Migrants' Stories: A Glimpse from My Past
By Michael de la Cruz* (not his real name)
Posted at 01/09/2013 10:49 AM | Updated as of 01/09/2013 10:49 AM
Editors Note: The story is from the book “Migrants’
Stories, Migrants’ Voices 4" published by the Philippine Migrants Rights
Watch (PMRW) with the support from CEI (Conferenza Episcopale Italiana)
or the Italian Bishops' Conference. The book contains a collection of
10 stories of the realities of migration as faced by Filipinos abroad
and their family members in the Philippines. ABS-CBNnews.com obtained
permission from PMRW to publish the stories online.
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As a young boy, I used to dream about seeing far places. I often
wondered how possible it would be to turn my dream into reality.
After graduating from college, I worked in a government-owned bank. I
observed that the monthly income was not enough to raise a family. A
year later, I transferred to a private company to augment my monthly
income. However, reading newspapers advertising job vacancies in other
countries re-ignited my desire and interest to work abroad. Thus, with
courage and determination,
I started applying for an overseas job.
I was able to find a good offer but I had to process all the
necessary documents before my visa was finally released. When the agency
finally told me to prepare for my departure, I had mixed emotions; I
was puzzled and yet thrilled that I can finally realize my dream of
going abroad. I was only 22 years old.
While waiting at the boarding area in the airport, I observed the
other passengers around me. I noticed that a lot of them were older than
I am. One passenger asked me where I was going and how old I was. I
told him that I am a first time OFW wanting to fulfill my dream of
exploring other places. As the plane took off, I was scared of what was in store for me in Taiwan.
During my first day of work, my mind and heart were not really
focused on my job. I kept on thinking about my family and the country I
left behind. I had to work and send some money to my family to help in
the studies of my younger siblings. I wanted them to finish college and
earn their degrees as well.
Working in a foreign country with fellow Filipinos and foreigners
take a lot of adjustment. One has to be patient and understanding in
order to avoid conflicts.
My first traumatic experience happened during our meeting with all the
Filipinos in the company for our Christmas party. We had to plan and
prepare for a joyous celebration ahead of us. However, when the meeting
was over, two Filipinos started fighting because of jealousy and
intrigue. They were fighting over a lady. The bigger and more senior of
the two who was under the influence of alcohol, and possibly drugs,
really wanted to hurt the younger guy, who happened to be my roommate.
While we were sleeping, the drunken guy broke down our door. The two
fought and all of a sudden there was blood all over. The drunken guy was
stabbed and there was pandemonium. While there were those who were
trying to pacify the onlookers, my roommate ran as fast as he can,
trying to get away from the place because the friends of the man he
stabbed might kill him. I got nervous when I heard the fight. While I
was searching for my friend in the compound, I saw a group of people
looking for him also. Anger was very much visible on their faces. They
were armed with a rod and a knife, but I did not hesitate to pacify them
by telling that “a problem cannot be solved simply by adding another
problem, and that it will only cause chaos.” I further told them that
Christmas is supposed to be a time for sharing and loving each other,
especially when we are far from our families.
In less than an hour, the police arrived and they brought the wounded
guy to the hospital and continued the search for my roommate. They
finally caught and handcuffed him. I saw my friend helplessly crying. He
looked so helpless and did not know what would happen to him.
The following day, the Deputy Manager of our company called all the
Filipinos for an early morning meeting. The company, according to the
Deputy Manager, has decided not to shoulder the hospitalization cost
because the accident did not occur during work hours, and that it was
committed by another individual.
I visited my roommate at the police station. I couldn’t help but feel
pity for him because while we were talking, his other hand was
handcuffed to a post. I encouraged him to eat well, not to think much
about his problem, and to always pray for guidance in order to find a
better solution. “The management knows that you acted in self-defense,” I
told him. After paying my roommate a visit, I also visited the other
guy in the hospital, to show them that I was not taking sides. I told
this guy that I was there because I care for both of them and that I
have no intention of trying to escalate the problem. I was surprised
when he apologized and asked what had happened to my roommate. His mind
was already calm by them.
A representative from the Philippine government arrived at the police
station to settle the case. Everyone was expecting that they could find
a solution agreeable to both parties. However, the guy in the hospital
was asking for help to finance his medication until his wound heals. The
representative said they do not want to intervene in financial matters.
To settle the argument, I volunteered to shoulder the amount asked by
the patient. I also asked that the two parties sign an amicable
agreement, whereby the wounded party would waive his right to file a
case against my roommate.
