Hidden: Escaping

The reality.... My dad usually always watched news channels to keep us updated on the current issues. Since the Adventist schools were closed due to the unsettled conflict in the government, my siblings and I stayed at home and do whatever in-door activities we would find interesting. Most days are full of boredomness. However, one evening, the news caught my attention. The headline stated, "The Final Decision". Successfully, I automatically guessed what it's all about. All this time, it has been the most obvious to most of us; the government has decided to unite with the Catholic Church (Rome). This means all Protestant churches have made the same decision as well. All of them must have contributed, or else, some would be in the same situation as us. Although, I highly doubt it. I still can't absorb into the reality. I should be happy that Jesus is coming, if not, very soon. Instead, I felt like its a nightmare that now we have to run and hide from these people who fell for the deceptions of Satan. 

       My gentle mother came into the living room from the kitchen. I must've dropped something out of shock because the glass I was holding earlier lie in pieces on the floor. As she help me clean the mess, my father walked in with my younger sister and my older brother. We gathered in silence. This can either be good news or bad news. I'm hoping it's both. My father began to talk with a stern expression. I worried if my family's delighted faces will ever return during our life in this world. It's all over the news that the oppurtunity to join and become one of them will be limited. Everyday we spend refusing and hiding instead of giving in, our chances will slowly ceased. Our (my family and fellow church members) final decision was simple, yet complicated. Before the government give any final notification, we only have one choice — to escape.  I don't know where, when, or how. One thing I'm sure, we won't surrender our ways of life to live like them. 

        My father reported that staying in the city would not be the safest location to be discovered in. Unsurprisingly, keeping the Sabbath became difficult because of the rule that we must work an extra day. If this goes on, my father is right; it won't be safe here. Without discussing, we packed our valuables to leave the city and head towards the countryside. Doing this involved abandoning our houses, belongings, the comfort of being home, and the memories. Along with several of our church members, we will be staying at the farms owned by our acquantainces for a while. At least, we will get to worship on the Sabbath there. 

        Finally, the door of opputunity to join the world closes, and the terror has begun. We're still stuck at the farms. Now, we have to run further into the wilderness. Everyday, the government and people are killing thousands and thousands of people in the cities who either didn't have the advantage to escape, or people who decided to risk their life for what they believe in. Courageous, I thought of them. If so, does running away from them means we are coward? We can't be. I will not be deceived to think that way. No, we are not coward. Even when we know we would be easily spotted with all the highly built technology, our determination won't deteriorate. Not even a little. Our faith in God is strong. The prophecy is here. It is happening. Through all these craziness of the world, we want to consider ourselves as the chosen ones. We, the remnants, hope that God will protect us. He is not going to forsake us. 

        I was too shocked about the events occured for the past few days and weeks that when I'm awake, I'm starting to feel the pain of losing the people I loved, realizing where I am, and our state of poor living in the wilderness. I want to ask God why it is so hard sometimes. I know I shouldn't be discouraged. I am strong with God. I will remain that way. With the prayers of my family, and with the love of God, I am getting emotionally, physically, and mentally better. The Words of God and the faith that my family and I shared are the things that motivated us to keep moving on. My only remaining goal and purpose of this life is to be with Jesus in heaven. It doesn't matter how much it would cost us. We're yearning for it. We are waiting desperately, and patiently for Him. Together. 

       

Hidden: Changes

     Panicked. I wake up this morning with the sun penetrating its light through the window. Lately, we often hear news about threatening the Seventh-day Adventists. It seems like it is coming true. Stores only sells products to customers who own the non-Adventist pass. With the lack of food, our hunger feels more real everyday. We won't survive ,especially in the city where most resources are banned and inaccessible to us, the Seventh-day Adventists. I get the sense that our family would have to seek protection and a hiding place someday soon. That's why I always ended up waking up with nightmares. One day, the reality creeps in.... (Time to go. I'll write again tomorrow to keep you updated.)

      

The Holocaust

        When I was in 5th grade, I learned some things about the Holocaust in my social studies class. The Holocaust is the mass killing of Jews by the Nazis during World War II. I faintly remembered what one of my teacher told me how the Holocaust began.  After World War I, the the Treaty of Versailles punished Germany for the damage they had caused in neighboring countries. Because of that punishment, Germany struggled to rebuild their economy. Many Germans were outraged as a result. Just then, Hitler became the famous leader who blamed the Jews for the misfortune of the country. So, the Nazis (lead by Hitler) started the terror. As the Holocaust began, many Jews (full blooded or half blooded) were put in concentration camps, killed, murdered, and threatened with brutality.  The cruelty went on for several years, resulting in the death of millions of Jews while a few managed to survive. 

       In addition to my social studies classes during 5th grade and middle school, I grasp more information about the event from a school trip to the Holocaust Mudeum at Washington D.C. The Diary of Anne Frank and 'The Boy in the Striped Pajamas' were some famous stories occurred in the Holocaust as well. I'd like to read the books to learn more about the perspectives of the Jews during this devastating period. Behind all the claimed facts, I want to discover the truth about why the Holocaust exist. 

Freedom Writers: The Movie

             It was a typical school day when our English 1 class watched Freedom Writers. At first, I predicted the movie to be tedious. Well, my thoughts definitely changed when the movie finished. While watching the movie, my emotional varies from happiness, sadness, hope, and compassion. If you haven't seen the movie or have no plan to watch it, you might want to reconsider your decision. This movie is mainly about the connection between students and teachers. Teachers are capable of teaching the students. However, they can change and inspire the lives of the students in unimaginable ways as well. 

              It was Mrs.Gruwell's first year teaching integrated English class at Woodrow Wilson High School. Her first class was much of a surprise to her when she discovered how much the students hated and avoid each other. Most of them were involved in gang violence. As days went by, Mrs.Gruwell made the effort to connect with her students and later found out about their struggles in life and the war that they're fighting everyday. Reading books involving gangs and the Holocaust changed the way the students viewed their life. 

             Through out the years, the students and Mrs.Gruwell maintained a strong tie. Mrs.Gruwell went through a divorce with her husband, and one of her student (Eva) went through a court trial where she either tell the truth or lie, to save their own people. In the end, they (the class and Mrs.G) make the right choices and stayed together through the ups and downs until senior highschool. Mrs.Gruwell ultimately made a difference in each student's life. 

             Some part of the story is applicable to me because I used to attend a school where many of my friends are involved in gangs, etc. I wanted to make a difference in their life but didn't have the courage to do so. From this movie that is based on a true story, I learned a valuable lesson — each one of us can always make a difference no matter what circumstances we are situated in life. At the end of the movie, I am convinced that this is NOT a boring movie at all.