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Terima Kasih Jakarta!

I'm back from Jakarta. The APYAC conference was a blast! I was really blessed with what God is doing in Indonesia and the nations. All in all there were 8 nations who participated in the conference (Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Philippines, Brunei, Taiwan, Australia and USA).

Here are some memorable things and stories about my Jakarta trip:

• The Indonesians did a really good job in handling the event. The conference was great, the lecturers were awesome and testimonies were inspiring. Joining this conference gave me a sense of belonging in what God is doing on a regional level. It allowed me to see the big picture, not just focusing on my church, but flowing with the move of the Spirit. It reinforced my call to the youth and the gift the Holy Spirit gave me. Youth minister for life!
  
• I and some friends were even pulled into participating in the ceremonies. I carried the Philippine flag during the opening and closing ceremonies. We were even pulled into singing for the "international" choir.

(Back L-R: Yulie, Melani, Syane, VJ. Middle L-R: Joko, Marchel, Angel, Patrick, Vicky, Haydee. Front L-R, Yunie, Aaron, Nina, Welfert)

• Friendships and relationships were the cherry of top of an already tasty ice cream. I really cherished the new friends I've made in Jakarta. Originally there were only 2 Indonesians who escorted us throughout the conference (Aaron & Marchel), but after the conference we've got to know and spend time with their friends and cell mates. My Indonesian friends made us feel welcome beyond what we could have expected, they really took the second mile with us. Just wanna acknowledge some of them: Aaron, Melani, Shane, Angel, Marchel, Melda, Yulie, Lady, Nina, Joko, VJ, Vicky and also Prakash (our Malaysian roommate). At our last night together, the Philippine delegates cooked chicken adobo as a gesture of thanks (terima kasih - thank you in Bahasa) to all their assistance and friendship.
  
• There were a few adjustments staying in a foreign country. Jakarta had a mix of similarities and differences from Manila. The food is always spicy. The road lanes are switched. The driver seat is on the right. My first attempt to cross a street was a challenging one because I am used to looking at the right side of the road before crossing (it was so funny being confused). But Jakarta is so much like Manila, with its fly-overs and roads. Even our facial features look the same we are mistaken as locals until we tell them we do not understand.
• Most familiar words that had stuck into my mind were ayam, goreng and nasi which meant "chicken", "fried" and "rice", all of which are edible. I've also learned to say terima-kasi or thanks. Tagalog and Bahasa also had common words: kambing (goat), takot (fear), chuka (suka/vinegar), pintu (pinto/door) and more...

Pictures:

• My Flickr
  
• Angel's camera
• Nina's camera
  

Off to Mission

I'll be gone for our youth mission outreach from May 6-12. Please include us in your prayers.

1. Pray that many children, youth and families will be able to hear and accept the gospel.
2. Pray that our youth volunteers will have the time of their lives and grow a burden for the lost.
3. Pray for safety and protection as we travel and stay in the site.
4. Pray for me: Physical, emotional and spiritual strength as I lead the team; to be sensitive to the work of the Holy Spirit and be alert for the attacks the enemy; to be able to proclaim the gospel boldly and clearly.
   

Mr. Taxi Driver's Guide to Life

Sunday afternoon. I, Bambi and Zarah Grace set out on half-day church visitation and promotion for our upcoming District Concert. After our visit to Manila Faith Assembly of God in Tondo, we set our eyes on Grace Christian Assembly of God in Sampaloc, Manila. And we hailed a cab to take us there.

On the way to our next destination, we meet a long parade of election campaign of a candidate for counselor whose surname is "Tan." He stands on a top window of a car waving to the people, preceded by a long line of more or less 30 tricycles donned with campaign paraphernalia. Then our driver beside me remarked something like this, "300 pesos daw ang ibinayad diyan sa mga tricycle drivers na yan, biruin mo nga naman ang nagagawa ng pera." Then he followed, "Dapat hindi binoboto ang mga ganyan..." With an amused chuckle I asked why. "Kasi tignan mo, 'Tan' ang apelido!" Then something like a big red siren popped on my head. "Alam niyo po, 'Tan' din ho ang apelido ko, bakit naman ho hindi dapat iboto kapag 'Tan'?" I thought unraveling this fact would somehow embarrass him but he kept on going. He was angry with foreigners, 'Intsik' and Americans alike.

Now, the term 'Intsik' is a derogatory word for the Filipino-Chinese, similar to the term 'Indio,' and a person who knows someone who is Chinese should know that. Sometimes I let it pass for benefit of the doubt and friendship

He was angry because somehow he believed that ALL foreigners are out to get all the power and money of Filipinos. He was angry at the rich because he thinks ALL of them got their wealth from evil gain. He was angry at the government, he was pro-Marcos, in good terms with Estrada, but very disappointed with Gloria because of her lack of concern with the price-hike of consumer products. As I reason with him, I told him that not all Chinese are like that. Not all rich people are like that. In fact, if a person works hard and keeps an honest hand, I believe he will prosper and his work will not be in vain. On both sides of the economic spectrum dwell both good and evil. Good bosses and good employees. But also from the rich dwell those who are corrupt and seek to take advantage of the poor. From the poor rise drug users, snatchers and prostitutes.

