Day Off!

March 2009
By Rebbie

One of the best parts of the year in the UAE is "ber" months after Ramadan where we, OFW's get few holidays. Unlike other countries (Christian countries rather) aside from day offs, employees enjoy holidays like Independence day, Family day, Christmas holidays and many other local holidays.


December 8, 2008 - Eid Al Ahda is one of the holidays Muslim people are celebrating. Since UAE is a Muslim country, it is declared a non-working holiday nationwide. It is a three days off but other companies get only two days. During one of those days we had organized a picnic at Dubai Creek Park, one of the most visited parks in Dubai.


The idea of this picnic just to relax, enjoy the holiday and meet new friends. We had recruited few friends, relatives and "kailians" where totally of twenty six people were gathered. Mostly came from Benguet and Mountain Province, some from Tarlac, Batangas and some parts of Visayas.
We had lunch fellowship and after wandering around the park we had a "getting to know" assembly on the ground led by Pastor Joseph where he also introduce our small group fellowship during Fridays.
At the end of the day, everybody enjoyed!

Read more...

An Answered Prayer!

March 2009
A testimony of Rebbie Samidan

  Even during the first service we had in the small room in Satwa Dubai, one of our prayer requests is for God to give employment visa for my brother Raymund and his wife Arlene. Ray first came to Dubai in March 2007. He tried to find an employer who can give him a residence visa but he was able to get only part time jobs. Until it came to a point that he said to himself, Dubai is not for him. Instead we decided to get a visit visa for his wife Arlene hoping she can get a good job. And it actually happened; God has given her a job in Sharjah. Unfortunately, visit visa status came very strict and Raymund has no choice than to go back to Philippines for good that was in august 2008.

One month passed and Arlene did not get the employment visa we were praying for. And with much disappointment, her visa expired and we ended up packing her things to go back home.
But we did not stop praying. After one and a half month before Christmas, Arlene's employer called that her visa is ready and she has to fly back to Dubai as soon as possible. We were so happy and thankful to God that he had answered our prayers. And not only that, after a week God has touch another employer's heart and prepared an employment visa for Raymund! That was really unexpected. We asked for one and the answer was doubled. Isn't it great?! The secret is to pray without ceasing.
If only we commit our plans to the Lord, he will give us the desires of our hearts!

Read more...