Safe Under

"He will cover you with his wings. Under the feathers of his wings you will find safety. He is faithful. He will keep you safe like a shield or a tower." Psalm 91:4

Last Saturday afternoon, the day after typhoon Haiyan's coming, I heard a loud scream and breaking glass. It was Kjaran and she was under our big, solid-wood cabinet. The front door has a full length mirror so I feared she'd come out bloody and bone-crushed. Praise God, she crawled out unharmed, but very terrorized.

Tris arrived an hour later and we tried to draw out from our li'l girl how it happened. She said she pulled the open cabinet door while her kuya pulled her waist. Rilian was quick to step back but Kjaran froze and the cabinet fell on her with the door slamming shut under her.

  

Staring at the cabinet, trying to put the pieces together, Tris said: "If she moved a little left, she'd be crushed under the weight of its frame; a little right, and she'd be very hurt by the partitions; a little up or down and her neck or legs could have been crushed."

It sent shivers down my spine. 

She was either pushed from the right side or the cabinet somehow veered to the left for the cabinet to fall on her at the no partition-left side (where we hang our long clothes). It was a God-provided cave. And there she was saved. 

That night, she prayed "Jesus, thank You, You helped me. I'm not scared anymore." 

Grade One, Done!

'You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.'  Jer29.13

Earlier, Rilian was crying because he can't remember one item in his Filipino final test. He even asked, 'Mom, if i don't get this right, can't i be in grade 2'? (He's sooo looking forward to be called a second grader like his friends). And so he sat there very helpless, and you can imagine his mom feeling likewise : (

Still crying for minutes, I told him to pray again to Jesus for help. I was kinda expecting him to blurt out 'But I cant see Jesus!' or 'But Jesus wont talk back to me!' as he did the last time. 

But today he didn't. He quietly prayed. I told him to put the sheet aside, proceed to his A.P. test, and return to that blank later. 

In the middle of his A.P. test, I saw him staring blankly at nothing. I had to remind him to focus on his work. 'Are you still thinking about your Filipino test? Don't worry. Just pray. Jesus will help you later'. That's me sounding very steady. But in my heart, I was on my knees shaking: 'Jesus, please show Yourself real to my son. Please...'

Then the miracle happened. He grabbed his Filipino test sheet, read the question again, and wrote something. 'You remembered the answer already?' I asked. He looked at me happily, ran excitedly, and showed me his paper. 'Mom, Jesus helped me!'

We hugged and I cried. It's really amazing to see God's hand move before your very eyes. Just more beautiful this time because He's at work in my child's heart.

Thank You Jesus! Tis' so sweet to trust in You!

Last Quarter Events 2012

Last September marked the 25th Anniversary of my homechurch, Holy Ground Christian Church. It was a joy to share in the celebration, especially in preparing the choir for the song that summed it all: ‘Dakilang Katapatan’.  Personally, I thank God for being a witness of how He graciousness used my dad in shepherding the families there - in season and in out.  It is so heartwarming and humbling how they loved him back. And as a firstborn who lives far away from them, it is reassuring that they are well taken care of. Nothing special in our family of course. It’s just why grace is so amazing! 

We also celebrated our anniversary in Crosspointe last quarter. All were encouraged again to bring a F.R.A.N. (friend-relative-associate-neighbor).  For our part,  because of our still-limited circles here, we only have Tris’ officemates to invite. Praise God one came, with his family. And because they also have a toddler, the rapport was natural. Please pray with us as we intentionally, and sincerely, build a good relationship with them.  Last December, we met again and we talked about having more family times together.  It is exciting how God will bless this friendship : >

Praise God for a successful KiddiePointe Family Christmas Party last Dec16. Successful because first, it was well-attended. The inclusion of the parents and volunteers in our usual kids party made it more fun and meaningful. Some, as encouraged, even brought their family friends with them. One parent shared she got all good words from her ‘invitees’, and that they’d love to  join again. Another success was the performances of the kids, also the skit of our youth. It’s really beautiful to see them working together and doing their best for God.  It was a merry Christmas party indeed!