I asked him, "Wala ka na bang pag-asa sa bansa natin?" "Ay wala na po. Dati may business ako, bumagsak. Nagsisipag ako pero wala namang nangyari. Wala ring nangyayari." With those remarks, I was stunned with the bitter reality we're in. We arrive at our destination.

It's sad that there are millions of people like Mr. Taxi Driver who because of poverty somehow lost the sense of openness, goodwill and hope. They have become narrow-minded, paranoid and bitter with their state of life. Utak-squatter (the Proverb's "simple ones"). A proverb once said that the last one to die is hope. And what's there to life if there is no more hope? After that episode I accepted the fact that somehow we cannot blame this person for reacting to life this way. Who's fault is it? Why? Questions answered perhaps when we finally meet Him. But I believe that if we just stop blaming other people for our misery and start taking responsibility and make right decisions in our own lives, the realization of who God is and who we are in His eyes, that would be the beginning of true transformation.

Camp Month

I just came back from Zambales last night. I went to speak in a youth camp (Zambales Section of Central Luzon AG) as a representative of Chi Alpha National Youth Ministries Network. Some highlights of my trip:

• It was an unexpectedly long travel from Manila to site and back. Left Caloocan at 3PM and came to Candelaria, Zambales at 9PM. Left Candelaria at 3PM, came to Olongapo at 7PM, had a quick dinner, took the wrong bus so I went down to San Fernando at 9PM, then came to Caloocan at 11PM.
• Spoke on Tuesday evening service about Accepting God's Will for Your Life and a lecture on Student Mobilization (Chi Alpha) the next morning. Young people, most of them students, are up for revival and had been on fire since day one. Some of them were baptized in the Holy Spirit as we prayed for them.
• Got to meet Ptr. Jesse Dedel, national director of Master's Commission Philippines. He'll be speaking on Thursday and Friday night. He brought his three children with him. Learned a lot about Master's Commission.
• It was a nice beach front resort, with an island a few kilometers off shore. It was really nice. Watched the Tuesday sunset with Ptr. Rick sharing testimonies.
• Spent time in the bus talking and worshiping God alone after a few days of being in the crowds. Felt His wonderful presence and thanking Him for these opportunities to serve Him this way. "I will take you places farther than this..."

Some pictures from the camp last week in Malvar, Batangas with my friend and co-speaker Emmanuel:



Next week I'm off to Taytay, Rizal for another youth camp. Good days.

I just came back from our district (Southern Tagalog District Council) convention held in Caliraya, Laguna where I was initiated into the district and sectional elections. I came in noon at the second day of the convention (I had to miss the first day for my class.) Here are some highlights of my trip.

• Preparing to go there I learned that Caliraya Lake is a man-made lake made by Americans.
  
• Took a bus trip from Manila to Sta. Cruz, Laguna, jeepney from Sta. Cruz to Lumban and enjoyed the scenic road of Pagsanjan with its old stone arches entering the town, old hispanic houses with its prominent staircases leading up to their salas, and Pagsanjan church. I enjoyed it, though I've seen them before. From Lumban drop off I had to take another jeep up to Caliraya but because the jeepneys were always full I had no choice but to hang onto the jeepney until my muscles explode because of strain.
  
• Spending time with colleagues and people in the ministry, some whom I grew up with in the ministry, and just share not so much with each other's ministerial duties but with life, personal struggles and dreams.
  
• Participating in election. I don't like the feeling. But things like this had to be done.
  
• The food of Caliraya is still good.
  
• Seeing a full-sized rainbow over the hilltop. I've haven't seen one in a long time. It made me happy.
  
• Hitching a ride with Ptr. Wai-man and Sis. Josie back to Manila and just listen, share and learn from them.

Me and my little friend

I've just uploaded the pictures from my Bohol trip. I'm back in rush mode again. Here are some highlights of my trip:

• Diving in Balicasag after my last dive 2 years ago in Anilao
• Seeing sea turtles for the first time
• Swimming against a school of barracudas (the one who killed Nemo's mom)
  
• Vomiting my lunch after a sleep-deprived dive on the first day
• Resting and sleeping without access to computer, internet... reading a good book facing a great view
• Switching flights 3 times due to my work's Christmas party and typhoon Reming
• Seeing the Chocolate Hills
• Seeing, touching and getting a photo op with the tarsiers
• Checking out the hispanic churches of Baclayon, Loboc and Albuquerque
• Seafood!

I'm definitely hoping I'll be back in Bohol.

I'm here at Baguio in Asia Pacific Theological Seminary for a young adults retreat. The area has been almost zero visibility because of the fog, except for this morning when finally the sun showed up. This I think is my first time to come up here during the "-ber" months and indeed this is the coldest Baguio I've experienced. The sessions are great that gears toward young adults in the workplace.