Occidental Mindoro Outreach 2011

Occidental Mindoro Mission Oct. 27-Nov. 1, 2011

by Ptra. Arra Joyce E. Alejandro on Wednesday, November 9, 2011 at 11:28pm

I remember telling ate Joy when we were in Talim Island that I may not be able to join this year's mission in Mindoro because I just got a new work and I may not be able to file a leave. But I really prayed and told the Lord what's in my heart... I wanted to be a part of another life changing mission experience of Project Acts. Something came up. My resignation effectivity got extended. I felt bad about it because I was really having a hard time with regards to my work…but the Lord had something in His mind. That unfortunate thing for me was the one He used to answer my prayer. I got extended and because of that I was able to ask my new employer to move my starting date to November. Thus, I was able to join the team in becoming God’s hands and feet to our Mangyan brothers and sisters.

Oct. 27, 2011, Thursday, we met at Jollibee, Alabang. Supposedly we’re scheduled to meet and ride the bus going to Batangas Port at 7:30PM but most of us weren’t able to come on the agreed time. Up to the last minute many of us were still struggling to raise the funds needed to be able to join the mission but the Lord is faithful, He provided for all our needs. Though we’re surprised and saddened that Ptr. Gene won’t be going with the team, the Lord quieted our anxious hearts, that He is with us and He has plans for allowing things to happen.

We left Alabang and rode the bus going to Batangas port at around 11:00PM. We met Sis. Beth who was already in the port and sailed  to Abra de Ilog, Occidental Mindoro. We reached the port of Abra de Ilog, made the smooth travel on the well paved highway  and reached Ptr. Toti’s place in Mamburao at around 6:00AM, Friday, Oct. 28, 2011. At last we’ve arrived…my heart was so expectant of the great and mighty things the Lord will do…

Because all of us didn’t have enough sleep and were really tired, Ptr. Toti advised us to rest for the day. After all, everybody was busy preparing for Occidental Mindoro’s foundation day. We had a wonderful time worshipping the Lord in the evening and prayed for the people we will minister to.. We just asked for the Lord's presence to be with us just like Moses did. I believe the Lord  prepared our bodies and hearts for the days ahead.

Saturday, Oct. 29, 2011, the team went to Ptr. Tacio’s church in Cabacao and conducted Praise and Worship Seminar. Sis. Sarah led the praise and worship with Bros. Paul, Kim and Remnick. Bro. Paolo started the lecture by teaching the technical side of worship focused on music while Sis. Beth stirred up our hearts again in worshipping our Big and Great God. Though the electricity went on and off, it didn’t hinder the team from blessing our fellow ministers in Cabacao.

Oct. 30, 2011, Sunday…excited to join Ptr. Toti’s church in worship. Before we sang songs for the Lord, we were blessed by Bro. AJ and Sis. Sarah’s life testimonies. Indeed the Lord can turn our mess into a wonderful message of forgiveness and love. We were then led by Bros. Paul and Kim  in worship… and then the most awaited part… since Ptr. Gene wasn’t with us, Ate Joy took the privilege to share the Word of God instead.  A wonderful message from the Lord based on Isaiah 6:1-8.

After the Sunday worship service, we just ate our lunch and prepared ourselves for our next destination.

We cooked champorado for our feeding and set aside toys and slippers to be given to children as well as noodles for their parents. We were greeted in Culi-culi by the familiar smiling faces of the children. But the one thing that  struck my heart was  this child wearing the same clothe she wore last year when we first visited Culi-culi. Not that the child really has only one clothe to wear. Was it her only dress? Or maybe it was her only special dress to welcome visitors.  And I began to think of the times we grumbled and complained that our parents didn't buy branded clothes for us or sometimes we didn't like the design because it's old-fashioned or "baduy" and we tend to neglect and not wear them. But these kids, they don't care about brands and design, they just wanted something to put on to cover, protect and warm their bodies. Sadly many of us weren't thankful enough. These kids taught me to be.

