Family Getaway

Walking ABC with Dana

I had a full day today - calling for MPD appointments, sending snail mails and emails to our Ministry Partners and doing Campus Forum preparations on the side. 

I felt the need to take some time to relax and enjoy the nature, so I decided to put on my jogging attire and headed my way to my favorite routes along Banawe and several other streets connected to this well-known area.

"Daddy, sama ako!" , shouted Dana. So, I  immediately helped her wear her own "sports" attire and we both went our way - walking, jogging, walking and later...carrying Dana. Haha! This time, I'm not just working on my 30 minutes cardio but also developing on my biceps and triceps.

These are the ABCs I creatively learned with Dana as we walked together (for sure, as time flies so fast, someday, Divine and I will walk with her in the aisle for her future mate, hehe):

A- Appreciating God's creation. I talked to her that the trees she sees are God's creation so we should thank Him for giving us these trees.

B- Bonding through sharing of any stories as we walked and as she sat on my shoulder.

C- Caring expressed by carrying her and telling her that I love her.

D- Discovering new things along the way. As we walked along N.Roxas street, we discovered that there's a new Dormitory managed by the Sisters of the poor. So, we called the number displayed outside and asked if we can enter and see the place. You might be interested: Tel. Nos: 5597605/09266587363. 

It's good to have a regular time to unwind. No need to go to far places. Just around the corner, there's a lot to discover and learn, especially with your kids. I look forward to walk...jog... and sprint with Ardi, too, someday. Of course, it's more fun to bring the whole family. Let's do it!  

Waiting...

Yes, it's difficult to wait. When I have appointments, waiting for almost 30 minutes or so bothers me a lot.

When I am late, I felt bad and sorry for the persons waiting for me. I'm glad to experience both so that I will all the more understand people and lovingly communicate the truth if needed.

Waiting upon the Lord strikes the most in my life lately. How does it apply to my MPD, minstry, family and in my walk with Him?

The Bible teaches that we must trust God and remain hopeful while we wait. God is good He will never leave us nor forsake us. God is working in our life. The Bible offers comfort and hope when we go through tough times. We must remain in Christ, stand firm and continue to seek His guidance.

Psalm 130:5-6
I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope. My soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning, more than watchmen wait for the morning.

Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

Psalm 40:1
I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry.

How are you in this area of waiting?

Looking Back, Re-living

Looking back to my childhood years reminds me of this refreshing experience in the farm. The vast green scenery is so friendly to my eyes. There's this deep-breath, relaxing feeling inside of me. Thank You, Lord for this nature. These days, buildings, crowd and  heavy traffic surround my very eyes. I would always long to have a break and escape from this city life.

Re-living my past experience of watering vegetables in the farm helps me remember God's nurturing love. He showers me with His blessings and lessons to develop my character, deepen my walk with Him and desire to be content about this life - a gift from Him. How about you, what one thing that you do that reminds you of God's precious lessons in life?

Discipleship Revolution

As I read the Book “T4T A Discipleship Revolution” by Steve Smith with Ying Kai, I was challenged to revisit my way of thinking and what I am doing in the light of helping build movements in the campuses that will last for a lifetime. Around the world, even in the best conditions, statistics will tell us that only about 20% of the students we train will eventually become trainers. A trainer is an instrument of God in the growth and development process of his or her trainees. He or she teaches the basics of evangelism and discipleship and ensure that those he or she trained knows the principle by heart and apply them wherever they go. He or she lives out the model of discipling others in the campus. Realistically speaking, the longer people have been believers, the smaller the percentage of them becoming trainers either because they are not intentional in expanding their non-Christian circle of influence or they are too occupied with other ministry responsibilities.

How true is this, let me ask you.

In your opinion, how many trainers do you think is needed to start a spiritual movement in a campus? If only 20% of those trained would do the job, how many do you think would have to go through the training to find the needed number? If only 20% become trainers of trainers, and we only train three to four people, what is the likelihood that we will see a movement start?

It is hard to imagine. You and I can’t predict who will make breakthroughs. We cannot tell exactly who among the lost will turn out to be people of peace. Our option is to train and train We need to. 

We need to sow the gospel a lot to find them.

Who would have chosen the Gerasene demoniac? Yet, he proclaimed the gospel to ten cities (Mark 5:20). Who would have chosen ordinary fishermen for the major task as apostles? Yet, they rocked the Roman world and changed history. Who would have chosen a hardened jailer or a single woman named Lydia? Yet, the movement that began through them spread throughout the city of Philippi (Acts 16).

As we continue to train students through our Leadership Training Conferences (LTC) and New Life Training Centers (NLTCs), may we eventually find trainers of trainers – who will continue to win more people to Christ, build them deeper in faith and send them to win, build and send others generation to generation.

May God honor our faith to see more people come to His saving grace as we continue with our journey of building spiritual movements in campuses and beyond.

What a Small World!

 I was invited to speak in the Medical Students’ Congress last May 4-5, 2012 in Alta Roca Resort, Antipolo City. About 180 students gathered and were equipped to be the future leaders of our country through the field of medicine and their chosen specialization.

During my talk on Powerful Living, I saw a familiar face among the delegates. My mind was trying to pull different pictures of my past encounters with different individuals in the ministry of CCC, in the local churches I got involved with, relatives or acquaintances. Thank God for reminding me. She’s RJ – a church mate way back my Iloilo days, and part of our youth ministry. I remember, before I went to the congress, a fellow missionary requested me to see her friend who is also attending the said congress. And that friend is RJ. Another co-missionary asked me to meet two of her disciples in Ateneo who are also part of the congress. I was asking some individuals if they know John and Kat but I didn’t see them until I was on my way to the exit gate of the venue as I headed my way home after my two talks for two days.

As I had mingled with a number of students about their vision, choice of taking Medicine and direction in life, I got excited for the fact that these students have good hearts towards our nation. Some of them would love serve in the less privileged communities. Some would want to work in the government and use some of their time doing Medical Missions, outreaches, educating communities, etc. About 59 of them came from Ateneo de Zaboanga and it’s encouraging to hear their stories and their passion to reach our “cousins.” Another guy named James has just finished Medicine and would like to do his internship back to his own country. We chatted a lot about his interests and his partnership with CCC too. In the course of our discussion, I found out that his girlfriend is a ministry partner of Mark who happened to be my disciple in Iloilo. Mark is now joining as a missionary with us.

I’m glad that I also met a lot of doctors in the congress - doctors who had been partners with Divine and me in the ministry for the past 8 years. Doctors whom, despite of their busy schedule, managed to coordinate this Congress to invest in the lives of the future leaders of our country. Serving this nation is not just by sharing their expertise but also sharing Christ to others. They will not just carry the “steth” daily to make others better but to carry His cross to die to self. They may be known to earn a living, have lots of fame and money but they commit to love the patients as they love Jesus. As doctors, they serve during clinic hours and hospital hours, but as Jesus’ disciples, they serve 24/7. As doctors, they grow through CME but as Christ’s disciple and as doctors, they grow through a lifestyle of discipleship, prayer, bible study, witnessing and fellowship.

I have learned a lot through this congress. I have met a lot of people whom God already planned. It was truly a Divine appointment.

What a wonderful, small world! Isn’t it?