Dearest friends and family,

A warm hello to you amidst the pouring of rain! Kamusta na po kayo? We hope and pray that all is well at your end. Our stories will testify about God’s work in our midst – be it in our mundane activities and in the special ones. He is “moving’ us from one place to another and we can always expect to find grace along the way.

From Darkness to Light

Praise God for His renewing work in the lives of 33 campers as well as with 15 college students and graduates who served as camp counselors during the Bicol ISCF Camp last April 8-11. We are blessed to witness how the Word of God and his message of salvation bring transformation in the lives of the students in big and little ways. It’s a joy to hear students share their testimonies and lessons learned in the Camp. Having Quiet time, washing dishes for His glory, seeing their selves as unique, honoring parents, understanding what it means for God to be holy, the seriousness of sin and Christ’s sacrificial death on the cross on their behalf are some of their precious lessons. God has blessed the camp with supportive people who prayed, donated time, resources and service. Let us thank the Lord for His work of bringing people out of darkness into His wonderful light!

From Fulltime to Associate

Both of us changed our status from fulltime IVCF regional staff to associate starting this month of July. We still handle the same campus assignments in Rinconada Area and we praise God that all chapters were successfully re-accredited. The bible study, cell groups and daily prayer meetings are in place. Gerlen still handles the high school ministry (ISCF) and takes ‘minimal’ assignments in other areas while Nono focuses on training the leaders. Just recently (July 10), we had a joint overnight fellowship at IV Home (siksikan!) with the three schools represented. It was an evening of prayer, fellowship, praising the Lord, feasting and applying God’s word. Please pray that they will take to heart their calling as Christian students in their schools and be effective witnesses of our Lord Jesus Christ.

We thank God for Nono’s sabbatical leave (Jan15-July15) which enabled him to rest from IVCF work, to refresh his goals and to pursue a business opportunity which kindled his growing desire to be an entrepreneur. His involvement with Filipino Entrepreneurs and Resources Network, Inc (FERN) widened his circle of friends and acquaintances. He found himself enthused by attending workshops and seminars that the company is providing. He aspires and prays that the Lord will bless him more in his business so that he can also bless others, his family and support the IVCF ministry in the region.

Thank you for your support to us and the IVCF ministry. We would like to hear from you and pray for you as well. God bless you!

On a personal note… Musings of a mother

God is gracious; I thank Him everyday for the gift of mothering Mayumi (3 years old) and Makisig (1 year-old). Everyday too, I ask the Lord to give me the grace that I need to fill in.

For the past three years, I am blessed that my work allows me to stay at home most of the time and be there for my children. However, this past year of filling out two fulltime jobs nearly drove me out of my wits! Having two attention clamoring children while I work or do BS with students at home can be arduous even when a helper is around. (As I am writing this, I have to get up several times to retrieve my son who is making his way out of the house, reprimand Mayumi for watching too close to the TV, break out a fight etc). It would take ages for me to get some work done. I wonder how other moms do it! I had mounting frustrations over lack of time to do my “self-imposed’ work and even if I do have the time, I got too little energy and concentration left to complete my tasks. At the end of the day, I feel exhausted not because of the many things I’ve accomplished but for the lack of it! Matters became worse when we cannot find a helper at home for almost the whole summer. I was confronted with my priorities and misplaced sense of worth (again?!) After much prayer and deliberation, I then decided to change work status not just to calm my frazzled nerves, but (as one of my mentors suggests) to embrace fully the calling of motherhood (since I can be performance driven at times: c) Maybe when the children are older, things will be more manageable (or maybe when I learn how to effectively manage my time?). As for now, in their crucial years of growing up, I need to see them NOT as distractions to my work, but my God-given treasures whose lives are entrusted primarily to me, their mother.

In my quiet times, the repeated words of the psalmist “rely on His unfailing love’ is a healing salve on my weariness. I rejoice over the invitation to rely and rest on that which is secure and abounding whether I am busy with things for the Kingdom or when I lie for hours in bed with my children, waiting for them to wake up.

