2^nd week – Community

(in original language)

“Apan unsaon man nila pagsampit kaniya kon wala sila motuo? Ug unsaon man nila pagtuo kon wala sila makadungog sa mensahe? Ug unsaon man nila pagkadungog kon walay magwale niini?’’-Roma 10:14

Sa pagpamalandong naku niining pulonga na hunahunaan jud nako kung unsa ka importante para sa akua ni mahitingod sa pagsangyaw  sa maayong balita. Bisan layo amo ginabaktas pero sa panahon nga maka sangyaw ko ug akong mga kauban dako jud ako kalipay. Dili man jud sayon ang maong buluhaton pero na remind ko jud ko nga bersikulo (Roma 10:14) kay tungod nabati nako nga daghan jud ang wala makadungog sa Maayong balita bisan adunay sila pagtuo sa Diyos pero lahi jud ang nay relasyon sa Ginoo ug nahagit ko sa kinabuhi ni Tatay *Juan kay nasayod ko nga adunay butang nga wala pa niya gitungyan sa Ginoo kay tungod sa iyang bisyo lisod jud nga siya biyaan. Kay sama usab ko sa iyaha sa una nga aduna pud bisyo bisan unsaon badlong sa ako, dili jud ko magbag-o. Pero dako jud ang pasalamat nako sa Ginoo kay tungod sa iya nga grasya ug kaluoy naluwas ko gikan sa kangitngit maong nahagit ko kay tatay kay kabalo ko. Ang Ginoo magapamuhat ra jud sa iyaha.

Bisan pa sa pagpanglakaw namo atong Sabado, bisan sa ulan ug kalapok sa dalan, lisud jud pero salamat sa Ginoo aduna jud balay mudawat sa amoa. Bisan pa atong Domingo salamat usab ko sa Ginoo kay bisan naulanan ug nainitan walay sakit na ako o among natagamtaman. Nabless usab ko sa kinabuhi ni Sir J*. nga sa diin gintudlo niya ang kinabuhi ni Abraham ug ang saad sa Diyos kang Abraham nga ‘’Panalanginan ko ikaw ug mahimo kang panalangini sa tanang nasud”

                                

-Buboy 21- Mt. Carmel

Acts 20:24

(In English)

‘’How then can they call on the one they have not believed in and how can they believed in the one of whom they have not heard. And how can they hear without someone preaching to them’- Romans 10:14

As I continue meditate on this verse, I realized even more how important it is to preach the Gospel. Even though our ministry area is far from the camp site, the joy is unexplainable when we share the Gospel. This job is not easy but this verse (Romans 10:14) reminds me that many people are still lost even though they believe in God they still don’t have a personal relationship with God. There is a big difference between those 2. I was challenged by the life of Tatay *Juan. I know that there are things that he has yet to surrender to the Lord and because those have become a habit or vises, it is just hard for him to turn away from them. I was like that before. No matter how my family tried to persuade me, I would not change. So, I really thank the Lord because of His grace and mercy, I was rescued from darkness and so Tatay *Juan’s life really speaks to me coz I can relate to what he is going through. The Lord will continue to work in him.

Even in during our ministry this Saturday, even in the muddiness of the paths, it was really difficult but a home welcomed us. Even on Sunday, I also thank the Lord that even though we got rained on and then walked in the heat of the sun but I did not nor my team mates did get sick. I was also blessed with the life of Sir J* and how he shared the life of Abraham and God’s promise to him that, “I will bless you and you will be a blessing to all nations.”

ONE GOSPEL, ALL NATIONS, THROUGH HIS CHURCH

Three things that ought to be together, three things that shouldn’t be taken partly -- Gospel, Church, All nations. But why does it seem that many of us take only two and leave out the other? We accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour, we became part of His Church, and that’s all. But is that it?

Why do we forget the NATIONS?

“For God so loved the world!” He is after the world -- every tribe, every nation, and every tongue. But does the church know? Or does the church see? Does the church hear the cry of the lost souls and the lake of fire awaits them? Have we, the church –the Body -- not perceived what the Head –Christ -- has always had in his heart and mind (Luke 24:44-48)? He talked about it countless times.  

The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob who we claim to be our Lord is after all nations –all the nations! And we call ourselves his followers. But what are we living for? Or should I say, what are we dying for?

