We are tying the knot!

My most vivid recollection of my first meeting with Jech was back in year 2001 when she was escorted to one of our Bible Study meetings at the Science Building of Silliman University by Ate Malou (one of the IVCF ministry leaders). Our location was quite dim because our study sessions were mostly in the evening after school hours but I remember Jech coyly taking seat across myself. In spite of low light and shadows, she was glowing from within. She seldom talks but would gladly respond when asked. Her humility amplified her beautiful face but I had to dismiss any romantic thoughts because we were in the middle of a Bible Study. When she stood, she was taller than everyone else so I further brushed away hopes of even making it into her league. In my mind, my future was better off with a shorter girl and Jech would be happier with someone taller. Fast forward, we were frequently meeting in the IVCF events and prayer gatherings on sometimes even twice a week interval. We got to learn more about each other and prayed for each other’s concerns about family and personal struggles. More than that, however, we were growing with others in faith and in the knowledge of God through our ministry partners and pastors until she asked us to pray about a big decision her family was going to make – leaving the Philippines for a migration to USA. At least Facebook, albeit young, was already a thing when she left. There were occasional updates about each other heard from common friends and we continued to be delighted about each other’s progress from the little reports that come our way. We got caught up with life separately and was moving forward as we should with our careers, love life, and preoccupations. In 2015, I signed a contract to temporarily work in the US for a period of 1 year. I was traveling a lot thinking about maximizing the short time given me but the year was extended to 2 and 3. Between that time period we had the opportunity to meet in Las Vegas together with a few of my colleagues. It was difficult keeping my amusement at seeing her again (mind and heart racing at the sight of her smile casted at me) while being respectful of my then girlfriend. Not too long after, for some unexplainable reason, my relationship was going downhill and my father died at the closing of year 2017. I was feeling the surface of the ground with sadness and unbeknownst to me, Jech and her family were dressing wounds after losing their own dad. We were mending hurts separately until July 2018 came around. God orchestrated a trip that would change the course of our friendship. The Lake Tahoe trip was initially planned to include friends and Jech but I got turn downs until there was only me and her. It turned out to be a blast and we were laughing loudly the whole time we were on and off the road. So much fun, in fact, that when the time came for me to repatriate to the Philippines, we found ourselves laughing at the memories of the whole trip with the same intensity as if it was still happening 2 years after. We learned more about our similarities and differences leading to the natural transition into romance. We figured that if we could laugh hard apart, we can laugh harder together. October 2020, I asked if she could be my girlfriend. We took the time to pray and fast about it. I waited… she responded with a “No, not now.” which I took as “No” until she reached out again on January 12 saying she’s thought about it and would give it a go. God, in His usual way of surprise, timed that exactly after I attended the burial of my aunt online. In my life, God always meets me at moments of surrender --- at points when I’ve pulled my last rope, exhausted my strength, accepted the fact and was getting ready to move forward. Each time He does it, I smile recognizing His sense of humor … then I remember: “Not my will but Yours be done”, “Not by might, not by power, but by the Spirit of God.” ---Mike