Ramadan Travel 2013 (July 9-18)

King Khaled International Airport in Riyadh.

Due to the very busy Ramadan season, I really don't have any spare time to write a proper post on my blog and so I'll just post some of the photos I've collected from our travel in Riyadh, Dammam and Al Ahsa 2 weeks ago. We (my co-worker and I), stayed in Riyadh for 5 days to merchandise our 5 shops there which are located in Hayat Mall, Marina Mall, Olaya Mall, Othaim Mall & Khurais Plaza. 

Riyadh Photos:

Riyadh Videos:

Our 5th day in Riyadh was also our 1st day in Dammam. It would only take us about an hour or even less from Riyadh to Dammam had our flight been on time. And finally after four excruciating hours of waiting (due to a couple of hours delay) we got inside the plane. Thank God for allowing their (saudia folks) habitual incompetence already assimilated into my psyche. Nothing's new under the sun, by the way.

When we arrived at Dammam airport it was almost 2 in the morning. We were frantically monitoring every second that passes and praying that we could get a good taxi driver who would not overcharge us and drive fast before that dreaded yet familiar shout reverberates the peninsula signalling the start of dawn-till-dusk rituals. Understandably, the frantics would have been unnecessary had we earlier reserved a room from our 'suki' hotel but did not. Still hopeful that our stomach did not react so as to plunge readily in bed as soon as we checked-in but had to run like Usain Bolt to the nearest kabsa or shawarma before that scary shout overwhelmed our knees. Thankfully for us, we nailed it haha! Thank you Jesus! The next day we had to report for work though it was a Friday.

Dammam Photos:

Dammam Videos:

Bags already packed, we did check out on our second day and headed to Dareen Mall. After we were done, we took a 4 hour SAPTCO bus ride to Al Ahsa/Hofuf - a small town yet a significant business center in the eastern part of Saudi Arabia. It is very near to Qatar. This place has been in the headlines around the world because of MERS - CoV (Corona Virus). Al Ahsa/Hofuf was our last and final destination before heading back to our old routine in Jeddah. We have 2 stores here, in Al Ahsa Mall and Othaim Mall.

Al Ahsa Photos:

Al Ahsa/Hofuf Videos:

Mission accomplished! The 10th day was the final day. It was time to leave for Jeddah. The airport of Al Ahsa was a little bit far from the city, and upon arriving, the gloom and quietness was so obvious. The sceneries to the airport were like out of a movie. Sand dunes dominate the view. So dry, so hot. There's so much sadness in it.  

Day 9 & Al Ahsa Airport Photos:

Al Ahsa Airport Video:

Thank You Lord Jesus for our safe return!

Note:
Photos were originally uploaded on my Instagram account. 

Videos originally uploaded on my Vine account, Pepe Cabrera.
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Wolf in Sheep's Clothing: A True Story

The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart: his words were softer than oil, yet were they drawn swords. ~ Psalm 55:21

I've been heavily wounded a few days ago from an attack of a big bad wolf. People around me just looked at me while the whole carnage was happening. Most of them even approved what the wolf was doing. I really can't blame them; they didn't recognize the wolf for he wears a sheep's skin, and wears it very neatly. Nobody helped me except for one, and he helped me escape. I saw the whole thing coming because I've already recognized him from the beginning, and I didn't run away from him, so in a way, it's my fault. May God bless his soul!

Update: After that incident, I never went back to that church. At this moment I'm worshiping at home with a brother in Christ and trying to learn more about discernment from biblically-sound teachers like Jacob Prasch of Moriel Ministries, Pastor Marco Quintana of Community Church of Devore and Paul Washer. 

Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. ~ Matthew 7:15

Trip To Abha

It was my first time to go to the mountain city of Abha, the capital of Asir province last May 26 2013. The flight to Abha from Jeddah was quick, just less than an hour. My co-worker and I went there to oversee the merchandising of one of our shops there ( well actually 2 of our shops there). 

From the airport, we went straight to Oasis Mall where our new shop was located, in fact the mall itself was new, that not a lot of shops are open yet.  It took us around 5 hours to finish everything from the lay-out, merchandising and to the mannequins in the windows.

After we're done with Oasis Mall, we went straight to Aseer Mall, where the other 'It's Mine' shop is located. It was impossible for us to finish 2 shops in a day because we were already tired, and so we didn't do the lay-out/merchandising. We only changed both  window displays. 

It was raining cats and dogs when we went to the airport and we still have 4 hours left before our flight back to Jeddah during that time, so instead of checking-in immediately, we opted to just sit by the bench in front of the airport and enjoy the cool breeze and rain. I missed the rain! 

While waiting outside, we met a Filipino guy who's from Iligan city in the Philippines, his name is Melchor, who turned out to be a born again Christian himself. Instantly we had a fellowship there. We've learned a lot of things from each other, talking about the goodness of God and our testimonies. We talked for about 2 hours and it was amazing. We exchanged phone numbers before we boarded the plane and he promised to call if ever he gets to visit  Jeddah.

Halleluiah! Thank you Lord God for your blessings and protection during our trip in Abha in JESUS name. Amen! Here's some of the photos from our trip in Abha.

At the self check-in machine in Jeddah.

Inside the plane to Abha.

Touch down Abha!

Getting a taxi.

It's Mine shop in Oasis Mall (aka Waha Mall).

Just for laughs.

