The JYA camp has always been the highlight of my summer activities for the past 3 years, and I always look forward to making new friends, and renewing ties with old ones. But it wasn’t always like this.  During my first camp I was anxious about being on my own, and not knowing many people there.

This year, being my last camp in JYA, I was very excited. We made preparations long before but still ended up sleeping in the wee hours of the morning out of excitement.

When I woke up, I started to feel doubtful. I wasn’t sure if I was ready to leave or not. I felt anxious because I wasn’t sure if I had packed everything I needed, if I was going to get along well with my group mates, and if everything would turn out right. And because I felt very excited, I developed a stomach ache. Mom saw me puking and asked me not to go anymore but I insisted on going with the rest of the campers.

And I was sure glad I did.

Anya (second from the bottom) hamming it up with her friends

The next four days was something that made summer like never before. We did mud slides and mud crawls, something not done by many. There was zip lining and a hanging bridge too. We got to experience being in teams with other kids, working together in different activities. The amazing race and e-night were some of the activities that showed the unity and friendship we developed in each team. And in the end, everyone couldn’t get enough.

I for one really enjoyed the Amazing race. With the help of my teammates and with the moral support of our leaders, we won. I know that it isn’t about winning, but the efforts we put into it and that we had such a grand time. Winning wasn’t really the point.

I felt happy. There was nothing to worry; it was all fun and excitement for us. Even if unplanned events like the rain on the first and second nights came, we still found a way to enjoy it. At first, it made me feel uneasy, thinking about activities we may have to cancel. The workers and servers went out to save our things and we were led into prayer for the weather. Although the waters reminded me of Typhoon Ondoy, I don’t know why, but somehow I felt at peace and secure. I put it all into God’s hands. I was reassured that despite the bad weather, we would be alright. After all, what worse could happen when God’s people are gathered together, knowing that He is in our midst. He is our God after all, right? And besides we were on top of the mountains, far from being flooded.

We were taken to our cabins and there we entertained ourselves. The boys decided to have a disco party while us girls prayed and bonded. I think that this is the best way to get to know and spend time with one another.

The last day came and everyone felt great. The past four days earned us new friends, experiences that don’t happen every day, and we grew closer to God. I learned how to work with new people, how to be independent and how as a team, if everyone participates, cooperates and gives it his/her all, anything is achievable. Together, we learned that God is with us all throughout. We saw how good God is and how he works through everyone and that everything is part of His great plan even when they seemingly appear not with the rain and the initial anxiety of going to camp.

I learned that God is in control and that he won’t let anything happen without it being good for us. And with that I will entrust God with everything. I will not again doubt His decisions because it’s always for our own good. And with that, going to camp and other Ligaya activities will always be on top of my list when I think of fun.

- Anya Supe (North B)

Two weeks later, I’m glad I had a story to tell. It began when I boarded a flight to Bangkok.  The flight was full, so I ended up being upgraded  to  the Business Class section  of the plane.  Thanking God for the blessing, and for the onboard food that was being served, I made the sign of the cross and prayed.   Lo and behold, my seatmate, a very big American,  looked at me and said: “DO YOU BELIEVE IN GOD?  WELL, I DON’T!”

I looked at him, introduced myself, and said, yes, I do believe in GOD.  He then challenged me to prove the existence of God, mathematically, scientifically, logically, my choice.  I had met atheists before, and usually ignored them.  But this guy,   I realized,  was going to be my seatmate for a 3-hour flight, and I would not be able to ignore him. Not only was he bigger than me, he seemed extremely fit, oozing  with self-confidence to the point of arrogance, and he was challenging me to an intellectual discourse of my Christian faith. 

When he introduced himself, I found out that he was a recently retired US Navy Fighter Pilot, with a Masters in Theology from Georgetown University in Washington DC, and a Doctorate in Particle Physics. He also retired from military service with tons of money he earned from patenting a musical  device.  

He said he had already read the bible 25 times, was baptized as a Catholic, then converted to a Baptist Christian, and then realized along the way that since he cannot find a logical proof of God’s existence, he became an atheist.

At that point, I remembered the story of the late Cardinal Sin who related a story of a plane trip he had where he happened to be seated beside  an atheist who kept bothering the late cardinal and telling him there is no God. His story ended well when the plane experienced very severe turbulence to the point where the atheist asked the late cardinal to include her in his prayers for salvation.  I was about to pray to God for a very big turbulence when I realized that this will not work with my seatmate  because he was after all a veteran US Navy fighter Pilot.

