March 7, 3am – Got up early in a Saturday morning. Headed to the bathroom and took a quick bath. Made sure that am properly dressed up for the trip, wearing comfy clothes and shoes. Pack our bags and headed to pick up Steve and Lei before heading to NLEX. Traffic is moderate at 4:30 am. Looks like everyone else planned an out of town trip to welcome summer.
We had a quick and light breakfast at Shell NLEX. Most shops are still closed so we opted to buy beef pandesal and instant coffee at Shell Select Store. Then off to Capaz, Tarlac. The directions going there is simple and easy to follow, and we reached the place around 7:30 am. Our group convened to decide whether we take the long route or the short walk. Since we are two groups, we decided we’ll switch ride going back because the 4x4 jeep would part ways along the way and there is a “Skyway Fee” for the short route.
Our group decided to take the long route for our trek. It was a long walk but I enjoyed every step of it. I enjoyed the rock formations. I can see God’s very hands sculpting the mountain slopes.
I never felt tired during that long walk. I never felt alone in this journey. I felt His presence walking side by side with me showing His glory.
I ran out of water. Our tour guide told us that there is a spring water at the foot of Mt. Pinatubo which is safe for drinking. After having much thought, I decide to get a drink anyway, not minding what my eyes can see inside my drinking bottle.
Then we have to go up the slope of the mountain. This is really the tiring part as we have to climb up the mountain. But then, our exhaustion was immediately swept away as we reached the top to behold the crater and the lake. We rested for few minutes before deciding to go down the lake. Ish, Steve and Jerome took a dip, while I enjoyed taking photos. There is still a reason for us to go back as we never went to the other side of the lake.
I cannot imagine how God is at work in our lives. Looking back, Mt. Pinatubo is a dormant and inactive volcano for 500 years and without a purpose…God worked on Mt. Pinatubo and slowly transformed it into something that will display God’s magnificence. It never happened overnight, it took several years to form the lake and the walls of the crater into something it is now. He never stopped in just blowing away the volcano. Day by day, God is at work for it to become as it is now. It has put Capas, Tarlac and Zambales in the map and has become a major tourist destination in the North. It has become the source of livelihood for the residents of the once lahar sunken community.
Philippians 1:6 says “For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus”
God is continually at work in our lives, day by day, perfecting it until Jesus’ return.
We could be feeling so down feeling helpless and unsuccessful in our lives. But then rejoice! God’s unseen hand is at work in our lives until all His glory is fully revealed in us.
