31/12/2023
What would Sydy’s life be like in the mountains? What about if there's an emergency, like a life-or-death situation? We were worried about his social life, health, and new environment. We thought he would have a culture shock.
When God opened an opportunity for us to serve at the newly opened SDA school in Quinomay, we were so reluctant to answer the call because we were thinking of our first-born son, who just turned five years old. But everything has changed since we arrived in our mission field. Sydy is likened to a bird freed from the cage, yes, literally.
God has blessed our son with the best education surrounded by nature. He is having a good time living a simple life in the mountains. He has free time to swim in the river whenever he likes. He enjoys catching the tadpoles and small fish, then putting them in a small basin. Beaming with a big smile, he would say, “This is my aquarium.” He carries with him his small bolo knife and mimics our students in cutting grasses, husking coconuts, cultivating plants, digging soil, and even sharpening it in the rock.
Every morning, upon waking up, still with dried saliva, morning glory, and pajamas on, he would call the chickens and shower them with rice. That’s part of his daily routine. Actually, feeding the chicken is one of his favorite chores to do. He is observing the plants, the insects, the animals, and even the people around him. One time, we poured hot water on the anthill outside our front door. After a while, he noticed the red ants were piling up those dead ants by putting them on one side. He said, “Oh, this is the cemetery of the ants.” We praise God that Sydy is a keen observer and an inquisitive little fellow.
Observing the newly hatched chicks and feeding them every day, he wondered, “I always saw the baby chicken with their mother, but I did not see their father. Where is the father chicken?” Imprinted in his young mind is the idea that daddy and mommy should always be with their children. He thought it was the same with chicken. During our yearend celebration, the two white cockerels, which he used to feed while they were still small when we arrived, were butchered to make our sopas more delicious. He saw how they were killed, feathered, cleaned, and cut into small pieces. He went home with a disheartened spirit and spoke to me, “I am so sad, mommy; the little roosters did not have a chance to be a father.” What a deep reflection from a five-year-old boy!
The best education for a child is to be surrounded by nature according to Mrs. Ellen White. And this is why we are thankful to God because He allowed us to serve in a mission field where the environment is natural, peaceful, and relaxing; the air is clean; and the food is fresh and organic. This is all for the benefit of our son and for the glory of our loving God.
Now, we realize that this is the life we want to have, not only for Sydy but for our family. This is the best country life we could ever imagine, which our family and friends who lived in the city longed to experience. We also realized that oftentimes, God’s answer to our prayers is not that it changes life, but it changes us.
Yes, this is an experience of a lifetime! Now we can truly say, “Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but to Your name goes all the glory for Your unfailing love and faithfulness” (Psalm 115:1).
