preparing for the wedding. Oh! boy it's too much for me but praise God I able to mange all of them and I knew that God is always helping me.

I'm struggling so much in my studies for 7 years of working and studying. It's one of my dream to finish my course so I strive very much just to get all my dreams in life. With sweat, tears and much sacrifice just to endure and finish my studies. Of course God is the center of everything because I can't do nothing without Him. I don't know how to start to write all the experiences that I had. But I wanna try to write and start when I am working in my research.
One of the requirements in school was thesis before you can graduate in college you must have thesis. Most of the student enrolled thesis or research subject gone to difficulties and including me. Sometimes I'm discouraged and don't want to continue my research but if I didn't go on it means no thesis, no graduation. It's bad to think about that I can't graduate from college. It hurts me so much so everyday I went to the internet to have a research in my thesis. Overnight and over day my face was on the computer, I experienced to kiss the keyboard because I was so tired and was fall asleep in front of the computer. Life is so hard that's all I can say that time. Plus, I have my struggle in my English vocabulary and my English grammar too. I helped myself to read books but I indeed up sleeping & kissing my book too because I'm tired for the whole day work being a self-supporting student. Then when I'm alone inside the dormitory room without the presence of my roommates I read very loud and talked alone just to practice my pronunciation in English. It's very difficult to learn when you are adult already that supposed to be I learned English during my elementary years. But learning is everywhere, so I tried so hard just to improve my grammar.

I will continue my diary next I have to do my house chores now.Thank you for reading.

Nothin

Thank you!

My Dear MVC My Alma mater

I'm staying in (MVC)-Mountain View College for almost eight years.I use the place it's very nice place to stay.When I'm in MVC I feel like I'm "HOME" when I get tired,lone and happy I just strolled the place and it makes my heavy heart lighter.Oh! how I miss my alma mater.I had lots of experiences to share.The happy one and a challenging one.There in MVC I know myself,my limitation,my life and there where God molding me in to what He want.

Time Goes By

It's been a while that I didn't updated my online diary...I'm quite busy for the passed few months. So I wasn't able to visit and sit on the computer to write.So I'm sorry for that my friends and I am thinking not to continue this diary anymore because every time i remember all my experiences in life I cried and so sentimental.I can say that sometimes I'm so emotional when recalling my life hard experiences. But I want to put it to words and for my children someday to read and they know and read my experiences.

So, I want to write my experience when I was studying in college. After my partner Jecily and Jerry's wedding.A year passed by they had their very own son.They lived in sulads comprehensive high school with their son.Jerry is a license archetic and Jecily is a teacher.
That's the end of their love story...time was running so fast and time goes by that their son is getting bigger each day and become soon Dave's playmate.

I LOVE YOU

I love everything in you

The way you acts within,

So gentle and lovin`

I will love you till the end.

I want the world to know

That I really love you,

And in God we will grow;

To be pure , kind and true.

I`ll give everything altogether

To show I always care,

But what else should I share;

That would treasure us forever.

Please help me , Lord

To lose him I cannot afford,

Remind him why he should;

My one and only in this world.

By:Ruvelyn Sona

Nanay & Tatay

After Dave was adopted to the christian couple Jecily and Jerry became sweetheart because of Dave.They stayed in the hospital for almost 1 month with the baby and that's the time they start to develop their feelings.After one year in teaching the children how to read and write we go back to Mountain View College to continue our studies in Bachelor.Then we ask the poster parents of Dave to borrow him sometimes and have time together especially we miss him.
Then after 5 years of Jerry & Jecily's being sweetheart they got married last Jan.14,2007.Dave was their bible bearer during their wedding that because of him they know each other and become sweetheart and they got married.Now,Jecily is 3 months old pregnant.That's our past experiences when I was a SULADS.(sulads means brother & sisters in manobo dialect).Dave called Jecily "Nanay" and he called Jerry "Tatay" until now.Then, I am one of their bridesmaid... I'm also one of their bridesmaid.May our great God bless their family while waiting for their baby.

