But anyway, while in this mode, let me take advantage by updating my blog. (Another delaying tactic.)
I haven't written much lately. Much of my posts have been personal devotions from my readings. Been rambling about Facebook and our church's website (www.bfgfc.blogspot.com).
Wedding. I can't imagine that it's 5 months now until our wedding day. To tell the truth, I'm still not in the panic mode, perhaps because of other cares. Like saving up for it. Don't get me wrong, I am very much looking forward to be with Netty, share one house among other things. And God has been really faithful to us, bringing in the necessary funds at the right time. It's our trust and patience that is being tested. But ever since this chapter of my life I've told close friends that my prayer was that God will prove himself faithful to us, that our friends and family will see that all of this is God's doing. And even now, He never fails in meeting our needs. I mean how can one put an explanation to this: I work part-time, and not an 8-5 job. More than half of my time is spent in ministry and study. But still we are just ok. Friends and family are also supportive of us, pledging for some of the consummables in the wedding. I believe part of this wondrous move of God is through the prayers of prayerful people we know (one is my mom), and those we don't know that they are praying for us. Today I feel assured that after that Day, we can just sit back and marvel, shed a tear or two, realizing that God has been always there and has brought us through this wilderness moment to the promise land He prepared for us. I find great comfort and encouragement in these verse in Psalms: "They cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and he brought them out of their distress. He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed. They were glad when it grew calm, and he guided them to their desired haven" (107:28-30).
There's so much things to be thankful to God for this few weeks. On September 15-19, I will be going to a leadership training institute in Subic. It was the second time that Ms. Grace Sumbillo has invited me to join this training. This time I felt strongly to join this training. What's unique about this training is that this is not like a crowd-conference, but only a handful of people are invited, and they can personally interact with the resource speaker they invited. Consider these resource speakers: Bishop Ef Tendero, national director of PCEC, Ptr. Joey Bonifacio, senior pastor of Victory Christian Fellowship, and Ptr. BJ Sebastian, a pastor at the same time VP for a handful of big companies in the Philippines, and many more. Awesome. I've always thought and consider it a fact about me: "I am the kind of person who gets it when he really sets himself in accomplishing it." There is just one problem: The registration fee is costs P16K! I mean, I'm saving up for our wedding so where could I possibly get an extra. I prayed that if God wanted me to participate in this, that He would make a way for me to make it possible. The institute was offering scholarship discounts for active church workers, so I applied for it. After a week, I was granted the maximum allowable scholarship (50%). I also submitted a support letter to my church, expecting to receive a humble support because of the church's other needs, and to my surprise, by the next week, I was informed that they will be supporting me. And thus, now less than more than 80% of the registration fee is already covered. I mean, this is more than I expected but here it was. And credit God this.
Well there is one more story to be thankful for, that is our ministry work in Makati. It is really doing well. But it should wait for now, because I gotta prepare for my 2PM midterm exam in school.
Let this be a reminder to myself that I serve a good and all-powerful God.
Out.
PS. If you are praying for me kindly consider these prayer points:
- Continuous provision for our wedding, we are facing will be facing the giant of our expenses this September.
- My work, that more work will come in ... big projects!
- I am praying that the whole leadership insitute expenses will be covered soon: The remainder of the reg fee (P2000) and transportation (P500) and pocket expenses.
- Continuous growth in our Makati Carecell, we have been making progress, regular members are slowly being emerging, and the potential for the development of leaders is positive.
- Teaching fervor and passion. I will be teaching this Sunday on "My Spiritual Family". This is a monthly, 3-hour discipleship training we do in BFGFC where I serve as small groups and discipleship pastor.