MISSION TRIP

naexperience mo n bang suyuin? 

ung di ka titigilan magYES ka lang?

This is how the Lord do His way. 

After quite sometimes, when I transferred my ministry from Youth to Singles for Christ, the Lord was already preparing me for this mission trip. He gave me various events that will help me to contemplate, and internalize such things. It was started when I had a personal reflection and moment with the Lord. My eyes have been opened again for the purpose and for the mission. I was excited for His calling during my silent prayer time. But the hesitations came out, because of work related. But when I was able to shout my inner desires for the mission, the Lord suddenly re-arranged my schedules. Something came up, which is an opportunity to have a new work. There was a lot of challenges during the transition time, my emotions were up high that time. During that time. I doubted myself, my emotions, and my character. I don’t know yet what His purpose for me. I just put my trust and faith to His plans.

I resigned to my previous work, and accepted the calling for a brighter future. But aside from this, the Lord gave me an opportunity to rest and to serve more. The benefits are good than before, most especially the number of duties.

From then on, I was excited to fulfill the Lord’s mission for me, which is to attend and to experience mission trip. Last year, as I was preparing and discerning for a mission trip, my heart was not yet fine and ready. And the Lord know it, more than I know it. My application has been denied. As I contemplating on that scene, I’ve got the answer from the Lord. He answered me back with this “you are not yet ready. Look on you heart, it is still troubled”. His message was really clear during that time.

This year, I am excited for a mission trip because I believe that the fulfillment of God’s promise is about to happen. I am discerning for a Misamis or Davao mission trip. But I can’t decide yet which one, because my heart is challenged and maybe the Lord was telling me something to discern and pray to Him more.

My emotions, and heart was not fine because of the challenges, but the Lord guided me all through out the way. I was confused if I will still continue the mission or not. But in one circumstance, I was reminded and go back again to discern for it.

                   

In my prayer time, it is leading to go on Mission. Hesitations, doubts and fears came up, but I just put the trust to Him. Then, when I had my final decision, I contacted the mission head and our sector core for mission. Misamis mission was already full. And she offered the Bulacan Mission. I just answered His call and trust to His plans. In my surprise, many applicants for the mission is coming from our sector. It is really the Lord’s way and His plans, not on my plans and wants. Preparations, training, is on the way and I was always awe in God’s amazing story. He arranged always my shifting schedules and so on.

And as I prepare for the mission trip, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. My prayers, and reflections were getting so excited. Confusions and doubts came when I received the task that was assigned. I read and prayed harder, then repeat. It was really not for me, I said to myself (bakit ito??? Haha, with doubted face, ganun kaintense!) Then because of the back to back service for the Lord, I wasn’t able to make a powerpoint yet, because I need to focus one at a time. Then after my last mission, which is exactly a week before the mission trip, I decided to concentrate and prayed more. Suddenly, my body wasn’t in good condition. My immune system cannot longer to protect me, because of sleepless nights, and toxic duties. I had my fever 2 days, before the mission trip. My mother was worried because of my cough and feverish body. But because of my prayer warrior (Bulacan mission team), my body getting better towards the end of the day. Before I went to bed, I prepared my presentation for the talk. In my surprise, it is like the Lord talking to me through the talk, and affirming me at the same time for conquering the highlights and message of the talk. It is like the Lord affirmed me that night, saying that “your plans is better than my plans, and just lean on My understanding not on yours”. Praise the Lord, I finished the presentation before I went to bed.

On the day of the mission trip, I just surrender everything to Him. I wanted to listen to His message and find the joy of this mission trip. The Lord never fails, as we lead the CCW retreat with the whole team of Bulacan mission, I just laugh every single moment. I just embrace the joy in service, doing a task outside my comfort zone, and doing the things that I loved the most. The team was very supportive, we laugh out loud. We embrace each other, or tap each shoulder after each talk. This is the spirit, a spirit of a true missionaries!

When I gave the talk to them, I realized that all of my past experiences is really according to His plans. I need to experience those things in advance, so that I may be able to share how the Lord transformed me the way HE wanted me to be. I am still part of His working progress, little by little I was able to share of how the Lord helped me to realize so many things. As I shared how I handle my emotions before, I was really moved of His grace as he helped me to stand and be firm on His promise.

My heart leaps for joy, when I saw SFC Bulacan serving the Lord with all their heart, soul, mind and spirit. I salute and admire the service team from SFC Bulacan for their efforts from SFC upto their CFC couple coordinators. They gave their all even their comfort. They slept on the session hall. The simplicity of the team and having a humble heart in service is really an adorable. This is a true mission, serving beyond the comfort zone. I have learned that they can have a retreat even in a small amount of registration, and everyone was doing their part. They brought spoon, fork, container, and tumbler. They practiced greeneration. They also share within their brethren especially if finance is concern. Financial constraints will never a hindrance to serve and know more Christ.

Their dedication for service and environment was really remarkable. As we led towards the end of the retreat, while we are doing our sharing, I was mesmerized of how deep their hearts are. I salute them, because I saw the goodness and kindness of the Lord in all aspects. Their sharing moved me, ung tipong gusto ko ding makiiyak sa kanila. But I need to process their realizations, kaya bumalik ang luha.

This mission trip was unforgettable, from the time that the Lord processed my thoughts to discernment and finally to its actual day, I was really mesmerized of how the Lord planned all those things. It is indeed, He is a great God!


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#TeamBulacan
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#EverySFCisAMissionary

BULACAN MISSION TEAM