“Empowerment.“  This is the one word summary of the experience of  37 Day Care Workers last April 13 when they participated at a seminar sponsored by the North Sector’s Project Hearts and Hands.  The Day Care workers come from 42 Day Care centers located in different areas of Cainta.  The seminar, entitled “Effective Teaching Made Easy: On Teaching Methodologies” empowered the Day Care workers with a new awareness of their own teaching styles/ personality type, different modality strengths of children (visual, auditory and kinesthetic) and new effective techniques to use in teaching.  Towards the end, they watched an inspirational film clip on John Foppe, a known motivational speaker born without arms. 

37 day care workers attend "Effective Teaching Made Easy" seminar

One of the participants, after receiving all the input of the day approached one of the organizers to say, “Nanlalamig na ako sa aking serbisyo.  Pero sa seminar na ito,  nabuhayan akong muli.”  Doesn’t that statement fit so well with the message of Easter wherein our Lord, through His resurrection, breathes in new life and new hope to our fearful, tired and anxious hearts?

In Cainta, children ages 3 to 5 years old attend these Day Care Centers, paying a mere fifty pesos a month to cover all expenses in their pre-school education.  Because there are Day Care Centers such as these, parents of low income communities can have a safe place to leave their children while they go out seeking livelihood for their families.  Last December, the North Sector through Project Heart and Hands tried to augment this P50/per child/ per month budget by donating school materials, cleaning materials and audio visual equipment.  Their donations went on to benefit more than 3,000 preschool children who came back to school in January 2010.

"Sa seminar na ito, nabuhayan akong muli."

The work of a Day Care worker is truly like a missionary service to the community.  Each worker is paid an allowance of P4,000/ month by the municipal government.  They work a full day teaching one, two, sometimes three batches of pre-schoolers.  When the P50 contributions of the children are not enough to cover the expenses, they often have to dip into their own pockets.  But despite the sacrifices,  many of them have been at this for so many years now.  For example, two of the participants yesterday were a mother and daughter tandem who have both embraced teaching pre-schoolers as their lifelong mission and service in life.  Another teacher worked as a real estate agent for 17 years while sending her five children to college.  Now, as her youngest child graduates from college, she is “retiring” to teach pre-schoolers, who according to her bring so much more joy and satisfaction.  “Iba nga ang pera sa Real Estate.  Pero dito sa pre-school, iba ang saya at satisfaction na mararamdaman mo”, she says. “How can someone who has so little, choose to still give more?,” I ask myself.

The seminar yesterday was given by our very own Vanessa Villarosa-Salvana.  Vanessa, from NDC, is a much sought after speaker by educators nationwide for her corporate training expertise in understanding children’s different learning styles to enhance teaching effectiveness.  Vanessa came out such a hit with the participants that each one wanted to have their photograph taken with Vanessa at the end of the seminar.  “Ang ganda ganda ni Ma’am Vanessa,” one participant said. “Ang galing pa!”, another added.  “At hindi boring!”, all the participants agreed.  Vanessa’s eyes shone brightly as she patiently shared her knowledge with the day care workers.  It was evident that she was not just sharing from her mind.  Her whole being resounded with life as she spoke.  A heart that loves Christ shone through. 

In Ezekiel 37: 5-6, it says,

“This is what the Sovereign LORD says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life.  I will attach tendons to you and make flesh come upon you and cover you with skin; I will put breath in you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the LORD.’ “ 

And this is exactly what happened yesterday at the seminar.  The Lord has breathed new life not only into the hearts of the participants but the organizers as well.  What a joy to witness the Lord’s work first hand!  What a privilege to see hearts being renewed, refreshed and transformed before my very eyes.

To our brothers and sisters in the North Sector, let us press on in our efforts to reach out because yes, we are being used by the Lord to make a difference.  Praise be to God, the Father of us all!

- Sharee Roque, North District A

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.) 