When I reported for work, I asked the manager for a meeting with my
fellow Filipinos the following day. Fortunately, he approved my request
and allowed me to preside over the meeting. We discussed about the
settlement of the case but it was very tough because people had
different opinions and principles. However, I was blessed that majority
sided with me and agreed to solicit some amount for the medication of
the wounded party while I will shoulder the remaining balance to pay for
all the expenses.
I became an instant hero and was regarded as a leader. I was able to
collect the needed minimum amount and covered the remaining balance.
Immediately, I delivered the said amount to the hospital. I talked to
the patient and he accepted the amount and signed the agreement, in the
presence of some witnesses. My heart was filled with happiness as we
were able to settle everything amicably. I did not inform my family
about this incident.
Days and months went by swiftly, and soon my contract was about to
come to an end. My department manager convinced me to renew my contract
but my decision to go home is final.
When I arrived home in my province, I was overwhelmed by the welcome I
received from my family, and our neighbors. They were grateful for the
gifts I brought. We shared many stories and it was almost midnight when
we decided to get some sleep in order to attend mass the following day.
After Taiwan, my next journey took me to the Middle East. Working in
the Middle East is not a joke for a first timer like me. The place and
the weather are so different from ours, and they also speak a different
language.
My company is one of the developers of the famous Pearl Qatar, a huge
construction project situated in middle of the sea and they needed a
lot of workers from the neighboring countries.
I was assigned in the finance department, in charge of the
preparation of wages and salaries, as well as other benefits for the
workers. The company employs more than 5,000 workers and there were only
two of us in charge of the preparation of the workers’ wages.
Every pay day, I would leave the office and head to the sites to hand
the workers their pay. Whenever I see construction workers on sites as
tall as 40-story buildings, carrying loads of steel and cement, my heart
would beat fast. This reminded me of the film The Ten Commandments.
Overseas workers, Filipinos and non-Filipinos alike, work hard and
have to face work-related risks to earn money. The Filipinos are even
luckier than other nationalities because their rates are higher. I wish
that families of OFWs are able to spend the remittances being sent by
their family members from abroad wisely. However, there are families
that are not able to budget well the amount they receive from abroad and
so in times of emergency, they don’t have money.
Some workers would come to me in the office to ask for cash advances
and that adds to my work load because I need to accompany them to the
Manager to translate their requests. In some cases, the Manager turns
down their request. I couldn’t help but pity the workers who are almost
on the verge of tears. The Filipinos would then ask for my help. Seeing
the worries on their faces, I couldn’t help but do something about their
situations. Sometimes, I would give them cash advance from the petty
cash without the office’s knowledge or at times I would shelve out some
personal money. Thus, I would always be on alert days before the next
pay day lest the Chief Accountant decides to check the daily invoices I
prepared.
Fortunately, until I left the company, it has not happened. The
Filipinos in my company were grateful for the little help I have
extended to them. Thus, whenever I go to the supermarket to buy my food
and some Filipinos see me standing on the bus, they offer me their seats
or help me bring my groceries.
Whenever I receive news that one of the family members of a fellow
Filipino worker has died, I would carry a small box with me during pay
day to solicit some financial support for the bereaved.
Many Filipinos, and even some foreigners, donate some money after I
explain to them the purpose of the collection. After collecting some
amount, I would then call the worker and hand over the amount solicited
from the other workers. The words of comfort I offer them and the small
amount solicited from other workers somehow ease the grief of the
worker. It’s not part of my job, but I derive pleasure in being of
service to the lonely and unfortunate, especially those who are most in
need.
When summer came, the humidity in Qatar was high and the temperature
reached about sixty degrees. I found it difficult to breathe and often
times my nose would bleed. Thus, I decided not to renew my contract even
if my Manager guaranteed me an increase in my salary. Even my friends
and the skilled workers in our company tried to convinced me to stay so
that they have someone to turn to in the finance department but I
already made up my mind. It’s a really tough decision I made to go home.
My siblings were still studying and needed my assistance but I also
considered my health.
When I arrived home, my family welcomed me with open arms. They were
glad to see me back. I stayed with them for a few months then went back
to Manila and stayed at the SCPM while scouting for a job overseas. It
was not that easy to get a good job with a good salary. It took me quite
a while to find one that was desirable. With God’s mercy, I got a good
offer to work in the African continent.
In April 2009, I left the Philippines for Libya. This time around, I
was prepared for a long trip because the agency purchased the cheapest
available ticket for my trip. As expected, there were a lot of
stopovers, the most memorable of which was in Egypt.
