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?

God Wrote Our Love Story

DIVINE LOVE

“Vine, what is holding you back?”

“Fear…” she replied.

“Despite of that fear, are you willing to step out in faith and trust God for an exclusive relationship with me starting today?”

Silence broke in their midst. Nalds was patiently waiting for Divine’s response. His heart was pounding. Praying. Waiting. Divine was thinking deeply, wrestling with her thoughts, remembering what God has been revealing.

How did it all start?

N.G.S.B. No Girlfriend Since Birth. That’s me, Nalds. When I joined the volunteer staff program of CCC last 2001, things began to change. My heart longed for someone who will be my future mate. It was clear between God and I that I’ll marry a fellow staff. So, I began hoping…praying…and waiting. Then I heard a new staff will be assigned in Iloilo City. My curiosity grew especially when I heard her name: Divine. I wanted to discover more about her. And I continued hoping…praying…and waiting.

 Uncertainties and excitement filled my heart when I was assigned in Western Visayas, my first ministry assignment. My mind was focused on discovering the region and how I can start my personal ministry. Getting into an exclusive relationship was never a priority then.

                                                                                                             

August 10, 2002. I was busy in helping prepare for our church anniversary. That day, Divine arrived in Iloilo City. I was excited to meet her but I can’t leave because I had to finish my task in the church. The following day, Divine, together with my teammates, was one of our guests at the church. That was my first meeting and interaction with her. I found her simple, humble, beautiful and challenging to get to know.

Meeting with Nalds was just the same as meeting other new guy friends. During the first week, I and my roommates kept receiving text messages from him. But as the days passed, I found out that he was no longer sending messages to my roommates yet I still received daily messages from him. Hmmm, something is “fishy”!

Several days passed by and my interest to get to know her more grew deeper. There was a time wherein I set an appointment with her to discuss matters about our Leadership Training Conference (LTC) with the motive in my heart to really spend time getting to know her. We met and discussed things for about 4 hours. I felt fulfilled!

I said yes when he asked for an appointment to talk about our LTC with the thought that it was just a business meeting.  My roommates were aware of it. I was a little bit impressed with his ideas of how we can work well to help the training. Along with our discussion, he started to ask questions about my family, why I joined staff, etc. He also started sharing about his life. Our conversation turned out to be a personal one. 

That meeting gave me some glimpses of who Divine was. I kept on replaying in my mind what took place in our meeting. Every week, I was excited to see her on our staff meetings. I also took time keeping in touch through text messages. My desire to know her more even grew stronger. Were these feelings mere admiration? True love? Whatever it was, I didn’t give it much thought.

After a few weeks, I was shocked when he said that he loves me. “Who are you to say that? You don’t know me. I don’t think it is love because it is not grounded in knowledge and careful evaluation.” My ideals of love were shattered! I was mad because I doubted his feelings and I felt he was not careful.

Divine was backed off from me. I felt guilty about what I did and I apologized the following day. When she released forgiveness, I was relieved and so blessed. That event drove me to admire her more. I was then looking for ways to befriend her. There were so many times too that I was so down and paranoid in relating with her. Some CCC staff, family members and churchmates were instrumental to pray for and comfort me. On May 16, 2004, I went to Manila for the nine-month training with CCC’s Great Commission Training Center (GCTC) as full-time staff. It was difficult for me because that meant I couldn’t see Divine regularly. But when I went back to God, poured out my heart and sought for direction, His word encouraged me to take heart, persevere and delight in Him. So I persevered. Despite distance, I regularly called her by phone at least once a week. Our conversation became meaningful as months and days went by. On September 20, 2005, I proposed for an exclusive relationship and marriage within two years. Despite negative thoughts from others, I resolved with myself that I’ll keep on pursuing her no matter what it took. I was tested, indeed.

I was not comfortable to interact with him but I resolved to treat him as my brother in the Lord. Sometimes, I didn’t know how to deal with him. At times, I was intimidated at him. But the moment he would ask to talk with me over the phone, I had no reason to turn down his offer. The more I knew him, the more that I appreciated and enjoyed him as a unique person. I admired his consistency and his passion for God. When he proposed his intention for an exclusive relationship with me and for marriage within two years, I asked him for a month of silence in our communication.

While waiting upon God and being silent in our communication, in my quiet times in John 15, God so impressed in my heart to keep on pursuing her and to abide in Him. And surely He will grant whatever I asked from Him. So after that one month, I immediately called her.

I told Nalds that I needed a year to seriously seek God and pray about it because I didn’t want to miss God’s best for me. I started seeking counsel from my parents and some CCC friends and church mates who committed to pray for us. Sometime in January 2005 my heart began to soften towards Nalds because, as I recaledl what I prayed in the past regarding the man I liked, almost all the qualities were in him. But I did not entertain the thought.

After my graduation in the GCTC, I went to Iloilo City. On April 25, 2005, I asked Divine for a date.

