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A Tribe Finds Jesus

During the conference, there were a lot of testimonies of miracles and conversions that were happening in Indonesia. One story was from one of our speakers Jim Yost. Jim and his wife were American missionaries to Papua formerly Irian Jaya. I really like this guy, animated when he speaks but very humble, he stays in our hotel also (too bad we weren't able to meet him personally).

Anyway, he tells how they spent three years with the Papuan tribe they were trying to reach without any sign of interest and conversion. One day while he was in their house, he heard a loud scream from the jungle. So he ran through the forest towards that loud wailing. After 30 minutes of running he finally arrives in the riverbank and behold, there were many tribespeople already gathered. A family gathered crossed the river to the other side of the forest to gather food. When they returned, the family left their youngest member of one-year old in the canoe to carry their provisions to their house. But when they had returned the child was gone--he fell on the dark, algae-covered water. That's when the mother began crying out for help.

As Jim scans the area he sees the men wading through shallow but dark water trying to find the child. And the women now were calling on their gods, cutting themselves, dancing in ecstacy, to call the god's attention in vain. Finally they spot a body, it's stomach swelling because it drank to much water. They bring it up the bank to perform more rituals to revive the child. Finally Jim's wife steps up and gives the boy mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. 5 minutes ... 10 minutes ... 30 minutes she tried. It was too late. The boy is dead.

Jim was desperate. Three years of reaching out to this hard-hearted tribes people ... In a sudden surge of supernatural faith--which he tells us he hasn't done before--he prays to God, "God, these people may not believe in You, but I know You love this tribe very very dearly. Please let them see that You are real and alive, bring this child back to life." And immediately the child's color turned warm. He coughs. And finally he spews out all the water that he ingested. The boy is alive!

The mother runs to the child and weeps, her child alive. The tribes people were amazed. They began making clicking sounds at the back of their throats--Jim say that's what they do when they see something amazing. They needed explanation. This is the moment. After three years of what seemed to be a pursuit in vain, God opens a door of opportunity. He begins to speak, "This child did not rise from the dead because of me. Jesus Christ, the God I am serving, who sent us to you, whom I am telling you about these years, He wants you to know Him because He loves you very, very much."

Thus one by one, families began to believe in Jesus. In the first week, six families gave their hearts to Christ. The next week, more. Until finally, by God's abounding grace and steadfast love through time, an entire tribe is won. Now, Jim and his family has spent 35 years with these tribes, continually teaching them and discipling them, and even sent missionaries from these tribe to other nations including the Philippines.

"Praise the Lord, His mercy endures forever!"

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
  

Life in a Nutshell

It's been a while since I last blogged. It's second week at school and it's great. I'm quite motivated by my subjects this semester, hugely because the professors are very gifted and effective. Even my 8AM class in during Thursday kept me from being late for two weeks now. Let me share a bit about my subjects this sem. My favorite subject for this sem is old testament theology. Now, I was traumatized by my first theology (new testament) class last sem that I got a grade of 75 (my first! Grr ... Primarily because I was too unmotivated with my professor in this 8AM class. The teaching style and industry of a professor is always a big factor for me in dictating how well I will excel in his class). This theology class is different. Primarily because finally I get to sit in Dr. Daniel Tappeiner's class. Dr. T is like the highest spiritual and academic authority in school (well for me). It's weird that it took two years before I enrolled in one of his class and I hear my batchmates tell me how good he was. For the last few sems he's undergoing chemotherapy because of leukemia. I'm so amazed with this guy because even at a very old age (I heard he's like 70? I'm not sure) and with regular visit to chemo which sometimes he comes to class a bit weak, he's still passionate and energetic about imparting his knowledge and experience to students like me. This morning our school introduced the new staff and Dr. T is now our spiritual director, after serving as academic dean for 6 years. And even with this kind of credential he remains as he is, without even a wisp of arrogance.

We didn't have class this evening but instead we were made to attend this counseling seminar which was surprisingly beneficial for me as a minister. After the seminar, I met Dr. T's wife Dr. Zonia Tappeiner, I call her Ma'am Zonia in the elevator and she told me how Dr. T told her about me. Medyo kina-career at may pagka-"valedictorian" kasi ako sa class niya. Ako naman palakpak tenga hehe. I remember Ma'am Zonia pray for me and Netty when we attended our school chapel last semester. It was really very nice of her.

The other two subjects I have is communications and public speaking, and Hebrew book study both taught by very gifted professors. I've noticed that this sem I became more confident in speaking and interacting in class which is good. Unlike before when I was too shy speaking my mind in class (I'm still shy even now at campus I'd pass for Mr. Suplado) and not too afraid that my answer would be wrong. Just like the proverb that said a person who asks question is not ignorant for long, but one who does not ask will be ignorant forever. The class has become a space for molding and sharing.

