How a Volcano’s Fire Prepared Much Gold Ahead

Before the widespread of COVID-19 in the world, there was the eruption of the Taal Volcano in the Philippines. Many people in the provinces of Batangas, Cavite and Laguna were devastated as livelihoods were affected. I cannot imagine the horror in their faces living only a few miles away from the said tiny volcano from the outside, but terrible when it erupts. Evacuees were just beginning to recover when the pandemic swept off the rug.

I can still remember the memories vividly when the volcano first released its ashes on January 12, 2020. While riding on a motorbike on a Sunday, my churchmate and I were on our way to attend the Bible Training at Nasugbu, Batangas. As I was enjoying the view of the wide field, I noticed that in the center of the blue sky was a mixture of colors faded red, violet and gray. I saw it coming from the bottom up to the highest height it can reach. The volcano, I said to myself.

The next day, I chose to take an emergency leave since the road to my workplace was almost covered with ashes. As I was scrolling through Facebook, I saw that schools were opened as evacuation sites for those who lost their homes. My heart was touched when Filipinos all over the country brought help to their own kababayan. From money, food and hygiene kits to used clothes which became viral due to posted memes on the internet.

One thing caught my eyes, my fellow brothers/sisters in Christ volunteering to distribute and donate what they can give. Name or popularity of the churches was not the highlight anymore, neither was the position of each minister. Starting from the local to the main ones, the Body of Christ gathered to extend their hands. They took this opportunity to share the Gospel as people were prayed over in the sites. Our church also moved in the middle of this crisis as we donated what we could. Technology was maximized to mobilize people in the faith to pray. What I was amazed at is that the help did not only come from the fellow Christian communities in the Philippines, but also from countries around the world. No race, no preference, no age, no state of living and no color; Barriers were broken in the long run, and who would have thought? God prepared our hearts to be generous and concerned for the next crisis to come.

When Christians were persecuted in the early church, instead of decreasing; they grew more. Likewise, even though the pandemic came afterwards and many Christians have been affected, there were those whose fire in the Lord blazed more, fought in the faith to win souls, and bring back those who were lost through different means. Christians around the world connected and partnered like never before for online seminars, empowerment, and strategies to carry on in doing the great commission amidst the situation. It is a privilege to be a part of it.

When gold is tested and refined through fire, its authenticity and purity remain. What if a big amount of gold were brought together through it? How much of an impact can it make? Witnessing more prayer warriors arise and the children of God standing firm and fighting together in this fire or battles— Many f amilies were restored and saved, souls came back to Him, and lives transformed even behind closed doors. I personally witnessed it and believe that there is still hope… Knowing Hope has a name who called us to endure and win as one. My Entry for LittWorld 2022