Cancelled trips, food poisoning and lesson in Gospel of the Kingdom

Sunday, 11:39pm – Project 4, Philippines
Just got back from hanging out with my cousin, Kuya Bong, that was visiting from Calbayog. He was with his wife, Ate Malou, and their son, Jhay. They attended a worship and prayer conference that was held at Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay. I was supposed to go to Cebu this past weekend but God lined up a few interesting obstacles that changed my course for the weekend:

1. My clothes from the laundry service got misplaced and made me miss my flight
2. When I went to reschedule my flight, to reschedule cost me 2/3rd of my round trip ticket.
3. I got food/water poisoning that Friday morning so I was in bed all day yesterday and still feel queasy today

In all this I learned that (1) the majority of my plans always change and you just have to learn how to adapt to the change quickly, (2) God opens or closes doors depending if he wants you to have or be in a certain place at a certain time, and (3) never to eat at this place called Binalot ever again.

If one door closes, there are always other doors that open. This time around, the church I go to, Victory Church of Quezon City, have a few volunteers putting together a video for some Leader’s meeting. My friends Zandro, Bimbo, Pons and I were interviewed for the outreach and ministry we are doing out in Barangay Arboretum. If that video can inspire more brothers or sisters to come out and minister to a poor community, that would be awesome. Another thing that came up was that I was able to spend time with a cousin that I haven’t seen since 2004. The thing that is special about this meeting tonight was that I was able to find out more about the life of my cousin and his wife and their children, how they serve Jesus Christ, and the people that they are involved with.

Pons, Zandro and Bimbo: brothers in action, Arboretum volunteers


Hanging out at church

Kuya Bong has been a pastor now at a church in Calbayog for 3 years now, but prior to that, him and his wife were helping street children in Manila to return to their families or to go back to school, helped some get jobs, and helped some get saved from the destructive lives they were in. Individuals that have been through the same experiences as those they are trying to help are most effective; Kuya Bong holds true to this statement. It was only until tonight did I hear a little bit more about how he lived his life in the last 20 years and he's perfect to be able to reach out to these kids and since for the past 23 years he has started his family, he yet has another multitude of things to be able to help others with. I felt the Holy Spirit’s presence as him and his wife were telling me of their lives and how God has been providing for their family throughout the years. And now I see how he is working in mine, and slowly on my immediate family’s life. I love you God.

Tonight I was exposed to my first time about the Gospel of the Kingdom. Pastor Boy was speaking to me about how he would preach the Gospel of Salvation before but about 4 years ago how he saw how more effective that he would share the truth about the Kingdom of God, and once people asked how they can receive the Kingdom of God, that he would then tell them about the Way through Jesus Christ. I see that all aspects of God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, the Bible, the stories, laws, history, all that is written in the Bible is important in people coming to understand and to begin to know God. I pray that we all come to truth and wisdom, guided by the Holy Spirit, so that we can live our lives the way God wants us to live it. As was relayed to me by my Uncle Enjick, Pastor Jon Stovall, my mentor Rocky and a few other mentors; when something is presented to you that references God, Jesus or truth, make sure that is in the Bible and it’s in the correct context.


New brothers and sisters from Jesus is our Refuge church, in Project 4. My cousins Kuya Bong and Ate Malou are on the top left.

I know I wasn’t able to spend time in Cebu with my cousins Candy and Dodong, and my Godson Leo, but I know that there were important lessons to be learned and shared to build the Kingdom of God and to glorify Jesus. I know to my friends back in the States that it’s difficult to understand the words that I write and its perspective. I can look at them both from the eyes of someone that has been following Jesus for a long time as well as someone that doesn’t even know a religion or think spiritually. I was reminded by my cousin Kuya Bong, “You don’t have to point out the things in their lives or the things around them, just share yourself and show them you.” The changes in your life and in your heart, and what is close to your mind and your soul, will automatically show. I pray that it’s always the Holy Spirit that is guiding my life so all that people see is constantly love from God and truth from his Word.

Catching up and there are so much to this word “love”

Wednesday, 7:52pm – Cubao, Philippines
I’m just at Figaro coffee shop right now, catching up on emails and work. It’s been a few days since I blogged as I’m still trying to settle into a schedule as there have been a few changes and things that have been added to my plate. I’m helping some friends right now with graphic design work: photo editing, logo designs and websites. My priority are my clients right now still in the United States of course. But apart from volunteering on Wednesdays at Metro Ministries, studying the Bible and Tagalog everyday, and also connecting with friends, brothers, sisters and blogging, it’s starting to add up.

