Aurora Province & Nueva Ecija Mission/Outreach 2012

Overwhelmed.

Refreshed.

Passion ignited.  

Deeply inspired.

Love for Him renewed.

Hearts moved with compassion.

These words linger on my mind. Reflecting on the things God has done on our 5-day mission trip to Nueva Ecija and Aurora, while everybody’s shaking hands, exchanging and waving goodbyes, thanking all the brothers and sisters in Christ who didn’t only hosted Project Acts’ Mission trip but also given part of their lives to us and to the ministry. Indeed we are more blessed. We intend to give, but we were given more…we came to bless, but we were showered with much more blessings – both tangible and those that the naked eye can’t see but the heart strongly perceives.

Thursday, 2nd of August 2012, Project Acts Mission Challenge travelled to Nueva Ecija, going to Aurora despite the threat of heavy rains and floods caused by the Soutwest Monsoon (Habagat).

After almost 6 hours of travel, we were able to reach Brgy. Labi, Bongabon Nueva Ecija.

We stayed there for a couple of hours, repacking biscuits, sorting slippers, books and clothes to be given to our brothers and sisters there. Before we left for Demani, Aurora, we took time to have fellowship with our hosts, Sis. Baby & Bro. Mulong. We introduced ourselves, we worshipped together, and a word of encouragement was shared to us by Ptr. Dante.

As we were travelling to Demani, Aurora my heart was moved with compassion as I heard stories from Nanay Aring, one of the believers there who was actively participating in missions, that minorities in Salimbuabo and Buloy were not ministered to as often as before and that a church which existed there before ceased to operate already. I then remembered Pastor Jose’s words when he welcomed us, and I quote, “Maraming churches sa Manila ang malalaki, airconditioned pa, pero nakakalimutan na nila ang kabundukan,” and another from Ptr. Gene “Doon na sila namamatay at nililibing...(pertaining to the minorities in the mountains).” Those words struck my heart; wishing my lachrymal glands would be good to me as I control tears to fall from my eyes.

I asked the Lord to send forth workers into His harvest field.

How many of us will heed God’s call to be His hands and feet to the unreached? Or as George Verwer challenged Christians, how many will get out of their comfort zones and go out into missions?

We reached Demani and we were overwhelmed by the brethren’s love, generosity and hospitality. It’s the first time we met them, but they treated us like family. They served us, cooked for us and even accommodated us in their homes. They were the fruits of Ptr. Jose’s labor and commitment, and even Ptr. Gene, Ptr. Dante and Sis. Beth who served as missionaries supporting the local church in Aurora. Hearing stories on how the Lord changed them was inspiring.

We conducted series of revival nights at Ptr. Jose’s church, Jesus the Restorer Church in Demani, Labi and Bongabon. We’re not that prepared for the program but the Lord did amazing things every night. People were healed, transformed, refreshed, encouraged to serve the Lord more, delivered and commissioned to share the gospel. Every after worship services at night, we distributed the biscuits, books, slippers and clothes we prepared to bless them. We also did house to house visitation and prayer walk on the area, as well as invited the families nearby to participate in the evening services. We didn’t only invite them but we prayed for them as well. Every house we set our feet, we declared God’s salvation and love. We concluded our ministry by visiting a school in Bongabon. We were directed there and introduced by Ptr. Allan. We ministered to the students through life testimonies, songs and even magic tricks from Ptr. Dante. The students were invited to commit their lives to the Lord, then we prayed for the school owner and teachers.

Proverbs 11:25b says, …those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed. We also experienced this in this mission trip. Back in our homes and local churches we serve as pastors, youth leaders, worship ministers, and many other functions – sometimes draining and tiring, but it is the Lord who refreshed us not only while we minister but as well as by giving us the time to explore the beauty of His creation. The mountains, the rivers, rocks, historical sites and even the picture taking moments – we enjoyed it all.

Though we weren’t allowed to proceed in going to Buloy (where the Aetas and Igorots are residing) because of the storm, we were however permitted to have trekking experience and have a “feel” on journeying through the mountains. It wasn’t easy as we thought it was. Steep, slippery and stony on some parts, full of tall grasses that can cut like blades, passing through rivers though shallow but with strong current, etc. We continued walking and striving, and reached Sierra Madre – the mountain range that I only read in books!

This experience, made me realized that it’s really hard to go to the tribes and minister to them . To reach these people would take a lot of passion, courage and love. We weren’t able to reach even half of the journey going to Buloy and yet we were already struggling. It takes deep love for God and passion for the lost to continue despite hardships. This realization made me evaluate mine. How’s my love for God? How passionate am I to fulfill His call? Will I still go on even if difficulties come my way? Or will I just stop and retract?

Love eliminates fear. Passionate servants of God win over any hardships and difficulties. They will do everything, cross boundaries, even move out of their comfort zones just to do what God called them to do – Preach the Gospel to those people who have not heard it yet!      

I’ve been with Project Acts for 3 years already but honestly, it’s just now that I’ve fully grasped it’s vision and mission. It’s only now that I can say, I truly adhere to and understand these statements. While in Aurora, I saw the need to train and equip local Christians for missions especially in reaching minorities who are in the heart of the mountains, far from civilization. While it is good for urban christians to heed God’s call in local missions to tribes and minority groups in the Philippines, it is but more strategic to train the local church nearer to them. They are more familiar with the culture of these minorities, and they can easily adapt to their culture as compared to Christians in the city. Given the proper training, empowerment and support aide from those who are able to provide these and are willing to be used by God in this field, evangelization and conversion of every tribe in the Philippines will be possible – SOONER.

We are Project Acts Mission Challenge, and it is our mandate to EMPOWER, ENCOURAGE, and EQUIP the body of Christ for Local Church Ministry and Global Mission; COMMITTED to TEACH and TRAIN the Next Generation of Leaders.

Now I know this by HEART.

To God be the Glory!

By: Ptra.  Arra Joyce E. Alejandro