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In his opening remarks, Kuya Tony Panajon first affirmed the members by saying, “I never doubted the generosity of this community.”  But, just like Jean Barbara, he encouraged everyone to give more.  Harping on a similar message that Kuya Tony gave during the 2009 Feast of the Covenant when he urged everyone to engage in the mission, Kuya Tony further said this time around: “The Lord is apparently asking us to invest more … in evangelization, in our youth, and as citizens of this country.”  He cited three reasons why we should give more:  “Giving set us free, while hoarding entraps us.  Giving can change the lives of others.  Giving brings blessings back to us.”  He drew inspiration from scripture, wishing that this verse (below) spoke to the membership collectively as well as individually and personally:

“As each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of God’s varied grace.” 
(1 Pet 4:10)

Melmarx Marcojos, Central Sector Coordinator, followed by bringing the community into a moment of reflection, quoting Jean Barbara:  “Give more of your time, your money, your people, your talents.  Give more today than you ever gave before.”

Kuya Tony and Melmarx urging the members to embrace their mission

Melmarx shared his reflection on this statement, feeling a sense of urgency in the message (“today”), and a sense of generosity.  “We give more because we are missionaries,” he said.  “That’s who we are.  As a member of LnP, you are a missionary.   And as a missionary, God’s call for us at such a time as this is to give more.  Because it helps us understand who we are: our call, to be a community of disciples on mission, and to discover God working miracles in each one of us.”  He led the community to reflect on the following questions:

(1) Have you heard God calling you personally to give more today?  If not, do I believe that God is asking me to give more today?   

(2) How have I given more today?  (not just money but of our time, resources, talents, etc.)  

(3) What opportunities do I have in serving the Lord beyond my own community?

The remainder of the conference was a series of presentations from one individual after another sharing the joy and the fruit of their various mission work, including representatives from the Compassion Ministry, the Evangelization Ministry, the Youth Ministry.

Some of the speakers sharing the joy and the fruit of their mission work.

Photos by: John Rich Villas

 See related links regarding the call to mission, and to give more:

• KUYA TONY EXHORTS EVERYONE TO ENGAGE IN BATTLE
• “TAKE ON THE MANTLE OF A MISSIONARY”

The event was highly successful, both from the medical assistance point of view and from an evangelistic point of view.   

A total of 20 volunteer doctors and 8 volunteer dentists came to support the event.  They served a total of 435 patients, with the majority being 18 years and younger.   

The volunteers included the following doctors and dentists:

It was a concerted team effort, as 49 non-professional volunteers coming from the Central Sector manned the registration table, took blood pressure readings, gathered baseline info about the families, and also prayed over and with the beneficiaries.  These volunteers helped put order in the long queues, and assisted in the cleaning of the instruments and lending assistance to the medical team.  

Dong Asperilla leading a PDS family in prayer

More than 400 PDS residents came for free treatment

There was an abundance of free medicine to dispense.

In his report to the Sector Council, Alan Santos said, “The LNP Volunteers and PDS team who did the history taking were able to touch the people as they shared their lives to one another with a 3 minute life sharing and pray over, most of the patients felt the need for God in their lives and many cried while being prayed over.”  

Central Sector volunteers learning about discipleship through mission

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We reached the venue before 9am.  The compound was wide, spacious and surrounded by greenery. We were welcomed by Sr. Marissa , a very good friend of Dickie’s father in the olden days. (However, in the past few months, it seemed that her new “barkada” had now become Dickie and Susan who did all the research and arrangements for this outreach activity of our MWG).

We were led to the dining area where several of the older/senior sisters had already gathered. (We found out that in this house there were over  50 sisters in various stages of disability a part of about a hundred aging nuns who were being cared for in other sections of the building). The ones we were about to meet could still go around in their wheelchairs while there were some who can’t get up anymore and just stayed in their “ICU” area.   

The first part of our program was introduction of our MWG followed by a brief background of Ang Ligaya ng Panginoon. While Sr. Marissa was giving her welcome remarks,  Sr. Imelda was insistently raising her hand and wanted to be heard. She welcomed us with a song number to our delight!  (Wow, apparently, though these nuns are almost bed ridden , they sure can still give joy to others by their willingness to share their talents).  We were also amazed to know that Sr. Imelda was a nursing board topnotcher, who  eventually became a nurse, but opted to answer God’s calling to become a nun.

A 102-year old nun sings to us

Before Sr. Marissa could continue with our program, another sister sang and then another  recited a poem.  The most surprising among all was when the most senior sister who happened to be 102 years old sang “Bahay Kubo” and we all joyfully sang with her with gusto!

