God’s Bountiful Ways

The Covid19 Pandemic has been and still is our great enemy these days. Many people have lost their jobs, lost their source of income and some have even lost their lives during this fight. This pandemic has brought us fear and frustration.  Some people have become greedy and lost their faith. The pandemic has also brought hunger to other people who have nothing to put on their tables for they have lost their jobs. But this pandemic also brings us hope and faith in God. It has also given me, personally, a different view of life.

During this pandemic God has shown me His bountiful ways of love to His people. We may not even notice it, but God is always there showing us that He hasn’t abandoned us during this time. We just have to let God be in control of everything as He has been with us and with Side by Side Alliance.

Emergency relief operations are not what Side by Side Alliance (SSA) usually does. SSA focuses on sustainable livelihoods that empower and equip people to earn money, save for the future, and provide the necessities of life for their families. But with this pandemic around, God has used SSA to show how much He loves His people through our relief operation. Since day one, from the planning stage until the distribution, God has been in control. During this pandemic, for anyone to go out and do any kind of relief operation is a risk. I can recall how I sometimes felt the fear of going out and mingling with people because I didn’t know if they were carrying the virus or not. I also have my family to protect and that’s why fear was striking me. But I didn’t go on with my fear because God has shown me in bountiful ways that I shouldn’t live in fear.

There are many things that we had to consider before we implemented the relief operation. We needed to consider the funds, the location, the urgency of the situation, getting permits to leave our barangays and distribute the food in others, securing vehicles, and so much more. And while we were thinking of all those things, God showed us what to do and reassured us that we just need to do our part because He will do all the rest.

From planning, purchasing, repacking and distributing the food relief, God was always with us. He never fails to amaze me. I was amazed at how he put things together. Even though we are a small team here in the Philippines, I feel that we are a big team because of how God uses the people around us to help. I feel so much love because of this.

During the distribution of relief goods, I saw the smiles of the people in the community. Hearing them saying thank you and putting big smiles on their faces makes me feel so delighted. SSA did a good job of showing the people that God never forgets about them.

With this operation, I learned that if God wants us to do something, no hindrances can stop it because He has bountiful ways to help us accomplish it. Just let Him be in control.