November NEWSLETTER

Continuation of November Newsletter

The Davao Team!

(clockwise from top: Shirl,Liezel, Amy, Me, Olga, Roene, Karla, Albert, Belly, Sheng, Aleth, Bing VElasco, Glenn Velasco, Carloboy, Johndy and Jane)

This was taken during the birthday of our beloved Southern Mindanao Director, Kuya Glenn Velasco (seated at the center)...

Coffee For Peace

Here are pictures of the Coffee for Peace cafe here in Davao... tuwa ako dito kasi it's a monument to the truth that God can work with our differences in faith and unite us with His love.



(Liezel, hinihintay mo ba ang delicious tuna melt?)
(Karla and Me at the Cafe :) Dalawa lang kaming na-aassign dito sa Davao...
The Christian and Muslim employees sa Cofee for Peace

Abangan ang Coffee for Peace dyan sa Katipunan Area...

September Newsletter

a cry to His chariot

i know not the way
and its dips and turns.

He has promised protection
vowed guidance and words -
so why is He silent?

Army of God, keep close
watch and fend-off enemies,
keep me company, nite and day
'til the clouds in
my head and heart part.

point me to God's mighty salve
whose aim is true
and love, singular.

show me God: omniescient, omnipresent -
His presence uneclipsed and constant.

LiSteninG Prayer

The next time you have a "date" with God, why not try something new. Why don't you spend some time, just listening to God. After praying a brief prayer for His presence, why don't you sit and wait for Him to respond?

Steps in journeying with God thru "Listening Prayer"

Set aside at least 30 minutes and quiet yourself.
If stray thoughts come to mind, write tem on paper.

Read the Bible, ask the Lord to speak through it in a way you'd understand.

Ask God to protect you from deception.

Write down your question for prayer.

Pause, wait, listen.

God may direct you to another passage of Scripture. He may share a tender word.
Whatever you feel He may be saying, write it down. Ask Him to confirm what HE shared.

Remember that God promised to be "found" when we seek HIm.
God Bless!

Psalmette 77

tonite, I'm in a whirlpool of darkness
i'm in my deepest need

once again I feel at odds with the Father-God.
once again I feel my faith falter
and it's so much that
i cannot take another step
i'm wounded all over,
my soul bruised violet
by the blows of discouragement
and i'm pinned down
by insecurity.

God is my Living Waters
I should not want..
but godly brooks seem far-off
and i'm thirsty -
in the heat of the sun
i'm all dirt and sweat!

God send forth Your word
with lighning speed -
save me from the lies burned deep.

july newsletter

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make an altar to God

During our Ministry Partners Development Training, one coach encouraged the me and my teammates to fill in the "Stones of Remembrance" chart inside our room. In it we wrote some promises we found in the Bible that are significant to us, as well as experiences with God we don't want to forget (hehe, as the term "remembrance" suggests). It's our way of building an "altar" to our faithful God.

Finally, the 11 New Staff Trainees

Welcome, Team!

This is the team's first picture, taken last April during Karla's Birthday.. obvious bang pink ang fave color ni Karla?

(Click to view full image)

the ladies with the celebrant

word of God speaks..

(author's note: This is it... the last day before the assessment if we are going to be IN the staff training or not. Funny, it was during the weekends when the desperation hit me. Father-Faithful saw to it that I would not be trapped in anxiety by helping me read in His word: 2 Chronicles 20.)

King Jehoshapat was faced with a multitude of enemies in war. The people of God were outnumbered. In his fear, King Jehoshapat prayed to God: "HELP!"

Jehoshapat called to mind how God rescued His people in the past. Surely, God will hear and save once again. He said: "O God, will You not take care of them? We're helpless before this horde ready to attack us. We don't know what to do; We're looking to You!"

You can feel the panic and desperation of the king in his prayer to God. And what did God do in response? God did not waste time in answering His children in their helpless moment.

The Bible reads: "Then the SPIRIT of the LORD came upon Jahaziel.." God picked and created a prophet right then and there to carry out his message to His children. And this is what Jahaziel said: "Listen... thus says the Lord to you: Do not be afraid. This is God's war, not yours. You won't have to lift a hand in this battle; just stand firm, and watch God's saving work for you to take shape. Don't be afraid... March out boldly - God is with you."

What a comfort it is to know that when we experience trials in life that are out of our control, God takes over and reminds us that He is fighting for us (not just with us). So keep your chin up friend, when you are burdened today. Call upon God, and stand firm.

Blessings, everyone!

scripture portions taken from: The Message Bible Version

more mpd comedy

(note: mpd stands for ministry partner development)

This morning I woke to more remembrances of the moments that 'tickled' me as I embarked on the journey known as "Finding Your Ministry Partners". Just want to share these with you, and hope they'd make you smile at the very least.

Today, what i have for you are assortment of reactions of people to :
1. The Picture Card

(Click to view full image)

Mabel: " So, this is my prayer card para hindi nyo ko malimot..."

Ministry Partner1: "Mataba ka dito" (thanks!)

Ministry Partner 2: "Ang payat mo dito" (umm.. thanks?)

