PFM'S Best Batch Ever!

​Aura Ladan
 

One of the best experiences I’ve had with PFM was during our 6-month missionary training course back in 2010. My batch mates and I became like brothers and sisters.  There were 10 of us in our batch, five boys and five girls. You can imagine how that was! Everything was girls versus boys.
 
I’m thankful for the love, understanding, and non-judgmental attitude of my batch mates toward me. I realize that I was the most immature in the group. I remember Che, our team leader, telling the rest of our batch mates to be more understanding toward me because I was new to the faith.
 
It was true, I was a two-month old Adventist when I joined PFM. Sir Abner Dizon (our trainer) told them the same thing, that it was okay for me to give “tantrums” because I was still a “child.” (I think he was explaining to us about the stages of spiritual growth at that time, and he used me as an illustration.) In retrospect, it’s a wonder why PFM accepted me as a missionary in the first place!
 
I remember when my birthday came. We were in our field school then. They cooked spaghetti and other special foods. They made me feel special on my birthday. They gave their birthday wishes and prayers for me. I was so happy. At that time I felt deserving of those gestures. I hadn’t realized yet that I was such an undeserving brat.
 
After all, these were the people whom I yelled at (especially the boys) and bickered with. And yet they still accepted and understood me. I knew it wasn’t just a show, or something that they felt compelled to do. There was authenticity and sincerity in the way they treated me despite my many faults and shortcomings.
 
And it wasn’t just on my birthday.  Every day I felt the acceptance, the love, and the understanding that they showed me, of which I was so undeserving.
 
And so, this is but a short and imperfect tribute to my batch mates (PFM Training Batch 2010). You guys were the best! Thank you for your love and understanding. You have no idea how much you all taught me. I felt the love of Jesus through you in the time we had together. In my heart, ours will always be PFM’s best batch ever. I miss you all!

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