New life in the Lord!

Balikatan Life in the Spirit 2012 participants and team

Each participant receiving a Tagalog Bible and notebook

 I came to bring fire to the earth ... (Luke 12:49) - this was the scripture for the Balikatan life in the Spirit seminar held on 16-17  June 2012 at our house in Tagaytay.

We welcomed nine women and two men from Montalban. Most of them had already been regularly attending the Balikatan prayer group for the past year. This seminar is to deepen their relationship with and commitment to the Lord. It is also an initial preparation for their commitment as Balikatan prayer group members.

It was an intense weekend. In the first session, Denzil shared on the revelation of God as father, and his invitation to us as children. The participants became aware of their distorted images of God - as one who is far away, and silent in their lives, or like the policeman waiting to catch them in the wrong, and punish them. The effect of these false images brought fear into their lives rather than love resulting in acts of superstition at times, and  finding it hard to believe that God loves them as his precious children. Struggling with their lives, they feel burdened and overwhelmed by their poverty. In these struggles, it is easy to think that God does not love me or is punishing me. As Denzil gently presented the truths about God who loves as Father, the participants expressed that in the prayer time, they  experienced the Father's love.

nailing their sins to the cross

 As we focussed on the Father's plan to bring all to Him, Jitka spoke on sin, it's effects on our lives, relationship with God and others, and our need for salvation, our need for Jesus. Graced in the Father's love, and becoming aware of the sins in our lives, we asked the Lord for forgiveness and  nailed our sins on the Cross, a symbolic gesture reminding us that Jesus took our sins on the Cross and died for us. Fr Gerald, ofm was present offering the Sacrament of Reconciliation. It was an experience of the mercy of the Lord and healing.

In the evening, Esther shared on the new life that Jesus offers us through his Holy Spirit. In order to receive the new life, we have to be willing to die to the old life, and to clothe ourselves with the new man or woman that Christ calls us to be. During our prayer, there was indeed the grace of letting go of old ways, and allowing Jesus to give us his new life in the Spirit. Many shared that they felt the grace to let go of their past, their wrong choices, and receive God's love anew in their hearts.At the end of the first day, there was joy in their hearts as they shared their experiences.

Day Two began with Mass at the neighbouring parish. One participant later shared that as she received Jesus in Holy Communion, she was overwhelmed with the joy of his presence. thanks be to God! In the next session, we prayed with the participants for a new empowering by the Holy Spirit in their lives that they may grow in their love and knowledge of the Lord, that their hearts be set on fire that they may be transformed into witnesses for the Lord in their families, and neighborhoods. We could experience the presence of the Holy Spirit setting our hearts on fire, transforming us from within.

As our journey of discipleship is ongoing, Jitka shared on the importance of growth and ongoing transformation in Christ. At the end , each participant wrote a letter to Jesus, expressing their thanks to him, and what they have experienced. In this letter, each also wrote the concrete steps they will take in their lives to respond to his love. This letter is then closed, and kept with us for the next three months. In three months' time, these letters will be returned to them, and they will read and see how they have lived their concrete steps.

Commissioned to go forth in the new life in Christ!

One participant shared that his concrete step would be to stop his drinking bouts that he had once or twice a week. Instead he would spend the time with his family, and prayer. As heavy drinking is a real problem in their area, let us pray for our brother that the Lord will give him the grace to surrender his drinking to the Lord, and that our brother will not be put off by the sneers of his neighbors. Instead may he be a witness of Christ's light and freedom in this area. Alcoholism and gambling are the things that break up and keep families in much hardship.

During this weekend, the participants were very blessed as they had the space to receive from the Lord. One man expressed that he was touched by the way that the missionaries served them, that there was no division between us. Another shared that she was touched by the respect and dignity that the missionaries gave them. They were grateful for the food that they received, a sign of God's abundant provision and love for them.

We thank the Lord for the opportunity to serve our brothers and sisters and to witness God's liberating hand at work in their lives. This is a step towards empowering them in his love, to take responsibility for their lives,and make choices that lead to life, Thank you to our benefactors and friends who have made this possible through sharing generously with us your resources and prayers. May the Lord bless you richly!

Renewed in the Holy Spirit for Christ!

Alive with songs and praise

     On 26 May 2012, twenty five members of our Montalban youth group, Seeds of Faith, had a special time with the Lord at the Anawim Lay Missions Foundation Centre. It was the eve of Pentecost, and like the disciples, huddled in the upper room, we gathered to meet and together we welcomed the Holy Spirit anew in our hearts.

Is my heart like the stony ground?

