He Continues…

Dear Friends,

The year 2009 had ended, new year came and God’s goodness in my life never ends, it never stops. He continues to surprise me and teaches me in many yet sometimes through unexpected,  old-fashioned ways.

My year 2009 was full of beginnings. It became a starting point where God wanted me to be. It was the year I heeded His call to become an IVCF staffworker. And now, another year has come to know, serve and experience Him as my personal Salvation and Stronghold.

My December folded with IVCF-National Conference in Tagaytay. It was my first time to really visit Tagaytay and see the Taal Volcano in person. It was also my first time to participate in a National Conference of IVCF. Mixed with task assignment during NC, I really enjoyed the company and “Kamustahan” with old friends from other regions. I was also challenged thru God’s given message in the expositions. Packed with loads of good things from NC, I travelled back to Zambales, my province to celebrate New Year’s holidays with my parents and siblings. I continue to praise God for His provision and goodness in our midst. Be with me as I continue to uplift their lives to our personal God, Who never ceases to call His children. After my unexpected visit with good friends in Pangasinan and Baguio, I went back to Tagaytay to join my fellow staff in our January Staff Conference. Again, I was new with this thing, being a participant with my Kuya’s and Ate’s in a much lighter-tasked and refreshing conference. It was a good feeling and enriching experience to interact, ask, and learn with my fellow workers of some new yet basic thoughts of being a staff. I praise Him as He continues to teach me His ways thru inquiries, QTs and listening times.

Being away from IV Home Baguio for almost a month buzzed me with a lot of catching up from students’ and local churchmates’ activities, and also responsibilities. As my body still longs for a restful transition from conferences to my regional staff routines, God never fails to strengthen and attend to my needs. He continues to direct my path as new staff through people whom He placed to be my guides.

As my campus schedules come back on track, He opened opportunities to reach out to more students in Benguet State University (BSU) with the help of an IVCF Graduate, a BSU Staff– Ate Flor David.  We conducted a three-day class room evangelism last February 8-1o. It was an exciting feeling to communicate His grace and love to various classrooms full of unacquainted  students.  I praise Him as He faithfully invites back those who were His. I am also grateful on how He continually uses IV graduates to rally His love for the students. During our classroom evangelism activity, we visited Ate Zyla’s house, Ate Grace Bengwayan’s (an IVCF Grad) office and enjoyed fellowship with other BSU Christian groups in their lunchtime worship service.

He never ceases to amaze me as He reveals His wisdom and discernment through my personal moments with Him. May I continue to seek Him and His decrees for my life as I prepare my heart and mind for my summer camp’s task this April.

Panagbenga days, the Baguio well-known Flower Festival is coming to an end and a new task is nearly approaching, my heart says unto Thee, my I seek His presence. Ever will I be confident that He is with me, to enjoy Him while knowing and serving Him in the student world.

I thanked the Lord with my new  life-enriching experiences as new staff of IVCF .

I thanked Him for my new phone, through His provision, I have now a good yet inexpensive phone for communications.

I thanked Him for my   family time last New Year’s Holiday.

I  also thanked Him for new ministry partners in the region.

I continue to ask for His wisdom as I do my task in IVCF-Northern Luzon.

I  pray for His provisions for the  needs of the region.

I pray for good health and creativity for the incoming summer camp’s assignment.

Thank You for journeying with me!

I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.
– Psalm 27:13

In His grace and love,

Ara