From preparing for Malaysia to going there and even when we got there, it wasn't all a smooth ride. There were more bumps on the road than things to encourage & inspire us. We got bruised, mugged, sick, even some dislocated bones. But we persist because we believed that this was for us. The night before the competition was our lowest point. We were exhausted. Too exhausted maybe to even give a good performance the next day. Some of us even got sick that night, while others are still feeling under the weather. Everybody went to bed feeling down & empty. When everybody was asleep I chose to stay up for a while and read the Bible and pray. This was the verse I read that night & i got goosebumps from reading it because every little thing fits perfectly in our situation! This was what God said and it's exactly what we needed to hear! The next day, competition day, we registered late & we didn't get to play our blockings on the floor. Talk about a good start! When the competition was about to start, we stayed outside & I shared this verse to everybody but I couldn't get myself to reading it & not cry so I asked 'em read it. It turned into a moment of praying, worshipping & really connecting with God. After all, He's the reason why we pursued this competition. Everything was great after that. We made new friends. They're more like new family to us. Plus the fact that we bagged the gold! Woot! God is really great! No matter how long I make this blog it wouldn't even give justice to happend there. To Team Vibe, let's continue this race, this battle. We are, after all, athletes of the living God!
ISAIAH 41:1-14
The Helper of Israel
1 "Be silent before me, you islands!
Let the nations renew their strength!
Let them come forward and speak;
let us meet together at the place of judgment.
2 "Who has stirred up one from the east,
calling him in righteousness to his service [a]?
He hands nations over to him
and subdues kings before him.
He turns them to dust with his sword,
to windblown chaff with his bow.
3 He pursues them and moves on unscathed,
by a path his feet have not traveled before.
4 Who has done this and carried it through,
calling forth the generations from the beginning?
I, the LORD—with the first of them
and with the last—I am he."
5 The islands have seen it and fear;
the ends of the earth tremble.
They approach and come forward;
6 they help each other
and say to their companions, "Be strong!"
7 The metal worker encourages the goldsmith,
and the one who smooths with the hammer
spurs on the one who strikes the anvil.
One says of the welding, "It is good."
The other nails down the idol so it will not topple.
8 "But you, Israel, my servant,
Jacob, whom I have chosen,
you descendants of Abraham my friend,
9 I took you from the ends of the earth,
from its farthest corners I called you.
I said, 'You are my servant';
I have chosen you and have not rejected you.
10 So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
11 "All who rage against you
will surely be ashamed and disgraced;
those who oppose you
will be as nothing and perish.
12 Though you search for your enemies,
you will not find them.
Those who wage war against you
will be as nothing at all.
13 For I am the LORD your God
who takes hold of your right hand
and says to you, Do not fear;
I will help you.
14 Do not be afraid, you worm Jacob,
little Israel, do not fear,
for I myself will help you," declares the LORD,
your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.
WOW! What a great testimony! Ang bait tlga ni God noh?