I am still a work in progress as I strive to relish more the times of attending to Mayumi and Makisig. I spend less time doing paper works and meeting students (or whatever I think I have to do to fill in the time) and spend more time for play, bubble baths, leisure walks to the park, visit to the public library and just being with them. This decision means bearing the financial strain caused by decreased income but it is also an opportunity to stretch our faith even more for God to supply with our needs. We are thankful for friends and family who supply my children’s clothes (we seldom buy them) and who occasionally bless us financially. I’ll end with Isaiah’s wonderful and timely reminder of who the Lord is:

The Lord tends his flock like a shepherd:
He gathers the lambs in his arms
and carries them close to his heart;
he gently leads those that have young.
Isaiah 40:11

Christmas in July

Hi. We are a few days late for this month’s prayerletter. We had been busy and became sick. But we continue to thank the Lord for sustaining us. This month has been a sort of early yuletide celebration, not just because of material blessings we received, but most of all because of connecting with people and reuniting with friends.

With some Balikatan Youth and Kuya Rolly Malincon

Six young students joined the Balikatan Youth Mission Outreach last July 13-18 at the IVCF Building to be immersed in the ministry of IVCF. This was a blessed time for them as well as for us staff. Their realizations and reflections implied a deepening in their faith and appreciation for the work of IVCF staff. The mission exposure culminated at the IVCF Metro Manila Regional Assembly where students and graduates gathered to celebrate the Lord’s faithfulness to out movement. Then Kuya Rolly Malincon visited us and brought back some “pasalubong” from the Balikatan Conference. We were showered with gifts. Our boys received their early Christmas wishes. The staff gladly received these blessings. To top it all, we, together with the Manila staff, were treated to an eat-all-you-can buffet. God indeed is so good.

Erickson went to Iloilo City and Guimaras last July 16-18. He attended their Area Assembly last July 18, 2009. It was a good time to have met some graduates and reconnected to most of them. He immediately returned to Manila and was able to join the area assembly there before it ended.

We were able to visit a pioneer in the movement, Tatay Esdras Martinez, who was confined to the hospital due to his diabetes. That visit had been more refreshing to us as we listened to his stories and how he supported the movement through all these years.

Then we have been to 2 wakes. The grandmother of our former student died due to cancer. And a son of a co-staff who suffered from cerebral palsy died from pneumonia. God used these event to let us minister to those who needed comfort. The wakes had become a reunion and an IV event, too.

The Baguio graduates who are now based in Manila had a second round of gathering. It was a “level up” of what we used to do in Baguio before. Somehow it had evolved from us discipling them to mutual accountability and support.

Kuya Dave and Ate June Griffiths

Dot coordinated a send-off party to our dear Kuya Dave Griffiths, an OMF missionary who had served IVCF Phils for more than 2 decades. He and his wife, Ate June, will retire soon and go back to Wales. Erickson was one of his early disciples. He is also a God-given Tatay and Lolo to our family and to the movement. This also became another reunion event, a coming-together of alumni whom Kuya Dave had ministered to and enriched their lives.

Erickson had been receiving forwarded emails and one email struck us. This email was very much applicable to our present circumstance. It’s entitled the 90/10. It shared a simple story and lessons to live by. To cut it short, it says you can’t control the 90% of what’s happening around you, but the other 10% you can definitely control. That 10% is your response to those uncontrollable circumstances. It was very simple yet a wonderful lesson for us. It has been tempting to succumb and be  paralyzed by the difficult circumstances, but we decided to take control  of our responses to these – to enjoy our present circumstance and continue to see the goodness of the Lord in it.

The challenges of the leadership have not kept us from giving our best and accomplishing our tasks . This month had kept us busier, especially for all the reports and planning needed since it is a new school year. Erickson had a Consultation with Regional Directors last June 9-11. He  had several meetings with IVCF board and staff members.

