Heaven!

One of the joys in serving the Lord is seeing Changed Lives who continue to touch lives for Jesus. In my recent ministry visit to Indo-china, I got a chance to meet Rudirick whom
I had the privilege to disciple during my college years in Western Institute of Technology, Iloilo City. I still have those fresh memories with him and some other guys for our discipleship meetings, bible studies, going out to the school grounds to share the gospel to fellow students, and ( the most daring thing to do) performing evangelistic musical-dance drama during the school's Students' Night - boldly proclaiming the message of love and forgiveness before the 7,000 crowd at the grandstand. Those were the days that I continue to cherish and praise the Lord for! Such a wonderful experience with our living God!

Discipling Rudirick was one of my highlights in the campus ministry. I got to know his family and the community in the middle of the mountains somewhere in Leon, Iloilo. We had memorable times of brotherhood with our disciples in that place--- enjoying the falls, the mountains and of course the people in that community. Through his leadership in the movement, God blessed us to have about 100 students who multiplied spiritually in the lives of others. The campus ministry was also recognized in our campus and we almost had all the club presidents, including the frat leaders join the movement of Christ's followers. In praise God for allowing us to see it happen on campus and to experience His awesome presence in our lives and in the lives of the students we reach out for Him.

After 14 years, God appointed this time for us to meet here in Indo-china. We reminisce those days of our lives in obedience to His call and we continue to look ahead for what God has in store for us. For me, God is enabling me to serve Him through campus ministry across Southeast Asia. I envision to see more lives come to the saving grace of our Lord & Savior Jesus Christ. For Rud, to be  continually used by God in the education sector to help the citizens of this country realize that their permanent residency is in Heaven.

"As you go, preach this message: 'The kingdom of heaven is near!' -Matthew 10:7"

Passion for Food, Passion for People

Traveling to different countries means exploring variety of food for my tongue's delight. As much as I love to get to know people, their beliefs, culture and values, I also love to discover different spices that make up a delicious food.

But more than enjoying the food, it's the deep conversations that I actually look forward to when meeting with people over the mouth-watering specialties--- specifically with those that I'm privileged to journey with in this leadership calling from the Lord. Meeting individuals with the food we love to eat sets a safe, comfortable and meaningful conversations. This has been proven to be a good experience on my part. It's not about bribing them with sumptuous meals in return for something, but this is my way of appreciating them for a job well done or even for a job that still needs to be done well. I want to motivate them and communicate that I value them no matter what.

Few  months and weeks ago, we invited our teammates in ASEO Finance, Mapua & PCCC Finance teams for a dinner in our house. I cooked Ilonggo specialties as my way of appreciating their labor of love for our fellow missionaries in crusade. Divine, of course, took charge in table arrangement. PCCC and ASEO Finance teams are doing a good job to serve us (campus missionaries) well and it's our way of appreciating them and likewise building deeper connections as we work together in seeing movements of multiplying disciples in the Philippines and beyond. Mapua team has been part of our journey of christian growth too. I was assigned in this campus for almost 6 years while Divine was there with me for 4 years. That was such an awesome experience being with the Mapua team--- the food trips, travels, getaways, team efforts in evangelism & discipleship, trainings, and many more to mention.

Speaking about our accountability group and our children's playgroup, we had good times of fellowship too. Each couple had his own menu to prepare for everyone.  Our next-door friends and soon-to-be neighbors plan to hold an Ilonggo Fellowship in the next few weeks.  For sure, food will be our most effective way of making deep connections. So we can conclude that food is the best way to any man or woman's heart. Through this, we can pour out our hearts. Through this, we can be ourselves as we listen to and encourage one another.

How about you, my friend, when do you plan to be with someone you wanted to have deeper conversations with? Don't forget to bring food or bring them to a resto or to any food station they like. Better yet, cook for them.

Grateful to the Giver of Life

While away from my family, I'm thankful to God for sending generous people, genuine brothers and sisters in the Lord, to assist what my family needed the most. Today is Sunday and it's time for Divine, Dana & Ardi to go to church. Divine can't drive yet, so their best option to go to Quezon City from our home in Antipolo City was to take a taxi. After almost a year of praying for a reliable  house help, we thank God for bringing to us Ate Lisa, Divine's cousin, to help in our household chores and assist with the kids too. So going to church is much easier for my family with her help.

From our church, our pastor Joshua offered his service to drive my family to our office (PCCC) to celebrate the 50th birthday of Ate Carol, our teammate in Southeast Asia Office. It's our way of showing love and appreciation to her and husband Kuya Ricky who have contributed to our growth in the Lord too. I believed my family had a memorable time of celebration with Ate Carol & family and deepening connections with God's people present in the event.

After the party, going home to Masinag (Antipolo City) was blessed with the servant hearts of Kuya Ed & Ate Judy. Driving for Divine & kids was so touching, an expression of love & care. Father God, you know what Your every child really needs. Thank you for taking care of my family.

Psalm 106: 1 Praise the Lord! Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, and his loyal love endures!
2 Who can adequately recount the Lord 's mighty acts, or relate all his praiseworthy deeds?

On Travels

It's almost 10 months already since I took on this role of serving our campus ministries across Southeast Asia. Time flies so fast, indeed. Seems yesterday when I tried to figure out what my life & my family set up would look like considering the scope of this God-given role.