-Rhoda, 24- Batangas

Finish the Race

Original Language

Ang aking karanasan

Nung nakaraang linggo, pumunta kami sa isang barangay para magbahagi ng Magandang Balita at mag-encourage sa mga mananampalataya. Ang paglalakad ay mahirap pero ako’y nasisiyahan hanggang sa punto na kami ay naligaw at hindi na naming alam kung anong daan ang aming tatahakin. Naisip ko na bumalik nalang ng camp site pero ang Panginoon ay nangusap sa aking puso at ako ay napaalalahanan  na hindi Nya ipinangako sa mga taong pumiling sumunod sa kanya ang madaling daan sa halip sinabi niya na asahan na ito’y magkakaroon ng pag-uusig at pagkabigo. At ako’y  nagpatuloy sa paglalakad kasama ang aking groupo at nakarating din kami sa aming distinasyon .Nakita ko kung paano ang Diyos kumikilos kahit sa konting tao na nadoon.

TRANSLATION

“I consider my life worth nothing to me if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me -the task of testifying to the Gospel of God’s grace.” Acts 20:24

We went out to the community this weekend to share the Gospel and encourage believers. The hike was tough but I enjoyed it until we got lost and had no idea which path to take. I thought of just going back to the camp but the Lord spoke into my heart and I was reminded that He did not promise an easy road to those who obey Him rather, He told them to expect a jungle filled with danger (persecutions & probably frustrations). So I continued to walk with the team and reached our destination and saw how God is at work even in the very few people that we found there.

                                                                                                                   -DJ, 20 Samar-Leyte

The Bible is my guide

Original Language

Sa una nga sinama ko diri sa Advance Operations Training, nabatyagan ko gid nga ang Ginoo nag-istorya gid sa akon pinaagi sa iya nga pulong nga makit-an sa Mateo 6:33-34 ‘’Gani uanha ninyo ang pagpasakop sa paghari sang Dios kag pagtuman sa iya kabubut-on, kag ihatag gid niya ang tanan ninyo nga mga kinahanglanon. Gani indi kamo pagbalibog parte sa buwas, kay ang buwas may kaugalingon nga palaligban. Indi kinahanglan nga dugangan pa ninyo ang palaligban nga nagaabot sa kada adlaw ‘’ Naghambal man siya, nga ang akon nga naagyan (experiences) hindi dapat amo ang akon nga giya- parehas sang pasali sa Nehemiah Teams, sa AOT kag bisan sa pag-eskwela sa BOOST . Ang akon nga mga ginaagyan kinahanglan giyahan kag maintihan pinaagi sa Iya nga Pulong. Ang Ginoo  nga gipakita  sa Kasulatan hindi gid magbag-o, kay ako, bilang isa ka Kristiano kag disipulo, kinahanglan nga di ko masipyat nga himoon ang biblia nga akon nga giya. Ang Biblia amo ang akon nga ‘’manual’’ sa kinabuhi kag sa pagtuo.

                           

TRANSLATION

This first week at AOT I experienced God speaking to me through His word, in Matthew 6:33-34(NIV) “But, seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” He also said to me that my experience should NOT  be my guide – being able to do Nehemiah Teams, attending BOOST and even going through AOT. My experiences should be guided by and understood through God’s Word. The God revealed in the Scripture does not change, that I, as a Christian and as a disciple should never fail to make the Bible as my guide. The Bible is my manual for faith and life.                                                                      

-Julito, 21- Mt.Carmel

Grace

ORIGINAL Language

Dako nga grasya na di ko mawari

Gihatag sa akoa upang maging anak ng hari

Gilimpyo sa Ginoo ang akong kinabuhi

Palaging Niyang nais sa piling ng Iyahang luwalhati

Ginoo, kay dako sa Imong gugma!

Sa lalim ng aking kasalanan

Sa taas ng Iyong katuwiran

Pinili mong mapagitna

Kaylanma’y hindi masusukat ang Iyong pagmamahal

Ito’y mas nauunawaan ko bawat araw

Mas lumilinaw bawat araw

Mas lumalalim bawat araw

Lumalaki habang tumatagal

TRANSLATION

Grace I can’t comprehend

Given as a gift to be a daughter of the King

My life He cleansed and desires that I be

Living with Him in His Glory

LORD, how great is your love!

In the depth of my sin

In the height of Your righteousness

You chose to stand between

Pulling me out of that deep pit

No one can fully grasp Your love or measure it

But I understand it more each day

Better each day

Deeper each day

Prayer Requests:

• ·    That the love of the Lord will draw me closer to Him so that I may be able to extend love to others
•      Wisdom and understanding to learn the language                               

   -Rhoda,24-Batangas  

(Rhoda is from Batangas and is learning to speak Bisaya) 

I can do all things through Christ....