I also realized that since he had a Masters in Theology, and had read the  bible 25 times, and still did not believe in God,  it would be futile for me to enter in an intellectual discourse with him.

I tried to avoid his proof challenge  but instead   I asked about his business trip to Bangkok, and  how was his experience in the US Navy, flying  the F14 and F18 fighter jets.

Then, I asked him what triggered his loss of faith in the Catholic faith.  I found out that early in his life, his Catholic father hurt and abused him, his first marriage ended tragically when his first wife and his 18-month twins died in a terrible car accident in the US, and how his plane malfunctioned on a reconnaissance mission over USSR and how we was imprisoned and brutally  tortured by his Russian captors for 3 months before he was rescued by US Navy Seals.   

He told me of the destruction that he had seen all over the world, how innocent people, babies, children, were killed or buried alive, and then he told me, in a very loud voice that the entire business class cabin could hear, IF GOD TRULY EXISTS, HE WOULD NOT ALLOW THESE HORRIBLE THINGS TO HAPPEN TO THESE INNOCENT PEOPLE.”

At that point, the cabin purser approached me, and asked me in Tagalog  if I want to be re-seated elsewhere. I told her I was fine, since I still have not ran out of English.  I told my seatmate about the book “God in the Dock”, written by C.S. Lewis,  a known atheist who rediscovered his Christian faith. I told him that the book was about God’s decision to live dangerously, by giving us free will.

He said he will look for that book and read it. That gave me some nice but short comfort,   because  he said that after he reads it, he intends to tell me what is wrong with the book.

"I'm ready to share my story." Albert Villadolid

I told him that if he was willing to listen to my personal conversion story, I will share my faith with him.  He agreed.  I told him that it is not enough to be baptized and sacramentalized as a Catholic, we also need to be evangelized. I told him my story where, as a young activist student leader, I tried to indoctrinate Christian leaders of a community who ended up evangelizing me.  By the way, on the side, these leaders I was trying to indoctrinate then and who ended up evangelizing me were  Mike Joseph Jr., Francis Ituralde, and Harvey Campos, amongst others.  He  listened to my personal conversion story, and later on told me he liked my story, and he responded by  saying,  “My  wife will like you. She would be happy to know that I met a man of faith like you. I like you. Let’s have dinner together when you and I are back in Manila soon.  Bring your wife along.”

We parted ways when we arrived in our destination. But before we left, I said to my seatmate: “I will pray for you that you may have a Paulinian experience.” He looked at me, and said, “I know that! Road to Damascus, blinding light, voice from above.” I said, “Yes, that’s the one! You know the bible very well.” Then he said, “If providence is kind to us, we will meet again.”  I told him, “Now that’s a surprise, coming from an atheist like you, because the word
“providence” to me is about God’s love.” 

He did not want me to have the last say, so he said. “See, you already had an effect on me just by seating beside me for 3 hours. See you in Manila soon”.  I can only pray and say “Amen”.

- ALBERT VILLADOLID, South A

Editor’s Note:  This sharing was given during the 2010 Good Friday Recollection.

While other people in a similar situation would escape through alcohol, being super busy, drugs, gimmicks, “mall-itis” (laging nasa mall), and what have you, I chose to face my problems squarely by clinging to the Lord through Daily Mass and Holy Communion, regular Confession, extended prayer times in the Adoration Chapel, God’s Word, offering myself to be used for service and also doing the simple tasks to be done for my family. 

I want to share about SERVICE. If we recall our LSS/ECLS, SERVICE is one of the spokes of the Growth wheel. Since I had all the time for service now that I am in between jobs (“pinaganda lang…walang trabaho”), I made myself available for service. I volunteered to serve as speaker and Discussion Group Leader (DGL) in the 3-day PNP ECLS in Clark last February 10-12 together with other brothers from the South Sector led by Oscar Papa and assisted by Lito Pineda. The immersion experience we had in Clark was life-changing for me. I experienced  first-hand the powerful work and inspiration of the Spirit. Tough, veteran, hardened police officers shedding tears after receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation which they failed to avail of  for many years (truly there was great rejoicing in heaven that day because not only one, but more than 30 police officers repented! Lk. 15 : 7). The Spirit’s gentle and loving Presence in the praying overs and Baptism in the Spirit was also felt powerfully! The members of the service team also gave up our “Isaacs” and went out of our comfort zone since we ate what the participants ate (usually rice and one ulam) in 15-20 minutes flat! We also didn’t have the luxury of having our own individual bathrooms. 