I've been also busy coordinating our sectional youth ministries network. We have events coming up 2nd half of the year plus a camp on December. This week and last week we've made ocular visits to Tagaytay, Cavite, Antipolo and Batangas to find the elusive campsite. Finally we found one at Nasugbu.

Local youth ministries at Binondo and Valenzuela are doing well because of responsible and passionate youth leaders serving and ministering on both places.

I'm also leaving this Wednesday for Jakarta. I'm attending this year's Asia Pacific Youth Alive Conference there so I've been quite busy arranging finance, flights and passport. I believe this will again be a major breakthrough in my personal ministry and experience.

On a side note, I've become an avid listener of Good Times with Mo in Magic 89.9 when I'm driving in the morning. So funny ...

God is good. All the time!

Please do pray for me:

• My Jakarta trip on June 20-26.
• Ministry breakthrough and balance ...
• Financial support
• Please pray for my family, without them I woudn't be where I am.
• Personal health and guidance
  

Passenger Seat

It has been a busy but fruitful week last week. Yesterday we had a district student ministry rally in ICS. Spoke on one session about starting a campus cellgroup. I thought it went well. There was so much pressure and tension that day I was drained to the last drop. That's when again I praised God for having Netty by my side. I was so glad that she was with me ever supportive throughout the day. After finally we were able to spend time by ourselves, we dined on a simple noodle house in Makati Avenue. Driving her home I was so blessed by her presence. Even though my body was exhausted, my heart is rejoicing. Her thoughtfulness and concern for me is something a person like me doesn't really deserve. But still I thank God, ever in wonder by His loving kindness, for bringing her into my life. Life since has been more gracious—going through life's adventures with someone to share and experience it with—better than without someone to love you and to love in return. Something that not all God's creatures truly ever find.

Asaph Remix (Psalm 73)

Who dares to speak?
Who dares to look?
Through the eyes of the insignificant
By the mouths of the poor

Birds clamour when the pool is full
Who ever stays with an empty dish?
We are all chess pieces, perishable
Silenced by the hand of flattery

Lord, may give ear to these words!
As I utter tearless cry
May Your justice prevail
When the wicked seemed unshaken

May the Lord bless those who came to Your servant's aid
May they find favor in Your sight
But those who smoke arrogance
May You put to shame

Whom have I in heaven by You?
And besides You, I desire nothing on earth
My flesh and my heart may fail
But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever

But as for me, the nearness of God is my good
I have made the Lord my refuge
That I may tell of all Your works

Until It Comes Out of Your Nostrils

I've been wanting to blog about this. Recently I've been experiencing what I would call "ministry withdrawal symptoms". For a few weeks now, I was doing so much tasks in ministry that I feel it's so in my system I wanted to withdraw. I remember what God said about the Israelites' complaint about His no-meat diet that He's gonna fill the Israelites with quail meat "until it comes out of [their] nostrils and [they] loathe it." It felt like that. For a while I didn't even want to talk and blog about it. There are some that I still find joy doing, while some I now consider tiresome and unnecessary. It's my fault in the first place. I placed too much on my plate and I feel I'm on my way to spiritual burn-out. But there's always Hope. Can't do without your prayers too. Lead me, Lord.

It's a breath of fresh air coming to school for enrollment. I'm taking again three subjects and a field education (which I've enrolled three times in the past but didn't complete). I also got last sem's class cards. I did good on two subjects (line of 9) while one morning subject that was just one point from tipping off because of too much tardiness and theology-shock. It was my first theology subject. Finally I'm taking a subject with a very beloved professor at school. He's teaching Old Testament Theology. I haven't finished enrolling, I still have to pay my fees next week.

Back to ASCM

Class season is near. Today I'll be going to ASCM after months of summer vacation (which means summer work and ministry, it's all good!) to enroll again. Lot's of changes will be happening. For one, most of my batchmates and friends have already gone, they've graduated. I'm gonna miss them. Erene will be enrolling later also. Once we were freshmen in the masters course now I feel we're the longest staying students in ASCM. I am excited about this long missed part of this season in my life, going to classes. I just pray that I could still enroll to some of the better professors in school. It's funny to think that sometimes you hate something when you're in them (like classes, teachers and papers), but miss them eventually. Regret is always in the end. But thank God for another opportunity to learn.

Driven

Last week a group of around 30+ Singaporeans from young people to adults from Trinity Christian Center came to do missions outreach in Manila as part of their 3-month intensive discipleship program called Alpha Track. If I say one word to describe the Singaporeans, it's this word - DRIVEN. I got the chance to talk to some of them. Last Sunday a third of them attended our worship service and during this week we were able to join some of the seminars they have conducted. They are so passionate about evangelism and cells there's nothing stopping them ...

Transformers is Coming to Town!

A movie to watch out for. There's lots of good movies coming out these months (Shrek 3 and Pirates).