Sometime in May 15 2007, a most unfortunate thing happened to me. Our ship, while transiting the Saigon River met an accident. We collided with another vessel, a Vietnamese ship. It happened a couple of minutes after I took over from the master and pilot. Although, we managed to maneuver our ship just to lessen the impact of collision, still, the other ship unluckily sunk, bringing 8 crew members into death. It was really a terrifying moment. I saw with my own eyes how it sunk, how the crew members tried to escape, tried to survive of drowning. I was really nervous and my hands kept trembling and my writings in the bell book were really affected.

I am just thankful to God nothing happened to our ship. Our ship is an LPG carrier and it is capable of explosion if a strong impact which can sustain ignition was created. Luckily, it did not, thank God! Then the investigation started. They have more questions for me since i was the prime witness. It was really a difficult investigation. The investigative body kept summoning me for more questions. And for each interrogation, I will answer different and difficult questions asked in a manner (mixed Vietnamese/English) I could not fully understand. Sometimes I couldn’t sleep. My subconscious mind kept remembering the accident. And while staying in a hotel in Saigon, I still felt uneasy, and worried with regards to our security. I was also worried for my family in the Philippines because they were anxious about my safety. Then, I realized my faith in God is not strong enough. Why worry? God will help me. God will rescue me. As written in Matt. 6: 33-34, "but seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added on to you. Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow for tomorrow will worry about its own things sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”

As I reflected on it, perhaps, God is reminding me. God has given me the chance to overcome all of these through Him. God has given me the challenge to face life in accordance with His will. God is leading me to a new direction. And I guess, this is now the time for me to check my compass and alter my charted course and proceed to the New Direction God is pointing as my new destination in life. Thank God, I keep praying now. Prayer is my only instrument, my way of talking to Him. He knows the desires of my heart. I have just opened myself to Him, and I hope God will grant my prayer. I trust Him. Prov. 3:5-6 says “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your path."

Brothers and sisters, I may say, this is a blessing. God has given me such a problem, a test in my life. For it is one way that I will turn to God and pray with all my heart. It has increased and strengthened my faith. With the help of the DIVINE MERCY, with our brothers and sisters here in Vietnam who always encourage us — Bro. Rene, Bro. Allan, Bro. Lito, Bro. Don, Sis Leizl, Sis Peng and many others for their untiring efforts and desire to spread the Word of God. The Lord has answered our prayer for the Divine Mercy here in Vietnam — the Divine Mercy on the Block has grown so much here.. and I am happy that I am a part of it.

This is my prayer:

Dear God,

I know that I am a sinner, and that in my own strength I cannot do anything to please You or to earn eternal life. I believe that You love me and that You sent Your Son to die on the cross to pay for my sins. I will put my Faith in You and trust completely in Jesus Christ to always rescue me. It is my desire to turn away from sin and let you take control of my Life.

Thank you, Lord!