The Sisters enjoyed reciting poems and singing songs to us!

We initially went there with a program in mind which included singing praise and worship songs, prayers, etc.  In between the sisters’ talks/stories, songs, poems and entertainment, we were able to sing several songs.  Yong and Che’s 7 yr. old son, Red, entertained the nuns by speaking in front of them.  He later was lovingly interrogated by them and he patiently listened to all their stories. 

"It's now our turn to thank and to serve you."

It turned out that the main portion of our program was given by the sisters themselves.  They simply wanted to have people around to interact with.  As if to confirm it, later on that afternoon Dickie sent an email to all our MWG members about a daily reflection from St. Pio  which goes . . .

“We have a listening group of co-workers (of the Missionaries of Charity) who go to the houses of old people and sit down and let them talk. The elderly tell stories to the co-workers of things that happened 30 years ago. Very old people love to have somebody listen to them. To listen when nobody else wants to listen is a very beautiful thing.”  - Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta

Coincidence? Oh yes we would say that, . . . in human terms. But our almighty God knows better. We went there to entertain when it turned out that these retired, aging and sickly nuns needed people to listen to them and spend time with them.  

Sr. Marissa accompanied us around the compound.  We took a peek of their ICU section, saw their chapel, prayed in one of their prayer rooms, walked by their cemetery and even enjoyed the breathtaking view of Laguna de Bay overlooking nearby.  We realized that these nuns spent more than half their lifetime serving the Lord.   Some even gave up what could have been lucrative careers.  They lovingly showed the face of Jesus to the less fortunate, the sick and the dying.  Now as they reach their twilight years, it is their turn to be served by others.  

Before that Saturday, our MWG agreed to donate funds so that we could purchase some grocery items. We were able to bring 3 boxes containing milk, crackers, bread, oatmeal, jams, cheese.   But we found out that aside from these items, the sisters desperately need other things like adult diapers, wheelchairs, kumoda (portable toilet chairs), vitamin C, multi-vitamins, used laptops or PC desktops, printers (for their data files ), and solar water heater (to reduce their Meralco bills).

As Arlene said in her opening remarks… “throughout all the years of service, the Sisters of Charity must have served hundreds or even thousands of people.  Maybe a few would have said “Thank you” to you.  It is now our turn to thank and to serve you for your lifelong commitment of giving selfless service to others”.

We said our goodbyes and told the nuns we will try our best to visit them again.  We left the huge compound with a happy heart knowing that in our own small way, we made that day extra special for the sisters.  But there were nagging questions such as “How about the other days of their aging lives, what would they be like?”  “What can we do to make their remaining days be happy and comfortable?”

There couldn’t be a better way to show them than by spending time with them and attending to their needs.  It is surely God’s way of telling them: “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

- Michelle Manzo, Central B

Editor’s note: The MWG of Manny and Arlene Arcilla belong to Central B, composed of Dickie and Susan Buhain, Noel and Ces Duldulao, Yong and Che Garcia, Mico and Ivy Lademora, Jay and Michelle Manzo.  They paid a second visit to the Daughters of Charity on April 9, 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.

To: The members of the Sword of the Spirit

From: The President

Beirut, 1 November 2009

Dear brothers and sisters,

Greetings!

A few months ago (May 2009), Steve Clark passed on the baton of the presidency of the Sword of the Spirit. This was not just another routine incident in the life of our international community, both because of who Steve is and because of the particular season we are in.

Steve is the founder of the Sword of the Spirit, and from its beginnings he has worked tirelessly at establishing, maintaining, and defending the vision he received from the Lord to build a Bulwark, a community of disciples on mission. This required from him courage to start the work, and more courage and boldness to build in good times but also in times of difficulties and persecution. He demonstrated an even greater measure of courage and trust in the Lord in handing on the leadership to other brothers when he was still capable at all levels to go on – something rare in the history of founders of movements in the church. He did not simply retire when things were not going well. On the contrary! The Sword of the Spirit is now experiencing a season of unprecedented growth with a promise from the Lord of a season of grace and more open doors for mission, a season, according to Steve, like that at our beginnings.

