It’s more fun in the Philippines!

I just want to share how blessed I am to witness one of the awesome and breathtaking places here in the Philippines, the Taal Volcano. God showed me the volcano not just in a faraway view but I saw it face-to-face! Isn't it amazing?! Well, it happened November 2012, it’s my semestral break. The Executive Director of our church awarded us for helping the missionary doctors of St. Lukes to hold a medical mission in our place. That day was so tiring and fulfilling, as we guide each patient to their doctors and to get their free medicines. I didn't expect that we will go to Batangas just for helping them.

God provided everything—as in everything! I didn't spend any single penny on our trip. We had the coaster, no fare needed, the foods were all awesome, they’re all delicious and they were all provided by our church!

As we’re on our way to Batangas, we were all happy and excited that we were singing and someone was playing the guitar inside the coaster. When we were near the place, I already saw the Taal Volacano surrounded by lake water. It’s very peaceful; the water reflects the blue sky and it adds on the beauty of the volcano. I felt a pang of jealousy for the people living there because they can look at the Taal Volacano anytime they want. Well, in fairness of their houses it’s all stylish.

When we reach our destination, we started to gather our things, and there were many things to gather because we stayed there for two days. We parked the coaster to the nearest place possible to our cottage; I think its one kilometer away from our place. Anyway, our church bought a place there near the lake, that’s why accommodation wasn't a problem for us. Imagined how far we will carry our things, and some of the boys came back and forth to get our things; the casserole, the band instruments, mattresses etc., and the way to our cottage wasn't that easy, it’s bulky, muddy and there are several stairs, it’s a mountain forest to sum it up. It’s scary, and really scary just for a person to pass by.

And once we got there, the first thing we did was to sit on the sand and sing praise and worship songs for God, for we were all thankful for being there. After singing... swimming time! Though I don’t know how to swim, I still enjoyed the water under the sun. I swam till noon because I don’t want to get tan. Just kidding, I helped the elders to cook and prepare the foods, and after eating we picked some mangoes in the forest. The fruits were just falling on the ground and the people there didn't even bother to harvest them.

When the sun goes down and we were finished eating dinner, we study the Bible and shared our thoughts and feelings especially the thankfulness of being there. And when it’s time to sleep, we prepared for our mattresses and talk endlessly until we get tired and fell asleep.

The next day, it was more fun! We got the chance to explore the forest place and talked to the people living there who were very seldom, and we got the chance to share the Gospel to them. After lunch one of my first-time happened, we rode a boat! OMG! Our church rented three boats and we stroll around the Taal Volcano. I’m so happy, I can’t put into words how happy I am to rode a boat and be near the mini volcano. Well, it’s not “mini” when I got closer, it’s huge and we also got the chance to see the place on the other side of the Volcano, Tagaytay, the waves are bigger and there were many fishing ponds. And while we were riding the boat, the center part of the lake was very still, and as I looked on it, it gives me the creep because I know it’s very deep when the water was still, and I don’t know how to swim. Thank God we were all safe and sound, we got to see some birds that weren't familiar to me, they’re white and I have no idea what to call them, and I saw the mountains afar and near.

God’s creation is really amazing, I can look at it all day. The air is fresh; I can smell the lake and the tress. I imagined the volcano the first time I saw it on our way and I also got the chance to be close to it, it makes a difference. Though it’s beautiful and lovely, it is lonely in the middle of the lake. How I wished I could live there in the volcano so that it won’t be lonely.

The time came and we had to say goodbye to the place. I’m praying that God will permit me to go back there. Though the place is very isolated, I still want to stay there; the scenery can really gives you the peace of mind away from the city of noise and pollution. When I get rich, I will buy a place to stay there, because I know that I belong there.