Together with 4 other staff, we attended a 4-day Advance Vella or Adult Learning Training Workshop conducted by Ate Vylma Ovalles of ACDA. We had the Basic Training during the Staff Conference last January 2007. It was very empowering. We were all the more challenged to implement it in our teaching and learning designs for IVCF sessions, speaking assignments and invitations. After that training, Erickson left for his scheduled area visits to Cagayan de Oro City in Northern Mindanao and
Butuan & Bunawan in Caraga last June 26-July 1. It had been a fruitful time of pastoral care for the staff, connecting with the graduates, and sharing the gospel and discipling students there.

We attended to 2 “despedida” parties for people who are very close to us. IVCF board and staff members gave held an “Appreciation Night” for Kuya George Capaque. We told him about the indelible impact his life made to us and to the movement. He  and his family will be moving to Singapore where he will start to be the dean of Discipleship Training Center. With the help of a couple staff,  Dot prepared a simple program for that event. God used Kuya George to  bless us in many ways. And we praise the Lord for Him. The second despidida was for Arnold and Malou Lamigo, who had now moved to
New Zealand. Arnold is one of the children of Tito Jotique and Tita  Arlene Lamigo. They are like an adopted family of Erickson. Malou was  one of our discipled students in Baguio in our early years as a staff. It had been a family affair. We praise the Lord for these people who  had touched our lives and allowed us to part of theirs, too.

A Siamese cat, named Spock, was added to our mini-zoo. Friends came to our apartment regularly for fellowship. They have been source of delight to us. It has been refreshing to talk about non IVCF stuff and to just laugh with friends with our hair down . So therapeutic and stress relieving. So thankful to the Lord for  them.

At present, our prayer is that we will continue to focus on the Lord and enjoy His goodness. As the Psalmist in 27:13 put it, I’m sure now I’ll see God’s goodness in the exuberant earth (The Message). There is so much we can thank the Lord for. That is where the 10% goes. Your persistent prayers and
incessant encouragement are at work. Praise the Lord for you continue to journey with us. We may not see you often, but your friendship and love mean so much to us. Thank you too for allowing us to nurture our relationship by praying for you as well. Do email us how to pray for you specifically. It has always been our joy.

May God bless you now and always. Until our next prayerletter.

In His goodness,
Erickson Dot with Zeik Jahd

Dear fellow staff,

Kumusta! We hope all is well with you and your loved ones. Any changes on your end lately? For us, we are keeping on with the work amongst students. Last summer, we saw some amazing transformations and makeovers.

T r a n s f o r m e d    S t u d e n t s

The ISCF Sibol Camp, held last April 13-19 in Laguna had 41 high schoolers. We served as camp staff and speakers as well for the session on Boy-Girl Relationships. Di also enjoyed giving an exposition on the Work of Christ on the Cross. This third exposition is like the climax to the evangelistic camp and thus culminated in a call to accept Christ as Savior and follow Him as Lord.

During the Testimony Night, some shared that they had accepted Jesus as Savior. All of them spoke of being transformed by God. One camper said, ‘Pag-uwi ko ibang David na ang makikita nila.’ For those who had grown up in Christian families, Sibol was a place of recommitment arising from having better understood the Gospel and from personal encounters with Christ through daily Quiet Times.

Sibol campers praying and holding on to the cross as a sign that they are trusting in Jesus Christ alone.

Ten days after Sibol Camp, we went on to the ISCF Leadership Camp-Discipleship Camp (LCDC). Again we served as camp staff and camp speakers at the same time. We facilitated a session on Sexuality. We thanked God that the students (and some counselors as well!) expressed that they learned much from the session. During the Banquet Night, we chose to share our love story rather than give another talk hoping that they would glean insights about courtship, dating and engagement from our experience. We tried to be as frank as we could sharing not just the good things but our mistakes as well. They enjoyed the story judging by the giggles, whooping laughter, and glass-tapping (i.e. calling for a kiss).