Brothers and sisters, I believe that in this season the Lord is inviting us to trust Him and move forward in boldness and courage in the mission that is ahead of us. All of us need this in our daily evangelism, our communities need it for their outreaches, our regions in their missionary efforts. A couple of months ago, I participated in a mission trip led by more than a hundred university young men and women from Europe and the Middle East to try to establish a University Christian Outreach in a very resistant and difficult environment, Aleppo, Syria. During the day they reflected on the book of Acts, and many were struck by the secret of the success of the beginning of the mission of the church: the boldness of the apostles (see Acts 4). During the evening, with trust in the Lord, expectant faith, and courage and boldness, these young men and women evangelized, and miracles happened both in their lives and in the lives of people they had never met before.

The apostles had another decisive weapon for the success of mission that our young people discovered: the power of prayer and intercession. “And now, Lord, … grant to your servants to speak your word with all boldness, while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God with boldness.” (Acts 4: 29-31) In this “Year of Personal Prayer” I invite you all -as well as the regional presidents and the senior coordinators- to integrate intercession for the mission as part of your regular personal, family, community, and regional prayers.

As the apostles moved in faith, the Lord provided them with all the extraordinary gifts as well as the human and material resources they needed for the mission. The Lord has promised us the same in this season. The members of the first community were generous in offering the Lord and the apostles their resources, their time, their talents, and even their lives, “for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of what was sold and laid it at the apostles’ feet” (Acts 4: 34-35). May the Lord make us even more generous in offering what we have to His mission, to our mission.

Finally, I hope to be able to visit your communities during the coming four years, especially in conjunction with my participation in regional council meetings or regional Kairos conferences.

Your brother in Christ,

Jean Barbara President of the Sword of the Spirit

BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION ABOUT JEAN BARBARA

Jean Barbara was born in 1957 in Beirut, Lebanon, and is married to Marie-Therese. They have four children: Victor, 22, who is serving as a gapper in Michigan; Nicole, 20, a UCO leader in Lebanon; Peter, 19, a youth leader in Lebanon, and Philip, 8, currently the only child providing his parents with some company at home. Jean is a coordinator and Marie-Therese a senior woman leader in the People of God, Lebanon.

Jean received a Master of Business Administration from the American University of Beirut, and is currently a Tax Advisor (working part-time) in his own company. Jean served as Senior Coordinator of the People of God, Lebanon, from 1990 until 2008 and now leads the Sword of the Spirit mission in the Middle East. He was President of the Europe and Middle East Region of the Sword of the Spirit from 1999 until 2005, and Moderator of Christ the King Association until 2002.

ABOUT THE POSITION OF PRESIDENT OF THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT

According to the Constitution of the Sword of the Spirit, the President is responsible for the following:

• preside over the Sword of the Spirit
• lead the Sword of the Spirit Assembly, and the International Executive Council
• coordinate the legislative process
• represent the Sword of the Spirit both within and without the Sword of the Spirit

The President is the primary international leader of the Sword of the Spirit and a key focus of unity. The President meets regularly with the various Regional Councils so that he can know first-hand the issues and opportunities the regions face, and so that he can know personally the leaders of the regions. It is through this first hand contact that he is able to guide the work of the International Executive Council and set direction for the Sword of the Spirit overall.

Editor’s Note:  This letter came by way of email from Richard Perry, Executive Secretary of the Sword of the Spirit.

RELATED LINKS:

• TAKE ON THE MANTLE OF A MISSIONARY – exhortation to the Ligaya Community (22 Nov 2009
• JEAN BARBARA – God’s watchful and longing servant – an interview with Jean Barbara (23 Nov 2009)

Speaking before Ligaya for the first time since he was elected as President of the SoS, Jean Barbara thanked Ligaya for responding to the call of God to serve Him.  “For many years,” Jean said, “you have served not only your own community, but you have served the Sword of the Spirit.  You have given yourselves generously to the mission, in the Philippines, in India, in Singapore.”

"We never thought we would get out of our small Christian ghetto."

Jean testified how the power of the Holy Spirit was manifested when their community, The People of God, responded to the missionary call.  Never imagining that they would ever need to leave the safe surroundings of their little Christian ghetto in Lebanon, “the first door that the Lord opened was in Syria itself (always considered our enemy because they occupied our country for twenty years).”

