Lala Pla – March 2010

LIFE IN THE STAFFWORK

December 2009

December always enlivens me — it’s Christmas. It is also vacation time and I anticipate spending longer time with my loved ones. This time, though, it was different because I spent my Christmas in Manila preparing for the National Conference held last December 26-30, 2009. I missed my family members but I thank the Lord because somehow He has given me another family, my IVCF family, whom I spent Christmas with. I still thank the Lord for in the absence of my biological family last Christmas, my spiritual family was there to share and celebrate the season with me. I enjoyed the food while basking in the surrounding Christmas lights. I also enjoyed the opportunity to watch the “Disney on Ice” show at the Araneta Coliseum. I thank the Lord for such treats.

The National Conference (NC) in Tagaytay City was a great way for me to face the New Year with GOD’s assurance and promise of His presence. It was a time of personal evaluation, reflection and listening to the Lord not only as an individual but also as a member of the corporate body of Christ.  My prayer  at that time (even until now) was that after the Lord would have spoken to me personally through HIS Word and through my interactions with people, I would be able to respond to HIM rightly in the way HE wants me to.

After NC, I, together with some other staff members went to Baguio City and Benguet Province. I got sick when we arrived there, but I thank the Lord because it was an opportunity for me to take stock of my life and to think of a lot of things that I want to do in the coming year. I enjoyed my time alone with God and also the time I spent with my fellow IVCF staff.  It was also great spending time with Rachel’s family who hosted us.

The year 2009 was a yearlong of learning from the Lord. My 2009 journey taught me precious lessons in life that would always help me in my continuing walk with HIM.

January 2010

The Staff Conference is one of the events I look forward to every January. It is always an occasion to have enough time to listen and reflect on the Word of God, seek HIM earnestly and ask for clear guidance and direction especially in the coming year. Taking a closer look at my six years as a staff and reflecting on what the Lord has done in my life and in the movement, particularly, in the region, I can say that it was only with GOD’s pure grace and mercy that I was able to survive. My six years stay in Cebu is a manifestation of GOD’s goodness and faithfulness. The Lord immensely revealed HIMSELF to me in a very personal way through the everyday dealings I had with students and graduates. He continually molded my character as I studied HIS word and dealt with students and grads in the region. HE transformed me, one step at a time, to be the person HE has designed me to be. I cried a lot of times because most of them were painful, but I thank the Lord because after those trying times, I came out a better person.

The Staff Con is also a chance to listen and to be updated with what’s going on in a staff worker’s life – both in the ministry and in their personal and family lives. On the lighter side, it was also a fun time with other staff workers and I truly enjoyed their presence. Playing UNO and BLITZ with them during free time were great fun.

In every Staff Con, I always experience something new, as a staff. This year the Lord has surprised me when HE answered my simple and childhood wish to go to the Enchanted Kingdom. As a kid, I dreamt of the thrilling and breath-taking rides. Having ridden almost all the rides there was, I’d say “Dreams do come true”.  This was in addition to the privilege of meeting old friends and some “stars” when I was invited to attend a local church while waiting for the wedding of a former colleague.
January was made more memorable because I had the chance to celebrate my birthday in a different way. For the first time, I experienced unforeseen events which placed me in very challenging and humbling situations. After more than a month in Luzon, it felt great being back in Cebu – back to the normal life of meeting students and graduates again.  I can only thank the Lord who saw me through all these.

February 2010

After  Di Fernandez’ visit in Cebu last February 5 & 6, and after my speaking assignments in different  campus fellowships here in Cebu, I left for my area staff visit in Leyte last February 16-20, 2010. I met students and graduates there and spent time with some individuals who I really needed to meet and to talk to not only concerning the ministry but also about their personal lives. It was a fruitful and productive time with the IVCF people in Leyte. While I was there, I also grabbed the chance to spend the weekend to visit my family. It was a short visit after a year of not being able to see and spend time with them.

After my visit in Leyte, I will be busy again in Cebu with lots of regional concerns on hand. We will be having the RAC meeting on the 27th of this month. Simultaneous with my administrative work in the region, I will also prepare for our Staff and GT retreat planning and evaluation in March while also preparing for my Kawayan Camp responsibilities.

Please uphold me once again:

• Please pray for me as I help and assist Rachel Jentapa in making the program for Kawayan Camp 2010. I will be the Head Counselor for this year’s Kawayan Camp. Pray for wisdom, guidance and sensitivity to the Lord as Rachel and I oversee the entire program of KC and as I prepare the Cabin Devotion guides, too. Pray for a fruitful time with the KC’10 counselors as I meet them regularly during KC.
• Pray for discipline and good health as I prepare myself for these responsibilities.
• Pray for financial provision for KC ‘10. Also for creativity in raising funds and continuous trust in the Lord.
• Pray for the right students from CEV who will attend KC. Pray for parental permission, creativity in fund raising and work-for-a-cause activity.
• Pray for wisdom and guidance for the Regional Advisory Council members as we meet this February 27, 2010. Pray too for financial provision, safety and protection as they travel to Cebu.
• Pray for my area staff visits in Bohol and Dumaguete in March 2010
• Pray for financial provision, wisdom and guidance as we prepare for the Staff & GT retreat planning and evaluation this March. Pray for safety and protection as we travel to the place the Lord will lead us to.
• Pray as well for the CEV- ISCF Evangelistic camp on May 24-29, 2010.  Pray for the preparation of the camp staff.
• Pray for my sabbatical leave preparation.

Thank you so much for all your prayers. I would like to hear from you as well.

May the LORD bless you and keep you always!

In Him alone,