pagpasiplat

I cry for lost dreams. I cry for failing friendships. I cry most of all for a nation whose heart is far from God.

In a land where the stars are scarce and the sun can still be seen at 7pm, I find myself wondering how I can survive ten months of isolation from my children. I have found new friends here and have even come to love my students, yet, there is an emptiness and isolation that can never be filled in my heart. There is really no place like home.

Though technology has bridged the communication gap in terms of instantaneous messaging, it has not lessened my need for human touch. I miss my children and it hurts to be so far away from them. Yet in my heart, I also know that I am here for a higher calling, than just earning more and being a blessing to so many others.

"God's grace is sufficient for his power is made perfect in weakness!"

Tomorrow will be my second month here in Gulf College, in the Sultanate of Oman. It has been a great adventure and an interesting place. It is so different from the way UP is run that I find myself lost at times. Working in a private institution has its setback, but it also accords us with certain honor.

This is probably not the best place to be, but it is where I was assigned and I take my assignment to heart. It had not been easy to love the students here, but after a semester of teaching and learning with my students, I have fallen in love with them.

I miss them already. They have taught me their language and their culture as I also taught them English. Although the language and cultural barrier is so wide, I find myself wanting to bridge the gap by immersing in their way of life to better understand who they are and what makes them tick.

"God's grace is sufficient and His power is made perfect in weakness." I find myself wondering how I am where I am now. My rendevous with mystery turned out to be more than I had hoped it would be. How I can disengage myself from this predicament, I have yet to know. For now, I am here, in this strange land, where the sun burns brightly in the evening.