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” -Philippians 4:13

This verse still echoes in my mind. Looking back on my experiences last year in the field during Filipino& American NT, I thought I’d already reached my limit, that I couldn’t do more. But God reminded me with that verse I wrote above. We have been here at AOT for a week now and the first day of ministry has started.  We walked 18km to visit the contacts in different barangays and to do courtesy calls with the Brgy. Captain. The best part of this experience is not only walking that far but also walking under heavy rains up and down the hills from the camp to the village and then back to camp again. I never imagined I could do it because I know it is impossible. Yes, I am weak, my ability and capacity has limitations but God’s power has no limitations and I should have never underestimated Him. I learned to trust Him more, depend on Him and rely on Him for His grace is sufficient and His power is made perfect in my weakness.

                                                                                                                                -Jhing, 23 Samar-Leyte

Journal Entry

It feels strange to be away from home. I’m far from the familiar people and places I am comfortable with. To be here in Samal for AOT is quite challenging. I must admit. EVERYTHING IS NEW.

But I thank the Lord for a beautiful privilege I am given. I got to meet new people and be inspired by them, to eat new food and be amazed of it and of course to learn a new language and be connected with the locals. The training has just started but it all made me see how the Lord was good to me. He has given me brand new family and friends to learn, laugh and love with. Indeed an experience worthy of the distance.

-Pau, 26-Bicol

God's Will

ORIGINAL Language

“Ang Kabubot-on sa Ginoo”

Dako kaayo ang akong pagpasalamat kay usa ako sa gitawag sa Ginoo.

Kay ang butang nga wala nako panganduya ,gihatag sa Dios, sama sa pag-anhi niining dapita aron sa pagtuon sa Iyahang pulong.

Giplano sa Diyos nga makaapil ko sa Nehemiah Teams - Advance Operations Training. Nagtuo ko nga kani ang Iyang pamaagi aron maila nako Siya pag-ayo ug mahibaluan nako kung unsa ang iyahang kabubut-on sa akong kinabuhi.

Wala ako magdahom nga daghan pa gayod ang gusto sa Ginoo nga ipakita kanako parehas sa iyang grasya nga gihatag kanato aron sa pagsangyaw sa Iyang pulong didto sa mga layo nga dapit. Diri lang gayod ko nakasinati nga magbaktas  tibuok nga adlaw kauban sa init ug ulan.  Pero wala nako kini gihunahuna kay usa kini sa kabubut-on sa Ginoo sa akong kinabuhi ug nalipay ako sa pagsunod Kaniya kay nakahibalo ko nga nagabaktas ko kauban Siya.

TRANSLATION

God’s Will

I am very amazed that I am among those whom God has called. Even the things that I did not ask for, He gave them to me just like the opportunity to study His word that I never even dreamed of. He purposed that I be able to join AOT – Advance Operations Training of Nehemiah Teams. I believe this is God’s way for me to be able to know Him more and know what His plan for my life is.

I did not know that there is so much more that the Lord wants to reveal to me just like that grace that He gave us to preach His word in far places. It is just here that I experienced hiking for almost the entire day in the heat of the sun and heavy rain. But I did not give up for this is God’s will and I am very happy to obey God and do this hike knowing He is with me.

-James, 24-Caraga

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not your own understanding.

Proverbs 3:5

Righteousness

“God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us so that in Him we might become the Righteousness of God.”-2 Corinthians 5:21 

I know that God had no sin but because of His love He sacrificed His life so that you and I can become the righteousness of God. Like the “two sides of the coin of salvation”, forgiveness and righteousness being each side, by faith, one receives them both. When they receive one, they also received the other. 

How to become the righteous? It is hard to be righteous in our own way but Christ was given to us to be our righteousness. Righteousness is a gift and no one can work for it or earn it. And no one deserves to be made righteous. Like any gift, righteousness can only be accepted or rejected. Once a person has accepted Jesus Christ, He or she has accepted His gift of righteousness and can say,” I’m righteous because of Christ. J

                                                                                                            -Buboy, 21- MT.Carmel

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.

Joshua 1:9

Don't just stand there... do something!

“Don’t just stand there. Do something! Enter into a love relationship with Me. Get to know Me. Adjust your life to Me. Let me love you and reveal Myself to you as I work through you.”

            

These words touched my heart deeply maybe because I’ve been serving Him without asking Him to be with me. This made me understand that God wants me to serve with Him, this is important because He wants me to know HIM deeply. God taught me a lot through this entire week. He has shown me His vision and I look forward to hear more from Him in the coming weeks.

                                                                                                                        -Liza, 21-Caraga