Monday, February 18, 2013

Reflection of Life as OFW


By:  Jolyn


Fast, like the weaver’s thread whirled, days spun and be gone.  And the only reminder is how we missed our families at home!  We know how much time had gone when we experienced an inexplicable longing for our children to be with them.  Worst, when a long holiday is near fast approaching, but we cannot make use of our time to be with our family!

We need to work hard to support our family. For me, I need to do more extra job cleaning houses, aside from being a caregiver during the night, just to earn more dollars and save some for the future of my kids especially for their education. 

Life is a gamble. Never in my wildest dream had I planned to leave my husband, especially, my two precious daughters for abroad. I just want to be a simple mother and a simple wife. However, life nowadays is very demanding that to fulfill my goals in life, I decided to sacrifice, thinking that in few years, all I planned will be achieved… but it’s not easy like the way I thought.  The few years became a big chunk of absence from my family, that in between, challenges are cropping up like bitter and poisonous mushrooms.  Problems that is common to OFWs – family matters.  

Many times, I feel so tired from working hard, which is aggravated by being alone and away from the comfort of my family. Physical tiredness I can deal with, but mental tiredness is tough to overcome when it slowly sets in as I start questioning myself why I need to work in a foreign land. Leaving behind what are dearest to me.  The thought of circumstances why I am away starts to torment me emotionally until sometimes I get the feeling of anger as I begin looking for people to blame.  Or, many times, I question G-d why he allows me to suffer; albeit, there is no one to turn to in times like this, thus I pray to Him for help. 

I pray every morning and whenever I am feeling distraught. I ask God to help me overcome obstacles; to help me accomplish my goals, and be home as soon as possible for my family.  Oh, how I missed my kids. For my husband? I do not know, his ego must have been slighted, because I now bring home a greater share of the bacon, that he looks for causes to do his crooked things, and find ways to hurt me – emotionally. 

Life is a bed of roses – however, thorny roses that the stings penetrate to the bottom of my heart.  But G-d is a real solace.  He brought me to stay and work here in the Holy Land, in His beloved City of JERUSALEM.  Being here lessens my loneliness for I feel God’s presence as I meditate with His words I hear from attending Messianic Services.  Thanks to God help, I stayed firm and strong despite the trials in life, trials that made me appreciate more the beauty of living.





Finally, I saw the purpose of my life, telling others what God has done for me.  Thank you to the one and only G-d, the trials and challenges opened my eyes and filled me with His spirit. I hope that sharing Yahweh’s kindness, in every opportunity, could also open the way for my friends and others find their way to the Lord and surrender to Him while His spirit guides them to the path of life.

After all the challenges that came into my life while being an OFW, I am glad that I overcame it all, and I am happy to reached the sixth year, this week, staying and working here in the Holy Land. I considered these as an inspiration to guide me as I journey in this constantly changing world where I can blend rhythm of my work and passion.  

Let me take this opportunity to say a BIG THANK YOU, to all the people who love and trusted me and accepted me for what I am. Thank you, Lord for guiding and loving me constantly. To my husband, whom I don’t know, if he still adores me till now. And to my children who serves as my inspiration? And for the undying love of my parents and brothers and sisters. Yahweh keeps us always safe and blesses us more and more…

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