Help Save Baby Ric Andrei

I was moved by my fellow blogger and marce Jade of Life of A Filipina Blogger's blog post about her nephew Baby Ric Andrei and so I am posting it here in the hope that it will reach the greater Christian online community. 

Baby Ric Andrei is a premature baby. His Mommy had pre-eclampsia and so he had to come out prematurely (at 7 months) into this world via Caesarian delivery. Baby Andrei must stay in an incubator for a month and because of this, the hospital bill is getting higher. The family is estimating the total cost to be more than 1 million pesos ( USD 25,000).

Let us all pray for the fast recovery of Baby Andrei and his mom. And if you truly want to make someone happy this Christmas, your prayers and any monetary donation that you can give will be very much appreciated by the family.

Below is a copy of the letter of the parents to their family and friends:

Thank you for those who have prayed, for those who have helped us and who are willing to help us more in the most difficult stage of our life struggling between life and death… Our baby boy Ric Andrei is still fighting in the ICU at Zulekha hospital in Dubai and until now we still don’t have enough money to cover all the expenses which may be up to 1 million in pesos or more… we hope that there are more kindhearted people who will help us and thank you for those who are continuously supporting us…

And we are praying that the baby will be fine sooner…all your prayers are indeed badly needed and any financial assistance even small amount will be a great help for us… for any help you can spare us here is the bank account:

1. Bank Name- EmiratesNBD Bank
2. Account Number # 1102456650001
3. Account Name/ Title – Ricter Lim Calixto
4. Swift Code – EBILAEAD
5. Bank Address – EmiratesNBD PJSC P.O.Box 777 Dubai, U.A.E.

You can also send your donations to the paypal account of Ric Andrei’s mom: anna_liza20381@yahoo.com

God bless you all for your PRAYER Offerings and for your monetary help!

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Thankful

Dear Marce Pehpot,
Oh, what would I do without you? You have made my blogging life so much more meaningful. Did I already tell you that you inspire me? Oh yes, you do. And more than that, I admire and envy you at the same time. You are so active in your blogging career while simultaneously raising three boys, a husband and a little lady. I wouldn't have any idea how you actually do the things that you do but I salute you. I bless the day when you asked me to become Sati's ninang (godmother) because that was the day when I got to know you better. I am sometimes ashamed because I felt that I do not exert so much effort in being a godmother. I apologize for that.
You are always so generous and kind. You would willingly give link love to those who need them. Your are always enthusiastic in sharing your blogging experiences and would even tell how you earn online. You would go out of your way to surprise someone. You were always the first with the brilliant ideas. You are always ready to lend a helping hand.
Now, why the letter? I just want you to know that I am thankful. Thankful that even though we haven't met yet, you accepted me and became my friend. Thankful that you have helped me in so many ways. Remember our YM chat yesterday and you instructed me to do something? Well, I already received the good news last night. Without you, I wouldn't have gotten the courage to do it.
Thank you Marce Peh! May God bless you more.

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Responding to God's Call

I really admire people who have heard God's call and responded to it. One such person is Jeremy Newton. Young as he is, he is already sure of what he wants to become - and that is to serve the Lord by being a pastor and spreading the Good News through web technology and music. Right now, he is a youth pastor but wants to continue on being a pastor later on.

In order for Jeremy to become a pastor, he must first enter the seminary, have a formal education on The Bible and Theology and get himself accredited. This would entail having to go to school to get his Bachelor of Arts degree in Bible and Theology. The only thing that's keeping him from enrolling in this course is finances. This is why Jeremy has thought of a fundraiser to raise some $12,672 or so to get started.

Let us all help him achieve his dream of continuing to serve the Lord in a more concrete way... you can help him in any way you know how: help spread the word by writing a post about his fundraiser or donate any amount that you are willing to give in the name of God.

May God bless you for all your generosity.

