Music training at Balikatan Ministry!

In our efforts to empower the members of our Balikatan Ministry in Montalban, Rizal Province, we have started guitar lessons for 10 of our members. Coming together once every fortnight, they are coached in the basics of guitar playing by our very own Domi! Although our members share one guitar at the lesson, it does not dampen their spirits as they come together to learn. Here’s what they have to say...
Georgina Calanao

"I want to learn how to play the guitar so that I can play for worship. My problem is that I do not have a guitar so I can’t practice. I find our music training very helpful as I can now play more during our small group meetings. I enjoy playing the guitar and singing."

Cristina Panelo

"I want to play the guitar as I would like to start playing in the church and also for our small group meetings. I’ve always wanted to play when I was young but I never had the chance to learn."

Perla Melmida

"I want very much to be able to play the guitar as I want to eventually lead worship. One day I hope to be able to pray by playing the guitar and worshipping God."

Reaching out to youths...

This June, we had the privilege of reaching out to over 200 youths in a 3 day Youth Camp. It was an amazing experience of meeting energetic and vibrant youths and sharing with them the message of God's love for them...
...through music, praise and worship and action songs!

...through group activites, presentations and group sharings

...through testimonies and teaching sessions

...through creativity, mimes and sign language to song

"The wonder of Your love will break the chains that bind us, the power of Your touch releases us to worship" from the song The Wonder of Your Love

Throughout the camp, we witnessed the power of God's love that broke through chains and released the youths in worship and a new encounter with His love. In awe of His mighty works, we can only bow down and humbly proclaim that all glory belongs to Him alone!

A video clip of the ministry night.. performing the mime "The Gift" followed by a prayer session..

Who says life in the missions is boring?

12 July 2010 (Monday)

- The discovery of a (thankfully!!!) dead snake behind our washing machine that nearly disrupted all laundry activities for the day! Rannie to the rescue!

14 July 2010- (Wednesday) 2am

Howling winds as Typhoon Basyang (international codename Conson) ripped through Central Luzon at wind speeds of 120kph. It rattled our windows, ripped off a piece of our zinc covering at the drying area and flooded our kitchen, dining area and library.

14 July 2010- (Wednesday) 5:30am

Damage inspection and the start of clean up work... on our knees...



...with mops, pails and anything we could gather to stop the leak- a feat accomplished in darkness because of a power failure!








Collecting rain water just in case our water supply runs out!

14 July 2010- (Wednesday) 7:10am

Finally some breakfast... (still in the dark!)
Helter-skelter in the garden with fallen pots and garden chairs...

15 July 2010- (Thursday)

Thankfully Typhoon Basyang is currently moving out of Luzon. Our power supply resumed late Wednesday night and we didn't have to use the collected rain water after all! Typhoon Basyang left 18 people dead and 57 others missing in Central Luzon.

Growing healthy children in Montalban

For the year 2010, we have been assisting children in Montalban to receive basic vaccinations. 40 children were immunized against Hepatitis B while 20 others received the MMR vaccination (measles, mumps and rubella). This was made possible in conjunction with the Tulay Lingap ni Padre Pio who provided the services of Dr Joan Miana and 2 nurses over the 3 courses of vaccination.

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, approximately 15.2 million people in the Philippines fall under the undernourished category in 2001-2003, thus exposing them to risks of starvation or deficiency diseases. We continue our on-going efforts to help boost the immune system and health of the children through milk supplements and multivitamins. Twice a month, each child receives a packet of chocolate milk and a chewable multivitamin after the children ministry session. At every quarter of the year, each child receives a bottle of multivitamin supplements for their daily needs. We pray that as we journey with the children we will not only be able to empower them in their faith but also to grow them to be healthy children for the Lord!

We have gone back to school!

3 of our members undergoing formation to become full time missionaries have recently enrolled in theological classes at the Divine Word Seminary. On 26 June, they trooped back to class to gain further knowledge regarding the faith, taking up modules in Christology and Christian Spirituality and Pastoral Introduction to the Old Testament.

Caroline from Korea

I am happy to study again! It’s exciting to study and learn more about the Bible and to understand Jesus more. I hope that the knowledge gained will help me in my pastoral work later in my life. Perhaps one day the Biblical characters could be a model and inspiration for the people with whom I will have the chance to share with!

Denzil from India

I’ve always wanted to learn more about the faith, Christ and God. Some time ago, an acquaintance told me that I could study theology easily from any book and hence no need for classes or formation. But I feel that studying theology during my formation years would enable me not only to gain knowledge but to put all that I have learned into practice in the ministries that I am involved in. I am enjoying my classes tremendously. Looking forward to more!

Domisiano from Korea

Attending these classes give me the opportunity to refresh my knowledge. I am also eager to meet people with the same zeal and passion. I feel that learning is a continuous process and I’m happy to continue studying. Through these classes, I hope to grow in knowledge and to identify what is still lacking in my growth as a missionary.