Summer Con Ilocos - The Return

OK, so we've returned last Saturday. Around 140 of us. We arrived at 5:30AM. It was really earlier. I only had 30 minutes of sleep the whole night. Worst of all, I didn't sleep much the other night as well. BUT, it was still enjoyable,  I was able to catch up with old friends and meet new friends as well. Anyway, I hope I can get the pictures soon, so that I can post them all here. So how was your Holy Week vacation?

Fort Ilocandia Resort Here We Come

So pack your bags, and be ready to meet tomorrow 8:00PM at GCC for our trip to Ilocos. Anyway, don't forget to bring your Bible, personal water for the bus, medication (especially for motion sickness), a little bit of cash, shades, sweater/jacket (it could be cold if you get the chance to ride the hot air balloon),  toiletries (tooth paste and brush, etc.) [The hotel will probably provide most of it, but it wont hurt if your bag has some space], camera if you have one, plastic bags to put your dirty laundry, clothing, socks, undees, slippers, junk food, games to play on the bus... Well, you all know what you need. 

Just be at Grace by 8:00PM tomorrow (April  7). If possible, take a little nap in the afternoon. I know it's hard to sleep on the bus. So it might help to get your sleep in advance. God bless. See you all.

MV Doulos

What was supposed to be a short trip to the MV Doulos Bookstore turned into a five hour tour of the ship. It was a warm, sunny day when a few church members visited the Doulos to purchase a few books. And to our utter amazement, the line was looooong. Reminder to those who will visiting the (new) Doulos in two years, don't visit the bookstore on a Sunday.

Fortunately, we had visited the Doulos a week earlier and became acquainted with a few crew members. So instead of lining up in the bookstore line, we went to the back of the ship and received a tour of the whole ship.

Our tour guide, Mrs. Ilona Csernus, began with sharing the short history of the Doulos and the Logos. We ventured into the small corridors of the ship, visiting the laundry area, the fire station, the engine, room, the dining area, and eventually found our way into the Csernus living quarters in the lower levels of the ship.

Learning about the Doulos and its mission has been an eye opening experience to not only life on a ship, but also the importance and hard work involved in the missions ministry. Crew members don't stay on the ship during the entire duration of their 2 year stay on the ship, but go out to parks and prisons to tell people about the gospel.

Look forward to seeing the new Doulos in 2 years.



That's not the Doulos. That's the Melville, the shipped parked behind the Doulos. But it makes for a great picture.

The line went all the way down the pier, and zig zagged like a scribble at the end of the picture. It was insane -- sooo many people.

Eleanor poses at the fire station.

The main entrance to the bookstore.

Welcome home who-ever-you-are. (Anna with an H.)

That guy's the Bouncer. He's from the Netherlands and he makes funny faces. And he's 18.

TAIWAN! TAIWAN!!! TAIWAN!!!!

The Engine Room.

This guy looks like Samuel Tan, Rev. Stephen's brother. Ya think?

The gang minus Spencer. Left to right: Lawrence, Ellie, Jina, Cat, Ilona, Benjamin, and Daniel. We rock.

They've got a trampoline in their cabin!

From the outside -- without the long line of people.

Good bye Doulos. See you again in two years.

Joshua

I've posted about Joshua last December. I just received the sad news that he went to be with our Lord. It was this morning (3/17/2009, not sure which hospital). 

I know he struggled hard. He fought and trusted God. We prayed for him, for his family; even though some of us never met him; because he is our brother in Christ. We may not need to pray for Joshua anymore for we know where he is, in heaven. However, we do need to pray for his family, friends, and love ones. Those whom he left here on earth. Let them be comforted by God's promise that they will meet Joshua again at the appointed time.

I leave you with this verse, of comfort. To remind us that the place where he is... is a wonderful place.

Revelations 21:4

"And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away."

The Summer Con 09' Quest for Funds

So we've already talked about the garage sale for our summer conference. As a continuation for that. Last last Sunday, our church sold shabu-shabu; and today they sold some siomai. It was a fun fund raising event. Even if it's just a little, a few thousand pesos was raised.

