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I got the news from my mom informing me that Kuya Reynan (Ayento), as we fondly call him back in our children's-choir-days, is one of the victims of the January-18 fire in our small town in Mangatarem (Pangasinan). According to her, the fire started in their house due to some faulty-electrical wirings / overheat. Their neighbors were lucky to have saved some of their things but Kuya Reynan, as he was on his way from Ilocos Sur, came home to nothing but ashes. 
While I am grateful that the fire in my hometown did not cost serious injuries nor cost any lives, it is a fact that a terrible fire will cost financial struggles to the victims. And such struggle is on hand.
I am not sure if I am an effective writer. For me, this is just an outlet that became a hobby. I am not even sure if I am a good writer. So when I was asked to write something about this so people with good hearts will be touched and hopefully would extend some financial support for the fire victims, I was hesitant to grant the favor. Plus the fact that I am in panic-mode nowadays because I have a deadline at work (time is of the essence).
Matthew 6:33 But more than anything else, put God's work first and do what He wants. Then the other things will be yours as well.
I won't contest myself on that. But then again, there's one more thing that's holding me back from writing about it. It is a subject that I don't think I could expand into something more than a phrase that would go like, "It's God's will..." and that would just end in a prayer because like death, I am not good in allaying the sorrow or grief of the distressed nor those in misfortune. It could be because I have a great faith that everything happens for a (good) reason and whatever is taken from us could have something more, something better, in return.
But the Parable of Talents came to mind:
Matthew 25: 14-30
14 "Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his property to them.
15 To one he gave five talents of money, to another two talents, and to another one talent, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey.
16 The man who had received the five talents went at once and put his money to work and gained five more.
17 So also, the one with the two talents gained two more.
18 But the man who had received the one talent went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master's money.
19 "After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them.
20 The man who had received the five talents brought the other five. 'Master,' he said, 'you entrusted me with five talents. See, I have gained five more.'
21 "His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'
22 "The man with the two talents also came. 'Master,' he said, 'you entrusted me with two talents; see, I have gained two more.'
23 "His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'
24 "Then the man who had received the one talent came. 'Master,' he said, 'I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed.
25 So I was afraid and went out and hid your talent in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.'
26 "His master replied, 'You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed?
27 Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest.
28 'Take the talent from him and give it to the one who has the ten talents.
29 For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him.
30 And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'
If people see my writing as a gift or as a talent, then I am humbled. And amidst of my personal struggles, if this is the only talent that I have, then I don't want to end up like the man who had received one talent and dug a hole to keep it (isa pa, takot po ako mapagalitan ni Master).
Effective writer or not, this is one shot I'm trying. On behalf of the fire victims, I am trying to reach out to each and every one of you through an earnest plea for some financial support for them. I have faith that someone out there will be willing to share some of their blessings because I believe in the teaching that "Neither fire nor wind, birth nor death can erase our good deeds."
THANK YOU for taking time in reading this. I am praying that you may be blessed enough to act on our plea.
You may contact Reynan Ayento through the ff:
email: reyayento[at]yahoo.com
Friendster account: http://profiles.friendster.com/reyayento
mobile number: +63 919 5982627. 
"God will provide. He will use people to pour out His blessings. I don't know how but He will do it...", that was the faith of Kuya Reynan a day after the fire. I am confident that God will make a way to keep that faith firmer.
One person has commented on this article. 1. Untitled
guia, Unregistered I was really touched and moved by the last photo and the last sentence.
I admire Sir Rey for his courage and faith. |
I am Mae German. 32 years old. Born in Mangatarem, province of Pangasinan. I was taught and trained by 
Silent Hollo (limited) 
