No One, But YOU

by: Aide Rose

In The Potter's Hand

In The Potter's Hand

#soulkeeping

by: Aide Rose                

                                          In The Potter's Hand                                       

Her soul has its season

A juncture of gain

A moment of none

Yet, You still hold Your beloved one

Like the clay in the potter’s hand

Her heart has its season

A day of silence

A second of nuance

Yet, You still loved Your chosen one

Like the clay in the potter’s hand

Her life has its season

A time to reap

The Scent

   The Scent

#soulkeeping

by: Aide Rose                                                                           

                

                                                                        The Scent

The scent of trust

In the meadows of scarcity

It still soothes the weary heart

Because it knows Who owns the eternity

The scent of faith

In the waves of obscurity

It comforts the temporary plight

Because It knows Who holds the soul securely

The scent of worship

In the noises of silence

It speaks the loudest into the depth

Because it knows Whose voice

Will rise triumphantly

Autumn

Autumn 

#soulkeeping

by: Aide Rose 

Autumn

And then autumn came

bringing another ending

stripping all that happened

There He gently whispered

There's time for everything

I came to love

There's beauty in change

Let go, and let things transpired...

There He graciously sealed

The faithful promises so comforting

I came to live, there's season of change

Give way, and let things assured...

There He constantly showed

The love warmly embracing

I came to enjoy, 

There's different colors in crisp fall

Let it be, and let things ordained...

Timeless Grace

#soulkeeping

by: Aide Rose 

Timeless Grace

Oh, how  amazing it is

Even before life's unfolded 

It is there accorded

Yes, YOUR grace is timeless

Oh, how wonderful it is

To live under YOUR goodness

It is limitless

Yes, YOUR grace is timeless

Oh, how humbling it is

To embrace it with gladness

It is YOUR profound loving kindness

Yes, YOUR grace is timeless  

#baskinginYOURsuffiecientgrace

The Camp I thought I Knew About

#soulkeeping
by: Aide Rose

The Camp I Thought I Knew About

          I was privileged to be one of the counselors.  Each group was named after selfless and inspiring missionaries; our group name was Jim Elliot.  We were 36, consisted of Batak, Tagbanua, Badjao and Cuyunon tribes.  Each group had to cook their own food by an old school way of starting the fire with only available rotten woods, barks and twigs around the campsite.  It was extra challenging for us because the weather was inevitable; rain poured down at times during the camp. Where in the middle of the dense forest, several small, old, thatched houses provided for the campers and staff, a flowing shallow river where we washed our dishes, bathed, and cleaned our stuff. The campers' adaptability to their temporary environment was contagious! There was an obstacle game which challenged everyone’s teamwork, endurance, determination, optimism, patience, and focus. Under those obstacles, everyone finished well.  Their enthusiasm helped them through as well.

          It had been awhile since I participated in this kind of camping, which was, for me, a survival one, instead. I thought, my years in Cambodia has taught me enough patience and endurance, however, I was wrong. Those few days of camping, God taught me patience, endurance and optimism in a new light.  

​

Jim Elliot Team 

​Jim Elliot Team orientation in one of our thatches 

The fact that the situation was outside everyone’s comfort zone, the camp ended purposeful.  I witnessed acceptance and no discrimination from these four tribes as I observed them, may it be in words or actions. They were enjoying each other’s company by learning a bit of each other’s dialect and cultural dances. I experienced unity despite language barriers between the staff and campers (we need to speak Tagalog, the country's national language for us to understand each other).  Each worship time, sharing, practical life skills and rescue session and group devotion was Christ-centered.  I was amazed that majority of these young people were honest enough of their struggles and challenges in life, and that they really sought for sound advice and guidance from the Pastors and Missionaries who were present during the camp.

​

 God is working!​

God has done wonderful things in and through the lives of the missionaries and their families who are ministering these tribes for decades not just in this camp.  They sacrificed a lot but most especially, their obedience to God's call is inspiring.  

​

Twelve years later, and they are all teenagers.  They were only 3 and 8 years old when they became my students (and their other classmates) in the tribal community. Some of them have their own families and children.  When we had our mini reunion, it was heartwarming to hear their stories, some of them were their memories with me as their Ate Biday (older sister). I am blessed to hear their dreams in life, and compelled to pray for the challenges they are facing each day. Jomer "Ping" shared that he wanted to be a missionary and serve the Lord full time and his fellow Batak tribe. It is uplifting to know that they are all have personal relationship with Jesus; serving the Lord and their community.  

#baskinginHISsufficientgrace

The TRUTH

#foodforthesoul

#soulkeeping

by:Aide Rose

      

The Truth

The truth will set you free;

when lies are like clouds

hover your way.

It is like millions of stars,

shining brightly through the darkest of days.

The truth will set you free;

when chatter words 

deafen your sanity.

It is like the harmonious melody,

signing softly through the chaotic bigotry.

The truth will set you free;

when slaves of wrong judgment

tangles your integrity.

It is like a constant reflection,

showing vividly through the knotty array.