Every Drop Of Your Time Counts

by: Aimee Abello

Peace is not an occurence. It's not merely the absence of war. But the practice of building a just, equitable, multicultural, and sustainable society.

Among the many elements that are present here on Earth, water is the most important, most precious, and most valuable of them all. Sad to note: that many people knew very little about it. Gone is the very multitude that water calls for a worldwide priority.
Water had been very useful to us. We had been using it daily not only for domestic use, but also for industrial, agricultural, and private and public supply. I, myself, haven't really seen the real essence of water before. Given the chance, that I can have the water directly from the faucet. Most of the time I consume lots and lots of water, thinking that I can always have it again and again. But as I had experienced a new world in a specific remote area in Cebu, I've learned that water is something we should really be a steward of.

During the last week of March 2010, I and my group mates: Nino, Renalyn, Ate Merce, Ronnel and Karen were tasked to conduct a Vacation Bible School in a place which they called "Heaven View". At first, I don't have any idea about that place. But the sense that many of the campers don't want to be assigned there, gave me a sense of bewilderment of what I will I experienced there. But still, task is task, and we should obey first, before we will complain at the command.
And so, we packed up our things at once and prepared ourselves to have a journey in this place, which I, myself, had been an alien of.
At the first night of our stay there, I already found the place very solemn and peaceful. I was kind of like sleepy at that time. But when we had already arrived, we had been welcomed with a jellyfish meal, which is really one of a kind! Do you want to know the taste?! Well, try it for yourselves(Hehe!).
The next day, we woke up around 4am to get some water from the faucet nearby, had an American breakfast (bread and coffee) by morning, Filipino lunch(rice and viand) at noon. After that, teach the kids in Heaven View, fetch some water by late noon, and had bread and the like again by evening. That was the same habit and schedule, or shall we say the way of life we had in that place. But during the last day of our teaching(It may seemed like a paradox, but it is what it is really is), was really, really remarkable and at the same time horrible for me(Pardon me for that. It was a tour, and a torture for me. Hehe!). The time wherein we are about to have a journey around the woods, terrains, hilltops, mountains, mini waterfalls, and springs around the Heaven View.
Well, let me just sum up what I had experienced there. It was really, really remarkably, and unexceptionably, tiring and fulfilling!c:
For you to understand me well, then YOU MUST SEE IT FOR YOURSELVES! And this is a challenge to you people(Hehe!). I was just totally amazed about the idea that what we've gone through is the same destination of the people whenever they need to fetch some water from the clean springs(Whew!?). Imagine, how many hillsides and mountains, they must first pass through, just before they will reach the main source of water there. And that is something I'm very proud of about those people who lived there.

During my stay here in Cebu, I really have learned many lessons, real - life lessons that cannot be just learned in a four - sided walled room.
I haven't just learned to be independent, to stand on my own, how to adjust to new environment and be well acquainted with people, learn how to sell products to
make fund raising, and many more, etc. What I've learned here is something, we, human beings, should be aware of and should have been learning ever since.
That life is not at what you are earning, but what you can give. It's not about the money, nor even on material things. But it's the concern and love you are willing to share, sacrifices and efforts you are willing to give, even at your very own expense and hardships. Yes, we cannot change the world at once! But we can slowly eradicate all the mistakes and shortcomings we have done at the past. It's not yet too late, there is still hope! With the help of one another and guidance of God, I know we can make things possible through Jesus Christ our Lord! Just like the precious, golden water in Heaven View, which is hidden beyond the mountains. I know, there are also these genuine and remarkable hearts who are willing to share their blessings, and lend a helping a hand. Even just by conserving water at your homes, you're already helping a lot. And even, just by using your time wisely, not just to become a lazy dog on a nook place, but instead as an instrument of God to spread His word and to fish men, you're already saving the people of the Lord. I, who is just a student had striven hard to help these people. I know, YOU, who are already big enough can even do BETTER things than me. YOU can CONTRIBUTE a lot to help us here. I hope you are moved with the missions and visions that the Arapal Christian Camp are trying to achieve and fulfill.

So now, tell me, are you willing to save the last drop to help those who are in need?