Mario, flanked by Oscar Papa and the South Sector LSS Team, with their PNP brothers

The Spirit continued to pour on me the gift of zeal for service, mission, and evangelization a few days after the PNP ECLS in Clark through the different sharings and messages in our Community Conference last February 21. The Spirit ignited in my heart the fire for mission and service through the words of Jean Barbara that was shared in the conference …”You cannot simply stay within the walls of Ligaya. You would not be able to fully understand your call unless you give and you give more. And the more you give, the more you will understand what God has called you to do and to be. You will discover God working miracles in you, in your families, in your children, and in the community.” 

I was particularly touched by the sharing of the Prison Ministry of the North Sector at the Quezon City Jail as shared by Dr. Charlie Lasa and the sharings of Lito Pineda and Jun Ramirez about Tahanan Ng Panginoon. I felt a strong prompting from the Spirit to actively join the Compassion Ministry. My coordinator, Manny de los Santos, confirmed this and he appointed me to form and head  SD-A’s Compassion Ministry. He introduced me to the core group of the Prison Ministry of Ayala Alabang’s Parish of St. James. I have been regularly joining their weekly visits & powerful prayer meetings to 100 inmates of the Muntinlupa City Jail. I also joined the North Sector Prison Ministry in one of their weekly visits & bible study at the Quezon City Jail. I have also volunteered to give talks to TNP “Tambakan” in Tramo, Paranaque. For many years now, each time I read about the Corporal Works of Mercy in Matthew 25 : 35-36, 40 (“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink…I needed clothes and you clothed me…I was in prison and you came to visit me…whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.”, I have this uncomfortable feeling inside me since I still have to actualize this. 

Now I know that one of the reasons God called me into “exile” is so that I can serve him more actively in the “open door” of the Ministry of Compassion and PNP ECLS, which normally, I could not do because of my hectic work schedule. Thus, I say : “Thank you Lord for allowing me to go into exile so that I can serve you more!” 

Mario and Lei Romero and their family

(Mario Romero, 57 years old, is happily married to Leah Romero. They have 5 grown up children—Dominic, 32, Christine, 30, Raquel, 27, TJ, 26, and Peter John, 24, (their son afflicted with a rare congenital heart and lung defect). Mario and Leah have been with LNP since June 1982. Leah serves in the Mother Butler Guild in their parish while Mario heads the newly-formed Compassion Ministry of SD-A and is a member of the South Sector Word Ministry. Mario is a mainstay in the PNP ECLS Service Team since the time of the late Gen. Nap de los Santos.) 

Note: There is a print link embedded within this post, please visit this post to print it. 

Ngunit nung nag uumpisa na ang prayer meeting unti-unting nawala ang takot at mga tanong. Napalitan ito ng kapayapaan sa aking puso’t isipan dahil nakita ko sa bawat bilanggo ang kasiyahan at pananabik. 

Sa aking pakikipag- usap sa mga bilanggo, iba’t ibang kwento ang aking napakinggan. Si Mang Jun, illegal possession of drugs. Si Mang Waldo, rape at si Michael, hold- up. Ang tanging naibulong ko lang sa aking sarili ay mahirap at masakit tanggapin ang mga pangyayari pero kahit sa kanilang pagkakabilanggo, nakita ko pa rin na nagamit ng Panginoon ang kanilang sitwasyon para maipakilala nya ang Kanyang Sarili sa kanila. 

Hindi pa napapatunayan kung totoong nag kasala sila sa batas. Hindi ko man sila nakilala bago sila pumasok sa bilangguan. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang mga kasalanang nagawa ng bawat bilanggo. Pero nasasalamin ko sa kanilang mga mukha ang bakas ng pagsisisi, pagpupursigi na makapag bagong buhay at makalaya. Nasasalamin ko rin ang pananabik nila na makilala ng lubusan ang Panginoon at ang pagkauhaw na makapakinig ng salita ng Diyos. 

Kahit sa kaunting oras at panahon na inilagi namin doon ay naipadama namin ang pagmamahal sa kanila ng Diyos. Sa simpleng regalo na sabon, shampoo, toothpase, pandesal, juice atbp ay masasalamin mo ang kasiyahan sa kanilang mukha na parang bang nakatanggap sila  ng mamahaling regalo. Hindi man kami ang tunay na kapamilya, mararamdaman mo na nasasabik sila sa dalaw. At paulit-ulit mong maririnig sa kanila “Maraming salamat, huwag sana kayong magsasawa sa pagdalaw sa amin“. 

