Vacations...Vocations

"Papi,  why do you take us to the poorest regions  during each vacation trip? Aren't we supposed to just have fun?", I would ask him. To be honest, it was never irritating for me to play with all my new friends, and eat under their roofs during sizzling hot days. The food was divine, served with a unique joy, and I would care less about sweating, and getting my clothes  dirty and unlady-like. Yet I was curious. I, too, loved handing out coins and dollars to my newfound friends as prompted by dad, and spin endlessly in pirouettes and fainting-provoking  cartwheels together. 

---

Our father was raised in a very poor household. His dad died early in his 40's from a heart attack when he was 7 y/o. As part of an 11- siblings family, without a paternal figure, and no financial help you could say he raised himself. Life brought him ridicule, aloneness and a box of cigarettes as a child. He learned to fend for himself and developed strategies to survive.  What a way to be in constant hyperalert mode, and grow many heart layers rooting from sadness, anger and total independence from his Heavenly Father! 

This is how a 'vocation' was born, a calling carrying dad's fingerprints all over it. Papi's core was kind and compassionate, especially for the suffering, in spite of his stern facade and the controlling disposition he journeyed life with. No wonder how our family always ended in the poorest neighbors during vacation time. A time to get, and a time to give the 'forgotten' ones. What a well-carved reminder. A God-given gift was being purposefully developed: compassion and longing to help the less fortunate. 

​God's imprint, signature, and protection, quietly behind the scenes, undoubtedly formed and fired it up.   Today He brings forth new kinds of fruit through this longing...calling: The Phileo House. Oh, Holy Spirit...
From 'vacation' to 'vocation'. An earthly dad ... a Heavenly Dad. What a deliberate and powerful recipe of unexpected collaborations and earthly events always gush from your Spirit to finish what you start! How magnificent is your well orchestrated plan! It always gives YOU glory! How closely you pay attention,  hear the cries, and  touch your people in significant ways! You are wonderfully intentional, strategic, orderly and merciful.  I am thankful beyond words. We are blessed to be called your children! Blessed be your name!
                                                             🤍

I dedicate The Phileo House to your memory, dad. Thanks for teaching me to be present for those in need.

I thank you, Heavenly Father, for your love in setting me up through such amazing experiences. They have made The Phileo House beginnings possible.
​

What experiences have shaped you up, positioned and transformed you into manifesting the person our Heavenly Father has created you to be? 
​Are you walking in your purpose? Who is that earthly person that encouraged and empowered you to follow your calling?
​   I pray for you and yours today. You have been given the power of the Holy Spirit!​