My Malikongkong Story

"Lord, ginawa Mo sa kanila, pero bakit hindi Mo gawin sa akin?"

I once asked the Lord this question. I wondered why I had to work while studying when others seemed to have it easier. My friends had their families providing for them, some were scholars. If He is God, couldn’t He make things easier for me, too?

When we set out on a mission trip to Malikongkong and Barobo, we were told to be ready to share a word of encouragement with the young people living in the mountains. I had no idea what I would say if my turn came.

Life in the mountains was nothing like what I knew. Most families relied on farming, roads were barely developed, schools were kilometers away, and many young people dropped out early to help their parents make a living.

At first, I wasn’t sure if I could relate to them. But as I stood before them, I realized I was grateful for the long, difficult road I had taken.

I was glad I could look them in the eyes and say, “I understand how difficult life can be.” I shared my story—how I used to work from 1:30 AM to 11:00 AM, attend classes from 1:30 PM to 4:30 PM, go home, finish schoolwork, help with household chores, and sleep just in time to get at least four to five hours of rest before doing it all over again. I told them how exhausted I felt, how many times I cried out to God, and how He sustained me. There were days I didn’t know how I managed to juggle work, school, church, and family. But I was sure of one thing—it was only by His grace that I kept going.

One day, as I went about my usual routine, a random stranger approached me and said, "Not everyone can do what you do." At that moment, my question was answered. I had been waiting for a miracle, for an answered prayer, not realizing that I had already received mine.

The Lord may not have provided in the way I expected, but He provided in ways I needed. He gave me strength to persevere, love beyond my own capacity by serving Him and those around me despite my weariness, patience to trust that even when I cannot see His hand working, I can always trust His heart, and faith to believe that even when I don’t understand His ways, He is still good.

Life isn’t always fair in this broken world, but we hold on to this truth: No matter what we face, we have a God who walks with us every step of the way. And when we can’t walk anymore, He carries us through.