Being in Egypt reminded me of stories in the Bible. While there were
passengers who chose to roam around the airport, or go to see the
pyramids up close, I chose to stay at the airport and prayed that my new
working environment would not be hostile.
When we arrived in Tripoli, the capital city of Libya, I was
surprised because Manila is more developed. I think even my own province
is more developed than Tripoli. Libya is a vast country and its
population is not that big. Unable to restrain myself, I asked my Libyan
office mates why Libya is behind its neighboring countries. They said
that the UN sanctions imposed in the country for the last 10 years have
put the entire country in total darkness. Now, they need to develop and
they need thousands of manpower to help them build the country. They also told me that was one of the reasons why I am in Libya. Such a remark put a smile on my lips.
Our company was engaged by the Libyan Government for a project that
will last for over 25 years. My work here is almost the same as the one I
had in the Middle East but there are more people in our department.
There are only two of us Filipinos in the department while the rest are
Libyans and people of other nationalities.
Internet connection was provided to our respective computer units to
ease our homesickness because no roaming services are available in that
country. The internet was our way to communicate with our families back
home.
The months rapidly passed by, so fast that I hardly noticed the
passing of time. Once a week, I would go to the Catholic church along
with other Filipinos to hear mass. Then one time, we heard over the news
that Tunisia had a demonstration and the people toppled down their
leader.
Neighboring countries followed suit - Algeria, Egypt and Libya.
In February 2011, the opposition gathered in Benghazi for a
demonstration that became uncontrollable and resulted in total chaos in
the entire country. We have 27 site offices in Libya and every office had many Filipinos
working there. Our company employed a large number of Filipinos. I was
assigned in the head office based in Tripoli. My friends in the site
offices asked about the plan of our company and I told them that I had
no idea because we have not received any instruction yet. However, some
of our site offices were located near the more problematic areas were
scared because their accommodation was sprayed with bullets.
I felt pity for them as I imagined the difficult situation they are
in. They asked me to inform their immediate families about what was
happening to them. At first, I thought it would be easy but I found out
how difficult it is to relay the messages concerning the status and
condition of their loved ones. It was like being employed in a call
center. I would be handling messages for up to 25 families. The families
kept on asking me for more information but there is nothing more I
could tell them. I was just asked to relay information to them. The
situation in Libya worsened and our internet connection would be cut off
from time to time. For more than a week, we heard gun fires and
ambulance sirens every 10 minutes. We were all frightened, especially
during the night. During the day, few Libyans reported to work compared
to the Filipinos who were housed inside the company and thus obliged to
report to work.
When the Libyan authorities declared to clear the rats, i.e., to kill
the opposition, we had to brace for more fighting. I often prayed to
the Lord to keep all of us safe because fighter planes were visible in
the skies. They were always looking for targets, for places where the
demonstrations were being held. Sometimes during lunch break, we would
hear screaming everywhere. Some would say that our office will be the
next target of the rebels for looting. Running with no direction, we got
traumatized and scared. At night, we used to gather in the mess hall
for fear that the rebels would come to take our valuables. We would
rather be together in the same room should they come.
We hid our personal things in the ceiling of our room, our baggage
under the bed covered by the carpet, other things in the toilet, or even
outside our room. We couldn’t sleep well at night. During meal time,
all of us are quiet and could not eat due to fear and exhaustion,
thinking about our situation. My family was anxious and eager for me to
go home immediately. But such possibility was very dim because the UN
troops have declared the area as a “no-fly zone” and we were frozen in
our area, while our people in the site offices had to evacuate
immediately and try to reach the nearest border.
The Philippine government ordered for the immediate evacuation of
Filipino citizens in Libya. I was reminded of the exodus of the
Israelites from Egypt. We waited for fifteen agonizing days before
representatives from the Philippine consulate arrived in our head office
to talk to our director. After their conversation, 27 buses were
readied to transport us to the border. Three days earlier, most of the
foreigners in our office, especially the European and Korean staff have
left the premises as their governments were smart and ready to pull out
their nationals because they have the money and means to carry it out.
As the representative of our government instructed the Filipinos to
bring our baggage in the bus, the immediate response was to praise the
Lord because we can finally leave the compound and head to the nearest
boarder in a safe way. The company provided our convoy with security
escort because of the 27 check points, until we reached the border of
Libya near Tunisia.