Just like last year, we separated the children from their parents. The children were brought outside, with Sarah monina, Jen, AJ and myself. We played games and took pictures with them. The older ones on the other hand remained in the church with the rest of the team. Sis. Beth led them in singing praises to God and after that Sarah shared words of encouragement to them. The presence of the Lord was really strong, Sis. Beth called me to join them and as we sang the song "Alam kong may magagawa ang Diyos," it ministered to the Mangyans and the Lord spoke to my heart to minister and pray for them one by one.

I told Sarah about the leading of the Lord so we prayed for each one of them. We also asked for Ate Joy's help so that everybody will be given the chance to be prayed for. Before we pray for them, we first asked them for their prayer requests. I was surprised of a mother's request. I was expecting that she would ask God for finances, for good health for her and her family, for livelihood or for long life,  but she didn't mention any of these things. She just told me that she wanted God, and His love. She just told me that she wanted God to love her. I looked at her straight and told her that, that's the reason why we came because the Lord wanted to tell her that He loved her so much, that He continues to love and will love her until the end. I embraced her and she embraced me tightly as well. I couldn't help but cry.

I learned so much about that prayer request. I've been a Christian for many years but I was taught by a Mangyan mother how and what to pray for. She could have asked for something that is practical and tangible but she knows in her heart that she doesn't need anything but God. When was the last time we prayed and our prayer request was not something about us or something that we need, but our request was God himself...that we may encounter Him and have sweet fellowship with Him; that we do not ask for anything but Him? When was the last time that we asked Him not the things that He can give us? When was the last time we became really passionate with God?

While ministering to the older ones, the rest of the team already distributed the slippers, toys and champorado to the children. Seeing them excited to have toys and brand new pairs of slippers were very much inspiring. Noodles, on the other hand were given to the older ones after the prayer time. We left Culi-culi praising and thanking God for all that He has done that afternoon.

The following day, Oct. 31, 2011 we were again excited because we'll be going to a Mangyan tribe we've never visited last year. The place was called Binabaan. We went there by tricycle plus a 2-hour walk. To be able to reach Binabaan we also needed to cross a river.

We reached Binabaan with dirty feet and wet clothes but it was okay, we were all excited to serve them and share the love of Christ. Similar to what we did in Culi-culi, we prepared champorado for them. We segregated the older ones from the children. The children were taught songs with action led by Sarah Monina, AJ and Jen with the special participation of ate Joy, Paul, Sis. Beth and Remnick. On the other hand, I was asked by Ate Joy to share words of encouragement to the older ones. I shared Psalm 121 to them and I was so much overwhelmed by their response.

They were attentive, looking at me like saying "I wanted to hear more..."  I encouraged them to read the word though sadly some of them didn't know how to read and write. As I was ending the message in prayer, the Lord impressed in my heart to pray for those who are sick. Four of them asked for prayer and was really blessed by their faith. After the program, we distributed toys and slippers to the children as well as our delicious champorado.

Though it would mean another 2 hours of walk going back, it didn't matter to us because we were so filled with joy as we were able to show the love of Christ to them. We had our lunch near the river and had our "swimming fellowship." Then, we went back to the resort where we had our dinner (spaghettie courtesy of the birthday girl).  After dinner we had our bonfire and each one testified about the goodness and greatness of God during the missions.

Although it's my second time to join the team in Mindoro, this year was still full of fresh and wonderful revelations from the Lord. Things I wouldn't learn by merely attending  church services and doing the usual ministry tasks assigned to me. The Lord revealed to each one of us in a very personal way this time. Some of us were broken, not ready, preoccupied, dry, we lacked passion, we were doubting and even confused before going to the mission, but the Lord taught us, healed us, made us whole again, delivered and restored us, and more importantly ignited our passion for Him. This year's experience enabled us to see God, see who we really are before Him and see the people around us who desperately need God.

Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?"

And I said, "HERE AM I. SEND ME!"

