This is my second post about the w4eo, after leaving wordpress in favor for a new start in my blogspot experience.
I know this is a bit long but I think its good stuff'.
We were just young lads back then; joyful, wishful, and fearless. I can't believe much had happened after I left that school. It was somewhat a relief after all I've experienced (the persecution and all). Though despite of all these things, somehow I wished that everything went back where we had our first fellowship in the school clinic.
BACKGROUND OF THE GROUP
We came from different backgrounds in life but we know for sure that in us we desire to achieve success in our lives. I was, at that time, hoping to become an english or a history teacher. All it mattered to me was to become an influence to the youth for next generation as what my Pastor have influenced me to make a difference. The rest of the group on the other hand also wanted to taste success and live differently to
wards helping the nation and the people. But some of our parents didn't understand our hearts yet. They dreamt of us becoming nurses in a far away land. As a piece of insurance for their dreams, they enrolled us to a school where we can be monitored day and night.
WHAT DOES THE SCHOOL FEEL LIKE?
The school felt like any arab country. Situated in a hill and two hours away from the nearest city, the best social life we can ever experience was a walk in the park or have someone agree to have puppy love with (not my case here). There can only be one shop and it closes as early as 5 p.m. And should I say the fanciest restaurant only serve vegeta bles and gluten as an alternative to meat. The easiest chicken we could find was a hard-boiled egg every Wednesdays. But the most daunting demand for us was to surrender our religious freedom (our freedom of worship). We were not allowed to form small groups to encourage each other.
HUMBLE START
I met a doctor named Sunni Moreno who knew my pastors back in the city. I was frowning when we first met (I was with mom) but he gave me a hope to take it easy and accept things step-by-step that I would be alright. As I was being indoctrinated by the school's affiliated church, I ran to him for some answers and I am greatly blessed as well as enlightened. After some occasional visit in his clinic, I suggested opening a group despite the peril that lie around us. It was a big step of faith, but great peace and joy was in my heart. Tito Sunni then got a copy of the college roster. I and Annabelle then started visiting our soon-to-be brothers and sisters. Some of them were very interested, some responded with a closed door. But God had completed us, we had four guitarists namely Arby, James, Kokoy, and Jake. A worship leader, Annabelle and me, uhmm, yes me. We meet every Wednesday night at the school clinic and sometimes we made special dawn worships and night prayers for the school.
(Kokoy)
(Tito Sunni)Fellowship was one of the best. We were like a family, everyone was there for everybody. At school presentations, special events, and birthdays. As our group goes, we were watching out for each other (W4EO). Everybody cares for everybody. We were all we have in the school.
It didn't take a long time when we were on the spotlight of the schools administration. We were interrogated one by one and the clinic was guarded every night. I am glad Tito Sunni was there to defend us even though it will put his job at risk. Me on the other hand was asked by my parents to study in Manila. Somehow, deep within me, it felt good to be out of the dessert. But then it haunts me if I had left my brothers and sisters away from a dark land.
LAST WORDS
It was a long time, a very long time. The group scattered all over mindanao and the Tito Sunni is now a missionary doctor in Thailand. I can no longer name most of them except the first attendees. All have a very special place in my heart. They're the reason why I am happy to be a Christian. I've fought my battle with them and they've always been with me. If we had the chance to meet them once again, I would cry and hug them with my spirit pouring out, thanking how they made my life such a wonderful battlefield.
They are truly W4EO, we've watched for each other. Prepare to be squeezed by my hug whenever we had the chance to meet again!
The People of W4EO
Dr. Sunni Moreno - he was our guardian most of the time. No W4EO could be formed without him. He made us think of our love of brotherhood and sisterhood of all denominations putting every division and theological contradictions aside. He sacrificed things many professionals wouldn't understand.
Kokoi - He believes in himself that he is weak but in reality he is strong. Kokoi knows the importance of worship; he's not all that fancy when playing the guitar, just simple yet so powerful. And beyond all his knowledge and talents, he remained humble. It's easy to be a really good friend with this guy.
Arby - Another guitar boy. I think he is the business-minded of us all. This guy really knows how to love the Lord. Courageous he is but fear is only set to the Lord. W4EO won't be complete without him.
James - we call this guy Ong. As what his last name tells us. I really remember this guy when he testified about his worship. He said that no matter how simple it is, it should be the best.
