Update from WCG Philippines
A weekly e-mail newsletter from the Worldwide Church of God - Philippines
August 11, 2006
US
Mission Team Continues to Reach Out to Quezon, Metro
Without
letup from a hectic adventure of ministry and evangelistic activities in Bicol
and
Friday,
August 4, 2006
Barely a day after their arrival from Bicol, the team ventured for a four-hour drive along winding and mountainous roads to Infanta, Quezon to visit the WCG outreach projects there. This place is of unique significance in relation to the aggressive outreach efforts of WCG Philippines in the last one-and-a-half years. Infanta, Quezon has a poignant memory of the tragic landslides in December 2004 following several days of heavy rains and typhoons which claimed the lives of hundreds of people.
When
the tragedy struck in 2004, the WCG denomination with the support of partner
agencies like the Food for the Hungry International, The Rotary
International, brethren from the
The
Pastor
Remigio introduced the group to the women assembled and had an instant
fellowshipping time and sharing of their experiences during the recent tragedy
that took place. One woman said “maybe it is within God’s will that I will
lose everything so that God will be my everything…” After having snacks, the
group proceeded to
The
American teens were greeted enthusiastically by the students. They were very
eager to meet them one by one and to listen to what they had to say. About 200
students crowded the assembly hall where the American teens performed their
Gospel skit much to the delight of the Infanta students. They all
introduced themselves and Mike and
On the way back to QC, Rex led the de-briefing with the American teens and asked them what significant lessons they learned from their visit to the school. It was established that people desire to be connected (relationship) and every one of us desires to leave a mark (significance).
Saturday,
August 5, 2006
Metro
Manila Combined Worship Service was held at the
The
group had lunch at SM Megamall and afterwards, with about 3 hours downtime, they
all went to the ice-skating rink. Asked why they want to ice-skate here
when there are rinks available in the
Sunday,
August 6, 2006
The
team went to Barangay NHV in Norzagaray, Bulacan where they were met by about
800 people, mostly teenagers and children. Norzagaray is one of WCG
Philippines’ recent outreach activities this year. It started out with a youth
camp in April 5-7, 2006 and resulted in more than 100 baptisms. From then
on, this area had received continuing follow up ministry activities like worship
services, bible studies, and livelihood trainings by Pastor Remigio and his
wife, Juliet. They were assisted by some leaders in neighboring churches in Sta.
Maria, Lawang Pare, Minuyan and some youth leaders in Crossway and national
office staff headed by Pastor Eugene Guzon.
The
main highlight of this day’s trip was the ministry to the kids and the
evangelistic crusade which culminated in the baptism of more than 200 people,
mostly teenagers. As soon as the
At
about 1:30pm, Pastor Rex started the evangelistic program, followed by welcome
remarks from Barangay Chairman Baltazar Espiritu, High School Principal
Silda Villapana and other barangay leaders. The
The guest speaker, Dr. Mike Morrison, and gave an evangelistic message and prayed for those who want to receive the free gift of eternal life. The prayer was translated in Pilipino by Pastor Rex. Pastor Remigio concluded the activity with a prayer.
Shortly
after that, around 4:30 pm, everyone shared the joy of being part of the journey
of 263 people from death to life through water baptism held at Falcon Crest
resort. Notwithstanding the heavy rains during the baptisms, the
Monday,
August 7, 2006
Invigorated
by the experience of the previous day, the team went to
Daluyan – a Filipino word for “channel” – aptly describes the ministry being done there to help with the education of the children in the area. Started by Mrs. Yolly Abastillas, the school is providing quality pre-school education that is very affordable for low-income families.
After
2 classrooms of balloon presentations and 3 big cans of paint, the group rested
for a while before heading to
They
arrived in
Next class was Lithium and the visiting teens spoke on the following: Sexual Purity (Abel); Defining Beauty on the Inside (Melinda); Gratitude (Holli); Doing Your Best (Mavicar); Having Hope (Ben); and Dr. Mike and Janet shared the gospel. The class again responded during the altar call to receive Christ.
At 4 PM, the group proceeded to our church in Payatas pastored by Fred Millamena. An instant gathering in the church hall took place and the visiting team was introduced to our members there. Afterwards they went to the pre-school being managed by our church members (underwritten by several groups including the Rotary). The children warmly welcomed them with action songs. Our visiting teens helped with the feeding activity by serving the kids with food prepared for them.
After
an hour, the group said their goodbyes and with extra time to spare, visited the
University of the
Dinner
was in Chicken Bacolod in
Tuesday,
August 8, 2006
This
day was a much-awaited day because they were all excited to visit SM Mall of
Asia (touted to be the 3rd largest mall in
They
had a wonderful time with the team divided into groups according to their
interests. They bought souvenir items to be reminded of their stay here in
the
They
arrived back at the office at 5 PM and before heading to UP for their jeepney
ride, Rex met with them at the WCG office grounds. As they sat on the kiddy
rides, they all paused to reflect on their experiences here. They were
asked questions such as what they did, what they learned about themselves, about
God and about other people and what things they would change in their lives as a
result of the trip to the
After the serious discussions, they went to Philcoa and experienced their first jeepney ride to UP.
Dinner was at the WCG office with some relatives, GLF members and office staff joining in the sumptuous meal prepared for them.
At
7PM, we started the devotional send-off for the visiting team. They were
all given a chance to speak and sift through their experiences by sharing one
critical lesson they learned during their trip.
Ptr. Andrew Teng along with the members of the GLF-Pastoral team presented all of them with individual tokens.
Ptr. Eugene Guzon led the prayer of blessing for the visiting missionaries.
A hearty snack prepared by Glory to the Lord Fellowship was served as members said their goodbyes to them.
Wednesday,
August 9, 2006
The
group had an early McDonalds’ breakfast and was already checked-in at 9 AM for
their Korean Airlines flight bound for
Time flew really fast. It took months to prepare for their visit and it is suddenly over. We pray that their short visit here enriched their lives and that God would grow in them the desire to reach out, serve and be a channel of God’s blessing for many people beyond their country’s borders.
We would like to thank everyone who supported this short-term missions trip by providing us with practical help, time, energy and guidance throughout their short visit here. Thank you for the long hours, late nights, early mornings and the enthusiasm you all had while serving our missionary guests. May God bless you through and through. --ND Eugene Guzon, AS Rex and Sheila Dela Peńa
For comments, suggestions, to submit and share an article, to subscribe or unsubscribe, write to Len.Joson@wcg.org. These updates can also be accessed and viewed at www.wcg.org/ph. WCG - Philippines: National Office Address: #60 Matahimik St., Teachers Village, 1101 Quezon City, Philippines. Telephone No. (632) 426-22-94. When sending articles, please send preferably in text format only and photos as attached files in jpg format.
Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you." (2 Thessalonians 3:1)