Responding to the urging of the Holy Spirit and to the invitation of a priest in Syria, he led a team of 30 fresh young men, mostly children of community, to conduct a Life in the Spirit Seminar in a far flung town in Syria, braving the cold winter, sacrificing a Christmas holiday, and even risking life.   He saw how powerful the transformation was, not only on those 90 persons who came to be prayed over during the LSS, but also on those who joined in the mission trip. 

Speaking about these kids whom he led on mission, Jean said, “You need to realize these are community kids that have been well raised.  But raised to be in community, to be good disciples, but not to be exposed to this kind of ‘wild’ going on mission, the way Jesus sent the disciples on mission in Luke 10, ‘Don’t take with you any sandals, nothing with you.  Just go.’”   It was only during their 11-hour road trip that Jean conducted training for these would-be missionaries.  “I gave them training on the bus on how to lead a seminar.  Most of them had never done anything of the sort before: how to pray over people.”   

Even as this training was going on, Jean continued, “some people started experiencing God working among them.  The Holy Spirit was working among them, and their hearts were being changed.”   And during the LSS, he said, “these good community kids started evangelizing and praying over people, and seeing miracles happen.  Conversions.  People being filled by the Holy Spirit.  Being baptized in the Holy Spirit.  People crying.  We were the first group ever who visited this region and did any Christian mission, ever since this Church existed in the past 50 years maybe.”  

At the end of the mission, Jean said parents were amazed at how their kids were transformed by this experience.  “They came back and their parents would tell me, ‘What did you do with our kids?’  They would come  and stand and prophesy in community gatherings.  Most of them had not experienced spiritual gifts before.  Most of them are saying, ‘we want to be missionaries.  We want to serve the Lord.  Now we understand what the Sword of the Spirit is all about.’  This is what God is talking to us about open doors.” 

Having testified to the transforming power of mission work, Jean turned to the Ligaya Community and had two things to say to the members.  The first message was his message of gratitude for all the service that Ligaya had given to the Sword of the Spirit.  He singled out, in particular, Fr. Herb, Vic Guitierrez, Tony Panajon, and Ken Noecker.

His second message to Ligaya was equally powerful and emphatic. 

And my second word to you, which I think is also from the Lord, is “Give more!”  Give more today than you ever gave before.  Give more of your time, more of your money, more of your people, more of your talents.  Give more to the mission.

This is not only consistent with biblical and spiritual principles (“if you have received much, much will be required of you to give”), and with the call of Jesus for all to be missionaries, but, he said, “even more so because of the season we are in, because of the doors that the Lord is opening, and because of His invitation to you and to all of us to go through the door and give more of what we have received.”

"I invite you to put on the mantle of a missionary."

He punctuated his message with the following exhortation:

I invite you to take on more and more the mantle of a missionary, whose life is to serve the Lord beyond his own community.  I invite you to start evangelizing.   Some ofyou will be called to evangelize more.  Some of you will be called to serve in the movements that you have.

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.  But even more.  You will discover God working in miracles in you, in your families, in your children, and in the community.

In specific terms, he said God was asking Ligaya the following:

• to “give more of your men .. for the mission in the region, and for the mission internationally.” 
• to “give more of your money. We are right now in the Sword of the Spirit in a fund raising campaign to be able to sustain all the mission that the Lord is opening before us.  Luke spoke about Uganda.  But there is a new mission in Russia.  There is a new mission everywhere.”
• to “release our kids for mission. If you want your kids to understand what we are about, send them on mission …. Our kids need to understand and to taste God in action.  They need to go in faith. When everything is provided for them, there is no room for faith.”

Jean Barbara concluded with a promise of a vision.

I think we are in a time of grace, brothers and sisters.  I think the Lord is serious about this call … Everything I talked about in this sharing was about the Heaven that we are already living on earth.  Being in community is a foretaste of heaven. Giving our lives completely like our Master did is a foretaste of heaven. Going on mission and seeing God in action is seeing Heaven opened and His angels working in us and through us, and His Holy Spirit at work.