At the LCDC, some of the junior counselors (counselors-in-training) were Di’s ISCF students three years ago. They were so passionate and hardworking that they had to be mandated to take a half-day break in the middle of the camp lest they burnout. But for Di and the other ISCF staff it was very encouraging to see those who were once on the receiving end now serving as ates (older sisters) and kuyas (older brothers). Praise God for students like these who keep maturing in love and service to God!

L i b r a r y   M a k e o v e r

If you recall, we (especially Aldwin) had been praying for donors to fund the IVCF Library Renovation Project. This is ONE BIG answered prayer! MEANS, a US-based missions support and mobilizing organization, has collaborated with us in this project and has already given a huge amount for it. Aldwin was kept busy until now overseeing this project. The IVCF Library is now more conducive to study with its new airconditioner, reupholstered sofa set, a second-hand TV, additional bookshelves and additional books. (Sadly, a break-in occurred a month ago and the new computer set was stolen.)

We praise God, too, for RG, a UP Diliman Library Science student who took his internship program at IVCF. During the summer, he did a lot of work on the Library database. RG is an active IVCF student-leader as well.

We look forward to formally re-opening the IVCF Library soon. We pray that it will benefit not only the IVCF staff, but our students, volunteers and alumni as well.

N e w   H o r i z o n: G o d  W i t h  U s

This is the theme of IVCF’s upcoming National Conference to be held on December 27-30 in Tagaytay City. On top of our ‘regular assignments’ we will be busy preparing for this Conference. We are excited about this important milestone for IVCF. Our mandate to equip servant-leaders from among the students and graduates has not changed. But the context in which we seek to obey it presents new challenges and opportunities.

Thank you for praying for us and supporting our ministry last school year. We hope that we can count on you again this school year to journey with us.

May the peace and love of God be upon you.

With much love,

Aldwin & Di

with Yana

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P r a i s e  &  P r a y e r

Praise God for MEANS and the generous support that they gave for the IVCF Library Renovation Project. Praise God for RG, Arch. Lily (for the floor layout) Ruth (Librarian consultant), Chela, Ehco and all those who helped out by sharing they time and skills.

Praise God for transforming the lives of the ISCF campers. Praise God for the opportunities we were given to come alongside these campers and witness God’s work in their lives.

Praise God for another school year. Please pray that we will be faithful stewards of God’s work.

Please pray for wisdom and extra doses of strength as we prepare for the National Conference. Pray for Aldwin and Jake as they oversee the administrative preparations of the Conference. Pray please for Di as she oversees the program aspects. Pray also for the huge funds we will need for the Conference.

Please pray for Di’s Bible study group in Phil Science HS. Thank God for Elise and Andrew (both UP Diliman students) who serve as counselors with her. Pray that they might form deep relationships with their students and be able to mentor them. Pray for openness and teachability for the students – Nessa, Leona, Bea, Bianca, Chesie, Dalzy, Joash and Paul.

Please pray for good health for our family, especially Yana. Continue to pray also for us to be wise and loving parents to her.

Dear Praying Partners,

Warm greetings in July to you in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord!

I invite you again to share in our ministry through prayer and intercession. Here are the prayer requests from our regional units.

Please ask our Heavenly Father for His power, presence and provision to be with us that we may continue to do what God has called us to do, even in the midst of many challenges and needs. We hold on to the promise of the Lord Jesus that when we ask in His name He will do it. And so, “brothers and sisters, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with
you” (2 Thessalonians 3:1).

Here is our prayer for you: “May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word” (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17).

