Reflections: Home Sick
“You’re in a better place, I’ve heard a thousand times
And at least a thousand times I’ve rejoiced for you
But the reason why I’m broken, the reason why I cry
Is how long must I wait to be with you
I close my eyes and I see your face
If home’s where my heart is then I’m out of place
Lord, won’t you give me strength to make it through somehow
I’ve never been more homesick than now
Help me Lord cause I don’t understand your ways
The reason why I wonder if I’ll ever know
But, even if you showed me, the hurt would be the same
Cause I’m still here so far away from home
I close my eyes and I see your face
If home’s where my heart is then I’m out of place
Lord, won’t you give me strength to make it through somehow
I’ve never been more homesick than now
In Christ, there are no goodbye
And in Christ, there is no end
So I’ll hold onto Jesus with all that I have
To see you again
To see you again
And I close my eyes and I see your face
If home’s where my heart is then I’m out of place
Lord, won’t you give me strength to make it through somehow
Won’t you give me strength to make it through somehow
Won’t you give me strength to make it through somehow
I’ve never been more homesick than now.” (END)
Good bye Davao!
June 2004 - November 2007
(Song by Mercy Me)




Dear Walter,
Here’s something I would like to share with you. This is a favorite song of mine, The Pilgrim’s Theme. Consider this as my send off gift to you.
Tired of weaving dreams
Too loose for me to weave
Tired of watching clouds
Repeat their dance on air
Tired of getting tied to
Doing what’s required
Is life for me routine
In the greater scheme of things
Through of taking roles
Someone else decide
Through of chasing stars
That soon forget to shine
Through with going through
One more day what’s new
Does my life still mean a thing
In the greater scheme of things
I think I’ll follow the voice that calls within
Dance to the silence song it sings
I hope to find my place
So my life will fall in place
I know in time I’ll find my place
In the greater scheme of things
Each must go his way
But how can I decide
Which path I should take
Who will be my guide?
I need some kind of star
To lead me somewhere far
To find a higher dream
With the greater scheme of things
The road before me bends
I don’t know what I’ll find
Will I meet a friend or ghost I’ve left behind
Should I even be surprised
That you’re with me in disguise
For its your hand that I have seen
In the greater scheme of things
I think I’ll follow the voice that calls within
Dance to the silence song it sings
I hope to find my place
So my life will fall in place
I know in time I’ll find my place
For yours is the voice in my deepest dreams
You are the heart of the very heart
Of the greater scheme of things
So here I follow the voice that calls within
Dance to the silence song it sings
I hope to find my place
So my life will fall in place
I know in time I’ll find my place
Why don’t we follow the voice that calls within
Dance to the silence song it sings
One day we’ll find our place
For all these fall in place
For all things have a place
In the greater scheme of things
Woltir!!! Who’s going to call me at the wee hours and just say, “Peenee, you still alive”? Who am I going to talk to about God and his goodness whenever I see a rainbow after an afternoon shower? Who am I now going to ask for telephone numbers and addresses now that you’re heading to where you’ve got limited internet access?
Just as I am grounded here in Davao and banned from fieldwork for a year (Waah! Doctor’s orders – yeah right! :P), you’re going. Sigh. Another parting….
I still owe you a cup of coffee (overdue for a year already right?). Can I just send you a sachet of Nescafe and Coffeemate instead hehe?
Woltir, I’m just so blessed to have you as my friend all these years. I may be poor and obscure but I’ve got a friend like you… so what more can I ask for?
I’m going to miss you big time. Go follow your heart Walter I. Balane. Godspeed!
Penelope C. Sanz
30 Nov 07 at 10:40 am
so..its for real. you really are leaving davao… well as for me.. im going home to Davao soon. =P
nikkeijin
30 Nov 07 at 10:07 pm