My walk in learning more about the Christian faith has changed up. These past months I’ve felt the Holy Spirit strongly, in feeling and in guidance, coming to insight and understanding of truth and teachings in the Bible. Now it’s changing and I know God has me learning a different aspect of the faith, in learning in that all I do it’s to honor him, give him praise and to glorify him. For those that don’t understand or read the Bible, I can imagine it seems strange to talk in these terms of something you can’t see or even to be subservient to. But that’s the beauty in following in the word of God and to know Jesus; you realize how weak you really are in this world but gain strength and courage through Jesus because of what he has done for us and to truly understand where we come from and why we are here in this world.

There are things that have happened in my life in the past 5 months that are amazing that it probably difficult to understand in scientific terms or even what Christians call in “worldly” terms. Learning more about the Bible, you will read things of this earth (worldly) versus things of God (spiritual). Because God is not finite and he is so great and since he created everything, how can we even begin to understand or put into words what we feel, what we experience personally and all the things we have seen in our own lives and witnessing in others? We try, but even just imagine trying to describe the word “love”. There are definitions people have come to use, and even in the Bible it describes it in this verse:

1 Corinthians 13:4-8
“4Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
8Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.”

But even trying to describe it in this way, you don’t get the full perspective of what you particularly experience with it. It definitely does show aspects of it though and what we experience. Reading this verse makes me reflect on experiences of love with family, friends and even strangers I meet every day. Look into those words carefully though and you can see how closely it equates in your life. This is the power of the words in the Bible. Really, if you can’t say you experience these things, you are not aware or are really not experiencing love. But even when you feel it, it’s something you know inside that you don’t ever want to part from.
I finally know what these following words mean. I saw it all the time; in passing on signs, on t-shirts, people saying it…in so many places. I’m so happy to finally understand these words: “God is love.”



my second Dad Greg, my brother Johnathon, me and my best friend Phil


my brother Rex and his daugther Maya and Leilani, my sister Rhett and her sons Chase and Bryce and my Dad


Small group from Victory Quezon City at the Race for Life charity 5k/10k run


Kids at Barangay Arboretum where we go every Saturday

Relationships and Waiting on the Lord

Wednesday, 2:30am – Paranaque City, Pasig, Philippines
My friend’s visit last week brought up a few things. One, about relationships in general with woman or marriage. Two, with a yearning or empty feeling, wanting and being impatient on thinking I am ready for a relationship. God showed me 3 things:

1. Turn to the Lord with all that we go through or have concerns of
   I think this is the main reason why there are any issues in our lives. To direct us to truth and to learn of a dependence on him, bringing to light that we can’t do anything that lasts forever all on our own
   
2. Turn to the Word for answers and insight
   God left us his Word in the form of the Bible so that gain knowledge and gain wisdom by applying the Word. I went to friends, brothers and sisters for help and in doing so, God lead me to the Word
   
3. Turn to people of this world that you trust and that are wise
   The operative words are “trust” and “wise”. Don’t just ask anyone, go to those that are wise and have experience. You wouldn’t go to a newcomer in surfing if you wanted to learn how to surf, you would go to a professional or guru. Same thing for your walk in the Christian life. God put people in our lives to help each other, it’s not a one-way street. We learn of God’s love and grow in maturity by our interaction and experiences in love with one another. Reaching out to those that have gone through the same things or have been a Christian for a long time have experience or can point you in the right direction since they may have come across it in their own lives through friends or learning materials.

These things I learned stemmed from beginning to think about who God will line up for a wife for me, or even if he wanted me to have a wife. I started thinking about an ideal wife and yearning to already go through the excitement of meeting someone new and thinking about the experiences and things we would share…it was all so happy and sad at the same time. The thought of moving in this world with a woman that has a similar passion for God is exciting, not to mention the lessons you learn from being in a marriage and raising a child or children. But what I have come to learn is that we need to look to God’s timing and his desires for us. Are we ready for the things he wants to give us? Do we want the things he desires for us?

