Lazarus was a very sick man

I always go back to the chapter on Jesus' bringing back Lazarus to life. For this chapter has ministered to me during pivotal points of my life-when I was hospitalized, when I was doing my thesis and finally when my mother almost left us.

I read the chapter again. Alone, locked in the farthest, lowest prayer closet. I was seeking the heart of heaven, pounding desperately at her gates for a whisper, a mutter, a flutter.

And yes, it did minister again. I read the first few words... Lazarus was a sick man. The holy spirit led me to pray for my mother's healing. That she get well and if He could use us her children to be instrumental in bringing about this healing. In between sobs I asked for her freedom.

Panginoon kasarinlan po ng kaniyang kaluluwa.

Today, early at dawn, we left our house to attend the morning watch. We bumped into her. She homeward bound, us churchbound. And, in between wide smiles, she broke the news that the pastoral house she wanted to be part of refuse to take her in as a full time worker because of her age.

Today is one of the merriest Christmas ever.

God is good.

Naiiiyak ako sa kabutihan ng Panginoon.

Wala nang hihigit pa sa pag-ibig Niya.

Binhi

Last Sunday, I heard the preacher talk about Binhi sick and how he is grateful for Bin's work in Europe. And so I was a bit worried and commenced on a fast, all nights of the entire week, except Thursday.

And I did see his shiny, bald spot once or twice. I kept asking myself and God if its something severe, if its cancer and all those crazy ideas that got blown away to large, larger, largest proportions.

It took God one whole week to reply. It was the sweetest thing.

This morning after the early morning prayer, I ended up muttering "Whom have I in heaven but Thee, there is nothing on earth I desire besides Thee," under my breath.

I stood up, I wanted to pray some more in a more quiet, private place, far from the crowd. On my way to the prayer rooms, I was surprised to see him heading back from there. He has become trim, tall and lankier it seems. He has lost weight and had the gait of K. Bojie of Batibot. I was tempted to greet him good morning or hi, but I chose not to. I tried my best to be incognito. He's quite tall and as he walked, he walked ahead looking far. I overheard him. He bid the young workers goodbye, telling them he'd be leaving for the Netherlands that morning. This guy told him his ride is ready. Then I heard someone ask how his health is, he said he had tests and he is fine. In his words, "panalo na uli sir."

Binhi. Yapusin ang kamatayan.
Binhi is leaving again to serve his purpose in Europe.
Binhi is for others, for God.

Death where is thy sting, where is thy victory?
Unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it will not bear much fruit, but if it dies, the seed sown grows and multiplies.

So bye Binhi,
mixture of joy and sadness.

It makes me pray all the more,
Whom have I in heaven but Thee
Lord, there is nothing on earth besides Thee.

I ask for heaven to open her gates to him
for supernatural anointing,
health and healing
until He comes to take us home.

Bye Binhi.