L.A.C. Farm’s aces in the person of Engr. Guillermo Saret and Mr. Alexander Parducho “educated” me while discussing with us visitors about the story behind the farm. How a “desolate” land was converted to a self-sustaining, productive organic farmland. (From cursed to promised land – Leonie Agri Corp. Farm)

The two LAC Farm male honchos showed in their presentations how they led the employees and stakeholders to knowing CLEARLY the “journey” that the farm is taking – especially the SPIRITUAL journey and the values that company has.

Centering on God as the ultimate Leader and Manager of the company, LAC Farm orients their employees to a God-fearing culture. This I believe is their greatest, secret weapon to what turned this company to what it is now.

Easier said than done

The LAC Farm took a higher path in managing their employees. They involved their personnel into a life-changing, God-fearing culture. This, if I may say, is a harder thing to do, than the typical corporate structure. But then again, they walked the talk.

We were toured into the man-made lake in LAC Farm. I thought that it was just a regular “tour-around” thing. But there is a purpose why we were there, to hear the testimony of “Bonna”, whose real name is Willy.

He got the name since his milk was Bonna during childhood.

Anyway, Bonna, before being in LAC Farm, had speech defect and was illiterate. He also had suicidal tendencies before since he was emotionally abused by his parents.

Not only he learned to speak, read and write in LAC Farm, his outlook in life changed as well due to the culture that LAC promotes to their personnel.

Values Formation

With a God-centered corporate structure, I believe that LAC Farm management was wise enough to do this. Like the wise man in the Bible story, they built their “house” upon the Rock – unshakable God.

I would not be surprised if most, if not all the employees, would have a positive attitude towards work, hence, the whole company benefits from it.

The company took CARE of its employees by giving them more than money can buy – relationship with God.

Take Home Lesson

Being a Christian, I know it is possible to change lives of people through having a relationship with Christ.

LAC Farm is another testimony on how faith in Christ can actually change people – more so, companies.

I’d definitely advocate to do the same in our company.

I believe that the Pascual’s applied the inevitable principles of business, thus resulting to a success.

From Vision to Reality

It’s hard to imagine how a self-sustaining farm land could have been once a desolate, acidic land especially if you were able to see how LAC Farm is now.

The Pascual’s had a vision to convert this property to a productive land. Though, it may had been impossible during that time, they held on to it. That is what make businessmen stand-out, VISION, seeing beyond what is seen through the naked eye.

Almost every product, service, man-made places started out as a vision of people. The personal computers we use now are a product of Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak’s vision and imagination. The wonders of Walt Disney’s imagination of an entertainment plaza came to life, even before he ever saw it. Purely, because of his vision

And the Pascual’s have the same thing. A vision.

Focus

The LAC Farm focused on the vision they have – converting the once “cursed” land to a land full of life – both plants and animals. I’m pretty sure that they had and are having different sort of challenges starting and maintaining the farm. It’s never to easy to start and maintain a business. But then again, if a person is focused on the vision, and sticks to it, challenges will just be hurdles that one has to get over with. For what is important is getting to that vision and not looking into the problems as the end. For the ultimate end is getting to that vision.

Right Path

Challenges may have delayed, sidetracked or even deviated LAC Farms from their original plan, but they didn’t lose sight of it. For they know their DIRECTION.

A key ingredient in any company’s success is knowing where to go. Like any regular traveler, you need to have a map on where you are heading. It may take you a couple of detours, but if you have a map, you will DEFINITELY know where you will go.

With Pascual’s vision as the destination – LAC Farm engineered their own corporate map and led them to what it is now.

True Leader

Another noticeable trait of the farm is the abundance, not of just plants and wildlife, but also Bible verses. Anywhere in the 43-hectare property are verses. Places have been named after Bible verses. Verses that tells of God’s promises.

The Pascuals, the employees and stakeholders know who to attribute and dedicate everything – to God. This, I personally think, made it all successful.

Anyway, I have been pressing on to be single for life for the past several years. Even at times I had chances to commit myself to very fine ladies, after knowing they’re ready for a relationship already, I would chicken out since, I would find the relationship as “cheap thrills” for me. As if the relationship would be just be a waste of time and effort for both me and the girl.

I thought, it would be for my best interest, and for the people around me, to consider being single for life. I have a son to rear at the same time, being the eldest child, I feel I am responsible in taking care of my mom in the near future, since my dad passed away.

So, I thought I can be single for the rest of my life.

I have had my times with great women. They would even tell me that I should think of my future… like who’s going to take care of me when my son is already a grown up. And when things start to get serious, I would jokingly tell them that’s the reason I want to be rich, by the time I am old, I would hire caregivers to take care of me. I know the intentions that they have for me are good but I have never given so much thought about settling down with somebody.

It never sinked-in to me until just recently. When I least expected it.

It’s all about this girl (ofcourse, not a boy, LOL) I barely know the girl, and she barely knows me (and that’s the tough part).

I can see the elegance behind her simplicity. Her discipline behind her actions… Her character behind her gestures… the consistency in her manner shows much of her beauty inside out.