Just today, I see a woman right now in my life would take me away from the learning and growth I’m going through. I would still be learning, but I see it would be a distraction for these particular things I have learned in the past 3 months and even today. Also, God wants me exactly where I am at to prepare me for whatever he has planned for me. In retrospect, he gave me the ability to race motorcycles so I can learn perseverance, confidence, adaptability, communication and humbleness. In retrospect, God gave me the ability to run my own business for professionalism, networking, accountability, honesty and integrity. These are all important for how he’s guiding me to build a foundation in my faith by his grace, to experience love and gain wisdom by serving the poor communities here in the Philippines and in experiencing love through fellowship with everyone here and people still back in the States. I will be patient and continue to learn everyday and apply all that is being shown to me by the Holy Spirit. I will be fed the Bible daily, pray, be still and let my heart be open for God to guide me on where I need to be and to act through love and grace that he has given and shown me.

Verses that gave insight on waiting were:
1 Samuel 16:19-23 about David not being king yet so that he can learn from King Saul on how to lead a nation. God made David wait so that he could learn what he needed to learn, to prepare him.

Another verse was Genesis 29:20-30, where Jacob served a man named Laban for his daughter for 14 years to get the woman he wanted. From commentary: “The most important goals and desires are worth working and waiting for”. Reflecting on my life so far, this has been the utmost truth in seeking true relationship, full satisfaction and victory.

Learning about Catholicism, Makati Peninsula, Barangay Arboretum outreach and ministry, Victory Church Leaders Convergence, Parking Lot boys, Shakey's

Monday, 8:44am –Mandaluyong, Philippines
Events this past weekend and just a short recap. Will go into details more for Barangay Arboretum ministry and outreach and hanging out with Annie.

Friday

• Preparing for Saturday ministry, met with new volunteer Riz and Jan at UP college of music in order to get materials and to find out what else was needed for Saturday’s outreach/ministry at Barangay Arboretum. Needed cottonballs, tape, and glue for the activity and game that we would do with the children. Donations from the states helped fund that, thank you everyone!
• Dinner and coffee with Annie. Religion, family, her heart for kids, possible outreach for her birthday and feelings of the talk with her.
• Met with Camille, Ryan and friends at Manila Peninsula in Makati. Met Victory Fort friends and Miro that was visiting from Shanghai. A lot of them watched Monica in the play Hairspray and Camille, Maradee and Darlene came from a sister’s wedding named Grace. Connected with a sister and talked about current issues with relationships. Although I was tired from the day’s events earlier, I followed God to lead me to fellowship with these brothers and sisters and loved that I did as I got closer to a sister and met new people that has been important in their lives.

Saturday

• Meeting at Philcoa Jollibee prior. Talk with Pooh and importance of dealing with issues. Lessons of unity for purpose of kingdom building and getting closer to brothers and sisters through disagreements
• Ministry for kids. Details of event and thoughts
• Leaders Convergence. Testimony given by Pons and thoughts of details. Thoughts on event

Sunday

• Church all day
• Went to church in morning with donuts for tech team but all had food, ended up being able to spend time with Parking Lot boys: Jupiter, Al-Jun, Jomer 1 and Jomer 2. Redwine got in fight with Jupiter since Jupiter ostracized him for smoking. Al-Jun’s encouraging gestures to Jomer 1 to pay attention and his attentiveness and eagerness to answer questions from Zandro that lead message of Psalm 23:1 -6
• Fellowship sitting outside for 3 hours. Good to just relax with all the brothers and some sisters. Get closer by just hanging out. Waited for Pooh. Learning more about humor of Bimbo
• Birthday dinner at Shakey’s Pizza with Pooh, Jan, new brother I met Rio and JB. Was Ces’ birthday dinner, got invited by Riz. Event and thoughts

How to deal with the Devil in your sleep

Friday, 7:54am –Mandaluyong, Philippines

Nahum 1:7
The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him

A curious thing happened to me while I slept last night, a nightmare and recurring thoughts kept coming into my mind. I know this is of not my imagination because I have never seen these things before and it’s not in my character or God’s character to think these things. The nightmare bordered along the lines of scary, immoral and dark. Even in our sleep, it’s important to know, the Devil will be there trying to suggest and find an “in” to turn us away or distract us from focusing on Jesus.

