The Victory of Talim Island Mission

                                                                                                   August 27-28, 2011

Typhoon Mina was threatening our mission practicum for the 2nd batch of Mission 101  and 201 trainees. For a while it crossed my mind that if many will back-out, then we have no other choice but to cancel the trip. The rains were unrelenting and there was flash flood and landslide warnings issued by the government in the area where we were going. So I anticipated that a few would probably cancel their participation at the last  minute. But seven hours before our appointed assembly time of 4:00AM, Friday, not one has withdrawn. It’s a go so I have to get a few hours of sleep.

All eleven of us  boarded the jeepney going to Binangonan at about 5:00 AM. We were all unmindful of the inclement weather but instead, everyone was excited about the mission, probably because it was everybody’s first time to go to Talim Island. What? An island mission in this kind of weather? A pastor –friend advised me to cancel the mission the day before. But we have prayed for this mission and the souls of the people we will reach out. More importantly, we have not received any cancellation advise from the Lord!

The boat ride from the mainland to Barangay Janosa, Talim Island took 1 1/2 hours under  placid condition. The place was all we expected, a laid back coastal community on a provincial setting. A ten minute walk and we were at the host church of Pastor Ed. Immediately we gathered in the church for the orientation. We reviewed our prepared program schedule for the day, but God had a different plan. And so we junked our program and just allowed the Holy Spirit to take over (There are many plans in a man’s heart. Nevertheless the Lord’s counsel- that will stand. Prov. 19:21).

Our first targets  were the children. We brought with us 50 pieces of brand new toys for 50 children but God gave us over 100 instead. Unknown to me, two of our companions prepared 95 pieces of repacked biscuits for the children as well, so no problem. The children’s team gave the toys to the younger ones while the more grown-ups received the biscuits (wisdom from God). Every item handed out  was  given stories relating to Jesus so that whenever they would play with the toy, they would remember Jesus. After 2 hours of ministering to the children, they were sent home with smiles on their face and joy in their heart because they met a brand new friend named JESUS.

After a sumptuous lunch prepared by our kitchen staff, it was time for our house-to-house evangelism. Children’s ministry is “kid stuff”. The real challenge comes now. We divided into 3 groups of 4, 4 and 3 members. Local church workers were mobilized to guide us in our assigned areas and Pastor Ed sent us off with a prayer. We planned to do servant evangelism by helping the homeowners with their yard chores but it was raining so we could not execute that plan. Instead we shared the gospel, prayed for them, gave them a coupon for arroz caldo for the family that they could claim  from the church, and serenaded them with gospel song. One team was called the crying team because people cried when they were prayed for. One was the dancing team because the Holy Spirit prodded them to dance for  one family they ministered to. The act brought tremendous joy to the family members. One was the salvation group because everyone they ministered to received Jesus as his/her personal savior. Every prayer that the team uttered was the exact prayer the family needed.

During the evening evaluation we found out that no team suffered any rejection, but on the contrary, they were very much welcome in every house. Even the church workers were amazed at the experience because they have been rejected before by some of those people who are very open and willing to hear the gospel now. It was a change of the spiritual climate. Indeed this is the work of the Holy Spirit.

We attended the Sunday service the following day and we worshipped with the congregation of Pastor Ed. Once again it was a wonderful and awesome worship with Pastor Ed prophesying to some members of the group.

We had a late lunch… and then it was time to leave.  But nobody seem to want to leave. Everybody wants to do more for Talim Island. Everybody fell in love with the place and the people of Barangay Janosa. Pastor Ed and his church leaders were one in saying  “You are most welcome to come back for ministry or even just for Rest and Recreation.” We have not even left the place, yet the team is already planning  its return. We left the Island feeling sharpened in our spiritual life and in our faith in God. After all, is not sharp the meaning of Talim?

Pastor Gene de Leon

National Director

PAMC

TESTIMONY from Arra Joyce 

Can't explain the feeling of excitement as I was about to take part again in another mission exposure of Project Acts. There's really something in Missions that made me feel much alive & passionate; where I really found my sense of purpose...my destiny.

Since it's been raining and weather reports were confirming that we're experiencing yet another storm again, people were asking me if we'll still pursue the mission. I just answered with a smile but in my heart I know and believe that the Lord has already something in stored for us; that He will do great things and nothing - not even the fiercest storm will be able to hamper it.

Friday night before the scheduled trip, we bought biscuits and chocolates as a response to Ptr. Gene's call if we could bring something for the children of Talim Island. As we repack the biscuits and chocolates, some may think it's O.A., but my heart was crying already and praying for the would be recipients of what we prepared. It may not be that much, but I prayed that even in simple things we may be able to bless them. Didn't have much sleep though, because I was really excited.

Aug. 28, as we traveled on our way to our meeting place in Crossing, we still experienced heavy rain due to the typhoon which-name-I-do-not-know... Because the Lord was with us, we were able to reach Brgy. Janosa, Talim Island safe and sound.

I remembered Ptr. Gene saying that in every mission trip, we will experience things distinct from all the others. Indeed it was true. From helping cooking 3 kilos of Arroz caldo (the smoke from the fire wasn't really good, it made me cry), fried tilapia for about 2 hours because we're struggling with the fire (on our "manual single burner"... :D ), did house to house evangelism despite the rain..and many others. 

What I really appreciate on the mission was the Lord really moved personally on the lives of the people we encountered. Every house our team visited welcomed us warmly - no rejections at all. And really amazed by the fact that when we offered to pray for them, they really were excited and opened their hearts to us even though they didn't really know us and were completely strangers. As Ptr. Ed Romero said, it was really the hand of God that brought us to their place. In every family, we really saw their need of Jesus and as we began to share how much Jesus loves them most of them really cried and accepted Jesus in their hearts. We didn't know how to start then, we didn't know what to say but as we just stepped up and opened our mouths the Lord has given us words specifically for each person, for each family. It's overwhelming when we tell them that we went to their place and to their homes just to let them know and feel that Jesus loves them so much...after all Jesus did the same, He left the comfort of heaven and dwell in us so that He can reach us out and express the great love of God. I think He's the greatest missionary who have ever lived and His footprints we should follow. I know in my heart that as we leave every house we have implanted seeds of hope and love...that amidst their difficult situations there is a God who cares for them; a God who is able to do even the most impossible things we could think of.

 Our stay in Talim was just short but the experience and the miracles God has done not only to the people we ministered to but also to us was really overwhelming. In all of these, I was truly blessed. We came to bless them but as always, the missionaries ended up more blessed by the experience and by the immeasurable joy the Lord has put in our hearts. Few people might seem to understand, but this is really the calling I dedicate my life into. Desiring to "go" and do more for Him and I know in His time, He'll be able to accomplish His will for me.       

"However, 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

Arra Joyce Alejandro

1st Batch Intern 2010

PAMC

Note: see more pictures at PHOTOS section :)