Now, I'm at the airport again for my next flight to two countries and be staying there for a week. Whew! I need God's strength and wisdom as I will be meeting our co-workers, along with my teammates, in the next few days. Travel times are good times for me to reflect on what took place in my life, family and ministry for the past few days. These are good times to break my regular routines (though travel is somewhat part of these regular routines already, hehe). These are good times to be alone with my Creator even in the midst of the crowd. These are also good times to connect with people of different beliefs, colors and race --- connecting them to Jesus, my Lord and Savior --- be it in the taxi, airplane or food chains.

Oh, I miss my family--- Divine, Dana & Ardi. But thank God for the technology for us to connect through FaceTime.

These travel times remind me of my journey with God. Wherever I go, He is with me just as He is with my family.

A Journey in January 2014: An Open Letter to ASEA SLM Team

As I took time to ponder upon what took place lately, I felt bad that I missed the Former National Directors' Conference. How I wished to be hearing stories from them--- be it their successes or failures. I longed to be hearing life's precious lessons directly from them. Then days passed and it's over, but my passport didn't arrive yet. So I settled in my heart that I already missed the conference. I prayed that my passport will arrive soon so I can fly on time for the LT Forum. 1st day...second day of the forum...I kept following up the agency for my passport. Still, no update from the Zimbabwe Embassy in Malaysia. Third day...FedEx courier updated our agency that they already picked up my passport with Zimbabwe Visa for my Feb 2 Global SLM Meeting.

Looking back, few weeks before the Former NDs Forum, I struggled in my heart the thought of going away from home--- that means missing my family for 12 days! I have been traveling the past few months, having accumulated about 68 days of trips. Every time I travel outside, there's a mixed emotion of joy to see our co-missionaries across SEA and sadness in my heart to be away with family again. Fear sometimes if I can still be with them. I learn to continually surrender these struggles to the Lord. I'm all the more experiencing His grace for me to endure and enjoy what He has called me to do.

I remember Dana praying, "Lord, please don't let daddy go." God knows her heart. God knows what I'm going through. I missed the NDs Conference. This ASEA LT Forum
will end in the next two days and I'm still here waiting for my passport. I would want to go, but I think I need to let go and let God take control. He is our Sovereign God, He takes full control. He lets me stay here. But I'm glad that he is raising up leaders who can continue with the task even in my absence. I appreciate their leadership in helping grow student-led movements across SEA. Above all, God is our Movement Leader and He will lead us all in seeing stronger student-led movements for His glory alone.

Pause & Ponder

Nowadays, almost everything is instant. Instant coffee. Instant noodles. Fast-foods. Quick & Easy Apps in tabs & computers. Fast-paced strategic planning at work. Easy and convenient purchasing of items through credit cards. Almost everything is easy, instant, fast!  Our thoughts, if we are not careful to filter what needs to be captivated, are filled with so much instant, quick, convenient ideas!

How do we cope with the busy demands of work & life as a whole?

The way we live our lives at present is likewise driven by any demands to beat every second of the day to keep things done 24/7. We wake up early morning to get prepared for work & complete the 8 hour duty to be ready for home or time with friends. We go home tired and sleep late at night. Then prepare for another day. The cycle of life goes on and on. Tired. Demotivated. Happy Now. Lonely again. Hungry. Angry.

Is this the kind of life we want to live? Isn't it tiring?

Why don't we take time to PAUSE & PONDER, search ourselves and seek Him who gave this life?

Psalm 139 says:
1 O LORD, you have searched me and known me!
2 You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar.
3 You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways.
4 Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O LORD, you know it altogether.

Let's take time to SLOW DOWN and take time to be with ourselves, family, and unhurriedly spend time with God who has a wonderful plan for our lives (John 10:10).

I remember one time while driving slowly, I noticed a beautiful house along the road. Then I literally parked my car across the street at about 50 meters away from that beautiful house, appreciating the design, the structure, the landscape. I haven't noticed it before until I slowed down from driving and eventually stopping somewhere. I guess, the same thing with our life's journey. Why don't we take time to PAUSE every now and then? For sure, we will see God's goodness and faithfulness in every situation. We will continually be in tune to His presence. We will continually be experiencing His peace even in the midst of life's greatest challenges and move on to the direction He has set for us.

The next time around you feel like the world is too busy to revolve around you, take time to PAUSE & PONDER.

Birthday Blessings

How are you celebrating your birthdays? 

I have different ways of celebrating this life my God has given me. This year, specifically today, I chose to celebrate my day with my wife and my two lovely kids. We had our simple breakfast --arroz caldo with boiled eggs, steamed hotdog and veggies. We had our simple lunch--chicken adobo and steamed veggies. We dad our merienda--durian and ube ice cream banana split. Besides having meal together, we had a story telling and a time where Dana and Mommy prayed for me while Ardi was agreeing with his "hmm...hmmm..ahhhh..."

They also agreed to leave me alone in the room for an hour where I had my time with the WORD. What a refreshing b-day reminder from God through Psalm 1 that says,

"1 Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; 2 but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. 3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. 4 The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away. 5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous; 

6 for the LORD knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish."

Another blessing I'm thankful to God is genuine friendships with real people He has brought to my life and my family. Friendships that is far beyond the structure of the organization I'm involved with. 

I'm blessed to know that about 200 of you took time to text and send greetings and prayers through my FB Timeline. Amazing! I praise our God for each of you--a reflection of God's wonderful gift of love.

I am eternally grateful!