RELATED LINKS:

• A LETTER FROM THE SOS PRESIDENT — addressed to all SOS members worldwide (1 Nov 2009)
• JEAN BARBARA – God’s watchful and longing servant – an interview with Jean Barbara (23 Nov 2009)

This was a question posted to the community by Rev. Fr. Herb Schneider, SJ when he celebrated holy mass during Ang Ligaya ng Panginoon’s Feast of the Covenant last Sunday, September 20, 2009.   The community, who had the events hall of the A-Venue at Makati Avenue packed that day, was also reminded by Fr. Herb to: renew the commitment daily, pray continuously, and always look to God for guidance (“If you wish to be my disciples, take up your cross daily and follow me.” –Mt. 16:24).  He also challenged each one to ask himself daily, “Are you the kind of person who more and more lay down his life?”

Melmarx leading off in the worship

Towards the end of the mass, new sector coordinators were installed and prayed over by the community: Andy Juan of the North Sector and Melmarx Marcojos of the Central Sector (not present during the ceremony was Spanky Meer of the South Sector).

After the Eucharistic celebration, newly installed Central Sector Coordinator Melmarx Marcojos led the body into worship.  Echoing Fr. Herb’s reminder regarding our covenant commitment, he reminded us that God is “not just the God of Abraham and of Isaac, but that He is our God…and that He is the same God who calls us today and who will call us tomorrow…to make a covenant with Him.”

Jake Yap of the Servants of the Word then gave a talk on the theme Called for such a time as this.  According to him, the times we’re living in is characterized by rapid changes and an excess of suffering.  So what’s to be our response?  Faithfulness to God, steadfastness in love, and the building of community—that will love the Lord despite a world turning away from Him.  He continued to encourage everyone by saying, “God is on the move—He continues to show us His presence in our lives today.”

Next was a sharing from two sisters and a brother.

Charmz, Enee and Bobby give their testimonies at the Feast

The first sister, Charmz Bautista, shared about how she, as a teacher, chooses to live her faith, lead by example, and pray for her students; the effects of which is greatly seen in their lives and the decisions they make.  Her steadfastness is guided by the Lord’s words to her: “Do not plan on the basis of your limitations; but plan on the basis of what I promise you.”

Another sister, Enee Abrenica, a daughter of Ligaya members, shared about her reluctance to attend LNP activities at first, but didn’t want to make her parents sad (or probably get them into trouble with the community), so she kept joining—until she found herself completing all the courses and qualified to be covenanted.  All the while attending the community for the happiness of her parents, she now wondered, “What would life be under the veil?  Whose happiness would it be this time?”  Until she found the answer in her heart and realized that this was indeed the right thing to do.  For this time she knows that not only will it make her parents, her pastoral leader, and her community happy…but most importantly, her covenant commitment would make God happy…and that’s what makes her truly happy as well.

Lastly, Bobby Quitain, a brother and lay preacher, shared about the challenges and blessings he faces everyday in his God-given mission.  His steadfastness in faith and commitment to his covenant in Ligaya was truly evident in his resolve as he proclaimed, “I will not occupy unless I occupy with you, brothers and sisters”  — the reason why he turned down a great offer from well-known lay preacher Bo Sanchez to regularly preach in The Feast.  According to Bobby, accepting the offer would require much of his time and might take him away from his other commitments in Ligaya and his mission.  His decision was guided by his belief that, “My covenant is a channel of God’s mission.  I must never occupy at the expense of my covenant.”

The inspiring sharing was followed by the much-awaited Acceptance and Renewal of Covenant Commitment led by Senior Head Coordinator, Bro. Tony Panajon, where the community witnessed the covenanting of brothers and sisters: 18 from the North Sector, 22 from the Central Sector, and 16 from the South Sector.  After the laying of mantels (brothers) and veils (sisters) by their respective District Coordinators, the newly covenanted members were prayed over by the whole community and accepted with warm greetings.

A total of 56 brothers and sisters made a public commitment to the Covenant

In these challenging times, it is truly heartening to witness such acts of commitment to the Lord and His intended way of life.  Indeed, in professing your faith and steadfastness in rising up to the world’s everyday challenge, what could be better than to be called for such a time as this?

Related stories and testimonies:

• Kuya Tony Exhorts Everyone To Engage In Battle
• My Boat, My Anchor, And My Seashore – sharing by Bobby Quitain
• This Is Where God Wants Me to Be – sharing by Enee Abrenica
• Being a Silent Witness Is Not Enough – sharing by Charmz Bautista
• Ligaya Elects Sector Coordinators