Isaiah 6:8  

The Blessings of Mission

by Sarah Monina Garcia on Monday, November 14, 2011 at 4:31am

Romans 8:28

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.

All praises and glory be given to our Lord Jesus Christ for His undying love and passion for all His children…

 During the time that we were in Mamburao, Occidental Mindoro last Oct 28- Nov 1, the Lord made us share  His compassion for our Mangyan brothers and sisters. It was an experience of love and joy to play with the children, share them biblical  and even our own life stories. Those children were some of those whom we played before and it was a heartbreaking reality that they can still remember us. I appreciate it so much! More than the playtime and singing moments with them, we gave them slippers or toys. Since the supplies that we have are not enough for all of them, we prioritize those who do not have slippers. I met there two girls who might be 8 or 9 years old. I saw both of them hiding their slippers on the grassland. Then, they fall in line with the other children to have new slippers. As I look at them, I do not know how to react¸ all I know is my heart cries for the two of them. How blessed I am!

 Furthermore, we went to Banabaan wherein we needed to walk for an hour then crossed a chest deep river. We also sang, danced, and played with the children. They were very attentive and obedient. I enjoyed it especially when we did an impromptu concert for the children. Though that concert was not as fantastic as most of us assume, the laughter and delight we all experienced would never be replaced by anything. Then, we also gave them toys, slippers and champorado. We asked them to bring cups for the champorado and for a few minutes they were all running back bringing us dipper, pitcher, basin. Some of them brought cans as bowls  but most of them brought large containers. Again, how blessed I am! God is so good. 

 My five days in Mindoro with PAMC team allowed me to appreciate the life that God had given me. Those experiences of being with the children makes me feel free to be a child for a moment, not worrying for tomorrow nor planning for the future. The Lord gave  me refreshment and new perspective in life from those days.

On the other hand before the days of Mission, I  lost my scholarship. I felt depressed because of that. I thought my life would end that time. I did not like to go home when I received my grade.  I considered myself  a failure. I asked the Lord why but I never listened to His answers. Until we were in Mindoro, God reminded  me of His comforting love that  whatever happens He will never fail. The love of the Lord is so great that I can’t explain how He turned my crisis  into a blessing.

The first blessing the Lord taught me is be in love with Him over and over. I have to admit, though I am serving Him in different ministries, busy for His kingdom but the time I spent with the King is just leftovers. He reminded me that His love conquers all. He makes me realize to renew my covenant and bring back my passion, that burning passion when He first encountered me. Second, have fear on Him. He is our Almighty God, Creator of the universe, King of all kings, Lord of all lords, God of all nations. He is greater more than we could imagine. He made me realize that He can take away everything that I have. Most of the time, I consider the Lord as a forgiving Father, loving Friend, or understanding Brother but I actually abuse it. Sometimes I forget the reality that  He is also my Lord, my God and my Ruler. Third, be a cheerful giver. I thought this cheerful giving is just for tithes, offering, donation or any kind of benevolence but the Lord made me understand that He wants me to be happy in all things that I do and give, whether it’s a material thing, financial, service or an act of goodwill. The Lord told  me to do everything happily. He reminded me that He created me to enjoy happiness and to be His joy. The Lord is so loving that He cares for my joy at all times. The last isSurrender with faith, there was an instance in Mindoro when some of the team members were jumping from the cliff to the river. I tried it once for the sake of a first time experience without knowing that the Lord will bless me with that experience. The Lord made me realize to seek Him deeper and surrender everything to Him, the same as when I jump into the water. Also, the Lord asked me to trust Him wholeheartedly even if I can’t see anything clear or even if I do not know what will happen next. And the best is He assured me that His guidance will be a river that will lead me to the destiny He planned for me…

Our God is really amazing. I am on that mission to bless others but I went home taking greater blessings from Him. The Lord cares for all His children whether we are in rural or urban areas. He never limits His hands for those who are in need. Truly, words are not enough to testify God’s goodness and love. Hallelujah Jesus! To God be the glory!

 Note: see all the pictures at the PHOTO section......