Light in the Arms

Me and my partner was assigned in Lapangon Literacy Center we back 2001.In one month of our staying in the village we found out that chief Datu's daughter got sick after delivering her eldest son The name is Dave.Manobo woman know as hardworking that they find food for their own family.Manobo women doing heavy works in the field while the husband just following the wife bringing only arrows.So,the name of the chief Datu's daughter was Anilyn.She still 18 years
old and after she give birth she went to the farm to gather some sweet potatoes as their staple food. From the farm Anilyn carrying a very heavy basket full of sweet potatoes.Then after Anilyn do all the works that week.Then after few days she became weaker and weaker each day until she die.The husband who could not bear the pain of the loss of his wife was observed to be with heavy heart always. Until one day he was found dead. He killed himself by poisoning. Suicide is a common event in these villages. The baby was left to the care of the grandmother who is already too old to nurse.
The baby grew weaker every day fed only with sweet potatoes. The grandmother, who chews betel nut, chewed sweet potato for the baby. She chewed the root first, and then gave it to the baby. The baby‘s bitter cries penetrated my heart. We decided that the baby should be brought to the hospital to save him.Jecily & Jerry brought Dave to Valencia Sanitarium and Hospital & me left in the village to take care of the carpenters food.Dave was skin and bones, covered with scabies, his head had swollen with pus and he was coughing.
He was so fragile that Sir Jerry who holds him had a hard time holding him because he was afraid he might break into pieces. He was so dirty and smelly. We looked into his big eyes and I read his pleadings! “Please hurry! Don’t delay!” Datu Malinis, the grandfather, placed him in Sir Jerry's arms and tied a “malong” (a piece of cloth) around me to help hold the baby. We prayed with the Chief before we left. Sir Jerry said that he fell so many times on the slippery jungle trail during our climb but this time with the fragile Baby Dave in his arms He made sure of his every step not to slide.Jerry Belmonte is from Talisay Cebu and his an archetict that he want to volunteer as a teacher in the manobo village of Pandarasdasan Bukidnon.The story is that they went to Valencia then reaching the German Hospital, all eyes were fixed on my partner & Jerry as they entered the hospital. “Who could be this young healthy couple with a skinny dirty baby with scabies?” They could read their eyes. Obviously they had a hard time carrying the baby because it was their first time. A mother shouted at Jerry. “You better take a good hold of your son, brother. He might fall and break to pieces!” she scolded. “And you, girl, why don’t you nurse your baby! He needs your milk.” He was burning inside, to tell the truth, but he just held his peace. All evening that first night in the hospital they was not able to sleep. The baby was crying all night. “Why don’t you nurse your baby,” a physician scolded Jecily! “That’s what your breasts are made for. TO FEED YOUR BABY.” All eyes of the big crowd in the hospital that morning were on us. “This is not our baby, Ma’am,” Jecily butted in. “We just came to the rescue of this baby.” “Why? Who are you, and whose baby is this? “ “We are volunteer teacher to the jungles of San Fernando where these bloody Manobo warrior natives are living. We hiked for eight hours to reach these jungle people with education. They are still living in their primitive dirty ways and many babies commonly die in their infant stage. The case of this baby is worse. His mother died two days after delivering him and the father killed himself by poisoning. The grandparents of this baby were not doing anything to save him and we just came to rescue him.” After hearing the testimony the physician calmed down and the people in the crowd were moved to tears. “God bless your hearts, brother and sister. What particular organization are you representing?” “We are missionaries of the SULADS of Mountain View College, reaching the unreached tribes in the jungles of Mindanao.” Many came to the room that day to express their thanks and prayers to see that there are people like us who have the hearts to minister to the poorest among the poor in the hinterlands. From that day on Baby Dave became THE LIGHT IN THE ARMS. We are happy to report that Baby Dave is doing well. His little cheeks are filling out. His infection is healing up and the pneumonia is releasing its grasp. We believe that there is a bright future for Baby Dave. Hopefully, he will be adopted by a good Christian couple who will raise him to love Jesus so he can one day become not only the LIGHT IN THE ARMS but a LIGHT TO THE MOUNTAINS OF MINDANAO.