And a new development is... if you want to join and don't have enough money, just look for Enoch hia (5'10" with a big smile) and ask for some raffle booklets. A mountain bike, Nautica Cologne for Men, Samsonite Camera Bag, Samsonite Neck Rest, and a Hi-Lock Glassware set will be given away. Draw date will be on March 29 @ 12noon. Each ticket is only P30... and if you sell an amount more than P1500, the amount you sold will be deducted to your summer conference fare. (I'm not so sure about the mechanics though, I'll clarify this in a few days). So start selling now and join our summer conference in Ilocos. God bless you all.

Nothing Much, Just Reading... Harold Sala's Winning Your Inner Struggles

Two of the things I did with in the last seven days: 1) Finish reading Winning Your Inner Struggles, 2) Watched Street Fighter: Legend Of Chun Li. OK, so I don't recommend #2. My expectation was really low, around 3 out of 10 (10 being the highest); but it was way lower than that. I did get a good laugh about the experience though.

Anyway, we all know that Harold and Darlene Sala are in the country for a month now. I attended one of their seminars on singleness in CBCP (Christian Bible Church of the Philippines) a few weeks ago. During that time, I bought a book (Winning Your Inner Struggles) with the thought that this might help me with some of my struggles with regards to temptations. But, it wasn't what I expected; it was better. It tackles almost every part of our self.... fear, emotion, anger, burn out, disappointments, worries, stress, etc. I've learned a lot that I've been praying to God to help me apply. 

One of the things I picked up is the line "you can let your emotions control your mind, or let your mind control your emotions." (This isn't the exact line, but it's more or less the same). If you're sad, depressed, emotional, tired - you'll really feel it once you let those feelings take over your mind and convince you. But we can do it the other way around... If you think you're happy, you will eventually be happy. Just let your mind do the controlling; don't let your emotions dictate how good or bad your day will be.

Also, as I was reading, some people came to my mind whom I wanted to recommend the book to. Friends of mine whom, I believe, can also learn from it. The further I read, more friends I thought of. So I was at a point where I thought this book could help all of us. The good thing about it is that Dr. Sala goes back to the Bible as one of his main reference which is very important. Before we apply what we read, we should always make sure that the author is not making up what he writes. So I recommend buying this book. Hey, it's P170. It's light and easy to read.

Results: Garage Sale For Summer Con

I'm not too keen on the details regarding the garage sale yesterday, since I wasn't there. But I heard that they were able to make p30,000. That's a pretty good amount, and only happened through God's grace. The money raised will be used to subsidize the summer con amount for those who can't really afford the full p8000. I think priority will be given to students.

Anyway, up next is tomorrow (this Sunday). There will be a food booth that will sell, uhm...Shabu shabu., I think.hehe... Anyway, it's gonna be delicious, so don't forget to bring your wallets. Here's your chance to help out once again. Who said you can't help others by eating? God bless all of you.

Garage Sale For Summer Con

"First of all, sorry folks for not being able to blog this past couple of weeks. I've been having a dry spell lately. Anyway, I'm back, and I'm no longer dry. Thank God."

In the spirit of raising money for our Family Conference in Ilocos, we will be having a Garage Sale this Friday (Feb 27, 2009). It will be a whole day event starting @ 9am in our church (Grace Christian Church). If you have anything worth selling that you probably don't need, here's your chance to get rid of it. You will be helping our church also. It's killing two birds with one stone. Just just pass by the church any reasonable time tomorrow to drop your stuff.

And... if you're wondering whether our church has a garage or not... you are not alone, I'm still wondering about it myself. Anyway, it will probably in the fellowship hall or just the open area where they park all the vans. So drop by this Friday and check out the all the stuff that's for sale.

Or if you have nothing to do... you can also volunteer to help out, just text Glenn 09228425075. (And don't forget to state who you are.)

(Image taken from: http://codes.ci.lubbock.tx.us/images/garageSaleSmall.jpg)