Dear Journal

When my Douloids friends came over to our house, D-way from Malaysia gave my brother something... it's a tea bag. And not just an ordinary teabag. It's what they call Bakuteh. We tried cooking it last thursday on my brother's birthday... and hey! whaddayaknow?! it's actually just a "humba", "adobo" for the people in Manila. You have to add it to a pork cooked in boiled water. Preparation time: 2 hours. But it's worth the wait. Ultra d-e-l-i-c-i-o-u-s!! My cousins and nephews were here to. They said it taste great and somewhat similar to our "humba". Well, true, but, you could really sense a distinct taste and smell that's what makes it different.

March 25, 2007 (Sunday)

It was the earliest Sunday church worship service, 7:30AM. It was on this day that Bible Baptist Church celebrates it's 50th Golden Anniversary. We have to go to Katipunan to attend their service. We arrived in Katipunan 9:30AM. My cousin Noe was there to meet us. It's a good thing there was still a place for me to park. Could you just imagine the roadsides were full (both sides)? I parked at the corner. The church was given a permit where we could park when it's not supposed to be. And so, we got in. We stayed at the auditorium which i know we were not supposed to. Though Pastor Kent told us to stay at the gym, my cousin reserved a place for us. Jescilla and Mary Jane were with us too. We sat beside Manang Annie. It was Pastor Douglas Welch who gave the message. It was an evangelical preaching. I miss that kind of preaching. Living Word Christian Ministries was like that. Anyway, I got no regrets on transferring and becoming a member of World In Need Baptist Church... i stood when i fell and i grew each day. My journey has never been this awesome since!

I couldn't wait on joining the World Youth Congress next week. I'm getting excited. It will be my first time to join the Congress. Well, i know i have joined youth camps before when i was still going to church at Bradford UCCP but i believe this international congress will be a blessing to my life.

It was March of last year when i started going to World In Need Baptist Church... It was July of last year when i decided to have a transfer of membership. I also had my re-baptism week right after. Though i had my water baptism when in Living Word Christian Ministries... i was required to have my re-baptism in World In Need Baptist Church for the purpose of authority. Before my second visit to Korea, i was already a member of the church. Not long after, January of this year when i started joining the various groups the church has... like ... choir, visitation and as always, the children's ministry. Where i will be teaching next month for Vacation Bible School.

March 17, 2007 (Saturday)

It was a celebration for the children. We invited the kids to celebrate with us. We gave some vitamins and some medicines for each family that came. There were lots of kids joining... and you know what?! Though i was only with the kids for a few Saturdays, they still could remember my name. I was with them and joined them while they were watching the program. I was there helping and had fun serving the Lord.

March 18, 2007 (Sunday)

Since we could not fit in to the home church on the 25th of March... Our church celebrated it ahead. There were lots of people attending the sunday service. Reymart was there. We sang the most awaited songs we've been practicing in the choir. It was really a wonderful Sunday. I didn't know Reymart was attending in a baptist church while he was in Surigao. Anyway, the most unforgettable moment of my life that day was... when i dealt with someone. It was my first time to win a soul and bring her to the Lord's foot. Pastor Kent was asking those whoever knows how to win a soul to assist... and since i know how, thanks to Doulos, they equipped me regarding this. I've been praying for Mabel. I'll be making a follow-up on her, leading her and letting her experience what God has been doing with my life. It was really a great and awesome opportunity. I really thank God for it. Whenever people ask me to do something for the Lord... I never say know. Up until now... I could see how God has been working with my life. God is just so good to me.

When i came home and started attending to our church... i also started joining the choir. Getting involved in church activities is always what i love to do to help me grow. Now that i'm back in track, i emailed Pastor Kent when i was still in Korea that i'd really get involve in church activities as soon as i come home. And so my journey begins...

As always, i joined in the alto. I'm in alto since i've been joining choir groups, when i was in high school, at Bradford UCCP, and now here in my church... World In Need Baptist Church... the church that helped me stand when i fell on the ground, the church that made me understand that life will go on, the church that helps me to move on and never look back for God has forgot what i did in the past.

When i was volunteering in MV Doulos, those were the only Sundays i wasn't able to join the choir. I went to church at the ship that time. I have to be at work too after church service. Anyway, when Doulos left, i went back to join church choir practices again and i also went with Ranelyn. Ranelyn's actually my first friend in church. She was even with me when i had my re-baptism in Katipunan. I like her, she's really nice. She'll be having her first baby by the way this June. She goes to 4 areas just at the places near the church. On the first day i went with her, she let me teach the kids. Well, you know me... i always enjoy being with kids no matter how dirty they are, i really don't care. I love to play with them. You know, the kids in the slums, get the picture?! As long as they are kids, i just like it being with them. It's fun!!

Back to the main story... Bro. Cording has asked me long before that i should offer a song. What?! me?! sing solo?! When i was in Korea, there was a song that i really really like and i really really like to sing it in church. It was... "Trust His Heart". I even thought I could not sing solo but hey! here i am!! I was suppose to present a mime Doulos creative ministries has taught us. A song by Jason Upton, No Sacrifice. I kept looking for the CD, but i can't find it anywhere. Bro. Cording went to our house and gave me a karaoke cassette tape, a song that i do not know how to sing. Neither could i fnd it in the net. He saw the tape we had in our cassette, I Offer My Life. He then asked me if i knew the song. Then i said "Yes, i know the song. I even have memorized a bit of it." He told me to practice. I'll sing 2 sundays from that time.