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Giving Alms

Today`s Readings:
First Reading: Isaiah 38:1-6, 21-22. 7-8
Psalm 38
Gospel: Matthew 12:1-8

At that time Jesus was going through a field of grain on the sabbath. His disciples were hungry and began to pick the heads of the grain and ate them. When the Pharisees saw this, they said to him, "See, your disciples are doing what is unlawful to do on the sabbath." He said to them, "Have you not read what David did when he and his companions were hungry, how he went into the house of the God and ate teh bread of offering, which neither he nor his companions but only the priests could lawfully eat? Or have you not read in the law that on the Sabbath the priests serving in the temple violate the sabbath and are innocent? I say to you, something greater than the temple is here. If you knew what this meant, 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice,' you would not have condemned these innocent men. For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath."

"I desire mercy, not sacrifice." Matthew 12:7

Little acts of kindness, of mercy and compassion are pleasing to the One who gave us life. While we have our own problems, we must bear in mind that others have problems greater than our own so that it would not be difficult for us to share or help those who are in dire need.

In this day and age, why do you think there are people living in poverty (and when I say poverty, not only materially but also emotionally and spiritually)? The very existence of poverty is due to the fact that we have this "me-first" attitude. Human as we are, we always want to be on top of things, on top of the game, on top of the world, because we want to be recognized, regretting the reality that others need our attention and help to enrich their lives.

Have you ever tried reaching out to someone who needed help? Doen`s it feel very good to see their eyes light up knowing that someone cares for them? In our day to day life, there are so many others needing a generous heart and hand. Just giving a smile to a tired saleslady, thanking the security guard, talking to a streetkid for a while or praising general services personnel for a job well done makes a whole lot of difference. Even if we have our problems, even if we don not have enough, it is not an excuse for us to close our doors to those who are in dire need. Let us not turn a blind eye to those who are in need. Remember the Prayer for Generosity? To give and not to count the cost... Now, are you up for it?

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Pay It Forward

Today`s Readings:
First Reading: Hosea 11:1-4, 8-9
Psalm: Psalm 80
Gospel: Matthew 10:7-15

As you go, make this proclamation: `The kingdom of heaven is at hand.` Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, drive our demons. Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give. Do not take gold or silver or copper for your belt; no sack for the journey, or a second tunic, or sandals, or walking stick. The laborer deserves his keep. Whatever the town or village you enter, look for a worthy person in it, and stay there until you leave. As you enter a house, wish it peace. If the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it; if not, let your peace return to you. Whoever will not receive you or listen to your words - go outside that house or town and shake the dust from your feet. Amen, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town.

"...Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give." Matthew 10:8

Generosity is a virtue. All of us are called to be generous - to give and not to count the cost as St. Ignatius` prayer for generosity tells us. And I am sure, once in our lives, we were able to perform a generous deed without expecting anything in return. It need not be a grand gesture. Helping out a friend, teaching a colleague at work, accompanying an old woman to cross the street, volunteering for a just cause - these small simple gestures of generosity and love makes a lot of difference.

As Christians, we are called to open our homes to others. As Christians, we are called to spread God`s message of love and compassion. And what better way to do this than through the acts of kindness and generosity. In the Filipino language, generosity is translated as "pagiging bukas palad". This has a very profound meaning in the sense that when we give to others, when we extend our help to them, we do it with palms open thus, bukas palad.

I am very glad that we joined the Couples for Christ here in Japan. Through this, we were able to serve our fellow countrymen in prayer and fellowship and do simple acts of generosity. And we always look forward to the household meetings because it is the time when we gather as a community in prayer and it allows us to strengthen our Christian faith. And there is also that warm Christian hospitality. Thankful for the hospitality of our brothers and sisters, we gladly open our home to host some of our prayer meetings. Through this community, we became stronger in our faith in God and hopeful that all shall be well. And it is such a joy when you see the happy faces of your brothers and sisters, singing songs of praise and worship, praying for one another and giving reverence to the Father. And at the end of the day, we realize that even though we do not expect anything in return for our generosity, we receive something - and that is the happiness and peace that comes into our homes.

Lord, please teach us to be generous. May our little acts of kindness today make a big difference in the lives of those we encounter. We pray, Oh Lord, that they return the act of generosity, not to us, but to others, so that those who seek You may realize that You are just near, here with us, through the generosity of our brothers and sisters. We also pray, O God, that we may be able to pay it forward - these small, simple acts of kindness and generosity. Amen.

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