"Nasalamin ko ang mukha ni Jesus sa bawat bilanggo." - Malou Bautista, North E

Ang hamon na naghihintay sa bawat bilanggo ay paano nila haharapin ang buhay sa labas ng bilangguan. Paano sila tatanggapin ng lipunan. Ang bawat isa sa atin ay binibigyan ng Panginoon ng pagkakataong makapag bagong buhay nasa loob o labas man tayo ng bilangguan. Huwag nating sayangin ang pagkakataong ito. 

Ang pagdalaw ko sa bilangguan ay hindi isang aksidente, kundi isang pagsunod sa paanyaya ng Panginoon na “Puntahan mo ako“. Doon nasalamin ko ang mukha ni Jesus sa bawat bilanggo, sa mga ngiti sa kanilang mga mukha at walang patid na pasasalamat. Si Jesus ang nangusap sa akin sa mga oras na iyon, nagpapasalamat at may kasamang ngiti sa pagdalaw namin sa kanya sa loob ng bilangguan. 

- Malou Bautista, North E

Guito Belza thankful for the blessing of Community

In 1980, after years of a worldly life, I said yes to an invitation for a Ligaya CLP and then for a community weekend. Three years after in 1983, the Community Administrator then was resigning. Fr. Herb invited me to take his place.

Although I had already a sense form the Lord to work full time, I had to confront several realities: first, After 10 yrs. of TV broadcasting career, I knew if I said yes- I’ll no longer be able to go back to my first love of TV broadcasting. second, As the Production Manager then of Channel 2 and at the same time directing several TV shows, this would mean a reduction in my income. And third, in the LNP office, there was no longer a position I can move up to.

But still I said yes and it was not an easy path after…but my Lord and His loving kindness had always  been there!

From 3 districts, the number of community members then was fast increasing. And our outreaches were starting and growing one after another. As Community Administrator, I had to work on streamlining and upgrading the office to support the leadership through all these growth and expansion. Concurrently as Community Head Servant, I had to help in the formation and support of the District Servants and their service teams as well as the Sounds and Technical Ministry, Ushers’ Team, Celebrations Committee and others. And to continue fostering personal relationship in a fast expanding community, we had to design and organize very participative  celebrations for the whole community including then, our big Ligaya Christmas party. With all these work, my Lord and His loving kindness had always been there!

A year after I worked full time, I married Imma in 1984 and our family started to grow. Mary Grace was born, then  Daniel, Paul John and Vincent. AS the family grew and so too our expenses… but my Lord and His loving kindness had always been there!

As the years moved on, there were a lot more trials along the way: mid-life crisis caught on me and together w/ ongoing and rising financial requirements , family relationship difficulties, sicknesses… I began to harbor resentments towards the Lord. I cried out to Him: “I have served you all these years and had given up many things! Why?” And several times I would turn my back against him. But even at those times, He had always been there waiting for me to move closer back to Him. And several times I would just grasp back His hand and just held it tight. 

After 20 years of full time community work, I retired 7 years ago.

In June last year, I went to Bicol w/ my mother to plant organic vegetables on our small property. It was there I suffered my first heart attack and so I came back to Mla for consultations. My mother meanwhile broke her hip in Bicol and several months after, suffered another stroke. Her e in Manila, I was rushed to the Heart Center in August and underwent angioplasty. Then my son Paul John had Dengue and was hospitalized for 1 wk. And then Ondoy flooded the first floor of our house. But in all these difficulties, my lord and His loving kindness had always been there through you, my bros. and sis.

Last Feb 9, I was scheduled for an examination to be able to determine wether I really have to undergo a bypass. Then it happened. Two days before on Feb 7, I suffered cardiac arrest during FC3. Dr. Guia Tan’s email emphasized that the series of events after, were not coincidences but clearly showed that “God’s hand was in the pie.” Indeed, the Lord and His loving kindness had always been there- through you bros. and sis!

My Lord had always been there through our doctors at the FC3 who  revived me and through my Cardiologist Dr. Myla Supe, who arrived immediately and assisted the surgeons w/ my medical history and  through you, bros. and sis at the FC3, who provided a massive and immediate prayer cover and w/ many other brothers and sisters, who continued to pray through the night and the days after!     My Lord and His loving kindness had always been  there  through you, bros. and sis, who  consoled Imma and my children as they waited  hoping for a second chance for my life and through you and our youth who provided the much-needed blood supply.!     My Lord had always been  there through my coordinator Ali and PL- Rey, and other bros. and sis. who made all arrangements for discounts and loans to meet initial then succeeding hospital bill payments.

