Dear Friends,

Hello!  How are you? We’ve been through a hectic holiday which was spent in both work and leisure.  We spent the second week of December in Roxas City to visit family and have had an early Christmas break. Then we traveled to Manila on Dec 15 for the pre-National Conference (NC) preparation and stayed at  IVCF Bldg at Quezon City. We thank the Lord for the opportunity to serve Him by being a part of the IVCF NC 2009 working crew.

On Dec-26, we left for Tagaytay and stayed at Development Academy of the Phil until Dec 30 where the conference was held. We were awed by God’s goodness and with the countless ways He has refreshed us even amidst exhaustion from work. NC was indeed an opportunity to feast on God’s Word, reflect on life, celebrate friendships and witness evidences of His grace and faithfulness in the movement and in the lives of students and graduates from different generations. We were comforted once again by the assurance of God’s presence as we face uncertainties and ambiguities of the future, challenged to live according to God’s living word in the secular world, and to exemplify Christ- like love and obedience. We also thank the Lord for allowing 15 of our graduates and students from Bicol region to attend NC.

We were away from Bicol for almost 1 and a  half months and we were amazed on how the Lord has provided for our needs as our family expenditure ballooned due to travels, extra holiday expenses, and the high cost of living in Manila. God has many wonderful surprises! Because of the kindness and generosity of family and friends, we were able to cope and even have an extra for a trip to Ark Avilon Zoo and  a chance to celebrate our 5th wedding Anniversary in a special way.  Yeheey!

The IVCF National Conference, too, has its own stories of God’s abundant provision and grace.  Weeks before the conference, we prayed and prayed for the needed subsidies and other NC concerns. And the Lord showed us once again that He answers in ways beyond our expectations. NC, after having served its purpose was able to have a surplus of funds! During the IVCF staff conference, God allowed the staff team to have an enjoyable and memorable treat at Enchanted Kingdom!

Recalling our experience from the day we left Iriga to the day we arrived, we declare that our God is faithful, kind, generous and …fun! We experience healing salve to our weariness.  Our cup overflows!

SR: Stop & Refuel

We had our IVCF January Staff Conference at Christian Development Centre also at Tagaytay City on January 6-13.  It was another opportune time to reflect and reinvigorate our ‘calling’.   We were enriched by Kuya Herman Moldez’ expositions on Philippians and his sessions on Spiritual Mentoring. It is also the venue for discussing issues facing our movement and strategies for improvement, evaluating our programs, and planning for the next events like our Summer camps. We were blessed to also have time for singing favorite hymns,  listening to each other’s stories and praying for one another and for the movement. During free time, playing UNO and Blitz are among our favorite things to do.  We had our (hearts) and tanks full and we came home refreshed and energized to do the work ahead of us. More importantly, it has renewed our love and excitement in the Lord.

WHAT’S AHEAD

Rinconada Leaders’ Encounter

-  a gathering of student leaders for an overnight chapter evaluation, planning, fellowship,  prayer and nourishment of body and spirit!  Jan 29, 6pm (venue to be announced)

Bicol Region Graduates Retreat

- Ms. Elsie Calalang (IVCF Grads Ministry Resource) will conduct a retreat on February 19-20. It will be a time to rest, fellowship, pause and evaluate life, work and ministry.

Sexual Purity Campaign

- This February, topics on Love, Sexual Purity, Relationships and Sexuality will be discussed in Large Group Fellowships, Cell Groups and special events such as Ladies/Gents Night.

Graduates Kick off

- A time of celebrating God’s goodness to graduating students, and sending them off with affirmations and prayers (March)

KAWAYAN Camp

-KC is a month long extensive leadership training camp for IVCF  student leaders coming from different regions nationwide (Apr 7-May 5, 2010, Camp Humayan, Negros Occidental)

ISCF National Leadership Camp

- Leadership camp for highschool students , tentative date: May 24-29 at Camp Bato, Sibonga, Cebu

Campus Stories

Students from USANT

University of Saint Anthony (USANT)

The Bible study group of Nursing students in USANT grows amidst their hectic schedules. We praise God for the core members who are fervent in their efforts to bring their classmates in a living relationship with God. They meet every Wednesday from 12:00-1:00pm at IV home.

USANT ISCF (Highschool)

Kate, one of the ISCF leader shares,
“maraming nagbago sa buhay ko dahil sa ISCF. Halimbawa na lang po, narealize ko na madami pala sa aking binigay si God na blessings na di ko nakikita dati. At lalong naging open-minded ako about the things that God can do to our lives.”

We praise God for the fruitful ISCF Christmas Party where many newcomers attended and the ISCF leaders were able to share their insights and lessons learned from the first Christmas story.

University of North Eastern Philippines (UNEP)

The group that meets every Thursday 4:00-5:00pm is headed by  Jonathan Nagrampa, a KC 08 grad and NC 09 delegate.

CSPC Large Group fellowship

Camarines Sur Polytechnic Colleges CSPC

The IVCF chapter in CSPC conducts Large Group fellowship,  cell groups,  daily prayer meetings and special evangelistic and discipleship events.    We praise God for the witness of the students in the campus and as a result, many lives are being transformed.

ALL GLORY TO GOD!

From Gerlen’s Journal

It’s been 3 and a half years since I moved to Bicol with my family—away from the old and familiar .  Among the many things that I miss the most are my longtime friends and mentors.   During my ‘working vacation’ from Dec-Jan,  God has graciously showered me with His love through reunion with wacky friends & loving mentors .  Friendships are indeed God’s way of  showing His love!

Prayer Concerns

• Pray that the regular chapter activities and upcoming events bear significant impact to many. Pray for growing maturity among the student leaders and members so that their lives continue to be salt and light in their campuses, family and community.
• Pray for the Iriga IV-Home ministry. May it serve as a loving home  not only to us but to every student and graduate who come in.  (We are wishing to have a comfortable sofa to replace our bamboo sala set and new books for our library). Please pray too for partners who will give towards the monthly operational needs /expenses.
• Pray for us as a couple, that God will bless our marriage with joy and maturing love; for wisdom in raising and disciplining Mayumi and Makisig; and for wisdom in mentoring students
• Pray too that God will continue to bless our FERN business. May it grow and be a blessing to many.

Thank you for your partnership with us. We pray for you as Apostle Paul prays for his friends:

“And now I entrust you to God and the message of his grace that is able to build you up and give you an inheritance with those he has set apart for himself. “  Acts 20:32
We’d love to hear from you too. Let us know how we can pray for you. Blessings be!

Nono & Gerlen Orozco

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You can download printable version of this prayerletter in PDF format.

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