Full Hands, Finally

After a year and five months, finally I could say:
God has called me here in Cebu as well :>

2011 was difficult for me. For the first time in twenty years, I have nothing definite in my hands. Ministry specifically. It felt awkward having free Sunday afternoons.  More not-me that I had no planner, nor a need for one. Meetings was my booster. With none, I was drained and alone.

Actually I tried. I made myself available to ministerial fellowships here. My meetings were even with the heads. But that’s just it. A one-time ’let’s see’. I felt like Joseph in prison, forgotten by Pharaoh’s cupbearer.

In July, a promising window opened up. I remember sharing it with you in my last newsletter. It was that invitation to head the Kids Ministry in Crosspointe Church (GCF-Cebu). God said NO that time. My exact words were: ‘Back to square one!’

There were more holds than go last year. My curriculum writing for Kids Music and Evangelism faced dead-end needing rerouting; the Pastor’s Kids national camp went standby to give way to CBAP’s Biennial; we were even not able come home and be with our families for Christmastime. 

But as I was mentally preparing myself for 2012,  I saw God’s GO to finally accept the Kids Ministry Leadership. The shift from administrative mindset to discipleship goals was His wisdom that paved the way to that direction. To date, I’m having accountability sessions with the two bible school students assigned to our church; and a monthly gathering of teachers, for training and bible study. Even with our ongoing VBS preps, I keep reminding myself that God’s call for me was not to manage the event but to help them mature in their service to God. It’s freeing and fulfilling at the same time.

Also at the start of the year, Wycliffe Philippines called me up to coordinate their missions training here in Cebu. It was what I’ve been longing to do since I came here. It was groundbreaking for me to be able to locate the churches in the city, know the pastors by name, visit the bible schools, meet with other Christian orgs, and just have a feel of God’s community here.  My heart was so glad to finally have that first step.

So what’s next? Honestly, I don’t know.  For a year I’ve been waiting for God’s answer to that question. But now He’s been opening windows and exciting my heart. He is the God of this city and if everything’s for His glory, all I’m sure is that it’s a beautiful work to take part in!

KiddiePointe Retreat (Jan2012)

Teacher Training (Feb 2012)

Wycliffe Missions Training (March 2012)

Metro Cebu Pastors Fellowship (March 2012)

Discipleship Group (Jan-Mar2012)

 

Tuesdays PTI BabySitting (Mar-Apr2012)

 Praise God for  His guidance and wisdom to conceptualize this year’s VBS at Crosspointe. When the leadership decided we won’t be ordering a kit from the U.S., my task was to find free mats online. Thankfully I did find one which provided me with a framework to work on.  Another joy was to be able to divide the task to my team and see them really excelling in their assignments.

Please pray with me for this event. First, that the goal to equip the kids for spiritual battle be achieved; Second, for God’s protection in our relationships and strength for the long weeks ahead; Third, to build relationships with the parents  coming with their kids. For discernment to our adult team to know when to share the gospel, and when to just sincerely offer friendships .

Praise God for the opportunity to work with a missions mobilization team here through Wycliffe’s training  the other week.  They’re  the ones usually tapped in big Christian events in Cebu and it’s just a blessing to be able to learn from  them.

Please pray for our partnership to spearhead ’Alab ng Diyos’ movement here in Cebu. The task is for the churches to adopt a Bible-less, Unengaged and Unreached People Group .  We’ve initially coordinated with the pastors in Metro Cebu and we hope we could get their commitments in our next meeting (Apr10).

Praise God for the joy of seeing and partnering with an old friend here. Kuya Adriel is a Febias schoolmate, also a CBAP PK, who years ago portrayed Jesus Christ in a musical play I directed :> He’s now serving with his fam to  a community in Camotes Island, overseeing farmers in their corn and bee farms. Weeks ago, Tris helped them come up with a logo design for their honey and pollen produce. We hope to bond more with them this Holy Week for we plan to visit and rest there.

Please pray because we’re brewing a two-day camp for the kids in their community. With my dialect limitations, I’m bringing four teachers from my church here to implement the program. Pray for safety in our boatride, esp that my kids with me; for strength because its exactly the week after our church VBS in the city; wisdom, as I prepare the program and arrange the logistics; and, provision for the team’s one week stay in the island, and the camp materials we’re bringing with us.  

Praise God for still confirming in my heart to continue my missionary work under Windsong. It’s still curriculum writing for me, and although it did not push much the previous year, the experiences I had with blogging and writing Sunday School and VBS mats will sure contribute to its second revision this year.

Please pray for me as I coordinate the team’s coming this October. It’s a joy to finally bring our trainings here, but moreso, to be able to connect with the artists here. Cebuanos are  known to be strong  musically  and our hope is to be able to discover these artists and  move them to ministry service.

Praise God for the sixth invitation in ten years time to teach ‘Musicianship’ in YWAM School of Worship. My last one with them was just before our family moved to Cebu.  God’s timing saw that our coming will coincide with  their south base program opening here.  So I’m in!

Please pray for me as I plan to revise the material and make it more relevant and current. Band music is not my line of expertise, but I need to push myself to know their language so I could better help them organize their music. Special prayer too for my kids to be cooperative during my teaching time. Class starts this July.

Praise God for Cebu Pac Promo we were able to purchase our family tix for August.  We’ve been eyeing to come home in time for my dad’s church 25th anniv, which is also around the  birthdays of the two lolas.  We never came home the whole of 2011 so it’s really something we’re looking forward to.

Please pray that I can find a good material to teach to my old choir there. I plan to send the music months before and polish them within the two weeks I’m there. Faith stretching indeed!  

Praise God that the training I attended last 2010 in Singapore will come to the Philippines early next year. Global Consultation on Music and Missions is a a meeting of music missionaries and others involved in sharing the Gospel cross culturally through the arts. Guess who’s tapped to organize this global event? Windsong, yey! 

Please pray with us for this will be our first international event ever. Pray for the core team now who’s regularly meeting in Manila for logistics and program. Please pray that I could work on my soon-assignments given my distance. Also my desire to send delegates from Cebu so we could start an ethnoarts team here as well.