Depression vs the reality

Upon arrival in Tacloban, I was excited.

There was such anticipation of the mission in front of me. I was looking forward to being able to contribute in any way possible.

That, and I do not know what earthly idea was to be expected.

The first day, we went to a hamlet (we Pinoys call it a "Barangay") north of Tacloban City. The typhoon knocked out all power to this place and also destroyed a reasonably sized school hall, school bathroom and two classrooms.

These students, upon our arrival, were found in class with their teachers continuing their education, focusing on their learning and thanking God that we were in the area for a bit of momentary relief.

It was hard going. There had been so many relief efforts given to the victims of the whole of Tacloban, that the poor volunteers and government workers were flustered.

As an example, the port authorities have "lost" 8 20 foot containers filled with baby food!

Here we are at the docks, 12pm and excited

50 odd pastors with their entourage of parishoners, assistant pastors and relatives from all over Leyte. Some of them drove 6 hours to get to the dock at 11am. Some of them are lucky enough to have work to go back to the next day. Others are just unemployed... waiting in faith knowing that the Lord is in control.

There was one government representative and 5 volunteers from Campus Crusade for Christ.

Fun ensued when it was found out that a majority of the pastors were not listed down to be receiving the relief goods as they did not respond in a timely manner to register their interest.

Even more fun was that after two hours in the pier, we finally found the containers and a melee ensued. All I remember seeing was chaos, till we formed lines and started packing for people. 

Found them!!

Reality hit as I got home.

My funding is vapour because I trusted a sole financier of the Foundation and he got into a bit of trouble with the Australian Taxation Office. I was unemployed and I had a family with debts to pay.

It seems like each time I was to create momentum a massive hit to my family will happen.

I help in the Philippines? The Foundation died before it started.

I get home and start a new job to help get our finances back to our feet? My wife needed to get some needed surgery and quick.

Our finances are starting to get better and literally weeks before things get back to square one, my timing belt snaps in our Camry.

Job 1:21

21 And he said, “Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.”

How does one take this into stride?

Faith.

Romans 10:8-15 The outline of the Good News

There is no mystery that I am a Christian. I don't bash my bible, though, as it is in my smartphone and tablet. Any attempt to do so will result in what society calls "Assault and Battery"

Also this will be difficult to play Angry Birds on

I am charged to spread the "Good News", as we of the God Squad call it.

I recall being criticized (actually condemned is a better term to use) by a university classmate. Apparently my desire to spread the word of God results in the repression of culture. I have gently reminded her about the Christinisation of a culture actually encourages the culture to flourish. Post me a comment below and I can PM you the evidence. (Yet in some cases, I have to ask the commenter what evidence they will accept hehe)

Romans 10: 8 - 15:
8 But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); 9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. 11 For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. 13 For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

The basic outline of our faith is the belief in the Lord Jesus (v9). V13 says of the all-inclusive love that the Lord wants for our salvation.

How awesome is that?!?!

Angry stares at accountants and the ATO grrrrr

If one pays good money for services, one expects a certain level of competence and standards to  be met.

2004, I had a shelf company made for the proceeds of any future enterprise, should  the combination of my personal income (from work) and the business income be greater than the maximum tax threshold.

Blathering on with accountantspeak (no offense intended to any accounting professionals out there) the dude I paid to get my Family Unit trust up and running put me as a trustee, instead of my company.

It was simple enough to switch the correct entity in this matter, but it should not have happened in the first place.

I have been in the service industry for long enough that I may be an absolute troll for expecting simple competence in those that do business with me.

Competence - Is it too much to ask??

To the Australian Tax Office, I say two profound words:

Thank You.

Because of your meddling, freezing the business's assets, I am assured that this opposition is from the enemy.

Nothing like a spiritual conflict manifesting itself in ways that mildly inconveniences the plan of the Almighty.

Will write more as this little saga reaches a conclusion.