My Lord had always been  there  through you bros. and sis., who approved , organized and contributed to-the fund raising during the community conference from which the total collection was the exact hospital bill due in a few days.

My Lord and His loving kindness had always been there through you bros. and sis., who have continued to pray and share your limited resources. Indeed the Lord is well pleased w/ your sharing of your loaves and fish that He has multiplied it through a charitable institution.

After all these, I’m again face to face with hard realities: continous working on my livelihood projects to be able to meet remaining loans due to my operation as well as ongoing school and family needs. But deep in my renewed heart, I know that my Lord and His loving kindness will always be there!     From the bottom of my heart, I proclaim that through all of these trials, my Lord and His loving kindness had always been there, through you bros. and sis.! Through all of these, I have deeply felt the Lord and really experienced His Person; I have truly seen His face…in the love you have for me and my family!

- GUITO BELZA, North C

Editor’s Note:  This is the testimony that Guito Belza shared during the Good Friday Recollection, April 2, 2010.

Looking back, I admit that I was hesitant to call that first meeting on October 30, 2008.  It actually took me two long years before I had the courage to send out that draft email. For one, I was afraid that it could result to a lot of demand on my precious time.  I was just promoted as head of the company’s tax department early that year and it meant many new responsibilities on my part. I have three growing kids, who require plenty of attention and tutoring help at home, plus the need to also manage our home on a daily basis. There were Ligaya commitments during weeknights and weekends. Then, there were also other interests and hobbies – like my active involvement with a professional tax organization and my new-born passion for running, together with my husband, Bong.  My schedule was already as full as it could get.    

But, more than the need to find time, there was something I was even more afraid of.  I simply didn’t see myself as someone who could stand up in front of people and speak about God.  I could speak in public and talk about taxation and politics, but not those which I deem too personal for me to share – like my feelings and my spirituality.  Those things I usually just keep to myself.  It made me even doubt whether I’d ever be fit for a covenanted relationship with the Lord, knowing that evangelization is our community’s way of life.

With all those fears, I hesitated… but, a chat with a co-worker who single-handedly took care of the Masses in the office, and the suicide of one PLDT employee convinced me that it’s about time for renewed Christians to do something in our workplace.

With that prompting from the Lord, I finally said “Yes” to Him and prayed, “Bahala ka na Lord.”  Anyway, I told myself, all I needed to do was to just call that first meeting.  Little did I know that it was from that simple act of saying “Yes” and leaving the next steps up to Him that God would build His community in Smart through an organization we founded in February 2009, which we named the “Smart Employees Roster of Volunteers for the Eucharist,” or SERVE. 

Being the one who organized the first meeting, I found myself calling for the subsequent meetings and following-through on the group’s efforts in sustaining the newly-found org. Without realizing it, I felt deeply responsible for the entire organization. During the 1^st 10 months of SERVE, it actually seemed like I was nurturing and giving birth to a newborn child. There were no officers yet at that time and I had to completely rely on the members’ active volunteerism and the full support of the core group, and, throughout that gestation period, I could see that God never let us down. Up to now, He continues to generously shower us with His graces and abundant provisions as He sustains the group with its service in the Holy Masses, the regular monthly general assemblies, and even a bounty of donations to enable us to hold activities for the spiritual-wellness of Smart employees. Now, we’re looking forward to soon holding regular prayer meetings and, hopefully, even making it a Pathways satellite site! 

Rina with husband, Bong, and children

Looking back, I now realize that, when the Lord asked me to give myself to Him, He did so, not only for His and His people’s sake but, also for my own good, my very own transformation. Through that call, He actually enabled me to say a resounding “Yes!” to a covenanted relationship with Him last September 2009.  Then, whatever little I offered to Him, I saw that He actually multiplied them and enabled me to accomplish more… so much more than I could ever imagine. And when He asked something of me, He was only asking for my willingness, my choice to say “Yes” to Him. I needed to put to death my fears and worries about my weaknesses or self-imposed limitations, and to trust that He would generously provide everything I needed to accomplish His holy will. 

Sabi nga ni Lord – “Mag-‘Yes’ ka lang sa Kanya… at lahat ay sagot na Niya!”

