HOY GISING!!! ANO KA BA!!!

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding…” Proverbs 3:5

Tunay nga na napakabuti ng Diyos sa atin. Maraming bagay Siyang pinapatunayan sa atin. Maraming bagay Siyang nililiwanag sa atin. At tunay nga na “He speaks to us!” through many ways…

Oo, naman! Siyempre! Kayang-kaya! Basta kay Lord! Iyan ang agad kong sagot sa aking loob, sa tuwing tatanungin nila ako, kung gusto ko bang maging assistant leader sa camp. Maraming pagsubok, maraming beses na pag-iisip… bago ko talaga sabihin na “Yes, Lord!” Noong una, akala ko madali, akala ko basta-basta lang… pero hindi pala! Habang papalapit na ang camp, andyan ‘yung nalilito ka… dahil may mga Sundays, na ayoko umatend… kasi hanggang gabi na naman kami, tinatamad ako… gusto ko na matulog! Ayoko ng pressure! Wala na akong pahinga! Tapos sa camp lalo… eh kakatapos lang ‘yun ng graduation ko ah! Tapos review na naman para sa lesson, sa camp! Hayyy! Naku! Iyan, ‘yan na yan ang nasabi ko… before ng camp… pero ito lang ang pangontra dyan “God does not ask you to go where He does not lead”… at parang nasabi ko sa sarili ko na GISING! ANO KA BA!!! Para kay Lord ‘yang gagawin mo… and suddenly,Irealized na oo nga pala… it’s for God’s glory! And isa pa si God ang nagbigay nito sa akin… pero hindi lang dyan nagtatapos, one time, natanong ko sa sarili ko na kakayanin ko nga ba talaga?! Deserving ba ako?! Matatalino ang mga tuturuan ko, at pakikiharapan baka mapahiya lang ako… thank God! Kasi may mga tao Siyang ginamit… na talaga naman na nakaka encourage… at nagpaalala na bigay sa’yo ‘yan ng Lord at alam Niya na kakayanin mo ‘yan… and I’m so very blessed! Dahil ‘yun natapos na camp, ay naging successful! At hindi ko pinagsisihan ang pagpasok ko dito sa team… tunay nga na lahat ng binibigay Niya sa atin ay isang blessing! And very thankful ako sa opportunity… oo, nakakapanibago, dati delegate, lang ako, pero ngayon, kasama na ako sa nagpaplano para sa camp… and especially, kasama na ako sa nagtuturo…

Minsan, maiisip mo, bakit ikaw?!? But suddenly you will realize kung ba’t ikaw… I’m so very bless! Sa opportunity! But most of all, sa TEAM… and now, masayang masaya ako! And to my new team, actually until now, parang mahirap pag iniisip mo, why?! Sympre, new TEAM, new work, etc… pero pag andyan na, hindi mo mararamdaman ang hirap, why?! Kasi alam natin na para ‘yan sa Diyos na ating pinaglilingkuran…

You are my hiding place and my shield;Ihope in Your Word… Psalm 119:115
Let interruptions in your day become opportunities to pray…
Only those who admit their weakness can be strong in the Lord.
There is a time for everything…

Ma. Rosenda “Cindy” D. Genove

OVERFAMILIARITY: Confessions of a Leader

SYC (Summer Youth Camp) 2006, konti lang preparations as in promise… 2 months to be exact not the usual time to prepare a mini-camp for the youth. Preparations, discussions, suggestions pa lang nagkakagulo, nagkakainitan, nagkakainisan tapos minsan tahimik na lang para kalmado pa rin at manageable ang sitwasyon tapos minsan walked out na lang dahil hindi na makaya ang nararamdaman. Mga jokes, mga comments, minsan foul na pero dapat hindi ganun dahil nakakasakit na minsan without even knowing. Mahirap talaga maging staff, busy lagi, walang tulog, magsa-sacrifice ka talaga pati sarili mong pera tapos sasakit pa ulo mo kakaisip during planning. Minsan struggle talaga kasi pati sariling quiet time or devotion na naiko-compromise kung ano ba talaga? AmIhaving my quiet time or just simply preparing my devotion and small group guide for the camp? Dahil sa pagiging detailed ko (‘yung tipong according to what has been planned out),Iwant to see the results – good results syempre, not being sensitive na gusto na palang baguhin ng Lord yung camp schedule. I’ve been a bit emotional kahit na konting salita lang eh madali akong masaktan compromising thatIknow she’s my friend and that she doesn’t meant what she said. This camp was not just made for the campers but also for us staff, to know the team better – our strengths and weaknesses, being sensitive with one another’s feelings, ideas and suggestions… giving due respect and applying the first rule “Over familiarity has no place in a relationship of love.”

