A couple of weeks ago I was on an island
in the western Visayas region of the Philippines. There is a Balete tree there
which has stood (and is still growing) for 1300 years according to Botanists.
Amazing to think of all the history that has unfolded since it first sprouted
from the earth. In the same town is Mount Kanlaon, an active volcano that has
been spitting out rocks since Dinosaurs walked the earth; a truly magnificent
sight as the sun rose and glistened on its peak and a squadron of swallows flew
by and added their benediction. I am often in awe at the wonders of creation,
it restores something in the heart to be immersed in it.
But there was more glory in that
town to be seen as I moved from creation to redemption. I went for coffee at Joring’s
Café. Now in her 70’s her testimony is written on the wall of the café. A
rebellious teenager, married at 16 and abandoned with 2 children by 21 she had
a tough journey ahead of her. In 1976, with only 27 pesos (50p) and the support
of loving, pious parents she started making coffee for the traders and shoppers
at the local market, her children helping to serve and do the dishes. Through
many hardships, and a renewed faith and trust in God, she was able to survive
and thrive as has her whole family; her grandchildren are college graduates now
while she finished schooling part way through high school. But there is more to
her success in that she is also an example for the young, encouraging them to
obey their parents and keep their values and faith intact, to not make the same
mistakes as her; and even to those who do she offers hope through change of
heart, faith and diligence in work. 
If we have eyes to see it, Heaven
and Earth really are full of His Glory.
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