WHAT's PAST & WHAT'S AHEAD

July 4-7, 2012

Global Consultation on Music and Missions: a meeting of music missionaries and others involved in sharing the Gospel cross culturally through the arts. I really praise God for the people He used to send me there.  It was unforgettable to be in a multicultural worship. Really a foretaste of heaven!  And it was a great experience attending classes full of excellent musicians, all passionate in using their gifts for missions. What struck me was seeing our plenary speakers seated in class, taking down notes and even asking questions. Very inspiring!  Cant wait for GCoMM 2014, uhm, Manila? :>   

EthnoArts Family

Aug 16-20, 2010

Every other year since 2002, YWAM has been inviting me to teach Musicianship in their School of Worship. It was a joy to say yes to them each time.  From accommodation to food, staff and students, I so feel at home. A delight to see too when some students become staff years after. Although challenging for me to communicate to foreign students (haha!), seeing them read (and sing!) notes on the fifth session was always rewarding.  

What is interesting is that their  invitation always coincides with  major events in my life. The first time was in Baguio and I was then recovering from a heartbreaking relationship. When I returned 2 years after, I was about to get married already.  I can still remember the staff really sharing my joy! The third time I brought Rilian to class with me. The fourth invitation was to fly to Cebu which I turned down because I was that time ‘heavily’ pregnant to Kjaran. And last August I shared with them we’re already transferring to Cebu as a family. Coincidence? Id say, Orchestrated!  



November 3, 2012

Spent one full day last Holy Week understanding it; flew to Singapore to witness how other nations do it; attended several 'kapihans' to be part of its community of practice; included it in WIndsong's Musaic conference to help introduce it;  went up the mountain where the Bugkalots live to see how as a team we could start it there....

 

EtnoArts Kapihan

The Bugkalots of Nueva Vizcaya

HEART WORSHIP.   Using your own language and culture to praise God.  And in our 25th year as a ministry, Windsong pursues this direction: to help  the churches understand its own congregation and worship culture; to mobilize people (specifically musicians) to help other tribes re-discover their own music cultures; and,  to help the these people write their own songs for worship!  Exciting! And then God brought me here in  Cebu.

I have to confess that I struggled with the idea that my kids would grow up speaking  Bisaya, and be called one. I am one proud Tagalog!  But guess what: the first service I attended here admitted they strongly believe theirs is the better language and people!  There I realized I cannot serve here with my pride, packed with my Manila resource and all.  I cannot be an outsider forcing myself in, but should work my way in. Never thought my quest for heart worship would begin here. God knows why.

January 16: Contemporary Worship Leading @ Higher Ground Baptist Church

March 15: Windsong 25th Anniversary Celebration

April 4: Holy Ground Christian Church' Easter Cantata

(Arnel de Pano's "Ako'y Aawit")

April 20: Asst Production Manager  for Darlene & Hillsong Team in Manila

April 14: WS Interview with Ptr Rommel & Susan Guevara for DZAS’ Worship Project

Apr 28-30: CBC-YTeens Camp @ CB Guesthouse

May 19-21 : Katuwang Camp @ Pansol Laguna

May 27: CBAP-CWC Mentoring Seminar Graduation

June 7: Arts@Mission at ASCM

July 9&10: Windsong’s Musaic Worship Conference

Aug 27: CBAP PK’s Visioning @ CB GuestHouse

Sept 5: HGCC Anniversary Choir

WHAT'S AHEAD

It is always exciting to wait on God and watch for the unfolding of His big picture. I still have no idea why He uprooted us from the comforts of family and friends in Manila to start a new life here. I dare not step ahead nor passively wait but on a daily basis choose to walk with Him. His revealed will is clear: worship Him, share His love, be like Him, obey His commands. At least for now I know where to begin, with my family.

Homeschool Day1

First week of November, I started homeschooling my kids. I used Sing, Spell, Read & Write as curriculum. It was hardwork, but the kids are having so much fun. It’s also an opportunity for me to practice my licensed profession, hahaha :>  On my third day with them, God made me realize I should also make an effort to teach the Bible. Although I usually read Bible stories to them, I know I can do more.  Praise God for free online resources my sister-in-law shared with me. 