Thank God for Pastor Ed for he has a clear vision of what God wants us to do, and for being sensitive with our personal issues. We were reminded about cultivating community that it requires commitment, honesty – to speak the truth in love, humility – to admit our weaknesses, courtesy – to respect our differences, confidentiality – not to gossip and frequency – to make the group a priority. We have experienced GENUINE FELLOWSHIP. It is giving up our self-centeredness and independence in order to become interdependent. We have applied our learning in restoring a relationship. Talk to God before talking to the person. Always take the initiative. Sympathize with their feelings. Confess your part of the conflict. Attack the problem, not the person. Cooperate as much as possible. Emphasize reconciliation, not resolution. God is indeed molding and developing our character. Growth is gradual. We are still in process even though we are already leaders.Iremember the acronym “PBPGINFWMY” – please be patient, God is not finished with me yet. Christ likeness is our eventual destination, but our journey will last a lifetime. Bind us Lord with Your peace, unity, purpose, concern, love and burden for each other and most especially for our devotion for God, our Master, our only source of joy and strength… encourage us O Jesus! 8-)

Ate April Love “Apes” M. Talaue

“When God Speaks…” (according to the camp staff)

… grab it and you won’t regret it! He knows the best for you and it is God who works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose. (Ate Beng)

… He knows you, He loves you, He cares for you… so be glad, be thankful, be prepared, be strong, be willing to be changed by God and all the people you care for. (Kuya Vian)

… listen carefully to His call. (Kuya Ariel)

… it means that He loves you and He wanted to draw close to you. Just listen, stay focused! Thank Him! Continue seeking. Keep searching! Obey in a way that will please Him and enjoy God’s blessings along the way. (Kuya Archei)

… kapag ang Diyos ay nangungusap binubuksan Niya ang pinto ng Kanyang layunin para sa iyong buhay. (Ate Faith)

… He speaks to those who are willing to listen. (Ate Hannah)

… fear not for everything is in control and aligned according to His will. (Ate Jane)

… kapag nangungusap ang Diyos sundin at alamin ang nais Niyang gawin mo. (Kuya Embong)

… when you know God is speaking but things are confusing… God is there, listen and obey, read your Bible and pray… speak His Word for it is a privilege you won’t regret. (Ate Mari)

… respond at once. (Ate Mina)

… kapag ang Diyos ay nangungusap ‘wag na magbinge-bingehan pa! (Ate Joiz)

… open your heart and let your heart love Him, not like as a flower but like a river that flows forever. (Ate Cindy)

… it’s a privilege for such a person when he or she hears God’s voice. (Ate Mageh)

… listen and don’t be afraid to take what God wants for you to do, be strong! (Ate Lats)

… listen… be strong and take courage… He will make you able and He will be with you as you journey with Him. (Ate Apes)

… minsan sa buhay natin Mangungusap ang Diyos kaya’t don’t be busy!… STOP for a while kasi He speaks with a gentle voice… LOOK around and be sensitive on what He is doing… LISTEN in the silence of your heart and be ready to obey. (Ate Jing)

… don’t talk when your mouth is full. (Anonymous)

“All things work together for good for those who love Him.” – 1 Corinthians 10:13 (Joel)

“Kumusta ka naman?” – How are you? Are you enjoying the camp? (Ehdz)

“Yo, yo, yo…” (Kayla)

“1… 2… 3… GO… tabi-tabi kayo, dadaan kami… Ano? Ano? Ano na? Hahaha (… laughs!) tayo na lang kaya ang tumabi? Kakahiya parang gusto ko nang matapos ang araw na ‘to…” (Tsidkenu Team)

“Bahay, bata, lansangan…” orientation games… “I’m not a bata!” (Joel)

“Ang layo naman ng mga kuwarto…” (Ate Joiz)

“Wow sarap air conditioned ang mga kuwarto, may television set pa at personal refrigerator. Ang saya naman! Ditto na lang tayo mag-Small Group…” (Kuya Archei aka “Kurachei”)

“Pwede bang manood ng T.V.? eh bakit sila? Break time naman eh!” (Mageh)

“O baka naman pinilit ka lang magpa-baptize?” (Pastor Edward)

“Wow ang saya ng lake tour… sa mga pitong hindi sumama, you missed half of your life… promise! Sayang wala kayo…” (Pastor Edward)

“Hoy… hoy… gising na… gising na… umaga na… small group devotion na…” (Kuya Toto)

“Mari… ang braso!” (Kuya Vian)

“Wow grabe ang mahal naman ng tinda rito… ginto?” Pero panay naman ang bili at kain… hahaha (Fei)

“Bili tayo halu-halo, buko, soft drinks… cge na libre mo ‘ko ha!”

“Sa New Testament ba si Paul? Talaga? Di ko yata alam…” (Ate Jenny)

“Go, talon… teka… teka… sabay-sabay tayo. O bilis kabisaduhin na natin ang 1 Timothy 3:16-17. kailangan ba English, Filipino, ano raw?” (Ate Apes)

“Happy Birthday Ate Beng! Ilang taon ka na? Blow out naman…” (Ate Jaziel)

“Paos yan pag umaga sabay turo kay Grace.” (Benj) “Ang sakit ng ulot ko ate, nasusuka ko, hindi muna ako attend ng small group (aba pagkatapos ng SG saka dumating… energized at alert na alert na… hahaha)” (Grace)

“Here I’am Lord, send him!” (hahaha)

“If God calls you, you will become the best for it, He will make you able for your assignment.”

“Ay uwian na… bitin talaga ang 3 days noh?” (Mari)