Dear Journal

9:00 PM --- I received a call from ... tata and Norlyn. I didn't go to church this evening. I didn't attend this evening's prayer meeting. They just missed me. (that's what they told me, hey! i miss going to church too, even if it's only 4 days i haven't gone) Anyways, they had an announcement... our team building / leadership training will be this sunday afternoon. We'll be having an overnight stay at Intosan Waterpark. We'll be going back to cebu on monday afternoon. So that would be exactly a whole day affair. Pastor Kent's birthday party will follow when we get back here in the evening. I've been to this place already, when i was with Ae Suk and her kids. I wasn't enjoying that time... I was watching over them. This time... I'll make sure my trip will be something to be remembered and i know this would again be a blessing to me personally.     

Can't wait to be there! Though this isn't a beach but still it's a place and somewhere i could take a dip!!! I haven't been to the beach for 2 years now. I'm getting excited!!!

There would be 16 youth leaders who'd be joining on this training.

Don't worry... as always... i'll keep you posted then...

To the waterpark we go!!!!

Soap Works! What does this really mean. This is our topic this afternoon in our youth program. We had a short skit, sang songs and had games. It's my first time to join the youth program. I have to... for i am a youth leader on trainee. Going back to the theme... How does the soap work? Jesus' blood is just like the soap that cleanses us and gives us a brand new start in life! How? through the different levels of discipline... 1st degree --- warning. how? God rebukes us at times when we're out of tune. 2nd degree --- chastening. This involves physical discipline. Just as our earthly father chastens when we do something wrong... so does God. Don't get discouraged... He just loves you so much, so much that He doesn't want you get hurt. 3rd degree --- scourging. The most painful and excrutiating of all. We have to admit, if we're still doing our way even if He had just chastened us, He will with no hesitations... scourge us. And the more painful, if He will have our loved ones be away from us.

Don't let this happen... Include me... I, too, was doing my way before... now, i'm so glad that He had lead me to His path.

April 9 - 14 , 2007

It started on a Monday morning, with a total of 100+ kids who registered. With a theme of Ocean Odyssey. I remember, it was when i went with them in the feeding ministry when Ma'am Ruth asked me if i could teach in DVBS. Since I have nothing else to do yet... why not! (hey! remember this year's motto: "Whenever people ask you to do something for the Lord. Never say NO") And so the much awaited moment came. All i was praying before and during the entire DVBS was... mama and papa's interview for America wouldn't fall on the same date. 'Coz if it will, i might have to decide which is which. I have to go with my parents of course! Then who'd take care of my students... but praise God! it didn't fall on the same date, as a matter of fact, up until now, we're still waiting for the schedule on when the interview would be.

These are the boys in my class. Among the 4 classes including the high schoolers, my class has the most number of registrants. With a total of 44 graduates. Well, there were more of them actually, but those who completed the 5-day-session were the ones who were given the certificate.

These are the ladies in the class. I was teaching kids ages 10-12 years old. This was on our last day. We were doing an interactive lesson. Well, actually all the lessons were entirely interactive. I get to let them make a pose after i tell them the story. But look at this! kids really love to pose in front of the camera. I was thankful that it was not only I in the class, there were 2 Bible students who really were a huge help most especially in soul winning. There were 18 who accepted the Lord.

April 14, Saturday:

This was their graduation. I was a bit sad for my students for I only gave 3 special awards. 1 - for the academic award and 2 - for the Most Cooperative. I was worried that the budget would run out. I gave them some give-aways to thank them for joining and spending time to fellowship.

Of the entire 5-day-session, honestly... i never felt tired! Everytime I volunteer... i always take hold of Colossians 3:23 which says... "And whatsoever ye do, do [it] heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men". I know my labor is not in vain for I am doing it for His glory and not mine.