Kinda Culture Shock

In my first day in Lapangon Village was so very hard because I don't know how to communicate and understand the language of the people.What I did was to write all the easy word like greetings,goodmorning,goodafternoon and many more.So, I can communicate them and know them better.Everyday I learn 10 words in manobo or native language.There were times I visited people in the village of Lapangon Literacy school.Then one women greeting me in there language as what I've understand she said good morning but when so I say good morning in their language but she was laughing at me.I asked my partner Jecily who is ahead of me for 1 month if what that mean and she said,women asked what's your name?But you answer to her goodmorning hehehe..I just smile and said better next time hahaha...It was not easy to learn other dialect.
After 3 months of staying in the village I learned to love the people and want to live with them.I applied Sulads and signed only 1 year but in my mind I wanna live with the people in the mountain as long as I live.I want to stay with them forever thats what I felt before.Everytime we had reporting one's in 2 month I don't like to go down and wanna live with the people in the mountain.I like to play the dirty children,visited old women who was sick,going with the manobo children when they were out to gather sweet potatoes for their food.I'm happy to be with them and carry also my own basket on my head.I didn't notice that I'm like them in smell...We ate same food,same kind of hat,place,speak same language.Maybe because of constant beholding I'm became like them.
One day,me and my partner Jecily ask me to go down for reporting.She want me to go down to report the improvement of the people and also the lacking materials of our new school building.I felt very tired to go down but because it's my turn to go so I go.I saw my para-teacher in our reporting.I'm very happy that day seeing my friends in Mountain View College.I found out that I was kinda culture shocked.I'm thankful to God for he always protecting me.Why I can say that I'm was culture shock its because I don't like to go down and I wanna live with the people in the village.When I saw the Monobos they were more beautiful each day.But when I go down to MVC I saw my friends that they were more beautiful than them.So, I conclude that I'm culture shocked that time.To be edited....

MY FIRST CLIMB

It was June 2001.After our Sulads Seminar we were assigned in Lapangon Mission School with my partner Jecily Amongan.We are assigned in between Bukidnon Province and Davao del Norte.Were assigned in the thick mountain of Mindanao the boundary of Bukidnon & Davao.It was morning at 6 o'clock we started to hike.

At first me and my partner have fun in hiking and making jokes on the way.Everything was okay.We hiked for more than 3 hours then after 3 hours of hiking each of us are so very silent.We started to feel tired on our hike.Then it's already 12 o'clock and it's lunch time still we're on our way.We feel so tired and we stopped for 15-20 minutes just to eat our lunch.After eating we continued our hike again and we're just like catching our breath because of the very peak mountain that we climbed.I can say that our jaw and knee will touched each other...Oh my!I was thinking a lot if I can make it.But I always encourage myself to go on to climb in the peak mountain even it's very slippery and so difficult.Two o'clock in the afternoon came still we're hiking and didn't even see even one people.I'm started to think if are there people living in the very-very far mountain?Then,of many hours of hiking in the very challenging peak. At last on our way the trail was not too hard and thought it's much better because it's going down.But oh my! so slippery and sliding for us.That if one step false move it leads to our death..we can't imagine ourself falling in very deep clip.Then with all might I hold any grasses that I've seen on the way to help me from falling.So,As I saw in my watch it is 5 o'clock in the afternoon.I ask my partner Jecily how many hour was our hiked but she told me it's near and we reach in the village before nightime.She didn't told me how many hours.I walked fast so I can reach in the village first and at the same time I can rest.Then,I saw one child carrying basket in her forehead.I stop and ask her if the village was near.But she didn't answered me and leaved me while asking he so, I concluded she didn't understand what I'm talking about cause she can't understand Cebuan dialect and only their native language and that is Manobo.At last,we reached our assigned mission school safely by God's help and protection. To be continued...and edited...

GOD'S CALLING

One night I had a dream I dreamed that I was walking in very far away place.When I was walking I saw people living in dirty surrounding,so very dirty that I said to myself I don't wanna stay long in there place cause I can not take it.So very dirty.They are pitiful and unfortunate group of people.When I come near them they saw me and they get my red,yellow and orange dresses.I woke up in the morning and I didn't give importance in my dream.
I continued my work in the sugarcane plantation as par time worker and at the same time studying.Then while working I am thinking of my situation in school and I'm started to worry about it.I keep on praying to God to help me not to worry about my future.Then one afternoon my friend Ruvilyn visited me.She came down from the mountain for reporting in that month.She is SULADS missionary.
(Ruvilyn's Pic)