Posing for the camera.

To It's Mine in Aseer Mall.

The 'It's Mine' shop in Aseer Mall.

Beautiful scenery on our way to the airport.

Camels...!

While sitting outside the airport.

Kuya Melchor.

Waiting to board.

Boarding.

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I Voted Today!

Finally, I was able to cast my vote today at the Philippine Consulate in Jeddah --  that quick as I was able to complete my list only the night before. I couldn't be more excited trooping down to the Consulate to exercise my right to vote, but upon seeing those compatriots camped outside of the Consulate under a scorching sun, that  to me was just heart-breaking. 

Outside of the Consulate premises, hordes of people huddled under shady spots, most of them holding papers or sort of forms in their hands. Some even struggled to fill out the forms against the wall, noticeably women while ferociously fanning themselves with improvised hard papers. Conspicuously around were Saudi policemen at the entrance, maintaining peace and order as those who wanted to avail of the amnesty have basically occupied the the right side leading to the entrance.

Few days ago I had already written down my voter's number culled from the Consulate website so that I don't need to look like a helpless neophyte with a puny brain to boot while desperately looking for my voter's number in the official list. Due to a few voter's turnout today, I was able to double check my name in the list, in fact I had it photographed as proof :)

What made me excited even more was the manner of voting, understandably I wouldn't be able to write down the names of my candidates, instead I would have to shade them. The fear of my votes not being counted because of botched shading took me 10 minutes to complete my ballot. I think if there was an award for having done a perfect shading, I should get it. :)

As the election personnel slid my ballot down the PCOS machine, I got nervous when it was spewed out, I thought it didn't get validated. Or perhaps the man was more nervous than me as he slid it down the wrong way. Then lo and behold the second time it was validated and confirmed with the machine screaming a big congratulations! Yes, my votes were counted finally! 

If you ask me who did I vote? I think that's pretty given :) I voted for God-fearing candidates who could make a difference in the lives of the Filipino people. Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord! God bless the Philippines!

Basilio Pizza Cafe!

Every Sunday is our schedule for the mentoring with Ptr. S.Guinanao. We usually do it at SE2-J inside his room, but last Sunday we had a change of location that was to be a place in Sari, opposite Burger King and when we got to the place, he was already there with some people who I thought would also be part of our mentoring, but it turned out they were friends of Dr. Alex Tan, the Filipino consultant of the cafe. By the way, Dr. Alex Tan was the doctor of our Kuya Ferdie, who had a stroke a few weeks ago. He's already in the Philippines now. Praise the Lord!

Anyway, 'Basilio' opened a just a month ago. The place is small, but cute and cozy. Pastor S.Guinanao treated us with a thin crust pizza and green tea (we're supposed to order coffee but I told Kuya that we already had coffee earlier that night). As expected, the pizza with shrimp toppings was a real gastronomic delight. Thank you Lord for the pizza!

After devouring our pizza and tea, we're supposed to transfer to another location, but then we decided to continue our mentoring at the SE2-J instead. Below are some of the photos from Basilio. 

Welcome Back Kuya Ferdie?

It was a surprise to see our brother Ferdie yesterday at the SE2-J after the stroke he experienced more than a week ago that sent him to the hospital. Although he didn't attend the service, it was already a sign that he was well on his way to a fast recovery, thanks to the Lord Jesus Christ. He stayed at Kuya George's room and was ministered by Kuya Celso, Kuya Jonny and Ate Zeny. Although he still felt  depressed and a little weak physically, I have no doubt in my mind that the power of the Lord is working in him, he just need some time, more caring  and encouragements.

The photo above was taken from the hospital a day before when we had a chance to visit him there. I didn't get a photo of him yesterday because I was too busy talking to him. I was still in a state of disbelief seeing our kuya yesterday at SE2-J, but then again, nothing's impossible with God, everything is possible. Halleluiah!

It was just the other day, when Kuya Esoy and I was in the hospital (Jeddah National Hospital) to visit him. He was still in the ICU even though he has already recovered from his coma and his condition has greatly improved. I was expecting that he was in the recovery room and not in the ICU anymore.

I cried upon seeing Kuya Ferdie's situation in the hospital, it seemed like nobody was taking care of him there; the bed sheet was dirty and smelly, he was rolling over cables from the VS machine which was long disconnected, they didn't even wash his face and body to make him feel comfortable and he was obviously experiencing depression. He cried most of the time and said repeatedly that he wanted to go home. As to which 'home' he was talking about, he didn't give us an answer. He simply wanted to go home and leave the hospital. 

There was also that moment when I again broke into tears when he asked me to hug him and when I did he hugged me back and started crying again. We were like two crying cows in that room. He only let me go after a few minutes when the tip of my toe got tired. It was a very touching moment after which I prayed for him.  

Kuya Esoy was the one who inquired about his situation with the doctor and nurses, and what they said was not that all encouraging. One of which was the problem with the hospital, as to who takes responsibility  of taking him to another hospital (his company or the hospital  he was in) for further medical assistance. With a kind of situation that he was in, who would not be depressed? 

When I learned yesterday morning from Kuya Jonny, that Kuya Ferdie was coming to SE2-J, I was really glad. I even thought  it was a miracle, I mean, just a day before he was in the hospital with all sorts of issues and now he's coming to church?  It blew me away. Praise the Lord!

WELCOME BACK KUYA FERDIE!