I found this rainbow en route to Compostela Valley from Davao City, as we traversed the GK Highway of Peace which started in historic Datu Paglas and found its way to Camp Abubakar in Maguindanao, Lanao del Norte, Bukidnon, Sulu and now, Compostela Valley. A rainbow can mean so many things to so many people, but on this particular trip, I sensed that it was a very special gift from God -- as if God had intended for that rainbow to appear especially for us at that divinely appointed time.
I could not have been travelling with better company. I was with Tito Rene Rieta and Manong Joey Mempin, two of the most wise GK leaders we have had the privilege of knowing. They have been with us since the beginning of GK -- no, they were with us even before GK was born... Their commitment to God naturally found expression in love for the poor, and they helped jumpstart one of the first 11 communities outside of Bagong Silang. From that first caretaker team, Davao has now expanded to so many other communities, including one inside a Prison Jail. From a caretaker team that was mostly CFC, we now see caretakers from Davao Medical Center, from Davao light, and from so many other groups that have taken on the GK way.
I was also with Manong Peter Tiu (Nong Pete to most of us), who flew in from Iloilo together with Melvin and Rose Cacho. I am still getting used to the idea of Nong Pete working with a team, and one that matched his passion for the work. For a long time, Nong Pete was practically working solo in Iloilo, mobilizing partners, LGUs and caretaker teams for the GK work and his commitment helped bring us to where we are today. Given GK's thrust to expand and involve all sectors and to raise new leaders for the work, we now have a fully functioning GK Management Group in Iloilo composed of equally passionate, highly talented and well connected individuals who will now bring the work to a whole new level. Rose Cacho is one of them, an very passionate GK partner who has her own village in Jaro and is now part of the Management Group. She just flew in from Hawaii two days before the build and immediately flew to Davao to join us, jetlag and all. Now THAT is commitment. Led by Manong Joey Mempin, I know that we will see the work in Iloilo grow and intensify.
We also had a special friend with us, Beliz Balkir, a Turkish Muslim who discovered Gawad Kalinga and is now using her influence to spread the good news by mobilizing the richest families in Manila to give to the cause. Together with her husband Jonathan, who is the General Manager of the Manila Peninsula, she is planning a big fundraiser that hopes to raise funds and awareness among the most influential people of society. We are also working with her to help more than 300 Muslim squatter families in the Manila area to be relocated to a GK community. Although we have not found a site yet where we can build their homes and transfer their mosque, I have no doubt in my heart that it will happen in God's time because God Himself planted that desire in her to help her brethren.
And of course I was with Luis Oquinena, our Executive Director and the one who, as Tito Tony said, will lead us to 2024. I have had the privilege of being his co-worker and friend for over ten years now, and I can truly say with all confidence that the vision will come to fruition because of this man's amazing relationship with the Lord, his visionary leadership and wisdom that can only come from his being connected to God, and his love for his country and the poor.
So there we were -- a most unlikely bunch of people brought together by a powerful vision and mission that has the capacity to unite people of all ages, social status, religion and ideology. And all of us, in that special moment, witnessed the Lord's mighty message of hope through this amazing rainbow unlike anything we had ever seen before. It seemed to illuminate the whole mountain range, and for a moment, I really thought it was like a modern day version of the burning bush in biblical times. A fitting reminder, because the burning bush was where Moses was appointed by God to lead the Israelites from Egypt into Canaan, the Promised Land. Except this time, God was raising many Moseses, Joshuas and Davids to lead not just the Philippines but the whole world out of poverty and back to God's design for man to experience fullness of life.
Throughout the years, I recall so many lonely road trips that we had to take alone or with a small group of people. But this weekend, I found myself with so many co-servants in the vineyard -- people of all ages, races, religions and backgrounds -- all journeying together. We witnessed a governor who lived out the GK way and inspired love of neighbor and country by mobilizing a whole province to care and share for one another. We witnessed over a thousand volunteers from all walks of life just building together and having fun.
And we witnessed God's hand at work, affirmed by a rainbow that appeared right next to the GK community in New Bataan.
Yes, it does look like the GK community is the rainbow's end, as if to say that the real treasure at the end of the rainbow is in the new life and new hope that we all found in that GK community. This weekend, we witnessed thousands of people building together so that almost 100 poor families could live in dignity. We heard the testimonies not just of the families, but of the five mayors whose governance has been changed since they discovered servant leadership and the GK way. We heard the deep gratitude of the volunteers who said their lives had changed because of their GK experience. We all were in awe of Governor Uy, who spoke not as a governor, but as a man who loves his people and genuinely wants to serve.
And I believe we all heard the Lord speaking mightily in our hearts, planting a burning bush and a clear mission that will unite all of us. And if we have the courage to obey, then I know He will continue to use Gawad Kalinga to change the world, as He continues to change us.
What a privilege to serve in the Lord's vineyard with all of you!
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