In Christ,
Erickson Velardo
National Director

Metro Manila Regional Unit

ISCF

• Pray for revival and strengthening of the ISCF Ministry. Last year, we experienced setbacks such as closeddoors and lack of workforce. But praise God for the faithful partnership of our beloved counselors like AteEdna Martinez, Kuya Conz Perez, student leaders from UP LB and Diliman, among others. May the Lordgrant us favor this year as we seek to focus on key campuses and also invite more partners to help us in reachingout to high school students.
• Pray for permission to hold BS in Quezon City Science Highschool this school year. For UPIS, San Francisco to be able to resume meetings again. Pray for counselors to be recruited for these schools. The IS group in Phil Science has started meeting. Praise the Lord for the strong partnership with other Christian groups in the campus. Mr. Jeff Boja, Ptr. Jun Reyes and Jericho Pascual handle the IS group in Philadelphia. Pray that the two BS groups would be able to resume meetings soon.
• Let us uphold in prayer the chapters in Cavite (Holy Nazarene, ELIMS, Del Pilar Academy, Imus Institute and Tanza National High school), Laguna (Phils. High school for the Arts, LB National HS, and Dayap HS), and Mindoro (Jose J. Leido Memorial School and Community Vocational HS). These chapters are primarily handled by our volunteers and counselors. Pray for opportunities for evangelism and discipleshipinitiatives.

College:

• We praise God for the 19 student leaders (from 12 chapters) and 8 graduate volunteers who attended the Leadership Summit last June 12-13 in Tagaytay. The participants said that they were helped and encouraged by the sessions as well as the prayer and fellowship times.
• Please pray for wisdom and discernment, for strength and courage for our student leaders, staff, and ministry partners as we face this new school year. May the Lord’s love and grace be boldly proclaimed through the chapter plans and programs as well as the personal witness of each IV members.
• Let us pray for the Manila Leaders’ Council to be convened soon. Pray for fresh vision, fervor and commitment for the chapter representatives.

Ministry Partners:

• Praise God for the eight donors who consistently give to our operational funds. Let us pray for more partners to take active part in helping the region financially. Pray that we be able to pay our  P100,000 debts/deficit last school year. Let us also uphold the RAC members and the staff team as they think of ways to generate resources. Pray that we be good stewards of these resources entrusted to us.

Staff Team:

• Praise the Lord for Reinstary Arlegui (associate staff –college) and Rafael Magdaong (full-time staff- ISCF) who joined the MMRU team this school year. Let us pray that they would be able to adjust to their roles and responsibilities. May they find delight as they disciple students and work with volunteers in the region.
• Praise God for good health and working relationship amongst the team. Pray for Joanne as she adjusts to major transitions and a new assignment (Cavite area) this school year. Pray for Shebel, Rhoda, Jun and Mutya- for wisdom, creativity, and faithfulness in the tasks given to each of them.
• Praise God for Ate Elsie, Ging and Kuya Dave who continue to help out in UP Diliman, UP LB, and student training respectively.
• Praise the Lord for Kuya Dave Griffiths! His zeal, sharpness and dedication are noteworthy. We give thanks to the Lord for the gift that he is and has been to us as a movement. Pray for them as they prepare to leave the Phils.

Southern Mindanao Regional Unit

• Thank God for our regional prayer and planning retreat held last June 11-14 at the Tecsons’ newly rented house where 36 people attended.  It was a good time to look up to God, to bond together and to look forward for the task ahead.  Jasher Gasataya’s expositions on portions of Joshua challenged us to be committed to serve the Lord.  Pray for Fenny, Nico, Kareen, Aura Lee, Elan and Micah who were elected to the LCDC ‘09 executive committee as they prepare for the semestral break camp.
• Thank God for Jeremie Probadora, SMRU’s new staff representative.  We thank God too and appreciate Darby Aspacio for training Jeremie on the job.  Pray for good health, safety and inner strength from the Lord as Jeremie travels to connect with graduates around SM.
• Thank God for Darby Aspacio’s big contribution to SMRU ministry.  He is taking an indefinite leave starting July 2009.  Pray for the Lord’s direction for him and his wife Joy for their future.
• Thank God for the two weeks break for Ramon and Jenny Tecson.   They also thank God for the fresh and cool air they breathe in the new house they are renting near Davao River. Pray for guidance and inner strength as they do campus work, visit areas for training and pastoral care, and prepare for regional camps and events.
• Thank God for our campus student leaders, GTs, advisers, and staff who are excited to share the gospel and disciple students.  Thank God also for our faithful donors andprayer supporters.  May we all experience God’s loving presence and exude the fragrance of Christ to others.