- Rina Manuel, Central E

Editor’s Note:  This is the testimony that Rina Manuel shared during the Good Friday Recollection, April 2, 2010.

After one of those heavy drug sessions, I was sleepless for several days. Then I heard a small inner voice in my heart telling me that this is not what I was born to be.  I was wasting my life away.  It was an instant decision.  After that, I never took drugs again since then.  And I proudly thought then that it was because of my powerful self control.

I gave up the drugs, but not the alcohol.  Even after I got married and had children, I was still into heavy drinking sessions with my friends.  But the love and prayers of my wife and children slowly made me lose my interest in drinking.  My wife (name?) would always claim “na lumalakad siya nang paluhod sa simbahan” and offered it for my temperance. This helped me receive the grace of God to give up my alcohol, but suffer the ridicule of my drinking buddies. But I have peace knowing I was called to love my family.  

On December 11, 2004, our fourth child, Jabes, died of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). She was only one-and-a-half months old. I was in Legaspi City on a business trip when it happened.  My phone rang at 5 in the morning and when I answered, it was my wife, hysterical, telling me that when she woke up, she found our daughter lifeless.  She was running out of the subdivision to look for transportation since she doesn’t know how to drive. I felt so helpless. I prayed to God with all my heart… that was the only thing I could do. While I was in the airport waiting for my flight to Manila, I was reflecting.  I was about to question God, when lo and behold, I saw a huge rainbow with the colors in all its splendor with Mayon Volcano in the background. I felt God’s presence and heard him, for the first time in my life, speaking to my heart telling me… “I am in control.” Then suddenly, I felt an unexplainable peace in my heart.

After that incident, I had the desire to read scriptures more, to seek for strength each day.  I hold on to His word in Matthew 18:32, “Then his Lord called the first slave and said to him ‘Evil slave! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me.” I knew then I have finally found my one true Master. The One who has the power to set me free. The inner voice that has guided me to give up my sinful habits. He was in control then, He is in control now … I only have to listen and obey and to let Him be the Lord of my life.

We joined Ligaya in 2005.  In 2008, I was invited to serve in the evangelization ministry in our district.  I was hesitant at first because I felt inadequate to lead other couples.  I am not yet ready to share my life and time to others. I’ve already given my 3 Sundays;  should I give up my Saturdays as well? I have other things in mind to do.  But then I thought what else can I give back to God who has given me so much?   Little did I know that in serving others I would receive more of my healing and transformation.  Witnessing our members’ conversion happen before my very eyes strengthened my faith that there really is a God who is so loving and forgiving.  

Stephen Rebueno surrounded by his MWG

But Satan continued to work on my weaknesses.  Once at work, my boss disagreed with me on some issues.  And for some reason, this got him very angry.  He threatened that he would personally make life difficult for me. He was scrutinizing and insulting the minutest details of my work and performance.  He was raining memos on me everyday.  I wanted to fight back, and I felt the same anger and bravado as I had when I was a frat man.  But during my prayer time, this verse from Eph 6:12 struck me: It said,

“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against power, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high place.”  The commentary said “Persecution is not the manifestation of another person’s hate for you. It’s a manifestation of Satan’s fear for you.”  

So, I fought back.  But this time, I fought with prayers and scripture. I asked for prayers from my Pastoral Leader and my pastoral group.  I continued my service in the evangelization team knowing that the only way I can get back at my enemy was to sow seeds of good works.  God even gave me the grace to pray for my oppressor, working on my heart to be freed from hatred and revenge and to see him through the eyes of my God.  I continued to be harassed but I was at peace. It was not me running my life anymore; God was within me. 

I was prompted to speak to our Sales Director and tell him all my concerns. He said he was sorry and that he didn’t know that this was happening to me. He gave me the trust and confidence that he would look into my case and investigate. The next day, before going to work I read the scripture and God said in

“Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today! (Exo 14:13)

I praised God and true to His word, my harassment ended that very day. The Lord has given me the courage and endurance to hang on, to remain meek and humble amidst the persecution.  It was in those dark moments that I saw the Light of Christ.

Now I can say, “I am no longer the captain of my ship. God is.” And into His Hands I commend my life.  To God be the Glory!

- Stephen Rebueno, North A

Editor’s Note:  This is the testimony that Stephen Rebueno shared during the Good Friday Recollection, April 2, 2010.