Recently, as I prayed. I find myself praying for her, more and more. A gesture I, honestly, don’t do much. Yeah I do pray for other people, but not as much as I prayed for her, considering that I don’t know her that much.

The funny part is that I haven’t even started courting nor even telling to her my intentions. And that most probably, she might have boyfriend (ofcourse, I’m not bad enough to pray that they be separated, that’s not a lie – believe me. hehehehehe)

Amidst all those circumstances, I find myself praying even more and letting God do as He wanted. Asking Him more for wisdom and understanding than asking Him to change the circumstances in favor of me.

I find it very interesting…  realizing, I have changed so much. Funny, but more importantly, it revealed the true color of my heart. I’m not the old selfish me in praying.

If I may say, though I asked God for her heart and hand for me, but at the end of my prayer, I would ask God to do His will not mine.

Now I find myself wondering what kind of love story God has in store for me? (Cheezy point again. LOL).

Going back to the girl, I had a chance to chit-chat with THE GIRL.  Somehow, we were able to talk about “THE GIRL” I desire now. I told her about my prayer for the girl. She said she find it very sweet of me to pray for the girl and to dedicate her to God. And she added that I would be a blessing to the girl if ever we end up together.

Would she still find it a blessing, if she only knew it is her? Hahahahaha!

Anyway, whatever happens, the more important thing about this new phase in my life is the lessons I’m learning.

I learned that truly God restores us in the form that He wants us to be. We may have come from the pit of very awful past, but God can restore us in ways we may not be able to fathom. Like for instance in my case, it was an “excuse” for me to be single – but now as I dig deeper into me, it was my way of saying “God, I quit already of you providing for me a partner”. As if I’ve already given up that God has that perfect girl for me.

You can’t share something you don’t have. And I believe that God has restored me in a way that I may be able to share my life to a partner.

Sometimes when we thought that God is over in changing our lives, the more we will be surprised that He has more things in store for us – the best things in store for us.

Second, that I learned to see what are the things in me that I don’t let Him to lord over me.

Third, I learned that the more I rely on Him, the more that I pray, the more that I’m changed.

Forth, the essence of remaining faithful and pure for that person you would like to settle with – even before you meet him / her. And that’s the most important value I’ve learned now. I’ve had my fair share of  “misdeeds” in the past and I realize, it may have given me “temporary” pleasures, but never did it gave me joy and fulfillment. No wonder now, I experience this kind of joy inside, because I have a pure intention for a girl at the same time I want to be faithful and pure as well.

Fifth, the more uncertainties we have, the more we should rely onto God.

Truly, God nursed my heart to a form I was not so much aware of myself. He restored that soft spot in me that I was trying to shield for a long time from anyone – even Him. The only way that I feel we can truly love others, if we experience how God has loved us. The way He changed my view of Him, changed the way I love – for God is love.

And I find myself now, seeking a nurse. Maybe God will use a nurse to nurse my heart for a lifetime. Hahahahaha!

On a side note, do you suggest that the I change the title should be the “cheezy side of me” than nursing a heart. LOL

Anyway, these past two weeks, amidst the busy schedule, I still managed to read my Bible. One is for my daily 4 chapters (for my ENLI class) and the other at random. Just trying to find out what God wants to tell me.

I’m so amazed that for these past two consecutive weeks, I read two related verses. One in the Book of John and the other one in the Book of Matthew. As if God was trying to press something on my mind.

37″All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away. 39…I shall lose none of all that he has given me, but raise them up at the last day.” John 6:37 and 39

27 “… no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. “Matthew 11:27

I was awe-strucked by these “love notes” that God sent me. I believe that God is confirming that He chose to reveal Himself to me. Now that explains why I have this different “hunger” for His word lately. As if I was asking not for just a “head-knowledge” account of His words, but rather, a more personalized way. For He was about to amaze me by His wonders.

I am convinced that this is one of them. These verses indicate not an attitude He wants me to change nor a sin that He wants me to neglect. Rather, these are statements, ASSURANCE statements, confirming that He chose me as one of those people that He wanted to reveal Himself to.

It’s like God telling me,

“Rey, you know what, I chose you to be close to Me. I know you’ve been through a lot. You may have lots of issues against me before, but what are those again? I forgot them already, the day you chose to follow My Son and accepted Him as your Lord and Savior. That’s why, you, Rey, deserve to be part of the Family. Welcome, I will show you more things about Me.“

it’s like a very warm welcome. The warmest I could have ever felt and imagined. Similar to a warm blanket covering me me during a very, very cold night and sealed by a soothing hug from a person you would really like to be with no matter what, re-affirming me: “Don’t worry, You’re home now.”

No wonder why Apostle Paul said in Romans 8:38-39 “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to sperate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

‘Cause since the time God chose to reveal Himself to Paul, truly, Paul was forever changed.

I believe that God changed me as well.

Like Paul, there’s no turning back for me. Especially now, that I experienced the love God has for His people.

I’m just glad and very much grateful to God.