Are you fun of reading books, novels or comics? Before, reading books was really not in my vocabulary. I sometimes read comics, but novels, never mind!!! When I start reading novels, I always end up until the 6th sentence. I can't really stand reading those long novels. Before, my impression of books are just waste of time. Why should I read books, if there are televisions, DVDs, and CDs? But this impression of mine was changed and proven wrong when I once went to an old ship.
Maybe you are wondering what is the connection of reading and a ship. Well, it goes like this. The UP students were invited to visit the world's oldest floating library, the MV Doulos. It was built on year 1914, or only 2 years younger than Titanic! Over 19 million people visit Doulos everyday. There crews came from different countries from east to west. Their staffs were very hospitable and gentle to their visitors. There are over 6000 book titles on board the Doulos. They travel around the world. They have visited over 100 countries since the Doulos was built.
Madame Gallo called jeeps for our transportation service back and forth. When we arrived on the Doulos, we lined up first and told to keep our silence when we are already on the board. When we enter the ship, I was really surprised because there are lots and lots of books, CDs, tapes, DVDs, notebooks and many many more. At first I did not mind the books, my attention was captured by the stationaries, notebooks and book markers which are made by high quality paper. But my curiosity pushed me to go and take a look at the books. My eyes almost fell because of being shocked by the books and its prices! They have the Les Miserables, Book of Magics, Encyclopedias and other references which are sold TRIPLE lower than its price when you buy it in bookstores here in Philippines. At that point, my mind is starting to live books. After roaming around, I felt thirsty and hungry, so I went the coffee department and bought cookies and strawberry juice. After having my snack, we are told to go down the ship. We thought that we are already going back to school, but we went inside the ship again but in another stairs. We are invited to watch their program for their visitors. There are lots of fun like games and lectures. They lectured about our own relationship to God. I really felt their intense faith to God almighty and their aim to help people. In the midst of the lecture, I then realized that I am already in love. I am in love with Doulos and the Doulos people. They have awaken my Christianity. I learned that the need is EVERYWHERE, and so I must help fulfill these needs not only for my nation but also for my world. God is not only a God in Philippines, but a God of the world.
At last I already fell in love for the first time. Doulos is my first love. Because of Doulos, I had awaken from the blinding truth. And Doulos also opened my eyes to the importance of books in our lives.
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