At this time, in the middle of the night, before you sleep or even after, if thoughts or dreams or nightmares come to mind, upon waking or even if in drifting wakefulness or sleep, pray to God to keep the Devil away from you and your thoughts. Pray that Jesus and the Holy Spirit fills you with them and of pure thoughts and of thoughts of God so that nothing else can come to mind. Pray that Jesus rebukes the Enemy and drives him away. It is important to know, that in our wake and our sleep, the Enemy can come and try to divert us or influence us. My prayers from now on I will have before I sleep for Jesus to protect me from the Enemy while I sleep and in all hours of the day, so that I can continue to grow in love and never be lost in the darkness.

I will now pray for others, everyone I know and don’t know, that they are protected with the Holy Spirit from the Enemy, in all hours of the day and while they sleep, so the Enemy doesn’t influence or divert them from God with thoughts, nightmares, or suggestions. We are at our weakest when physically and spiritually alone. I pray that we always turn to God to help us since he is there, and I pray that in this world we turn to people since God will always have people in your life there. Just make sure to take the steps to go to God and those people.

I was scared when these images were in my mind, but when I prayed to God, he gave me a peace. I know Jesus is with us always. There is no fear and nothing to be scared of since he’s taking care of us. This incident happened so I can learn and share it with everyone.

John 14:27
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

Behind the scenes, leadership training and spending quality time

Wednesday, 10:39pm – Paranaque City, Fort, Mandaluyong, Philippines
Events of tdoay:

• Metro Ministries volunteering and experience in cutting almost up to 1000 sticker names for kids that are sponsored. The Holy Spirit gave me insight of appreciating tedious, repetitive work allowing to fully enjoy serving God and His children that have intentions in building His kingdom and spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ. All the people at Metro Ministries have such a great, loving heart from God and you can see and feel it. You will naturally be attracted and want to be around people like that. Pastora Neng, Sheila, Amor, Mike, Jezer, and Daryl are awesome. My new buddy Kevin was a great companion today for me to learn Filipino and him in learning English.
  
  
• ENLI (Every Nation Leadership Institute) classes and not being able to sign-up. God has shown me that if He doesn’t want me to do something, often He doesn’t line up for the event or thing to push through. I called the main office multiple times and couldn’t get in contact with the person in charge, I asked numerous people if I can join these classes and who I should talk to, and finally the person in charge let me know it was not possible to sign up. It was in my heart to sign up as situations have come up for me to lead so I felt compelled to get formal training in leadership principles. The Holy Spirit let me know it’s not my time and that I can learn along the way in real life applications, that I am fine with what I’m doing right now and confirmed that if God doesn’t want me in a certain place, the things that need to line up for it to happen will not line up.
• Holy Spirit giving insight that there is a different purpose for me at this time. The leadership classes better suited for others. My talent is to work in direct connection with people in communicating and providing materials for visuals, also coordinating small tasks
• Every Nation seminar with Pastor Paul Barker : Teaching Effectiveness. Great material and presentation provided to help teach more effectively. Basics of teaching truths are authenticity (is the material relevant and important), clarity (is the material clear, organized and concise), and connection (is the teacher and content able to relate to the student, understand the student’s perspective and engage them in creative ways).
  
  Three important aspects I learned were: (1) Review: concept of coming back and asking your students to reiterate or tell you what they have learned. This will show you if there was retention, understanding and a connection; (2) Repetition: we tend to learn something when it’s constantly repeated, reminded or reviewed; and (3) Visuals or objects: use of these provide a powerful aid besides words. These points lead to the importance of presentation. If you don’t present the materials in a creative, interesting way, students will not be able to engage in it fully.
  
  
• Not able to attend small group and spending quality time with a friend. After the seminar, I usually have bible study (small group) with my friends from Victory Church at the Fort. For the 2 months since I’ve lived here, this is the first time I have missed bible study. I don’t like to miss them as it’s important for me to be able to hang out with these friends and share our perspectives on what we are talking about and to encourage each other in whatever we are going through. But for now, Moina and I couldn’t catch a taxi tonight in order to get there on time, so we just ate and hung out. I dragged her around all day today to do stuff that I committed to so it was nice to just hang out and talk with her.
  
