Feast Bay Area Morning Bulletin for Oct 13, 2019

BLESSING BLOG
I HAVE THE BEST FATHER
Enrico Koorn, a 32-year-old nurse from Parañaque shares his
experience of God’s love as Mae Sayo writes.
Laki sa lolo at lola. That’s me.
My mother, Charito, worked abroad while my biological father left us when I was still a baby. She
later married Peter Harry Meinke who became my German foster father. Based in Germany, they could
only visit me and my brother, Eric Benedict, once or twice a year while we were growing up.
I love my mom so much and I thank her for her sacrifices to work abroad so she can send us to
school. She taught us to be prayerful. At a very young age, I considered God as someone I was closely
related to, not a distant being. I called Him, Pa.
Good Company
In 2012, I came to the Feast with my colleagues from St. Luke’s Medical Center QC. I didn’t have
any idea what event we were going to. ‘Yung napasabit lang kasi pumunta ‘yung tropa.
I couldn’t describe how I felt at that time. But the heart has its own language. I’d say, the overall
experience was a touch of heaven. An experience that made me go back for more.
Heart knowledge told me I found peace. I found God at the Feast and I wanted more of Him. I
wanted to hear more of what He has to say to me. That’s how I found my spiritual home.
A Change of Heart
Working in the medical profession is really stressful. Buhay ng tao ang
nakasalalay sa trabaho namin. No room for mistakes. Back when I was a senior
charge nurse, I was extremely strict and arrogant. ‘Yung tipong nanduduro,
naninigaw, namamahiya at nagpapaiyak ng subordinate ko. Military style —
kapag under kita, patay ka sa akin.
I was trained this way and I thought this was the right way to correct
people — to be hard on them. The Feast changed me. My fellow nurses
noticed, bumait ako. Kinakausap ko na sila nang mahinahon. I became more
patient and understanding,
A Test of Faith
I became a nurse because I fell in love with science. When mom and I
would talk about my profession, she would tell me, “Anak, kung magkakasakit
man ako, ayoko ng cancer. Ayokong mawala ang buhok ko.” I always prayed for
her health.
In 2015, my mom was diagnosed with the disease she dreaded. I felt
devastated. What made it more painful was that I care for sick people and yet,
as she was away, I couldn’t even take care of her.
I was helpless but not hopeless. I have Pa. I prayed for her healing and
bargained with Him. “Pa, take me instead and let her live longer. I’d do anything
for that.”
The Lord heard our prayers. My generous Pa let my mother live. She’s
now cancer-free. Good thing He didn’t take me up on my offer.
Witnessing to Others
I met Jaymie at St. Joseph Parish Choir of Parañaque. She’s an excellent
soprano while I try to sing tenor. Beguiled, I courted her and we became a
couple. I fondly call her Boss since then.
Soon after my mother became well, her mom suffered a hemorrhagic
stroke and fell into a coma. Her mother’s condition was already septic —
meaning she might die anytime. It was painful for Jaymie and her family.
Because of my experience with my mom, I knew how to handle the
situation. I witnessed to Jaymie how the Lord works and how faithful He is to
His promises.
Repaying His Generosity
Overwhelmed with gratitude, I asked, “Pa, how can I thank you?”
while carrying a tag I took off our KCon Reserved VIP seats as a souvenir.
Unknowingly, God’s answer lay before me. Holding the souvenir with
both hands while in prayer, my left thumb covering the letters — Re and my
right covering d, I read His answer: Serve. My heart knew what He meant —
Serve the VIP.
I did as told. I strived to keep my Sundays free, jumping from one job
to another so I could serve God through the different ministries —Medical,
Liturgical and Intercessory — of the Feast PICC.
I may have not have experienced the physical presence of my dad.
But that’s okay, I have the best Father, my Pa—omnipresent, omnipotent and
One whose generosity cannot be outdone.
No tickets to the Kerygma Conference 2019 yet?
Hurry off to the lobby today. You may also visit www.
kerygmaconference.com.
WAYS OF THE SAINTS
How to Be God’s Representative on Earth
Talk 3: Kenosis
Personal Reflection and Group Discussion:
Is there anything in your life that you’re still holding back and have not yet
fully surrendered to God?
A Miracle at KCon
On the last day of one Kerygma Conference Jaymie and I attended,
God performed yet another marvel in our lives. Bro. Bo Sanchez just finished
giving the talk onstage and as the confetti fell from the ceiling, Jaymie received
a text message from her brother. It read: Okay na si Mama, may malay na siya.
Tinanggal na ‘yung breathing tube niya. Nakakagalaw na rin siya.” We jumped
for joy as we praised Pa during the final worship.
The annual KCon now serves as a commemoration of that beautiful
miracle — of God’s love and faithfulness.