He would have been eighty today... Happy birthday, Dad! It was He who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare Gods people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith... from the Letter St. Paul to the Ephesians Around twenty years ago, after journeying through a battlefield of trials the Northwestern University began its recovery. And as so prophetically proclaimed in the Letter of St. Paul it matured in faith, reached unity in spirit and lived out Gods works of service. From humble and difficult beginnings this university, comprised of hardworking and industrious Ilocanos, has brought forth a community that has touched and changed our province in so many ways. However, one cannot speak of the NWU without mentioning the name of the man we lovingly remember today. For almost twenty years he guided, inspired, prodded and built this institution. For twenty years, despite his many responsibilities as a father, husband, military officer and public servant, he so unselfishly devoted his time, treasures and efforts to this school. To accomplish this, he walked with God every step of the way. His was not a ministry made overnight. His walk was long, arduous and must have, at times, seemed almost impossible. During our many conversations centering on family, faith and commitment, I was always in awe at how he could do everything so unceasingly and without any doubt. He always said that God molded him along the way -- to get him ready for the things He had in store for him. As he allowed God to transform him, he understood and accepted what was pleasing to God. Doing God’s will was the most important thing to him. There were no arguments, no excuses and no questions asked. He knew what God wanted him to do in this university, and even though it was difficult, he was totally committed to doing God’s work. He was a man who loved unconditionally -- a man of prayer and a deep and committed faith. His boundless energy he derived from the joy of knowing that he was fulfilling Gods plans. Let me end this with an anecdote - as each graduation week approached he made us listen to him long distance as he read his commencement address and then praised the ability and creativity of its writer and how the speech expressed exactly what he wanted to say. On Graduation Day as he donned his toga, albeit too grand for his style, he heaved a euphoric sigh of relief as if saying, Great job and to God be the glory! Along with that pride comes the excitement as of that of a father attending his childs right of passage. Graduation week was very special to him not because it marked the fulfillment of his dreams but because it meant the BEGINNING OF THOUSANDS OF OTHERS. We dedicate this building to the man who dared dream...Who dared dream for others! God has truly blessed us with a GREAT MAN - a gifted man with a blazing fire of FAITH - a true child of God! He would have been eighty today... Happy birthday, DAD!
Posted on: Thu, 02 Oct 2014 05:10:35 +0000
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