Patrick Tan

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Got back from Davao today at 2PM. It was rainy. I planned to go home.. or go to the mall since my family's going to church in the evening. I rode the taxi undecided where to go. Then I noticed the taxi fare from airport to Malate is P100 already, I thought how much more when I got home? So I asked the driver to take me to Binondo. It was tiring. Carrying a backpack, a sports bag and a box of durian.

The South-Eastern Mindanao Chi-Alpha retreat held in Samal, Davao was great. I spoke for two nights and a day with Ate Merla from Iloilo. Praise God for His goodness and grace that He allowed me to communicate what He wanted me to communicate. I spoke about Faith Foundation, Identity in Christ and The Joshua Challenge. On the last evening, young people from the local AG there joined us and we numbered around 30. Throughout the retreat I got to know student leaders from SEM Chi Alpha. It's great to listen to what God is doing through XA in the campuses. Truly the Holy Spirit is moving even in this island. Ate Afel (pastor & xa coordinator for SEM) was truly a blessing and inspiration, a woman of humility.

Thursday afternoon after retreat, Samal AG pastor Dario took us to Ligid Island for swimming and snorkeling. The reef is magnificent there. Even few meters from where we were staying the reef is full and beautiful. Too bad I didn't bring my gears. Early Friday morning we packed our bags and headed back to the city. Ate Merla was first to leave for Iloilo. So Kuya Arth kept me company. He introduced me to durian and checked out some pasalubong.

For some time I forgot that I resigned in our company. Then I remembered it morning of the last day of retreat. I know the possible results of this move, and I cannot lie that I had worries and fears, the what if's. Woke up early around 5.30AM. God painted a beautiful picture in the sky. I felt His reassuring presence that everything is gonna be alright. I silently wept in unspoken love for Him. He took me to Psalm 91. It was a comfort for my soul.

¹ He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

² I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust."

³ Surely he will save you from the fowler's snare
and from the deadly pestilence.

⁴ He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.

⁵ You will not fear the terror of night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,

⁶ nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
nor the plague that destroys at midday.

⁷ A thousand may fall at your side,
ten thousand at your right hand,
but it will not come near you.

⁸ You will only observe with your eyes
and see the punishment of the wicked.

⁹ If you make the Most High your dwelling—
even the LORD, who is my refuge-

¹⁰ then no harm will befall you,
no disaster will come near your tent.

¹¹ For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways;

¹² they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.

¹³ You will tread upon the lion and the cobra;
you will trample the great lion and the serpent.

¹⁴ "Because he loves me," says the LORD, "I will rescue him;
I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.

¹⁵ He will call upon me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble,
I will deliver him and honor him.

¹⁶ With long life will I satisfy him
and show him my salvation."