Medal of Honor from the Mongolian Government

On the 2nd of February, I was asked to go to the Government house for a supposed meeting. I was told a few days before that the meeting was to be short. When I asked for the details they said 'just come'.  At mid morning of that day, I found myself in a room with other young people (with my salt n pepper hair I was a shoo in).  To make this article shorter, the Government was conferring their annual awards to the persons in the education field. They gave achievement awards to the university and college student awardees for excellence and role modelling in student activity and organization. Where was I in all this? I was asked to sit in the foremost place (being the only Educator/Director of the School at that present) and was asked to receive the famous "Medal of Honor" from the office of the Mayor and the Governor of the Capital city of Ulaanbaatar. They conferred a plaque for which the rationale for the award was described (just read from the pix) and the rare Medal of Honor. Only a few hours later did I realize that It was conferred only to a few. A few in terms of the history of the Country - i.e. to be the first Educator to be a recipient of such a medal. Later on in the week, trying to fathom the significance of the Medal, I realized it was given only to 'really a few' - Mongolian's who gave their Motherland pride as in Olympic medalists in the last Beijing Olympics as well as to the Mongolian 8 time Yokozuma - Grand Champion of Sumo. After further inquery, it was the first time a School Director (record shows not even in the Mongolian Academe), a Catholic, a Missionary, a Salesian and a Filipino seemingly has received it in this part of the world (do correct me if I'm wrong). What can I say, but that 'I am what I am because of those who have formed me to be what I am today. It gives me joy to know that my formators from birth till the present would have a reason to be happy if not proud.' I'm all the more grateful to God, that the Educative wisdom and Pedagogy of Don Bosco and the valuable presence and witness of Catholic Missionaries are being seen, understood and much appreciated not only by the poor youth but also by the Mongolian Government. An award to a Salesian in their 150th year anniversary of existence, a short 8 year presence in Mongolia, has been a humbling honor as well as a gratifying experience to see "some" fruit in the vineyard of the Lord - where usually one only get to sow things and another reaps.  Ad Maiorem Dei Gloriam! Thank you, Lord!