Summer Evaluation 2013

Br. Paulus Gabriel Rambang Ngawan, OP

This summer has a unique and worth telling story that adds a chapter in the book of my life. Each event that I celebrated was a moment of grace where divine interventions could really be seen and felt. Event upon event was a total revelation of God’s love to the one who is called to be His humble servant. And to concretize my fresh memory of this summer, allow me to unfold the story. Here the story goes.

               

Summer Vacation: Going Back to My Humble Beginnings

This summer vacation was my second home-coming since my stay here in the Philippines. When the time for vacation is getting closer, my heart is always pounding hard because of the joy of going back home again. What is so special at home?

Every chance of going home is always a venue for me to refresh my memory of my humble beginnings, as a person, as a committed Dominican Friar. It was a great privilege for me that I was allowed to extend my vacation for two weeks. What might be the reasons of this extension? The first one is due to the travel that takes me three days and two nights to arrive home. What a long and tiring trip. But it was nothing compared to the intense feeling of being one again with my big family. The second reason is that on June 11, our parents would celebrate their Silver Wedding Anniversary and also coupled with the 24^th birthday of my elder brother. So, I spent my vacation from May 9 to June 14 in Indonesia. What an extensive vacation, indeed!

On May 9, the plane that flew us landed on the ground of my beloved country, Indonesia. What a pleasant arrival especially when home is just few miles away. Of course, I had my itinerary. Br. Bayu and I had planned to visit our Dominican community at Surabaya to encounter the brothers in formation and the parishioners. We met people who are really caring for the formation of Servants of God like us. Their inputs and enthusiastic words were no less worth reflecting on. I was also able to meet my Vincentian and Diocesan brothers who are still undergoing their formation in Malang. After our five-day stay in Surabaya, I continued my unfinished trip to Pontianak, a city of my birth.

In Pontianak, I had a special mission. On May 24, we would be celebrating three main events. First, on that day, the presence of the Dominicans in Indonesia would reach its seventh year of ministering the people of God in Indonesia. Seven, the age of reason. Second, we would be celebrating together with Fr. Edmund C. Nantes, OP who was grateful of having been a faithful religious and in this case a Dominican for forty years. And the third one was a thanksgiving celebration for two brothers of ours, Brs. Mingdry, OP and Bayu, OP who professed solemnly as Dominican religious. I was assigned to handle the choir for the Mass on May 24. And on the most awaited day of our joy itself, I could really see the constant supports of the people for the mission and growth of the Order in Indonesia, particularly in Pontianak. A day after the celebration, I joined the Lay Dominican in their regular ministry of visiting the detainees in the town jail.

My mission in Pontianak was completed. Now, it was time for me to travel to my last stop, home. As what was aforementioned, the trip home from Pontianak took me two days to reach Serawai. Yes, Serawai is my home. I arrived home on May 26 afternoon. Warm welcome to me as I met again my loved ones, my parents, my siblings, my relatives and my old friends. The joy of meeting the people whom you were growing up together with was beyond description. Homesickness was gone. There was only joy, like the joy of a prodigal son coming home, warmly welcomed by his gentle father who had been waiting for him ever since and the festive party soon to be prepared for the home come. There was genuine joy reflected on every smiling face.

It is usual for me if I spend my vacation in Serawai to be actively engaged in Church activities. The Sisters from the Congregation of the Daughters of Charity and the Vincentian Fathers are entrusted to handle the mission in Serawai parish. One Sister approached me for a favor to assist the dormitory girls during the choir practice in preparation for the Confirmation Mass held in our parish and several stations of the parish. I could not say no, but gladly lend my help. I was also asked by our parish priest to preside in the Liturgy of the Word in line with the closing of the Marian month. I felt that I always belong to the local Church.

Several days later, some Vincentian brothers, including my younger brother, Br. Trio, C.M., came to Serawai to spend their semesteral break as well. Another source of joy overwhelmed me. But, there was something that bothered me most; my elder brother, Sutimbang Ngawan, could not come home on the day of the Silver Wedding Anniversary of our parents because he was still preparing himself for the thesis defense that would take place several days to come. It was understandable for me because his decision sacrifice of not going home at this momentous time was for the sake of his future, for the happiness of his family as well. So, I could tolerate this finally!

Lots of family members from my parents’ sides came to flock in our small and simple abode. But this turned to be another source of a great joy. I happily entertained my small and cute cousins. Grander joy came when we celebrated the Silver Wedding Anniversary of our parents on June 11. We started the great event with a Mass held in the parish church at 6 o’clock in the evening. In the Mass, I could see the sincere and genuine love between our parents and the expressions of love that we showed to them. I thanked the Lord for giving us such wonderful parents. May their chain of love always link unbreakably together and be the source of inspiration to other people. After the celebration of the Holy Mass, we had a reception at our house. Many people came and joined in the joyful celebration of our family.

Going back home is always a reminder for me how I started my life as a person. To see my very self from my humble beginnings is always a good point of reflection on how I must always go on for better. I could feel my burning courage, seeing my childhood dream has come true, inhaling the sweet scent of home like no other place, and dreaming again with my old yet new dreams. Everything seemed to be so real and indeed amazing. Yes, HOME, Heart Of My Everything. Here is also HOME.  (rmbg)