Before getting inside the bus, I bid farewell to my manager. He told
me not to go and join my fellow Filipinos who are about to leave and
told me that I am safe in the compound. Our company requested the
government troops to guard the compound. Thus, military men guarded every corner of the compound. They were
armed with high caliber guns. I replied that if the troops start
fighting with the rebels, then what would happen to us inside the
compound. “Instant death awaits us,” I said.
“When you die, Allah will save you,” my manager replied back. “I’m
sorry but I have decided to go home. My family is eager to see me back
home alive, even if our salary is not yet paid,” I told him.
I left the company compound with mixed emotions and fear. Every time
we reached a check point, my body would start to shake, especially when
they stop us and look at all of us inside the bus. I looked up in the
sky and saw sunset. Night time is about to approach.
I noticed the group of Thai and Vietnamese nationals sharing a pack
of uncooked noodle. They passed the noodle to everyone and every one
would tear a small portion and eat it and then sip some water to fill
their empty stomachs. I was moved by such a sight. I think there were
about 25 of them sharing whatever food they have. I was reminded of
Jesus who prayed in order to feed thousands with fish and bread.
Immediately, I opened the big plastic bag of food I brought, full of
different breads and a cartoon of soda. It was more than what I needed
for the journey to the border. Thus, I shared my food with them. They
were all surprised because each of them had a piece of bread, a soda and
nine liters of water to sustain our journey towards the border. They
were filled with joy and gladness. Truly, I learned what it means when
people say that “out of small means, great things shall come to pass”.
We reached the boarder at 21:30 in the evening of February 28, 2011.
Some government men got inside each bus and asked for our passports.
They were supposed to put an exit stamp on our passports. After 10
minutes, the same group asked for our mobile phones with camera,
laptops, and digital cameras to check if we got footages of the war as
well as the casualties. We were informed that it is forbidden to bring
out such items outside of Libya.
As early as 06:00 in the morning, the law men ordered us to get off
the bus and bring our baggage with us. We were told to follow the line
leading to the highway. They commanded us to move as quickly as we can
and some of the elderly ones fell on the ground due to fear, exhaustion
and hunger. We were treading on rough road and it made our journey more
difficult because we were carrying our bags on our shoulders. Others
were also carrying crying infants, aside from their baggage. To make
things worse, the temperature was almost zero degrees centigrade.
We walked for almost two kilometers before we reached the Tunisian
boarder, where thousands have arrived earlier awaiting assistance from
their own governments.
We arrived at around 9:00 in the morning at the Tunisian boarder and
waited for the Philippine government representative. We waited for him
for hours. Eventually, he arrived at 3:00 in the afternoon together with
a member of the UN council and gave us further instructions. They
brought with them supplies such as fresh milk, water, yogurt, and bread.
However, we felt like we were treated like dogs. Food was thrown to us.
People were struggling to get some form of sustenance. We told the
authorities to properly distribute the food in a respectable manner, and
not to throw it in order to prevent accident and injury.
Every time the authorities arrive carrying a sack of food, the
Bangladeshis, Pakistanis, Vietnamese, Indians, Thais, Indonesians and
other nationals would rush like mobs to secure food.
UN troops would then start striking them using a baseball bat in
order to try and put order. The troops had to understand that these
people, especially the little ones, haven’t eaten for days and are very
exhausted. I observed that most Filipinos were shocked to witness such a
scenario. We were just watching while people were rushing and
struggling to get food and get beaten.
When we entered Tunisia, we felt a bit of ease as we have finally
left the boarder. But when we arrived at the shelter provided by the
Philippine government, we felt disappointed because the room provided
was not large enough to accommodate all of us. We relayed our concerns
to the Undersecretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs who was
present then. We were almost close to a thousand but the maximum
capacity of the room they provided us is for a hundred fifty. They knew
how many of us were coming because we had contact with them and they
have a list of the names of the Filipinos from our company. They could
have prepared a bigger place to accommodate all of us.
As the skies begun to get dark, we felt sad and pitied ourselves
because when we go to the toilet at night, somebody might occupy our
space and we might find ourselves standing. I looked around me and felt
pity for my fellow countrymen who arrived late because they had no place
to stay. I remembered that Christ also had nowhere to stay when he was
born. There were also sheep roaming around where Christ was born.
In our case, there were also sheep roaming around while the others
slept. The smell around was also not pleasant but we had to endure that.