I agreed to meet with him on the 26^th of April, having in mind that I’ll give him my answer next yea r - be it yes or no. 

That’s how it all started.

After almost 30 minutes of waiting for her response to his proposal, Nalds again asked, “Vine, Despite of that fear, are you willing to step out in faith and trust God for an exclusive relationship with me starting today?”

But still, Divine was engaging with her thoughts so deeply. Then they moved out of the restaurant since it only operated from 9am -3 pm. Nalds was so determined in pursuing her and he didn’t want to let this opportunity pass without winning her heart. Even along the road, he continued asking for her response. Then out of the blue, Divine uttered a condition that he’ll know the response if a green jeep would pass by.

“Vine, that’s impossible! There’s no green jeep that passes by this road. But because you say so, I’ll trust God for this.”

Then he prayed, “Lord, green jeep please…”

After a few minutes, a green-head-colored jeep passed by, but it was not the one she is expecting. He waited again and hoped. There was a green truck that passed by, but, it was not the one she was expecting! Nalds kept praying, expecting from the Lord. After about 5 more minutes, right before their very eyes…a full-green -colored jeep passed by! Nalds’ heart was beating so fast, excited to hear from Divine! It was truly a Divine Providence!

Thinking that she had no other reason to say no to Nalds, by faith she uttered, “Yes, I trust God for an exclusive relationship with you, Nalds, starting today.”

And he replied, “Yes! Amen!”

Such a love story authored by God will be blessed on the 31^st of March, 2007. 

Colored Memories

Self-Leadership Tips

Richard Leider suggested some tips on how to manage your self as a leader effectively.

1.The quality and depth of our leadership reflects itself in our relationships with our colleagues and followers; we must be clear about our values because they reveal who we really are as leaders.

TIP:  recognize your stress level.  Watch for the signs of stress-forgetfulness; chronic fatigue; sleeplessness; changes in appetite; increase colds, back pain etc., ask your friends whether they’ve notice changes in you.

2. We are not powerless in choosing our living and working conditions; we have choices and they are the secret of our power; the willingness to exercise our choices is the source of leadership energy.

TIP:  Gain control where you can.  A leader’s job includes stressful forces beyond your control.  Look for personal areas where you can take charge.

3.Real change come from changing our mental maps; high energy comes from a clear and passionate personal vision.

TIP:  Take a daily solo.  An absolute essential for clear pictures is to allow at least fifteen minutes a day to reflect on the big picture and to set or revise priorities according to it.

4. Leadership assessment is best done on the basis of our own complete records of what we do rather than anybody else’s partial, incomplete records.

TIP:  Do what you love.  We may burn up doing what we love, but we do not burn or rust out.  If you’re burning out, you may not really love what you do and may need to reinvent your job.

5. We must take inventory of our leadership talents if we are to profit in the future from the lessons of the past.

TIP:  Examine your job.  Keep a notebook for a week in which you jot down everything you naturally love to do and everything you intensely dislike doing at work.  Ask yourself honestly,  “How much time do I spend doing what I naturally love to do?”  Then focus on your strengths and manage your weaknesses.

6. We must decide personally by which criteria we want our leadership legacy measured.

TIP:  Renew a relationship with a mentor or coach.  Ask yourself, “Who are my teachers today?” “  Who is the first person I’d call for leadership advice?”

7. Reinventing ourselves is a lifelong and continuous learning process; we must become comfortable with the reality that satisfaction always leads to dissatisfaction.

TIP:  Challenge yourself to get out of your comfort zone.  Pursue a non-leadership position or anew task in a professional or community organization.  Risk and challenge can recharge your batteries.

8. We must establish solid support systems – a personal “board of directors”- that can carry us through the vagaries of change.

TIP:  Who are the people whose wisdom and personal counsel you value?  Who would you select to sit on advisory team for your personal life, work and leadership?

9. We must take risks to initiate courageous conversations that will keep us in honesty and creative face-to-face dialogues with our colleagues and followers.

TIP:  Busy leaders tend to over commit themselves.  Saying no and meaning it will reduce your stress and gives you back your sense of control.  Look over your schedule and choose to stop participating in activities that do not reflect priorities and your value system.

10. People are attracted to what is celebrated; celebrate the many face of celebration

TIP:  Lighten up.  Celebration is a building block process; notice the “baby steps” toward change by phoning, writing notes, and affirming your progress all year long.  And refind your smile if you’ve lost it.

Grand Wedding Ceremony!

After five years of multicolored married life, blessed with two lovely kids Dana & Ardi, all the more that we appreciate the beauty of being together in the ministry, in raising up kids and in pursuing one another in love and in Christlike character. Through thick and thin, we learn to be more loving, understanding and accepting each other.We also come to realize how deep Christ's love is to His church as His bride. One day, we will all march along the aisle, very excited for the Grand Wedding Ceremony. He is our Groom. We are His bride.