When a child leaves to work abroad

There we were, on board a plane for Tokyo Japan. I came for my daughter, my mom came for me and her granddaughter. And my daughter went for a possible job there. Before this, our family was in concerted prayer for GOD’s will if Mayen should really work abroad. Her friends who went ahead to work in New York came home because the conditions there were not to their liking. So, erase her two (2) job interviews in New York! Then I met a long time friend whose cousin, married to a Japanese, was in Tokyo. This cousin and I were prayer partners on her blossoming love affair then, with her now Japanese husband. And she told me that I can live with them in Tokyo anytime. 

Our Japanese host generously gave of his time to tell us that “no, this place very far/very cold/hard to reach, etc.”  We went for an interview in one preschool within Tokyo. “Old McDonald had a farm, e i e i o…” my daughter sang. The school owner said she had a Filipino accent, but was willing to hire her for a salary much lower than the normal rate, then, will give her free lodgings with a family of three (3) who she needs to teach English to. With a salary equal to her previous pay in the Philippines, I advised her not to accept the offer. Better go back home to the Philippines. The school owner kept calling her for she has been accepted. I talked to the owner and told him that his salary offer is equal to Mayen’s Philippine job, and she still has to “pay” her free housing with English lessons! He said they will send her abroad for yearly trainings. No, thank you. He still called but we didn’t talk to him anymore. On the night before we left for the Philippines, she was anxious because she still had no job. GOD is part of this plan from day one, and HE brought you this far, HE must have a plan for you, I said.

The subsequent teaching jobs were challenging. I learned much later how she had to stay in houses where the kitchen and comfort room was downstairs, and she stayed in the 3rd floor! Her feet bled walking blocks from the train to her house, tutoring to earn more, and how she ate mostly instant noodles, keeping what limited funds she has. Learning about these years later, I still cried. I kept praying for forgiveness from my husband for allowing his Daddy’s girl to bear such situations.

More or less fourteen (14) years ago now, my daughter has grown in patience, wisdom, and knowledge. My “forced” rosary when they were young served her in good stead. When her foot gets stepped on during train rides, when she walks in dark streets, when she meets a drunkard, when she feels cold in the rain, and lonely—she prays the rosary. 

Now in Hong Kong, my daughter found her calling in teaching. She loves her kids, and they love her back. Her international co-teachers are most supportive and love her.

Out of her comfort zone, she trusts GOD more. Her spiritual life was enriched by our separation. We were not within immediate reach, but she knew she had GOD. And that is more than enough!

If there is a lesson I need to teach her still, it would be to be less generous to us and to save up for herself.
 
Thank YOU LORD for our Filipino values and traditions. To YOU be all glory and honour forever! (Bella Sarenas)