Last Thursday, Joseph Chun (Korea) wrote a "Tribute" to Pastor Ro Penaranda, and had it read by Heather Tuggy (US) who also re-typed this essay for this blogsite. Pastor Ro leaves for the US next week and returns next month as Youth Director of the Union Church of Manila.
The ESSAY
(The first time I met him)
I’ve known a man who is really funny, talkative, and good in all sorts of sports. His appearance is so unchristian-like and rough. When I saw him the first time in GCF, people called him “pastor.” I thought, “they’re just kidding”, because physically, I couldn’t find anything that is “holy.” If he were a pastor in Korea , he might be rejected and be discriminated (what a pity!). Korean pastors (society) would definitely not recognize him. Ha ha!
Last Sunday around 8:30 am I was drawn to go to Youth Live because I was entranced by the music (merely a worship song…). Slowly, I drunk myself merely with the worship song. Then, I found the guy, his name was Pastor Ro. He’s his usual self, jolly, really nice and approachable. So that time, he’s greeting his parishioner and I was at the balcony looking at him.
(he makes people happy)
When the practice of the worship song’s finished, I went downstairs to pick up Harry. That was then I saw P. Ro with big muscles and standing tall. I tapped his shoulder and greeted. For a while, I expected him to reciprocate. I was surprised because he didn’t responded instead he looked at me with tear in his eyes and his voice is trembling. He told me, “Today’s my last sermon in Youth Live. I’m so sad” that time I realize that not all man that’s physically fit and funny are hard. There are times that they’re soft as a flower too. He has a good heart, weak and beautiful especially to the kids, Youth Live and the GCF Community. His physical is a mere façade of what’s inside him. Most of all, he follows God’s word. At that time, I saw in this man what I seek from other religious leadrs. His big heart shines through. No words can comfort him that time. It’s his moment. I’m sure God knows P. Ro’s heart, and he’s gonna be comforted. I thank God for that.
A few minutes later, the service started, and P. Ro. Was transformed to his usual self. Only, it’s more on façade. In fact, I think he did it on purpose. When the kids started singing, he also sing. When they danced, he also go with the rhythm. After the kids’ song is finished, now he started preaching. His sermon is the same as before. He is really a good speaker, like Larry King of CNN. His sermon is about “remember why you are here.” All that time, it’s visible that he’s suppressing his emotions. After that he prepared the screen and “the Passion of the Christ” was shown. And when it’s finished, the next film was about P. Ro and the kids, and the feeling that he was trying to endure a while a go suddenly broke down. He cried, but then again, he hid his face to the audience so that they will not see his sorrow. If the kids saw him cry, they’ll cry too. Some kids knew the situation that’s why they’re crying. And other kids cried because of the atmosphere.
Finally P. Ro lost his sermon by diverting his topic to the audience. He started reminiscing beautiful memories of GCF especially to the Youth Live. He started joking around about some people who taught him Tagalog, Filipino food, young people touching his head and call him bald. Although it’s no longer a sermon, it’s alright. I thought that time that the interaction between P. Ro and the kids are more important than the sermon. Only at this moment. Maybe God understands. No, definitely God saw that it was good.
Remember why you are here. Now, I know why I’m here at this early in the morning and not in my worship place but here in the Youth Live. Now I know why I was compelled by the song. Maybe God’s plan is for me not to miss this beautiful moment and share to Thursday Yacies and at least encourage P. Ro through this article because I can’t give him more than he deserves.
I’m so upset because my English is not too good yet. The reason why I can’t express what I felt then deeply.
On Thursday, we will be watching 13 GOING ON 30 starring Jennifer Garner and Mark Ruffalo. The movie appears to be a chick-flick, but I'm pretty sure all of us will learn many things from it in the light of the Bible. 
Dinner