For more information pls open Sulads
She encourage me to join SULADS Missionary.I don't know about Sulads Missionary but she told me what sulads are.Ruvilyn is my very good friend.After our talked I was thinking of what she said about the experiences she have in the mountain as a missionary.
Then one night I am dreaming again on that same dream that I'm dreaming before.I started to question about my dream. That makes me ask if is there any other meaning on my dream?But again I didn't give importance.When the semester was over and the second semester was approaching.In the night I'm praying to God about my plan to continue my studies.Then for the 3rd times I dream again in that same dream that I'm dreaming before.So, I started to question and think about my dreams.I prayed Lord is there any meaning why I always dreaming about the people whom I don't know?Then I keep on praying to God if what really His plan in my life.I said if what is your will for me thy will be done...Oh God!
I heard that my friend visiting the Sulads just to listen the seminar.I heard Sulads from Ruvilyn then,I hear again the name Sulads...So attended the seminar with my friends then I feel that God really calls me.At that moment I decided to joined SULADS Missionary work and to serve God through serving people in the mountain.I don't have idea about them until I listen the seminar for 2 weeks.Then after the seminar for shortI was assigned in the 8-10 hours hike.So,I said to myself I will go what you want me to go dear Lord...to reach the mountain and even everywhere to help and serve people.I feel nothing at that time but God used me in His work.(To be edited...)

IV. MY FIRST SEMESTER AT SCHOOL

The first semester was over. And I see myself preparing to enroll for the second semester.I was so happy to know that at last I`ve done my work for about six months as a full time worker at the sugarcane plantation.I still worked at the field for another 6 months this time as a part time worker. I worked every Tuesday& Thursday and I go to school every Monday,Wedn.&Friday.I was so happy for the first day of school. I can`t hardly believed myself, at last I`m in college. Praise God!

Time runs so fast it's my final examination.I went to business office to get my financial statement to check out if I have enough money to pay in school. But I`ve found out I got a big balance so I can't take my exams.I went to the (DSF)Director of Student Finance to asked a favor but I was disappointed when he asked me to pay first before I can have an examination pass. With a heavy heart I leaved the office... I asked God for help. I knelt down and prayed for a long time. I said, " Lord, what I'm gonna do so I can take my exams. This is too much for me, I can`t bear it". I keep on praying to God.I claimed the promise of God in Jeremiah 33:3 Call unto me and I will answer thee and show thee great and mighty things which thous knowest not.
Then after praying I went to my room and seems that there's still small voice telling me to go to the DSF again and ask favor for the second time.Though I feel shy to ask again but I tried.Then God touch his heart and he granted my request.Praise God!

III. SURVIVAL

My 2nd home.Mountain View College.My first week of MVC I was assigned in here.

I met many friend in the field.I met Juralyn Verzano from Davao.We became good friends.We shares life difficulties and happiness.I remember that we slept together in the midst of sugar cane plantation during our workbreak at 12 oclock in the afternoon under the heat of the sun and sometimes rain when we get tired from our work.We shared a lot of things in the sugarcane plantation.She's my very good friend and we have a lot in common that's why we understand each other.





Juralyn one of my close friend.She's one of the worker in the sugarcane plantation.

II.LIFE IN MVC(2000-2001)

It was evening in year 2000. I was thinking deeply that night about my plan and dreams to finish my college. I want to study in college but I can't afford because I don't have enough savings to pay in school. I talked to God about my plan to study and I put all my trust in Him then after I went to church for mid-week and there I saw my cousin. He's studying in Mountain View College Bukidnon, it's an Adventist Institution and he took General Mechanics. He encouraged me to work in MVC and at the same time enroll few subjects. I was interested to continue my studies so I decided to came to MVC.
June 2000, I arrived Mountain View College and right away I apply a work but unfortunately the all department was closed except the sugarcane department. Sugarcane department works was to plant, put fertilizer and cut the grass in the field. I arrived late so there's no available work in the othe department such as offices, cafeteria, store and more. So, I don't have choice but to work in the sugarcane department. Most of the working students applied their job in May and I came June so I'm late.


I started my work in the sugarcane plantation.I'm wearing jacket and hat in my picture just to protect the sunlight.I met many friends and happy work with them.In June 16,2000.I'm celebrating my birtday in the in the sugarcane plantation.

I'm happy those time when I'm celebrating my birthday in the sugarcane plantation together with the workers in the barn and some friends of mine.Though it's simple but it's gave joy in my heart that they are so thoughtful and prepare food for my birthday.