Life And Courage To Survive

Julie Casing

Life indeed is so short. It is much shorter for those whose lives they found meaningful while it is much longer for those whose lives they found meaningless.

In pursuit of a better education and a brighter future for my children, I have to face life's challenges squarely. As a victim of circumstances, the inhuman attitude of my employer, the difficulty in communication and the countless moments of profound loneliness summoned me to go back to the Phillipines for a change of employer.

Luckily, all things went right as I expected. The scriptures say: "I tell you therefor: Everything you ask and pray for, believe that you have it already and it will be yours." (Mark 11:24)

Six months after, I learned that my employer was planning to leave for the States and will stay there for two to three years. Then, I only have to finish my one year contract. As problems back home were still unsolved, anxieties started to speed up.

Days went on. Every night after work, I have to make vigil for two to three hours till midnight, communicationg to the One above by reading the Scriptures and asking His message for the day which serves as an inspiration and guiding light.

Thinking of my one year contract as too short, I prayed hard for an extention so I sought the help of a certain broker whom I knew for quite some time, to talk to my employer to the extent that said broker will be the one responsible in the processing of my papers. But all of these were in vain. My employer's decision was final. I have to work for him for only one year.

I underwent fasting and abstinence every Wednesday and Friday with water alone for a year because problems came on after the other. One day, a notice of theforeclosure of my house reached me. Within three months, the bank has to take action on my property.

I called my friends to voice out my mixed emotions and plans. The cheered me up, gave some suggestions and to some extent offered financial support.

Time comes for me to fasten my seatbelt and gamble for life. October 16, 1994, the new era of an unwanted servant, I do believe, "All things are done according to God's plan and decision." (Eph 1:11). He provided me with a good employer who possesed the qualities which I am longing for.

He is kind, understanding, concerned with my problems and listened to the reasons why I became such. She speaks English fluently due to some Western background. In fact, I told her after a month's stay, "I'll be of service to you and your family as long as time warrants."

No matter how hard my job is, the pressure of work is still bearable. To work 12 to 15 hours a day, cooking for and serving the mahjong players is very tiresome. yet when people around treat you as equal to themselves everything runs smoothly. Gradually, a solution to my major problems was achieved. However, two months after, my father died. Too sad that I never had the last glimpe of him.

Almost a couple of years ago, I was awakened by overseas calls. I heard my eldest daughter on the line sobbing and saying, "Mama, please come home. Papa passed away." A few moments of silence passed between us. I was June 30, 1995. I was tongue-tied and later said, "Magpakatatag ka anak, gampanan mo ang nararapat gawin, entrust them all to God." A deep sigh and a loud scream engulfed the whole room. "How could this be? Why him? Why do such tragedies happen simultaneously? Considering my working status, why? Lord! I can't bear all these without You." I felt crazy for sometime. Nobody can comfort me. I was alone in the house. My employer was in the States for a month vacation.

As migrant workers, the crosses that we bear take various forms: the daily struggle for survival, financial problems or debts, adjustment to emplouyer's sometimes inhuman attitudes, coping with loneliness and separation from our loved ones, sickness and death in the family. When the cross becomes too heavy, make Christ Jesus the center of everything.

Now, I thank God for everything. A new ray of hope shines in my life. Painfu memories are gone. My children are happy in which two of them are about to finish their studies next year. And of course, I always pray to God for protection and safety.

From the experience of Filipinos
we reflect on the problem of Vietnamese workers

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