“When God is involved, it’s not necessarily the giftedness of the leader that prompts God’s blessing; it’s more often the leader’s willingness to move when & where He indicates.” – John Maxwell (from The 21 Most Powerful Minutes in a Leader’s Day)

I’ve also experienced the Lord’s blessing in the same way, and I would like to share my reflection about it — not as a leader, but as a disciple who desires to faithfully follow the Lord.

Three years ago, I heard the Lord prompting me to once again serve Him through the community. You see, I was at a point when I didn’t want to pursue community life any more.  So when I heard the Lord calling me, I was really not inclined to obey… simply because (nakakahiya mang aminin) I’m not a confident person. I would always avoid serving by pointing to another person and say, ‘Sya na lang Lord, he can do it better anyway.  Di ko kaya yan.’

For quite some time, that would work.  The Lord would just let me have it my way.   He would call.  I would plead and avoid.  But then the Lord, with all His love, desires my growth; and so He would get back to me calling me to serve yet again and again.  He wouldn’t stop.  And each time, I would look at my ungiftedness, and beg off.

Finally the Lord said,  “Mark, what I’m asking from you is your availability. Are you willing to make yourself available for me?”    I couldn’t say No to that.

"It is our willingness to be available that the Lord seeks in our hearts." - Mark Dino

I started attending prayer meetings of Ang Lingkod ng Panginoon. My first service was playing the guitar during the worship because that is the only service that I know how to do decently well.  I was content in serving in the music ministry then.  But the Lord had a plan for me to grow, and He knew that I wouldn’t grow just by doing what I wanted to do.   And so, through my leader, the Lord called me to take another step in serving him.  I was asked to lead a prayer meeting.  I begged to be assigned to a prayer meeting three months from that day.   Then came a series of requests for service — each service involving an area that I’m not familiar with, nor confident to do because I know I’m not good at it or not gifted with it. And each and every time, the Lord would only ask me for one thing – my availability.

Looking back now, I’m thankful for every step of service that God called me to. For each commitment of availability that I made with the Lord, I was blessed more than anyone else. I learned new skills, I grew in character, and I was able to witness to my brothers and sisters.  Best of all, I was serving not man but God. 

Going back to Maxwell’s words, my conviction grew even more knowing that our God blesses those who are willing to step out of our comfort zone in order to please the Lord, willing to be used by the Lord despite insecurities of our incapabilities.  The very disposition of putting ourselves at the disposal of the Lord plays a big factor for God to bless us.   It’s ironic that when we give ourselves away for service, we realize at the end of the day, it is us who are blessed all the more.

I believe that God’s equation is: service = blessing.  Blessed, not in the material sense, but blessed in the sense that we can truly ask for whatever means it takes to do our service well, and He will grant it.  The Lord will supply the necessary grace that we need to do our service well.

“If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.” (Lk 9: 23-24)

The bottom line: God desires that his people may have life to the full.  God desires to bless his people – his only requirement: our willingness to make ourselves availabile for His sake.

My experience says, when we give ourselves away for the service of the Lord, we are transformed, we are changed, and we are blessed.

– Mark Dino  (North District E, and Branch Leader for Lingkod, Quezon City)

That prayer was like a seed planted in my heart.  I felt that it was God’s way of leading me to embrace the way of life of community.  He made that prayer a blessing in disguise, and indeed He granted me the grace to fully live out my Christian faith through the community’s way of life.

Through the years, I have understood and desired to know more about the community through teachings and different events of the community.  When I joined North District E, I witnessed concretely the richness of our life together. And through my own experiences in attending several Haranas, serving either as a host and/or a choreographer of a dance presentation, it was simply a glimpse of God’s amazing love and faithfulness through the brothers and sisters who followed our way of life as their response to love and honor the Lord.

Here I am, choreographing and performing for Jojo and Maila's harana

As I pursue the vocation of Marriage, I have seen how my concept of Harana evolved from a simple child’s prayer to that of seeing it as a vital role as I transition to a new state of life. The Harana is more than the singing of Kundiman songs to express love or dancing Filipino Folk Dances to remember our culture and tradition. It is an integral part of our life as singles. It is a venue where brothers and sisters honor the couple for following the Lord and being faithful to our call in the community through our way of life. More than honoring the couple, it is also to prepare them for the vocation of marriage.

The Harana is a continuation of the courtship process, signaling the transition of a new state of life-from being single to that of pursuing the vocation of Marriage. Pursuing my state of life in the context of the community makes it more meaningful and significant. All the more that the prayer I said to the Lord during that first Harana I attended became so real and personal. As young as I was that time, the grace of God worked mightily in my life that enabled me to fulfill God’s call in Ligaya. Through the guidance of my family, my Pastoral Leaders and the sisters and brothers I am surrounded with, I have followed the Lord through our community way of life.