Speaking of online, I praise God for allowing me find a free site to start blogging my daily devotions. My personal journals have piled up, so I thought maybe I should start sharing those insights. It will surely push me to spend quality time with God too, hehe.   Added plus is to improve my writing skills, thus make wise use of my ‘no-public-ministry-yet’ times. Please visit and feel free to comment @  http://sheilavon.blogspot.com/

One major project assignment given to me by my Ministry Director in Windsong is the Kids Music Curriculum.  It will actually be a fruit of all the love labors of our former teachers and a shared experience with those who will hopefully say yes to our invitation to join. Please pray with me to meet the Summer 2011 target to test the material.  I do need a church here to allow me to teach it to their kids.  Dialect barrier is a big consideration. Maybe my one-Bisaya word per day could help :>

CBAP-PK Camp 90s

Another planning project for me is the CBAP Pastor’s Kids National Camp next year. The last time this happened was nearly 20 years ago, and it’s where I said YES to fulltime Christian ministry. I guess its my turn to pay it forward. I am designing the camp program, and I really need your prayers for creativity, originality, and relevance. Pray too for the PK Core who will regularly meet in Manila.

I guess my hands are full after all, haha! Thank you so much that I could share my life with you. It is a joy to remember you in my prayers too. Please do keep in touch.  Grace be with you all!

BEAUTIFUL BORACAY

 Aug 23-25, 2010

My Tita Lucy and her two grown up Canadian boys had their Philiipine vacation last August. She asked me to take care of their itinerary and I readily said yes. I imagined it to be easy, it wasn’t. But I learned a lot as planner and host.

First challenge was to find a furnished condo for them.  Minimum pala is three months. God  helped us by directing my mom to ’chika’ a real estate broker in a mall. Her brother has a condo unit and will leave for Hongkong the exact dates my Tita’s fam were arriving. God worked in their hearts to allow us to rent it. And its in the heart of Eastwood City! Instant malls and restaurants with no need for me to chaperone.  God’s favor talaga :>

My Tita’s goal for their trip is to have the boys see their roots as beautiful. Ayala Museum was a good start, and then Eat Bulaga, haha! But seriously, the hosts’ special welcome to half-Pinoys that day made them feel good. Intramuros was   a hot walk, Subic was forgettable,  Balaw-Balaw was skipped, Enchanted Kingdom day was raining. But all the big malls were explored! 

Last on the sked was Boracay,  but it became the highlight of their trip. They said its incomparable, even exceeded their expectations.  Mission accomplished for me. Bonus is the enjoyment of sharing the experience with them! Thank You Lord for the treat!

My Tita’s fam & cousins

My kids, Rilian & Kjaran

ONE IS GREATER THAN TEN!

Many were surprised with our decision to relocate to Cebu. Sudden it may seem, but it actually was an answer to our two-year old prayer. Tris has been asking God for this job and was turned down last year.  When finally his heart accepted his ‘lot’, he received an email early this year to again submit his resume. And he got the job!

Tris left last June so he could settle down there for all of us. I still have pending events with Windsong that time so I agreed to our temporary separation. Plus, we need to give more time for the lolos and lolas to be with their apos.

10.10.10., 10:10AM Flight

So why did we choose the tenth day of the tenth month to leave Manila? “Cute di ba?” Were my exact words.  Nothing magical, I don't buy good luck. Tris’ even reminded me it’s a Sunday morning flight. I said, “Ok lang yun!”.  And so he booked us. Guess my devotion the next morning? 1 Samuel 1:8b “Don’t I mean more to you than TEN..” It was a no-excuse, shame-on-me rebuke from God Himself.  It was too costly to re-book, and so I just have to bear my regret leaving that Sunday morning, while all God-believing people are in church worshipping Him together. Yes I did ask God’s forgiveness and did attend VCF’s afternoon service that day, but we will always remember as a family that His first instruction to us in coming to this new city is to PUT HIM FIRST! That’s what 10.10.10. means to me now.