Our Tunisian neighbors were deeply touched by our situation. They saw
the difficult situation we were in. They shared with us the food they
cooked, gave us bread, rice, utensils, stove with gas and other supplies
we needed. During our first night, my friends and I tried to look
around the city and the representatives from our government were unable
to recognize us. Four of them asked us if we were Filipinos and we
answered yes in a chorus. They then asked us if there’s a bar where they
can drink. We told them that they are representatives of our government
and should look after our needs but what they wanted instead was
something not related to their current mission.
They were surprised at our reply and apologized to us. They asked us
if we had eaten dinner and invited us to join them. We refused and told
them we are looking for an inexpensive inn where we can stay for the
night. We left them at the restaurant but we remembered their faces. We
continued looking for an inn so that we can take a rest and have a bit
of comfort after our traumatic experience since the start of chaos in
Tripoli.
Finally we found a lodge suited to our needs and begged the owner to
reduce the rate. He asked where we are from and we told him that we are
Filipinos working in Libya. He was curious about us because it was the
first time for him to encounter guests from the Philippines. He
understood our situation and gave us a big discount. We couldn’t hide the joy we felt in our hearts.
The following day, we visited the shelter where our fellow countrymen
were staying. It seemed to us that the Tunisian people were more
generous and concerned than our representatives from the government,
specifically those from the OWWA.
They have resources to provide us with our basic needs while under
distress. However, it seemed they only care for themselves and even had
the guts to go on a drinking spree in times of distress. They knew about
our situation. If not for the Tunisian people, many would have suffered
from desperation and starvation.
Fortunately some of us still had enough money to spend for our food.
Not everyone though was able bring money with them because all of us did
not receive any allowance prior to our exit from Libya. On the third
day of our stay at the inn, we had to leave because we did not have
enough money to pay the owner of the inn. We returned to the shelter
even if the situation there was not good. But a few minutes later, my
friend who stayed in the house of the Tunisian neighbor invited me
together with my friends to join him. When we arrived, we were amazed to
find out that the owner of the house prepared for us an air conditioned
room which can accommodate more than 15 people.
The owner talked to us and welcomed us profusely. We were strangers
and yet he welcomed us in his house. The following day, the owner of the
house asked what else they can offer us because they’re not familiar
with the food that we eat.
They went to the grocery and purchased three kilograms of beef and
fish to feed us. They surprised us with their hospitality. Their
gentleness and compassion brought great joy and smiles on our faces. We
could not express enough gratitude for the hospitality they have shown
us. Whenever we say thank you to them, they would reply with a
delightful smile on their faces.
One morning, the sole lady representative from the Philippine
government made an arrangement for our possible flight back to Manila.
We returned to the family who cared for us for several days and gave
what was left in our pockets, including the Philippine peso bills as
souvenirs from us. They told us that if ever our flight was postponed,
we are welcome to stay with them.
We proceeded to the airport of Djerba, hoping that we would soon be
heading home. After successfully checking in, we were surprised to learn
from the representative of our government that our flight was
cancelled. We were shocked and disappointed. As our baggage was already
checked in, they told us not to take them out because it would be safer
inside the conveyor. Instead of boarding the airplane, we boarded a bus
to return to the shelter provided by the government.
Inside the bus, an argument erupted because a guy from the government
told us to unload our stuff at a nearby house which is not suited for
all of us. There were more than a hundred of us and because the house
was so small, sleeping may be a problem. Sleeping in the garden would be
an option with the sheep roaming around at night. Everyone reacted and
quarreled with the representative from the government. Some of my office
mates confronted him saying, “We’re all professionals in the bus and if
you treat us like sheep we will dig a grave for you in this area.” That
must have knocked some sense in him. He changed his mind and instructed
the driver to bring us to our previous lodging area.
We knocked on the door of the same family in Tunisia who gave us
shelter earlier and they welcomed us once again. It was three days
before they told us that our flight home has been scheduled. At the
airport, we saw some Filipinos who opted to stay and wait at the lobby
of airport instead of returning to the shelter. They were afraid to go
with us because the list might be changed and cause further delay in the
flight back home.
There was a huge crowd at the airport waiting for their respective
flights, and thus the toilets at the airport started to smell. We were
glad in a way because the UN personnel were efficient. They gave us
enough food. However, we could not use the toilets because we were
already called to board the plane.
A few minutes before our boarding time, one of my office mates had a
sudden argument with another person and it erupted into a fist fight.
Most of us tried to pacify and control their anger. The other nationals
were surprised to see the Filipinos fighting. It was a good thing that
some European men called the Filipinos to form a line because the plane
was on the tarmac and we were told to prepare for boarding. Shouts of
joy erupted from our lips and we thanked God for answering our prayers.