And so the moment I've been waiting for. Since i've been studying oiudo (piano) lessons... i asked my teacher to help me play the song... "Here I am to Worship". I do not know why that was the song that came to my mind. Must be it was God telling me to do so. And so i practiced for 1 week and sang ... March 11, 2007 10:15AM, there was still the Sunday School. Melissa was playing the piano for me. And you know what? I totally forgot the song... well not exactly the song but just 2 lines of it. They didn't noticed it anyway. Glad God was with me. I didn't know that time why i was shaking, they didn't know anyway it was nerve wrecking for me. It was really an experience!

When people ask me to do something for the Lord... I never say no!

We had a blast in Dalaguete. I didn't know that Dalaguete is the vegetable basket of Cebu. For those of you who do not know where Dalaguete is ... It is somewhere south of Cebu. We drove from Cebu City - Mambaling - Talisay - Minglanilla - Naga - Carcar - Sibonga - Argao - Dalaguete (correct me if i'm wrong, i'm not good at geography) It took us about 4 hours to get to Yuri's place. We got really tired when we reached their house. But we still got the chance to take a dip at the spring. But before that ... strike a pose guys!!

Randy what's with the pose?! Are you dying to get to the spring yet?!

Where's the rest of the gang anyway?! hmm...  Here they are!!

Now... everyone's ready for the Spring break!!

After we freshen up ... we were ready for bed!

That's jodelyn and me. I usually call Jody, "anak". She thinks i care for everyone like a mum. I always do care for everyone. That's Ricardo way up there! It was his car and he drove too all the way to dalaguete! See the energy on this guy! Superb! Too bad Edmon wasn't able to go with us. I call him "bungisngis" coz he always does keeps on laughing. What a happy guy!

The day after... we cooked something so we could bring it and eat it at the spring resort. Believe it or not... it was also the same day on Hazel's birthday. We greeted her early morning!

See those faces! Good morning everyone! I was behind the camera here. Look at Vanessa way there at the left. What's wrong van?! :(

Anyway, for sure she was having fun later at the spring.

And so I have to help prepare for lunch too! I was cooking some veggies. It doesn't taste that good. Yuck! was there any magic sarap around?! Para ang simpleng gulay... magiging Gu-Lay! And now... off to the Spring...

I had really fun on this outing. We were able to be together and get to know each and everyone better. We were also deciding that we'd keep in touch even if Doulos isn't around. God is really good! Now, i'm never better than ever! Life is really beautiful.

February 20, 2007 (Tuesday)

At exactly 4:00PM... MV Doulos left Cebu. This day was also the day my brother-in-law left. We have to bring him to the airport. His flight was 3:45PM. My sister and my nephew is staying for a week yet. It was only him who left. We were at the airport earlier so as he has to be there to check in his luggage and stuffs. When he got in the waiting lounge, we left and went to the port to bid goodbye. I told my friends in Doulos... Eija, Su Jeong, Anna Kaisa, Crystal and Maricel... that i'd be there when the ship leaves. I wasn't able to bid them goodbye. By the time i got at the port... the ship was like meters away. I emailed Eija right away... she told me she still saw me as i was about to get to the port. I was really sorry. All I saw was ... the ship was not that close...

I was bringing my things too for our overnight stay in Dalaguete. We'd be staying at Yuri's place. Their house is just a walking distance away from the spring.

This is the ship from afar... I keep telling myself... Someday... I could be on board that ship.

Next stop...

Off we go to Dalaguete!

February 6, 2007 (Tuesday)

As far as i could recall... this is our last day for the phase 1 volunteers. All the volunteers are divided into 2 phases. The phase 1 and the phase 2. My nephew, Jayjay, he was suppose to choose phase 2 but i told him to choose phase 1 instead. We got 12 days to work whereas with the phase 2, they only got 11 days of work. Glad we chose the right decision.

It was exactly 7:30PM when the volunteer's night started. We had our parents as our guests, Bro. Gareth Bolton as our speaker, Rebecca, our mum! and of course our very own... Floyd as our host for the evening. Although, we were not that prepared... our night was really an unforgettable night for us! See the so-called stage?! If it weren't for everyone helping... this wouldn't turn out the way we exactly we expected it. Floyd explained a bit on what the backdrop was all about. Our program was only for like an hour. Rebecca gave us an hour... 30 mins for the praise and worship, and 30 mins for our presentation. We did a Cariniosa dance, a skit, and a dance which was the finale. There was a testimony from all the departments we were at. I did for the programme department since we were the only once assigned, jiemar and i. Listening to all of our testimonies really touched the hearts of the audience and not only them but mine too. I always take hold of this verse: Colossians 3:23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men. We were just having fun serving the Lord!!

The preparations...

Yuri was there to teach the guys and gals the latest and the hottest dance steps in town! Cariniosa!

And not only that... Look at how everyone is preparing!! This is the Praise and worship team. The talented and the chosen ones!

That's Floyd over there... writing something on the white board. Giving the assignments to everyone. We were all busy!!

And the moment you've all been waiting for...