I was really blessed personally. The past two weeks was busy for me, but despite of those tight schedules, God has really made me filled with His Holy Spirit. I was more than filled with His love. I couldn't as for more... He just keeps pouring His blessings on me. To sum up....

I had FUN serving the Lord!

April 2 - 5 , 2007

It was Monday when i brought some things ready for my 4 days 5 nights stay at our home church. It's my first time to join this congress... but a good thing to fellowship with other believers and new friends. There were a total of 1,200 delegates from all over the country and all over the world as well. There were delegates from cambodia, america, china and australia. There were missionaries to other countries as well such as... Ethiopia, Bangladesh, China, Cambodia, Indonesia... They had their testimonies on how their lives were in the mission field... never that easy but still when working for the Lord... it doesn't really cost a thing. I met nice and good friends and God has really blessed me so much that He didn't take them away from me. Up until now, we still keep in touch... The speakers were really such a blessing to me personally. Everytime the speaker gets to have an invitation on whoever wants to come forward and make a decision on going on full time... there's always this fear and doubts inside of me. I asked our Pastor about this... he says it's but normal... he couldn't explain it... it'd just happen. I didn't know he's been praying about me... no wonder right after the congress, my 6 years desire of going on board Doulos was lost. I now trully understand the true meaning of what Missions is all about.

We also had our Fun day at the park. I was joining in the 2 events except for the treasure hunting where they already chose on the first day who'd play this event. And since we delegates from WINBC still didn't have a group where we could belong... I was only able to participate with the 'Land Ski' and the 'Water balloon relay'. I really had fun!! Even if the sun was so hot... i still had fun!

We had our bon fire at a public elementary school just 5 mins away from the church. We get to ride on the academy's school bus and went! They enjoyed each of our group's presentation.

They also gave us some give-aways like mini flashlights and T-shirts too. Fun at the school ground stopped when it rained. 10:00PM -- We hurriedly went to the church gym. There were 3 groups staying at the gym finishing the night away. The most unforgettable part was that game we played with Groups 2 and 7. We played that non-sense game but hey! it was really fun! Who would've thought it would wake our sleepy eyes. After the party, we were supposed not to sleep to savor each moment of the congress event... I couldn't help it... my eyes were getting heavy, so heavy that even a toothpick would break even if i'd keep it open.

Despite the weak batteries of my cam... I was glad i did got some good shots with my buddies... here they are:

This was our last night at the congress. We were so early that we got the chance to took some photos in the auditorium. That's Norlyn! the sexiest among us. We call ourselves with our names starting with-- "BA--" To start off: joyjoy = "BAJOY" (which means... baboy na joyjoy) Lotlot = "BALOT" (doesn't mean a thing... basta since her name's lot, we should add "ba") Tata = "BATA" (which means... she's the youngest of us 4. which is why we call her 'kid') and lastly but not the least ... Norlyn = "BANGKAY" (which means... a walking skeleton. her sexy body explains. but mind you... she eats a lot. she tells us that every food she ate goes to her hair. talking about food nutrients)

The congress was really such a blessing to me personally. When i came to our church, i told Pastor Kent that... after the congress, i now trully understand the true meaning of what missions is all about. My 6-year-desire of joining Doulos was gone. He was thankful i did join the congress. I believe there's more out there to reach out, to hear the Good News than just stay in a ship and couldn't reach out. I must admit, i wanted to take a step forward and commit... but part of me still have doubts and fears. Our Pastor says it's but normal... I am still praying for this. Someday, One day, I know God will reveal to me what His plans are.

I'm packing up and getting ready for tomorrow. I'll be spending the entire week at our home church in Katipunan. It's actually my first time to join the 7th World Baptist Youth Congress. Though i've tried joining youth camps before, but never have i tried joining an international camp. I'd be staying there for 4 days and 4 nights. I'll be leaving tomorrow morning and be going home on Friday. I'm getting excited! Can't wait for tomorrow. 'til then... i have to finish packing up my things...

See you in a week! :)