When Life Hits Hard...

When I got retrenched in 2002... It was the lowest point in my life. I left my grandfather's house and it really felt like the world is against you.

Without a job, I had to deal with expenses for rent, food, transportation, a monthly amortization for a condo and the emotional struggles to keep one's sanity. Good thing... I was grounded on my faith in God. I kept reminding myself that God wanted me to learn a lesson and learning it fast would get me out of the unpleasant situation soonest.

My condo payments were at 18% interest a year. That means it would double every 5 years. I prayed to God for wisdom and direction and set the goal to pay it off in one year under a no interest payment mode. Monthly payments was P117K.  Combining my retrenchment package, my MLM business income and a P100K loan from a good friend. The condo was fully paid in one year.

God does send friends who are angels...

When I moved out of my grandfather's house, I brought my piano which was my grandfather's gift to me. When I got retrenched from corporate work, I bought the TV, computer, sofa, conference table and chairs, 3 cabinets, side table.

Storage was a need since I was only renting a room at the time. A bible study friend in St. Stephen's offered to store all my stuff in his warehouse. He sent a truck with his employees to wrap and transport the furnitures to his warehouse and these were stored there for 4 years rent free. When I was ready to move to my 3BR condo in 2005, this friend again sent his truck and employees to deliver all my furnitures to my new place without transport fees! It's God's grace to have a friend like that... I always wish this friend and his family abundant blessings for being such a blessing to his Christian family. If one had experienced that one's own family will not even give a hand, finding a friend like that is really precious... This friend taught me to help others without expecting anything in return...

I needed P100K more to fully pay my condo. I called/messaged some friends/relatives and offered higher than bank interest on a P100K loan. One person agreed to lend me money with no interest for friendship sake. I just had to give her 12 PDC's for her peace of mind. She was not the person I thought who would lend me money. The person I expected to lend it did not. I do not judge. I just learnt that it really depends on what the person can afford to help. The loan has been fully paid. But I will forever be indebted to this friend for the trust that she gave me when it mattered the most.

I moved three times from 2001 to 2005 while waiting for my condo to be finished. Hindsight, I am understanding why I had to go through the process.
I rented a small room with a 50+ woman who was conscious about electricity and water bills. She shared to me why a no frost refrigerator would mean more electricity cost. I learnt to change the light bulbs and cleaned my place in a certain way. It's not enough to just sweep the floor. All I learnt from her were factors considered when I bought my refrigerator, aircon, and lights in my condo. You do not hear me complain about utility bills these days because of this woman's influence on how I use electricity and water in my home.
I rented a bigger room near Masangkay. There was another room being rented by another tenant who likes using the oven toaster because she was diabetic. I saw the owner put a lock in the oven toaster to prevent its use. I understood that I do not like to become a person like that who is in want that she cannot afford to be generous...

The third place I moved to is friend's home. I stayed there about 6 months as I waited for my 3BR to be completed. The turnover of my 3BR condo was delayed by over a year. This is rent free stay with food that money cannot buy in the restaurant.My friend experienced the emotional highs and lows with me. I learnt to be loved as a person without trying too hard. I remember one time when I was sick. My friend gave me medicines. Now why would a friend take all that trouble to take care of me when she does not need to... I learnt that there are caring person does not need to have a reason to care for a friend but simply because it's the thing to do when someone needs to be cared for.

Its been more than 10 years now since I lost my job. There is no way to learn the things I learnt without going through those times when I felt terrible. God is good to help me understand. These days, I have a network marketing business that allows me to work when I choose to. I have a real estate broker's license which is making me go through another learning curve to build another stream of income. I have learnt to build my own websites, be careful with my spending, invest for long term financial security.

I have more than 3 friends who helped me in different situations along life's journey. I always remember the kindness... The help that was extended which I never expected. May your lives continue to be blessed.

To people who are at the point where I was, may you learn to turn to God to give you a hand. May you have the kind of friends who understand your needs and help you. May you learn from the journey of life and not demand help but be grateful when help is given.