Upon entering the plane, the cabin crew requested us to keep quiet
because the crew couldn’t hear each other. The only thing I remembered
at that time was that we were all grateful and praising God at that
moment. There were also some who questioned the crew if indeed the
aircraft will bring us to the Philippines. The crew replied, “yes!” The
plane was small, like the ones we use in our domestic flights.
It was a long flight ahead of us. We are flying from one continent to
another. Regular flights from Tripoli to Manila take about 15 flying
hours, excluding the flight going to Doha, Qatar for a stopover.
During the flight, we experienced a strong turbulence and the captain
instructed us to stay in our seats and to fasten our seat belts.
Unexpectedly, the oxygen masks from the compartment dropped down. A lot
of us started praying, asking God to deliver us to safety. A few minutes
after, there was less turbulence and we safely reached Abu Dhabi for a
stopover in order to refuel.
From Abu Dhabi we flew again and had another stopover at Sharjah for
refueling. We flew over sunny skies and reached New Delhi, India to load
on food and fuel. After four hours of stopover in New Delhi, we were
again cruising above the clouds and we were served meals. We Filipinos
are not that familiar with the taste of Indian food but we had to eat
after a very long journey. Five hours later, the captain announced that
we are approaching Philippine airspace. All of a sudden, most of the
passengers loosened their seat belts and were shouting for joy, thanking
the Lord for bringing us back to the country in one piece. There were
those who were praising God loudly, dancing, and clapping. It seemed
like we were freed from the agonizing worries of the exodus that we’ve
been through.
There was unending thanks and gratitude to God who delivered us from
those trials and hardship we experienced. Finally we are close to home.
The plane Captain told us to remain seated and to fasten our seat belts
for the final approach. The noise became more joyous and we were all
clapping our hands.
After a long sojourn, we finally landed at twelve midnight. Before disembarking from the plane, the captain opened the curtain
and congratulated us all and thanked us for all the prayers while we
were passing a turbulence. As a Catholic himself, he understood our
faith and trust, which led us to a safe journey.
We entered a special passenger lounge provided by the Philippine
government exclusively for OFWs from Libya and we were met by government
representatives and media persons. They were taking our photos, videos and asking about our experiences.
They also served us food at the airport, and this somehow comforted
many of us. However, the temporary shelter prepared by OWWA was not
enough to accommodate all of us. Others went straight to their homes,
while the rest remained seated, standing or roaming around because the
number of arrivals from other airlines who came from Libya cannot be
accommodated in the area provided by the government. Most of us were not
able to sleep even for a few hours because of the mixed emotions we
felt.
In the morning, we proceeded to the World Trade Center to receive our
financial assistance from OWWA in the amount of P10,000, as well as
transportation assistance going to our provinces. I myself stayed at the
Scalabrini Center. Upon entering the ground, I felt bad. I wouldn’t
know what to say if someone asked me what happened. I didn’t know what
to do, whether to shout for joy, kneel in front of the grotto or kiss
the ground I was standing on because I returned to the Philippines
alive.
I wanted to hug someone who knows me, but I controlled myself or they
might think that I am insane. I stayed at the SCPM for two nights in
order to rest for a while. But every night, I found myself having
nightmares, screaming while carrying my baggage and shouting for help. I
would wake up soaked in tears. My roommate did not know of the trauma I
experienced, not until in the morning when I forced myself to pray to
the Lord asking for guidance and comfort.
Days passed and it was time for me to go home to my family. They were
surprised when a bus stopped in front of our gate. As they were
wondering who was alighting from the bus, they noticed me and they
warmly welcomed me. I felt sick because of the attention on me. They
kept asking me many questions which I couldn’t answer. Inside my room, tears again started flowing from my
eyes. I was unable to sleep in my room thus I decided to lay down on the
sofa because the fears and imagination were still fresh in my mind.
For more than a week, I constantly dreamed of the exodus experience
we had in Libya. Often times, I would find myself reliving the agonizing
experience I had from Libya to the airport in Tunisia. I am thankful to
the Lord that He gave me a strong heart, and eventually I was able to
manage my trauma.
Indeed, God is great all the time! One thing I learned from this
experience is to have a strong faith in God. No matter how painful the
situation, He will be there every step of the way with us, providing us
with courage to move on.
To this day, I continue praising God for delivering us all to safety.
All these experiences, I believe, have made me a stronger person. I
thank God because he has always been with me through all my ups and
downs.