Ministry Partner 3: "Mukha kang bata dito" (uy, mukha bang 25?)

Ministry Partner 4: "Matured naman ng itsura mo dito" (ay, sorry po.. hindi ko sadya)

Ministry Partner 5: "Ikaw ba 'to?!" (ay, mukhang hindi ba?)

Ministry Partner 6: "Wow... ang ganda mo dito!!!" (aray! parang hindi compliment yun ah!)

2. On my being a missionary

Question: So anong trabaho mo?

Mabel: "Missionary po ako sa Campus Crusade..."

SM Salesman: "Buddhist ka?" (ay...)

Security Guard: "Ah, yung sa Mormon!" (parang hindi kaya pwede ang babae dun)

Jeepney Driver: "Yung nag-do-door-to-door?" (ehe manong, CCC po hindi LBC... HARI NG PADALA!)

-fin

Note to God

MPD fun? moments

(note: mpd stands for ministry partners development)

I think it's time to reminisce some bloopers - the beginning of the end of our Ministry Partners Development is here, and yet some funny memories are still unshared. Payag ba kayo nun?

Here we go:

blooper 1: nasaan kaya?

mabel: "Guys, nawawala yung highlighter pen ko... pakitignan naman sa mga box nyo ha? Kailangan ko yun mamaya pag naglecture na."

teammate1 (apphia): "Ate baka nasa dorm. Wala dito sa gamit ko eh."

mabel: "naku nasa'n kaya yun?"

teammate 2 (anabelle): "tignan ko din dito sa mga gamit nila... (she then proceeded to look for the highlighter)"

after 2 minutes

anabelle: "hindi ko makita, Mabel. Pabili ka na lang uli."

mabel: (hindi na nagsasalita)

apphia: "ate, ok ka lang?" (looks concerned)

mabel: (kunyari walang narinig)

apphia: "ate nahanap mo na?"

mabel: (hindi na natiis) "oo, wag kang maingay, (sabay turo sa backpocket ng jeans); Nasa puwit ko pala!"

blooper2: answered prayer

8pm. Calling Time

mabel: Lord, sana po yung matatawagan ko po ngayon yun lang pong makikipag-appointment sa akin. Atsaka kung pwede po makausap ko lang ngayon yung magiging ministry partner ko. Thank You.

after 1 hour...

guess what? wala akong natawagan! hehe, si Lord naman ang bilis sumagot :)

blooper3: tignan mo sa mapa

mabel: L.A. (teammate), sa'n ba 'tong loyola heights? Feeling ko kasi, narinig ko na 'to eh.

l.a.: naku, hindi ko alam kung saan yan.

valeree: ate, malapit ata sa UP yan eh.

mabel: patay! ang alam ko lang dun e yung katipunan. baka mawala ako..

l.a.: tignan mo dun sa mapa sa taas.

(matapos kong siyasatin sa mapa...)

mabel: hehe... guys, yung loyola heights, sa katipunan pala yun.

blooper4: who's calling?

9pm. Calling time (lagot, may nanonood na coaches)

mabel: Hello, may I speak with Ms. (itago natin sa pangalang-) X?

ms.X: Speaking.

mabel: Um, your friend Mr. (itago natin sa pangalang-) Y, suggested that I call you. Is it alright if I talk to you right now, ma'am?

ms. X: sure. What's this about?

mabel: I'm an incoming trainee as missionary sa Campus Crusade... I was hoping that we could meet sometime this week to talk about the ministry.

ms.X: (silent)

mabel: hello, ms.X? Is it alright to meet with you on Tuesday?

ms. X: Um, that's ok but may I know who's calling please?

(nye! nalimot kong magpakilala! ilang minus points kaya yun?)

the last one is from the site: pebbles of remembrance:

blooper5: Sino ulit kausap mo?

Mabel (on the phone): Kasi, ano, Lord, I was hoping that we could get together...

Mabel, kausap mo si Lord?!? Pahingi ng number!

Dasalan pala e!!!

-Fin

June Newsletter

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Prince Caspian!

One year after the incredible events of "The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe," the Kings and Queens of Narnia find themselves back in that faraway wondrous realm, only to discover that more than 1300 years have passed in Narnian time. During their absence, the Golden Age of Narnia has become extinct, Narnia has been conquered by the Telmarines and is now under the control of the evil King Miraz, who rules the land without mercy. The four children will soon meet an intriguing new character: Narnia's rightful heir to the throne, the young Prince Caspian, who has been forced into hiding as his uncle Miraz plots to kill him in order to place his own newborn son on the throne.

- Summary from http://www.comingsoon.net/

I watched the Prince Caspian movie with much anticipation (read: I am literally agog) with my teammates (oops, i don't think our coaches know) and it felt like we are having our "quiet time" right there.

The image above represents the highlight of the film for me. It shows Queen Lucy, "armed" with a laughable dagger. She was defenseless until Aslan, stood beside her.

A powerful moment for me - one that reminded me that although I am weak in the face of dangers and troubles, I have One with me who is Strong. One who promised, "Never will I leave you, Never will I forsake you."

Blessings, Everyone!

may newsletter

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