Part 4: Where the Dolphins Are

“What sublime truths, and wholesome themes,

Lodge in thy mystical, deep streams!”

--- The Water-Fall Henry Vaughan

Early the next day we awaited the arrival of one of D.’s closest friends, M. My friend was to ride with D. on his moto (Khmer term for motorbike) while I was to ride with M. We were headed to the main town of Kratie, about 5 km. away from Chhlong. The agenda of the day: to see the dolphins!

It was one extremely uncomfortable, dusty, bumpy, and excruciating one-and-a-half-or-so-hour ride over the pot-holed dirt road to the town of Kratie! There were no pit stops; it was also my first time to ride this far on a moto, and so I was gripping the back handle for my dear life as my driver, M., madly roared the moto engine to full speed. However, M. is a very kind person. He would ask me from time to time if I was doing okay, even attempting to make me feel comfortable by initiating a conversation – which I somehow wasn’t too keen in having at that time since I was concentrating hard enough not to fall off the moto, or be catapulted high in the mighty sky by the sudden jerks of the motorbike.

For several weeks now, I've been anticipating the latest weekly update from Mr. Joseph Tkach but it's only now that I've noticed a wonderful video that he has shared in his April 1 update. It's about a big hoax.

Here is how Mr. Tkach puts it: "Joel Kramer, one of the producers of Called to be Free the video chronicling our church’s spiritual journey, has just completed another excellent video. The Jesus Tomb Unmasked refutes the recent claim that the bones of Jesus have been found in a Jerusalem tomb. The video can be viewed and ordered at the following link: http://kramerchronicles.wordpress.com/film-productions/jesus-tomb-unmasked/."

I encourage everyone to view this video. And if you have not yet seen Called to be Free about the Worldwide Church of God's spiritual transformation, I encourage you to see it too. The producers of these videos are not connected to the Grace Communion International (formerly, Worldwide Church of God).

Part 3: When Our Palate was Satisfied by Plate-full

“I, trembling, drew the table near,
And touched the curious wine.”
--- LXXVI Emily Dickinson

From the Sandbars, we all reached home just in time for dinner and it was quite a treat to experience, for the first time for me, a traditional Khmer dinner. A plastic table-cover was laid on the floor and around it we sat in a traditional Khmer sitting position – cross-legged for the men, and sideways for the women. By this I meant that our legs were both positioned (tucked-in) on one side, while our toes must not be pointing at anyone as this may cause offense to the one being pointed at. It was most uncomfortable sitting as I did since I am not used to it for long periods, but what made it bearable was that D.’s mother is an amazing cook!

Kung hindi ko pupuntahan ang hindi pa nakarinig
At ang Magandang Balita ay hindi ko sinasambit
Paano na’ng kapuwa ko na sa mundo’y nakapiit.
Nabubuhay sa pighati at gapos ng pagtitiis?.

Libu-libong kaluluwa, araw-araw lumilisan
Hindi man lang nakarinig sa alay mong kaligtasan
Ang pag-ibig na alay mo hindi man lang naranasan
Pagpapatawad mong handog di rin napaniwalaan.

Kung hindi ko pagdarasal ang inyong mga sinugo
Na maghayag sa Salita ng kaligtasan kay Cristo
Kung hindi ko papasanin ang Krus ng gawain mo
Paano na ang Iglesya at ang mga misionaryo?

Lahat sila’y nagdurusa’t nagpapasan nang mabigat
Kulang-kulang sa pagkain, pangangailangan ay salat
Buhay nila’y nakasalang sa panganib araw-araw
Ang tulong at dasal natin ang kanilang tanging ilaw.

Kung dahil sa pagiimbot di na ako magbibigay
Nang tulong sa mahihirap at tumigil sa pag-alay
Paano maihahayag ang balitang kaligtasan
Sa mga nagkakasala’t alipin ng kasamaan?

Marami ang nawawala sa gitna nang kadiliman
Pagka’t ang Katotohanan ay di nila nalalaman
Marami ding nalilihis, ligaw sa tunay na Daan
Pagka’t si Cristong dakila’y kanilang tinatangihan.

Banal na Tagapagligtas, kami po ay bigyang lakas
Upang aming maihayag ang iyong pag-ibig na wagas
Ang inyo pong pagpapala sana’y iyong ipamalas
Upang ang inyong layunin ay matupad hanggang wakas.

 

Pastor Carlos M. Castro is an ordained elder of the Grace Communion International, Pampanga. He loves poetry.