  

Visit from Moina and new friends

Monday, 11:13pm – Mandaluyong, Philippines


My closest and dearest friend Moina arrived last thursday. We’ve been hanging out doing random things, just visiting the malls, eating, and we caught a movie. Last Saturday we ate at Market! Market! at the Fort and while there, we bought 10 waters and a pack of 10 granola bars so we can go around just giving them out. Each of the pairs that we gave out to people randomly on our way back from the Fort, through Guadalupe and then to Boni, we told them in Filipino that it was from Jesus Christ. Our love for Jesus and God putting this into our hearts and the Holy Spirit guiding us lead us just to show love and give without expecting anything back. These things that we do are not meant to boast or boost us up or to get recognition from our friends and family. I blog about this to share with you Jesus Christ has changed my life, is the primary thing that I think about all the time, and what has changed my heart to reach out to others and just to love. The teachings of the Bible and the love of God changes people, changes the way you think about the world and teaches you truths of how you are to live your life. All these things are good. I love all my family, friends and people that I come to meet out in the streets. I love God and I love each and every one of His children. There’s always a test on how you will react and feel if someone frustrates or does you wrong. I pray that God is so close in my heart that I am the way He wants me to be, and that I love the way He wants me to love all.

I am sick right now, the day right before Moina came. So we’ve just been hanging out at the house. I wonder and pray what God wants me to do and how to be with Moina, whether to be in this close friendship we have or for it to be more in marriage. I’ve expressed this to friends here in the Philippines and back in the States and I am open to everyone about it. Girls used to rack my mind before I came to believe in Jesus but now with God, I’m at a peace and just try to find out what He wants me to do. For now, all I know is that I love Moina as a sister in Christ. If it lines us up for it to be more, I will look to God for direction and look into my heart to follow.

Just came back from meeting with Camille, Liz and new brother in Christ, Pao. Moina and I met them all in Greenhills for some dessert coffee/hot chocolate. This was the first time I have come to see how God works in someone’s life through their day, from being exposed to a topic such as fasting in the morning from one person, to come meet them later in the night to talk again about fasting from others, and then having them to drop me off at my home so that I can give them a book about fasting. I pray the brother comes to insight and wisdom from God, that their life is changed and their devotion to God grows, and that guidance is gained and followed. I love You God, for showing me how You work in other lives, for allowing me to witness and grow my faith in You always, and for allowing me to be there for Your children.

Recap of ministry and outreach in poor community at Barangay Arboretum - October 25, 2008

Below is a recap of what we are doing over in the needy community in Philcoa, Diliman. This is from my brother in Christ, Zandro.

What started out as a vision of the small group last year to reach out the communities around UP, especially the disadvantaged sector, has become a reality last October 20, 2008. The team, together with volunteers who have similar heart for the community, started Kids Ministry in Pook Arboretum. About 54 kids showed up for the "Kids Church".
Pook Arboretum, for the unitiated, is a 12-hectare man-made forest inside the UP initiated Commonwealth Property Development Plan conceived in 1996 by the UP Administration in collaboration with private and other government agencies. The thrust of the development plan is to develop the area commercially. The UP-Ayala Technohub is part of the 101-hectare UP intends to develop. The Arboretum serves as open area of the development, in addition to a 5-hectare open space that will serve as buffer for the forest park.

Just like other barangays in UP, Pook Arboretum is host to informal settlers living at the edge or under the lush vegetation of the forest. About 2000 informal settlers live inside the 12-hectare forest.

The team's initial encounter with the community on September 20, 2008, as relayed by the Purok Leader Clarita Bautista, revealed that current concerns of the area include drug addiction, prostitution, sexual abuse of minors, theft, assault on women, lack of livelihood activities, gambling, peace and order situation, and the threat of displacement because of Quezon City government’s plan to transform the area into a wildlife and flora sanctuary.

The team envisions to be God's witness to the community through livelihood, sports, training on leadership, and other endeavors that will address the people's concerns.

"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
Acts 1:8

More photos here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ryanregalado/sets/72157608344982866/


2 kids sleeping at the McDonald's across from Pook Arboretum


Pops and Yon greet the kids


Pooh does icebreaker and game with the kids


Song and dance with the kids


Playing Noah Says with the kids


Pons telling the story of the Prodigal Son to the kids




Kids using their new crayons to color a sheet about the Prodigal Son


Felipe and James say bye and smile for the camera