(Warning: Detailed kwento up ahead. ^__^ )
I just had a trip to Baguio that was unlike any I have had before. For the first time last week, I boarded a passenger bus bound for the Summer Capital—not for rest and recreation, but for a mission trek with some IVCF students. Just the fact that I was traveling without my family made me anticipate that it was going to be an exciting journey. But I had no idea how much of an adventure it would turn out to be until we arrived and actually began the tasks that we were to do: reaching out to our “M” cousins and sharing the Gospel to people downtown.
Trusting in the Lord’s guidance and leading was one lesson that stood out from day one. A few weeks before the trip, we were told that we would be assisting several churches and organizations in their outreach. So I assumed that it wouldn’t be too ‘labor-intensive’ on our part. But as Kuya Dave and Ate Jeanette oriented us, it wasn’t long before I realized that this trek would be no walk in the park. It turned out that the program with the “M” children would mostly be up to us, and the church youth would be the ones helping out. I wasn’t used to flexible and spontaneous schedules, and I felt a little overwhelmed about having to plan for something we haven’t really done before. But there was no choice but to trust Him and plunge ahead. I figured this was how God wanted it to be—that we wouldn’t be secure apart from Him.
The First Two Days
Our core team of 10 (including K. Dave) was divided into two groups for the two “M” communities we were going to visit. Faye, Ron, Alvin, Jaylord, Paul, Jana and K. Dave went to Central Ambiong, where they ministered to some 35 hyper-active kids. Jeremy, Cedrix and I were sent to the community at the Crystal Cave area. On our first morning, Kuya Carlo and Ate Beverly gave us a background about their ministry of helping several “M” children prepare for Grade 1, while at the same time building relationships with the parents. We also visited some families to see how they’re doing and inform them of the assessment that their children will undergo the next day. It was an encouragement to learn that most of Kuya and Ate’s students will be entering Grade 1 come June. The following morning, we finally met Aliyah, Jamaliah, Aiman, and Alida. After praying, brushing their teeth and singing some songs, Ate Beverly reviewed their counting lessons. And then, unexpectedly, more children came and wanted to join the class (they thought school at the center has started already). Ate Bevs just relented and let them in. The whole program was changed—since these kids weren’t exactly students yet—and given over to us. We taught them a little origami, and then I told a Bible story for the first time. I discovered that it was fun to teach little kids and they’re not really that hard to get along with. :) It was amazing, that morning—even if the academic assessment was cut short, Ate Bevs found new prospective students for the coming school year. God is good. :)
Monday and Tuesday afternoon, we went in pairs downtown to share the Gospel using tracts and Gospel bracelets. We tried SM on the first day (we didn’t really have much choice since it was raining hard). It was difficult—our first time to be deployed for ‘stranger evangelism’—and we all had to overcome our timidity. With much prayer and asking from the Holy Spirit, He led us and enabled us to share the Gospel to several people, but not without a few blunders, though (like not being able to follow up the bracelet with a tract). But we still learned a lot, especially about the importance of prayer and practice. The next day, God continued to reveal Himself, His goodness and grace. He held back the rain, to our amazement! Two teams, mine included, were able to go around and witness to people in Burnham Park. It was a better environment for talking with people; they were more relaxed, more accommodating (compared to the hustle and bustle and noise of SM). Even our sharing was somehow improved, no matter how little. I guess you could say that our “SM episode” prepared us for this next round of sharing. But I still pray that I’ll continue to learn how best to connect with people who need Him.
Rebukes, Eye-openers, and Lessons Learned
The third full day was another faith-stretching experience for me. We did an evangelistic gathering for the “M” teenagers who came over to Bibak Bible Church. With such short preparation (just the day before), and being “amateurs” in cross-cultural missions, we continued to hang on to the Spirit’s leading and enabling. Everybody enjoyed the games and the singing, but when it was time to give a short message from the Bible, I wondered and worried if we were getting through to them at all (knowing how short a kid’s attention span could get, and not to mention their religious background). I could sense that we would have to improve on several areas from that meeting. Nevertheless, broken vessels though we were, I know the Lord will carry out His task and work in the hearts of these students in His own ways.
Another blessing was how God brought to the same meeting one girl that we shared the Gospel to at SM. I almost assumed that she wouldn’t come, but she did—even if she had to travel from Marcos Highway. After lunch, Paul and I were able to follow her up and further explain the Gospel to her. Praise God that in the end, she prayed to receive Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior. :) This was a somewhat unexpected but welcome turn of events; because when we first met her at SM, we thought that was going to be the last time we would see her. I felt a gentle rebuke from the Lord: Things aren’t always what they seem.
Apparently, that was not the last that I would get for the day. We were still scheduled to share the Gospel downtown for the last time. Unpredictably, after taking siesta, I grew tired of sharing and deep inside wished that we didn’t have to go anymore. As we went on our way to SM, I told God that I was struggling and just hung on to what a Kuya said way back—that the time when you don’t feel like sharing the Gospel (or praying or having your Quiet Time), is the time when you all the more should do so. And as it turned out, God actually proved this statement true. He gave me a fresh wave of encouragement through my KCmate Alf, who agreed to join me after work; even on short notice (this too I doubted would happen). With Alf’s help and God’s orchestrating hand, we had a good conversation with a nursing student who willingly gave her time and later decided to accept Christ’s gift of salvation. What’s even more wonderful was that she was from the University of the Cordilleras, where Alf was working as an IVCF Grad Team volunteer. She’s also acquainted with Alf’s student contact there, so there is opportunity to follow her up this June. Wow. God truly is sovereign. I struggled with feeling obliged to share, but in the end it is still He who has the last say and all the glory goes back to Him.
The five days we spent in Baguio kind of felt longer than they actually were, because of everything that happened. Kuya Dave was right; mission is romantic—it is full of unexpected surprises. I have actually come to associate this experience with the phrase “living on the edge.” Each day had a story of its own, filled with first times and many other adventures in various forms, but always with His signature written all over. He has taught me what it means to trust Him—and that is to pray hard, let go of my nervousness, hang on to Him and take that step of faith. I have also learned that it is God who opens hearts to respond to Him. I will never know who was sincere and who wasn’t among the people we shared with, or when they will decide to follow Jesus. All He asks of me is to just go and share the Gospel, and the rest is up to Him. I thank the Lord for the privilege to serve Him in a way I haven’t quite done before. Now, as I say goodbye to the summer, I pray that this experience will drive me to keep on laboring for more harvests for His Kingdom in my “home front”: the UP College of Medicine. ●
