Celgen Aurestila – September 2009

Dear praying friends,

Life in DTC

The Lord has been so kind to me in the past two months while studying here in Discipleship Training – Singapore. I now begin to appreciate and adapt my new environment and new lifestyle. In the morning of Tuesdays to Fridays, we have chapel time (8-8:40am), after which we proceed to our morning classes until 12:45. We have 2 subjects (1 and 45 minutes each). Then every Tuesday afternoon we have job time and on Thursday we have sports time for two hours respectively. Meanwhile, on the weekly basis, we have pastoral group on Friday evenings and field education in church every Sunday. Most of my subjects require weekly assignments and term-papers. Every week we have to catch up and be much disciplined to finish things on time. These disciplines for me are quite tough, but I know after two years, I would be a better person. It’s worth the sacrifice. I have had enough sleepless nights in the first term which just ended last Sept. 14 and I am hopeful that this next term which will also start this Monday, Sept 28 would no longer be more stressful, I should have learned to manage my time better.

Filipino Bible Study in Saint George's Church

Praise God I was able to accomplish all my first term assignments! Thank you for our answered prayers. I remember one friend of mine who claimed God’s favor for me before coming here – I am now experiencing it every day. If I will count my blessings here one by one, the Lord has been so good to me. Every day I thank God that He provides my needs. Every detail in life here is God’s favor indeed.

Last Sunday I led Bible study at Saint George’s church (Anglican Church), with the Filipino Bible Study group where I am doing my field education. I praise God that I was able to minister to my “Kababayan” here. Pray the Lord will continue to bless this ministry, may the Lord allow them to grow more and more in the knowledge of the Lord Jesus and in His grace.

Join me in praising our God for the following:

I thank God for new friends in DTC and in church (Saint George’s church).
I thank God for good health. Many of you knew that I have been adjusting on my first few weeks here. I had allergies and experienced discomforts. But now I begin to enjoy life here. Continue praying for good health for me and my family back home.
I thank God too for using this time in DTC to deal some of my personal issues in life. Many happened in the past, while I was in the ministry for 7 years. I was stretched and squeezed physically and emotionally. I have had enough stressful moments in the field and the Lord is so gracious to me now, giving me this time of recuperation and refreshment.
I praise God for every opportunity that I am mentored, instructed, corrected, nurtured and trained here at DTC. Being here is a wonderful gift.
I thank God too for how the Lord used people to pray for me, to provide for my needs, to encourage me and to bless me in many ways.
See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland. – Isaiah 43:19

I will be praying for your journey in the Lord. May you will continue to be refreshed in the LORD every morning. God bless!

In Christ,

Celgen A.