Aldwin & Di Fernandez – Sept 2009

SEPT 2009 – Signs of Life

Kumusta na? We hope you are well. Sharing with you some highlights of the past two months…

“ME is a subset of the set ‘JESUS.’” My (Di) high school student’s metaphor amused me, but I was delighted that she could explain Jesus’ Lordship in her own words. Our Bible study group was talking about what it means to call Jesus as Lord. We went on to agree that ‘whatever we do, whether we eat or drink, study or play, Facebook or Twitter, we must do it all for the glory of God.’

It is challenging to disciple today’s students. So to hear insights like these is gratifying; it is like seeing flower buds after months of doing garden work. At last! Some signs of God’s work of transformation.

Our work with students most often take place in campus chapters. Students can regularly be evangelised, discipled and trained for leadership in thriving campus chapters. However, nearly half of our chapters, especially ISCF or high school chapters are pioneering. Thus, we would like to focus on growing our pioneering chapters. This is a major program that Di, as ISCF Coordinator, is working on. She has been training staff and volunteers in the essentials of building resilient campus chapters. She conducted trainings for the new staff and volunteers here in Metro Manila last July 24 and for the staff in Baguio last Aug 17.

Clowning around after the training session conducted by Di. They may look silly and insane but these young graduate volunteers are serious about their commitment to campus ministry.

Aldwin, meanwhile, has been overseeing the work in the IVCF Library. We were very happy to receive books donated by MEANS in memory of Dave Foster, a longtime supporter and former Board member of MEANS. Christmas also came early this year for the IVCF staff kids who happily got their wishes granted when they received clothes, books, and toys from our friends in Balikatan. Praise God for the generosity of these IVCF supporters!

Praise God for the Annual Corporation Meeting last Aug 22 that pushed through despite the heavy rain. Some of our members braved the floodwaters to attend. Our very own National Graduates Ministry Chairman, Atty. Jordan Reyes, arrived in slippers and shorts because the place where he was staying was flooded. He later on changed into more formal clothing when he delivered his Annual Report of the IVCF Graduates Ministry. Such dedication! We are thankful for the show of support of our graduates and students who came to hear Ministry Reports and to approve and pledge support for the IVCF National Budget. We are especially thankful for our three ‘kuyas’ (older brothers) who were elected as members of the Board.

We are feeling the pressure as the National Conference nears. Please pray for us and the rest of the NC Executive Committee. Help us pray, too, for the speakers, program, logistical preparations and fundraising.

In times like these Andrew Murray’s reflection on John 15 (Parable of the Vine and the Branches) is encouraging. He writes that in the imagery it is as though Jesus is saying, ‘I have joined Myself inseparably to you; all the fullness and fatness of the Vine are yours indeed. It is my interest and honor to have you as a fruitful branch; only abide in Me.’ What a comfort, isn’t it, that Christ is fully committed to us and that all His richness is ours to enjoy? We only have to stay close and connected to Him.

We thank God for you and that you share our passion for students to know Christ as Savior and Lord. We pray that He will draw you close so that you might enjoy Him and all His richness.

With grateful hearts,

Aldwin & Di
with Yana

P r a i s e  &  P r a y e r

Praise God for the generosity of MEANS (a US-based missions support and mobilizing organization) and Balikatan (IVCF alumni group in Northern America).

Praise God for the many people like Joy, Dave and Ida who come alongside us in this work by volunteering their services for free.

Please pray for us to faithfully keep our devotional and prayer times.

Please continue to pray for Di’s Bible study group. Praise God for the deepening of relationship. Please pray that young men will  be added to our group, as so far only girls have been regularly attending our BS meetings.

Please pray for us as we go about our preparations for the National Conference, for Aldwin as oversees the logistical side of the Conference and for Di, the program aspects of it.