Western Visayas Regional Unit

• Praise God for the successful Student Leaders & GT Training last June 19 to 21.   9 GTs & 19 student leaders attended the said event.  Praise God too for providing for the needs of the training.  Students, GTs and Staffs went home refreshed and energized to face the school year 2009-2010.
• Praise God too that campus chapters in the region are now slowly picking momentum.  We exist in 15 schools & universities here in Western Visayas!  Praise God for the initiatives of GTs & student leaders.
• Pray for our Area Assemblies in Bacolod (July 25), Iloilo (July 18) and Roxas (1st week of August).  Pray for the different committees who will work to make these events successful.  Pray for good attendance from students and especially graduates.
• Pray for a positive response as we send out letters to potential donors.  Pray that they will see the need and will respond by giving financially to the region.
• Pray for Eumir Villamor (staff) as he challenges student leaders who will spearhead the Discipleship, Leadership Training Camp this October.  Initial planning is one difficult phase that needs closesupervision.  Pray too for wisdom as he prayerfully choose the members of the exec com.

Central And Eastern Visayas Regional Unit

Praise God for the wisdom He gave as we planned for activities for S.Y. 2009-10. Pray for strength and cooperation for implementation of  the programs for high school and college chapters.

1. Cebu City had already held its first college LGF this school year and it was a success. Graduates also took part as they willingly provided snacks for the students. We also started our meetings on different campuses.
2. Praise God for additional Graduate volunteers (GT’s) for ISCF (Simon, Robert & Clinton). Pray also for passion to disciple students leaders for Christ.
3. IVF Korea Team will come to Tacloban on July 17-30. Pray that culture and language will not be a barrier for a fruitful fellowship and in sharing God’s word.
4. JunHee (KC’08) continued fellowship with new students (Gaygay & Felina) will lead them to be disciples of Christ.
5. Pray that Tacloban will once again have an IV-Home.
6. Our staff worker Laura Pla had successfully undergone surgery last June 30, 2009. Pray for her fast recovery.

Bicol Regional Unit

• Praise God for the positive response of our students and graduates to attend the coming National Conference on Dec. 27 to  30.  They are all excited to attend and they will start to save for the said activity to be able to attend the NC 09.
• Please pray for our students’ preparation for this month of July for their Freshmen Treat in the different campuses in the region. May the Lord use this activity to promote the ministry among the students and also to share Jesus as their Lord and Savior.
• Praise God for the continuing work in Bicol region. Please pray for the chapters’ leaders – Sarah Bona (Univ. of Saint Anthony), Jonathan Nagrampa (Univ. of North Eastern Philippines), Jeremieh Orcine (Camarines Sur Polytechnic Colleges), Obet Nueles (Bicol University Legaspi City) Alphil Goyena ( Sorsogon State College ) RC Padua ( Naga city ) and Carine Lozada and Eliazar Patso ( Partido State University ) May they lead with fresh vision from the Lord and with a steadfast spirit.
• Praise God for the continues support of the IVPM to the ministry.
• Please continue to pray for our students’ awareness about Aids HIV, AH1N1 and its prevention.
• Please pray for the staff Nono and Gerlen Orozco. They changed their status from full time to associate staff starting the month  of July.  May the Lord continue to bless the ministry in IV Home -Iriga. Please pray too for Joni James Roaring for taking the post of Daphne B. Tablizo as the associate staff in Naga City, Pili and Partido areas.
• Thank God for our partners in the region. (GTs, RAC and donors) who continue support and pray for our ministry. May the Lord bless them for their good deeds to our ministry.