For our third wave of sharing the love of Jesus to Carreta Elementary School, (Brigada Eskwela clean-up was first, and giving of school supplies was second), the church prepared thirty nine boxes of full toys and goodies for our adopted Grade 1 class.  We went there on their last day of class, which was also their Christmas party. We were favored to fully handle their program, and so of course, we talked to them about what Christmas really is all about. What touched our hearts most was that some kids wouldn’t eat half their food because they’re saving it for their ’nanays’ at home.  And we thought we’re the ones inspiring these kids. No wonder Jesus loves these little ones.

Windsong @ Cebu

As early as February,  thanks to CebuPac lowfares, the team was already booked for their October coming. Initially, it was just to pay our family a visit and have some R&R together. Unsurprisingly, the idea evolved to organizing a training in the city,  which later  included a touch base to Camotes Island as well.

I was a bit sentimental when I did the coordinating work. It was my function, and love, for a decade before the ‘big move’.  Doing it in Metro-Cebu was challenging though. For some reason, the churches here were not as receiving as the other provinces we’ve been to before. During our consultation meeting with the ministry leaders here, they admitted that partly, it was out of cultural pride, especially because Cebu is home to good musicians. It was one learning curve for me. 

We held “InTune:The Worship Apps’ for two Saturdays, October 20 & 27. Three subjects were offered: Worship Leading, Voice and Band Ministry. Around 60 came, representing five churches in Metro Cebu.  I thank God for the support of my church here in providing the venue and for helping out with the promo. It is a joy to be in God’s family.

Windsong Team’s R&R at Coco Palms

iNTunes Worship Seminar

Consultation Meeting with Ministry Leaders

In the middle of the two training weekends, the team braved the pumpboat towards Camotes Island. It was rainy and wav-y, and with us were our four children. I have to mention we had to leave one member behind for an emergency hospital check up. I really felt the enemy discouraging us.  But our God is greater and stronger!

On Sunday night, the churches of Camotes came, along with their pastors for the Prayer Concert. The singing was heavenly. Not because of its musicality, but because everybody was heartily worshipping God! It was also a miracle how God touched the heart of the mayor that he lent us his keyboard. To think he’s not even a part of the Body, yet. Amazing! The next morning, it was another blessed experience when we found ourselves sharing God’s word and singing to the farmers in the corn barn, with the pig pen as stage. The ‘Parable of the Sower’ came very relevant and beautiful there.

Here’s the best part? Windsong’s been invited back! Both Metro Cebu and Camotes expressed need for further training and we said YES.  Will you pray with us for fares, accommodation, promotion, teachers, sked and the event itself this summer? Thank you so much for your partnership.

Prayer Concert @ Camotes Island

Concert ath the Barn

We're Still Here

We were in Manila for a two-week working-vacation when Tris broke the news that shook us to the core:  Lexmark is downsizing.  The close of the inkjet division already took the jobs of almost 550 workers in the U.S. and they were expecting a hundred and fifty in Cebu to follow.  The odds of making it to the list? HIGH.  Especially if they will use the ’Last In, First Out’ layoff policy.  It was both the longest and shortest month for us.  Waiting seemed forever.  But the passing of each day was also dreadful.

Around that time,  God’s word to me centered around the life of Ahaz, king of Judah. 1 Chronicles 28:22 says, ’In his time of trouble, King Ahaz became even more unfaithful to the Lord.’ His actions further led to his downfall. Years before him, David too, faced the same enemies, the Edomites and the Philistines.  But his troubles brought him closer to his Refuge and Strength.  Tris and I knew we can’t control the end result. But we had that choice to  keep our hearts aright with God. And we’re choosing Him.

When September 28 came, His peace made our hearts ready to accept our lot. I’ve arranged to have someone look after our kids at church so I could be alone with Tris by dinnertime. The verdict: He keeps the job! It was God’s hand that only their team was spared from having  a one-man-out.  Once again, God proved Himself faithful. He who commanded us not be afraid and discouraged is indeed the God who is with us. What a joy to be His children!  

So yes, God still wants us here. His purposes for bringing our family to this city still holds true. We are on the road to discovering every bit and piece, and it is an exciting journey indeed.  We’ll sure keep you posted as each one unfolds. All praise to God!

Lexmark Open House last November