by Miss Esther Jane Uy – Principal
45 years do not seem to be a very longtime. Without my being much aware of it, I’ve already spent 32 years in this school. And they have been years of growth and rich blessings for me, with each year bringing set of challenge and problems to solve. A certain year would bring demanding changes in the curriculum and DepEd requirements, another year would require training and developing new teachers, and another year, a rigid self-survey and self-examination in connection with accreditation.
When these challenges come, I would be reminded of the many people who had served the school before me. In truth, they were the people who labored through the years when the school was growing. The pioneers of the school started with a small campus behind Trinity Church, I now work in a beautiful 3-hectare campus. The pioneers built the school from kindergarten to high school by adding an additional grade or year level each year. When I came in, the school has already completed its elementary and high school year levels. With limited facilities that cannot compete with bigger schools, batches of “first” graduates have gone out of Trinity Christian School that would make anyone proud. If only we can realize the legacy that we have inherited!
This founding anniversary has again and again brought us to the question, “Does Trinity Christian School make a difference? What is the purpose of our here being in Bacolod?” The fact is, if there was no Trinity Christian School, young people can still enroll in another school here in Bacolod City and graduate and excel in the community. But yes, God does affirm His purpose for TCS.
From time to time, I would meet students turned alumni turned friends who would reminisce about what they’ve learned in TCS. I would hear of graduates doing well in their present endeavors because they’ve been given opportunities to stretch their wings while at TCS. I would see teachers taking time to pray with students. I would see blossoming of talents and leadership skills. I would find students coming to know the Lord and turning their lives to Him. Jesus said, “Whatever you do unto the least of My brethren, you do unto Me.”
And what a privilege to be able to teach God’s word with freedom! What joy to be able to see students learn how to worship God, and even praise lead worship services they planned and prepared for. What valuable opportunities we have nurturing and developing character and values. We have our share of failures and shortcomings, but the opportunities for ministry are incredible!
I am reminded though, that TCS exists for God, not for the ministry. We are to constantly seek God’s mind for the school. We are to abide in Him, and allow Him to do whatever He wants to do through us as He purposed.
In the TCS history, Board Chairman Trustee Mr. Cleto Marcelino Uy wrote about God’s faithfulness and bountiful blessings upon the school. God turns dream into realities. My dreams when I joined TCS include seeing a community “in love” with music and reading. And God brought to TCS a unique blend of teachers and staff who have made this dream become a reality. Still, our cups of blessings continue to be filled to overflowing.
I pray the Lord will use this 45th Anniversary Celebration as a standing stone, to declare His greatness and worth. I pray that all of us who have tasted of God’s goodness will each build an altar in our hearts to worship Him and say “Thank You.”
(Reposted)