Hello college life! We meet again.
It was only until recently that this fancy thought of being back in college started to sink in as reality. You see, it has been years since I last set foot in the university I previously attended. I have also been working these past few years. Naturally, I felt uncertain whether I could survive book reports, exams, classroom issues and the whole nine yards of student life.
But like I said, I’m back to school. I am a student in Febias College of Bible. It’s not as bad as I expected after all. In fact, I’m very happy I’m reading again. I’m rediscovering my love for books. I think I’m beginning to become a voracious reader. I really thank God for this because He has already granted one of the things I hope to develop in my stay here in Febias.
Besides reading, there are also other things I’m very pleased about. Most of the people here are really friendly even the upper class students. But perhaps, that’s just because they know I’m older than most of them which is a percentage way up in the 90’s - nearing 100% I think (haha). Well, I don’t mind. In fact, it’s beginning to open a lot of opportunities for me to minister to my fellow students – a good thing. I also don’t want to neglect the likely fact that they are really just nice and welcoming.
Febias is not “Pleasantville.” We have to follow strict rules and clean and clean and clean. And on our free time – clean some more. I’m far removed from the comforts of my own home. I’m used to satiating my appetite for food and a good book while lying in the bed. Here, food doesn’t even get past the second floor of our dorm. Get caught bringing food in the room and you’ll get extra cleaning duties. In Davao, I have my laundry picked up and delivered fresh and clean for only Php25.00 a kilo. Guess what, I’ve been washing my own clothes for the past two weeks. There’s a laundry shop nearby but I rather save the money for good food. I’m nocturnal. The floodgates of my ideas swing open at night. But here in Febias, we have a 10:00 curfew – way too early for creative thinking and brainstorming. During the hour of my usual awakening, I’m forced to be on bed, well under way to dreaming. This is just one of the two page long rules, policies and punishment for non compliance. Add to that the rules in the student handbook. But like what I said in my speech on the Student-Faculty reception night, love can also be spelled as D-I-S-C-I-P-L-I-N-E.
These past two weeks have really been meaningful. God has started a new stage of refining me. Please do continue to include me in your prayers.
I’m back in college. Some things are the same. But many other things are not the same. But one thing remains constant – God’s grace.