And now, my own harana: November 14, 2009

The night before my own Harana, it was as if I was brought back to that simple prayer I had, “Lord, I want to have my own Harana.” And indeed, I had my own. The preparations made by brothers and sisters and those who were present, were enough to honor both me and Paulo. Truly, it was an overwhelming fulfillment of my prayer. God’s answer to the desire I whispered years back, and now being fulfilled through His grace. A fitting response to the Lord is “Thank You for the gift of community, Thank You for my Announcement. Thank you for my Harana.”

Portia Domingo, NDE

Katz Festojo at her work station

My patient, Felipe Reyes (not his real name), a victim of stabbing had been difficult to work with from the first time I tried to get a blood extraction.  He would always be obviously irritated, uncooperative and VERY difficult to work with. 

Oftentimes he would refuse the procedures he needed to undergo.  Trying his hardest: negotiating, cursing just so that no doctor or nurse would touch him. So much so that my resident, his attending physician, would need to resort to threats and intimidation just to get him to undergo a necessary ancillary procedure. 

Being the Surgical ICU intern, I was tasked with his blood extractions. And I did NOT want to do them. This guy was always yelling at his doctors, always complaining, always making excuses.  Coming into the room, I was prepared to make some excuse about the patient refusing the procedure.  But  when I faced him, I felt the Lord.  The word “KINDNESS” popped into my head.  I could have left, but I really had no choice.  “KINDNESS” daw, sabi ni Lord.

“Opportunities to share the love of Jesus Christ come everyday. We just have to take them.”

So, I introduced myself.  Asked for his name.  Where he was from.   He was a stabbing ‘victim’ from Cavite.  Thus, we exchanged stories as I stuck needles into him about 5 times. I learned about his family.  The reasons for the incident.

The entire time, he was rude. He was bossy. He would order me, in an irritated voice: “Kunin mo nga ang tissue” so he could spit into it.  I found myself gritting my teeth as I smiled at him and patiently handed him tissues to wipe sputum off his mouth.  I would throw away his infected tissues. He would have me pick up some other things for him.

He needed his urine catheter to be changed.  He had been refused several times already.  Even when talking to the resident doctors.   I was tired. I wanted to leave. Nevertheless, the word “KINDNESS” kept popping into my head.  Thus, I explained to him the procedure, half expecting him to refuse. Afterwards, I informed him that I had to leave and someone else would do the job.

He told me, “ikaw na lang.”   I was struck. Something as simple as asking a patient’s name and history, I acknowledged him as a person.  And tears stung my eyes because he was not being acknowledged as a person the 5 days he had been in the Surgical ICU. People knew him as a patient, a case.  I knew him as Mr. Reyes. So I did the procedure and he did not complain. Before my eyes, he was changing.  I imagined a wounded animal in the way he was reacting initially. Now, he was being respectful, mindful, acting like a person. He was asking me to do it because he didn’t trust anyone else to.

When I was going to leave the room for a different shift, I informed him that I would be leaving. He expressed his disappointment saying, “wala na akong kakampi dito.” I couldn’t find any words to reply with. I only knew that this was a great milestone. He trusted me enough to want me there. 

I didn’t show this man any extraordinary kindness – apart from that what was due to him. Then I realized what a rare gift that was. To have someone offer them the dignity that is due them — the dignity that God intended for him.   When we are the face of Jesus to others, we don’t even have to do anything out of the ordinary.  We only have to see them with God’s eyes.  See the dignity that He sees. Want for them the beauty and the privilege that HE intended. Sometimes all our patients need is for us to see them as they are.

When I wander PGH, I wonder if compassion is dead.  As doctors, we see death and destruction day to day. It’s commonplace. It’s thoroughfare.  And yet a bit of kindness to a person who needs it is light. Patient Reyes helped me see light in the darkness of everyday. 

Sometimes, I still feel disappointed in myself for the missed opportunities in proclaiming Jesus to the world. But God is still good, and He always reminds me that his love is available, even through simple works.  I think I feel that it wasn’t me showing God’s love to them. It was my patients showing God’s love to me. Isn’t that ironic?

- KATZ FESTEJO, North District E

If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it.

Happy moments, praise God.

Difficult moments, seek God.

Quiet moments, worship God.

Painful moments, trust God.

Every moment, thank God