BIKE AND BEYOND on Ahlie's Birthday

"This is the day the LORD has made;


let us rejoice and be glad in it."


Psalm 118:24

By ERNIE CATANGHAL

One of the most awaited moment in one's life is of course his birthday. And January is the month for Ahlie as she celebrate another year of God's favor in her life. In the family we are not used to the grand way of celebrating days like this but rather we always do it simple but meaningful. It usually starts with a prayer of thanksgiving to the Lord then followed by a careful planning on how to spend the day wisely with the rest of the family members.

Normally we think of how we can share the beauty of the Lord in our lives on birthdays so we asked God's guidance on to whom we will have to impart them this time. Since Ahlie and I are into biking we then decided to take our bikes for a roll and let the wheels guide us and show us where to go. This time our hearts are beating for the street children or the scavengers at night who have scarcely anything to eat.

Our hearts were delighted with the idea! But of course before doing that we planned and prepared. We checked on what we in our pockets and decided to buy some stuff for cooking for the night of blessing.

After going to the supermarket we came up with not much stuff but the most of what our pockets can provide. It is "pancit bihon" in the menu! Immediately Ahlie headed to the kitchen to prepare them as our kids excitedly gathered around their mom and observed how yummy it will be prepared.

After she's done with the cooking we then joined hands in packing them up in small bags for easy distribution. We didn't came up with so much but at least we are hopeful these bags will somehow make some people out there smile. So before leaving with them on our bikes we of course sat at the table and asked for God's guidance and protection, and that may these simple food blessings bring ripples of joy to those who will receive them.

After a wonderful prayer led by our eldest, Cid, at around 7:30pm. off we hit the streets with our folding bikes. We started searching around dark paved corners and garbage dumping sites along the road. 

Before heading anywhere we passed by a supermarket nearby to buy some drinks in tetra-packs to match with our pancit, and try to find a little bit something more. Besides, we still got few more peso in our wallet.

After getting what we needed (some juice drinks, candies and jellies) we then loaded them up on our bike bags (panniers) and we're all set to go.

At first, somewhere along Malinao we found scavengers out to look for livelihood (kalakal) with their sacks, some even on their service bikes. With our limited supplies we wanted to bring them to the most deserving on that night, those who are really helpless and hungry. These scavengers on bikes are not the ones we were looking for because they are not the most needy we desired to reach out. 

So we kept on pedaling around downtown Pasig then headed to C. Raymundo Ave. But to no avail we haven't found who we were looking for. Too many dark places, small streets, garbage dumps, people in the street but yet our hearts are not yet prompting us. When we reached the corner of Mercedes Ave. we decided to turn right and head for Pinagbuhatan.

While passing by the dark gloomy street near the taxi garage there we were praying aloud to God that we may find the right people. Then suddenly as I turned my head to the left side of the road I had a glimpse on a very dark and dusty vacant lot that seems like a huge dumping site. I asked Ahlie to slow down to get a better look on that direction. And from a distance I saw some lit fire or a bonfire perhaps with silhouettes of people gathering around. 

My heart started to pound stronger and stronger as if saying "this is it!" So I asked Ahlie to pull over and wait for me as I verify first if my conviction was right. As soon as I saw the images in the dark clearer, with children and few adults, shanties and some small pile of collected junks I signaled Ahlie to follow me.

"This is where the birthday party venue will be!", as Ahlie frenziedly told me. Praise be to God! He never failed in leading us as we found a group of around 20 people trying to make it through the night with what we found on a small broken table, a scrap of rice on a plate and an odd looking soup (perhaps it was instant noodle). What has broken us the most in that sight is when we found out that this speck of "food" serving on the table was all they got for the day's toil and is being shared with by all of them in that place.

Without so much time to waste we immediately jumped in and told them God has led us there to add a little more surprises to share with for the night. We told them that we will have a little birthday party for Ahlie.  We started emptying our bags with food and started handing them out to each one of them starting with the children.

Time has flown so swiftly as we shared stories, food and laughter, what a blissful moment! Everyone seemed to be a one big happy family at that very moment. I have never seen Ahlie happier as I flashed on her face as she was talking to the kids.

After the delightful dinner together we gathered again for a moment of prayer. We know that the  food we brought are somehow beneficial to them but are just temporary, what we can give them more that is lasting is the food from heaven, God's word and prayer.

It was an awesome sight to see these people cry out to God in prayer. They are thirsty of the Living Water, longing for a touch from God! How I wish everyone out there will learn how to pray like this. After this intimate moment with the Lord Ahlie took her pen and paper and tried to get their names so that we can remember them in our personal prayer time. 

It is time to call it a day, or maybe a very special day if I may call it better. We have to say farewell for now to our new family in this corner of Pasig City. We know it is not them that we have blessed but more so it were us who were blessed by them. Our hearts were overflowing with so much joy as we had our last pictures together and we are in wishful thinking that we can comeback very soon to bring more splashes of little happiness to them.

If there is someone among them who will be easily remembered is that little girl named Sarrah, age 9 and has not yet experienced schooling. She's so smart and so pleasant to talk with. She said it's her dream to go to school one day. Why not? There is no impossible and too difficult with God if only we will call on to Him and ask him, He is a loving Father to us after all. Who knows whom God will use to make her dream come true?

Got to pedal away now. Heavenly purpose achieved. A special birthday celebrated. Lives somehow touched and blessed. Thank you Lord  for this wonderful privilege to bike and beyond!

Will you join us next time?