Can't Ignore His Presence

Yesterday was a very fruitful day. Tiring but very blessed. We had our first discipleship training after our community outreach last week. Coming from Malinta, I arrived quite early at VFGFC. It was 3PM. I thought I could have some rest and preparation before the time comes. I texted friends I made from last week. They are also undergoing discipleship training. I am zooming in on two specific youths, Danny and Arcy. And they joined me as I pass the time.

Early last week during our community promotion, we came to their house armed with flyers of the event. Their friends/family were quite a unique bunch. A cool mom, her children, and their friends, some were gays and lesbians. Reveling over cigarettes at other times beer and gambling. I tried to be as "Christian" as possible. But soon I was losing my patience because some were trying joke me around. Zarah Grace was patient partner. Leaving their compound I aired my frustration with my partner. Later I thought and was amazed at how would Jesus handle it as he befriended "tax collectors and sinners." WWJD? But throughout the 5 day outreach, Danny's mom and their children participated in the events, walang mintis. They were drawn by the joyful atmosphere and impartiality in church that by the end of our outreach they received Jesus and signed up for weekly discipleship.

That afternoon, we decided to start our discipleship which was supposed to be in the evening. Even if it was just the first lesson and preliminaries there was such joy in our fellowship. They were opening up experiences they said they've never told anyone yet. They were eager to read the Bible and learn it. Even though I know they're still into cigarettes and drinking, I'm just overwhelmed that God is doing something in their lives; and I believe and pray that one day they will give it up for following Jesus. By evening they've gathered by the church foyer, with some friends from their group (they made this group which they say is composed of around 40 youths), and I was able to counsel one who just broke up with her girlfriend (they were 7 years old apart and the girl is 13 years old!) Danny and Arcy shared to me that since our outreach events, Arcy had already a difficult time cursing (saying bad words) and their friends were noticing it teasing her makaDiyos; and they were trying to tell their friends to come to church because there's something happy and light about the place. Truly when God's presence dwells, there's just something different one can't help but not ignore it.

Please continue to pray for our work in Valenzuela. Our goal to raise up youth leaders who will join us in reaching the whole community for Christ. Also pray for our students, Danny and Arcy and the other youths who are undergoing training. To God be the glory!

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.

Prayer of Francis

In the wake of the recent Virginia Tech shootings, let us pray that His comfort will meet grieving families and that through this many would come to know Jesus. Let us be reminded one of Bible's many promises: "[They] intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives" (Genesis 50:19); "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose" (Romans 8:28).

Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace;
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master,
grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood, as to understand;
to be loved, as to love;
for it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life.

Amen.

Yesterday was my first time to preach in our Valenzuela church. It was great. Happy that I was able to preach in straight Tagalog which I've been painstakingly construct days before, a few tongue twisters with some Filipino words. But it was all great. Seeing people come to the Lord in this new church is worth all the work.

After we went to visit our uncle in Tondo who just came from Taiwan. They're having their first granddaughter christened next week. We had lunch there and watch Manny Pacquiao win yet again. Secretly I've been wishing that he would lose because I feel his popularity is getting into his head, especially when he started running for congress. But yet he won again, for the Filipino. So I'm happy with that. Solis clearly is no match for Pacquiao.

After the win, we bade our goodbyes and went to downtown. My brother went to Binondo, my parents in SM San Lazaro and I took the train to Gateway Cubao to meet a faculty in APTS. He's interested in hiring me as their web designer in exchange for scholarship in APTS. That's quite an offer. I've been dreaming of studying there I told him, but my current commitments just cannot accommodate a full-time commitment in Baguio. He suggested an arrangement of 3 days up in Baguio and the week-end for my ministry in Manila. It's a tempting offer. I just have to pay for the 25% of my school fee by working for them as the media man. I've been praying before going there that He may lead me where He's leading me. And I am impressed even before that it isn't the right time yet to go up there. I DON'T WANT TO MISS GOD'S MOVE AMONG THE YOUTH HERE IN MANILA. In this high-time where there's so much movement and advancing of forces among the youth in the past few months. I don't want to miss the battles that need to be fought and see His glory manifested when students and young people turn back to Him.

Lord, direct my steps. Forgive me when I look back sometimes. Help me to trust in You more ... daily.

Oh I feel like dancing, it's foolishness I know
But when the world has seen the light
They will dance with joy like we're dancing now

We just concluded our semi-annual Youth All-out Praise and Worship of section 2 youth department. It was a blast! There were many youths who attended and it was just as good as the last time. Indeed God moved in the place. Lord, this is for you, that was my song for Him as we close this year in the Section 2 Youth. I am very thankful for his goodness and faithfulness in my life. "Goodness" and "faithfulness" cannot even justify his gracious work in my life. He far did better in its purer sense. Sometimes you keep asking God, "why me?"

Coming from the event, I was a little discouraged with what was going on with our youth lately. Well, I guess some of it is just out of impulse of emotion. But that noon I physically felt a pain of sorrow in my chest because some people are not enthusiastic about getting together. It was really sad. All I could do was pray. I wish I could have someone listen AND understand what I feel but I guess that's part of the call I've embraced. I could imagine and feel what a pastor feels when he feels he doesn't get 100% support.

But indeed in exchange of sorrow and mourning our God has given me joy when I see young people get on fire for God. My only prayer is that from these breed would rise catalysts and change agents of our time. Our speaker Ptr. Sur mentioned about an article in a journal about the current psyche of our youth, that they are people who dwell in tribes, they live in a "cut and paste" lifestyle - meaning whatever seems fit (good or bad) for me, I will take it. Young people live in social tribes where in they share common ideologies and uphold one another's perspectives and would "die" defending one, good or bad. If indeed they are tribes, may they be tribes who would just die for Jesus, who in unity would invade unchartered territories and make it God's. I pray that God would raise up warriors who are willing to lavishly pour out his life for Him, those who would forcefully advance the kingdom of God further and increase it's borders.

Thank you Lord that I'm living in Your-story.

Your faithful love has always been there for me
The greatest love that I've ever known
What can I give to You for all You've given to me?
You gave it all and You are all I need

You are my King, You are my God
The praises I bring, they come from my heart

This is for You for all You've done for me
And I wanted to show You how much You mean my God
My God