     We began the one day camp with a time of action song and Praise and Worship. The core team leaders from the Seeds of Faith then performed the Lifehouse Skit entitled “Everything”. Depicting the battle against sin and Jesus gift of salvation in our lives, the skit touched many of them as it highlighted their own struggle within to choose God and to overcome sin. Ultimately, it is in and through Christ alone that we are more than conquerors. To appropriate this truth in our lives, we need to be the good soil as described in the Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13ff) and so the youth were encouraged to reflect on the condition of their hearts as they went to different prayer stations around the compound. They then returned to pray for the renewal of hearts and to recommit their lives to Christ. For some, it was a tearful moment of returning to the Lord and desiring to be the good soil instead of being thorns where the seed falls and is quickly choked up by the cares of the world. One member shared “In my prayer, I could see Jesus coming to me and giving me a big hug. I felt so unworthy and so relieved as He held me and forgave my sins.”

How is the Holy Spirit present in me?

praying together for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit

   After lunch, we continued sharing about the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Holy Trinity. Through short skits and a group activity, the youth discussed the different actions of the Holy Spirit in our lives and how the He is present in our lives through the Sacraments and in prayer. In our small groups, we then started to ask for the same outpouring of the Holy Spirit as on Pentecost so that the youth could be further activated to be better witnesses. In the prayer time, all of them were led to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit and many were released to pray in the Spirit. It was a truly wonderful moment as we ended in thanksgiving and prayed as the Spirit led us in one harmonious chorus of praise.

One youth shared, “As we prayed, I was so happy to receive the Holy Spirit. I have always wanted to pray in the Spirit and I’m delighted to be able to do so now.”

As each of them came forward to share their experience, we could only give thanks to God for making His presence so tangibly felt.

 

Special thanks to Amilia Chai, our ICPE Companion from Singapore for serving with us in the camp and members of the Anawim Lay Missions Foundation for allowing us the use of their beautiful chapel and grounds. God bless you all!

Today we bring you news of great joy... the birth of a community

 On 4th March 2012, nine women from Montalban, Rizal Province took an important step in their journey of faith. Together, they said "yes" to the Lord's call of starting a community of people gathered around the Lord, the Balikatan Community.

For some of them, the journey began 6 years ago when we started the Balikatan Ministry in Erap City, Montalban. They came as they wanted to grow in their faith. In this time, they walked shoulder to shoulder, and supported each other through the challenges that faced them and their families ranging. They are women who have faced adversity: struggling to find means to support their families, crying out to God for food, healing for their children, jobs for their husbands. Through it all, they have continued to hold onto faith despite their doubts and allow Jesus to walk with them.

Supportive husbands witnessing their
 wives take this new step

Balikatan prayer group celebrating the birth of the Community

  They have been empowered... from women who lacked confidence to women who know their dignity as beloved daughters of God who have been given a voice and can make a difference in the world today. It has been a gift to have shared the journey with them.

Their commitments

The nine women professing their commitment

On 4 March 2012, before their husbands and children and the Balikatan Prayer Group, Georgina Calanao, Noralyn Gacias, Jocellen Abbang, Reina Galupo, Maricor Cunanan, Janice Abelardo, Sonia Baduria and Susan Ranola signed their commitments as members of the Balikatan Community.

Jitka presenting a statue of the Holy Family, model
 for the Balikatan Community's mission to families

Balikatan Community members withe their fanilies
 and Balikatan Prayer Group

The journey towards community...
As the Balikatan Ministry developed, there were a group of women who were committed and wanted this ministry to develop and bless more people. They had experienced the goodness of the Lord and wanted to share with others. In 2010, they made a commitment in the Balikatan Ministry and in 2011, this was renewed.

In these two years, 8 of them were empowered and served as leaders of small groups in the Balikatan Ministry. The team also coordinated the small group meetings that occurred once a fortnight. During these two years, besides attending the usual  ministry meetings in the morning, they were also receiving training as small group leaders in the afternoons. We saw them coordinating more our activities, and visiting families in the area. For the reverse carolling projects, they visited and found the 300 families that were in need.

At the end of 2011, they were ready for more. It was clear that the Lord was wanting to give them more. From December to February, we had some intensive formation towards community. This climaxed in our weekend in Tagaytay on 11- 12 February.

Community formation weekend in Tagaytay

Community preparation weekend 11- 12 February 2012
Over this weekend, we spent moments together in prayer, community building and planning for the Balikatan community. Jitka gave sessions on the blessings and challenges of community, team building and growing in relationship with each other. Other sessions focussed on the practical aspects of living out community. As it was also the feast of our Barangay and parish, Our Lady of Lourdes, we were invited and shared in the fiesta! Our time ended with nominations for the first leadership team of the Balikatan community. There was much excitement as we prayed for the Balikatan community. It was clear to all that the Lord is giving them a gift of the Balikatan Community and he was assuring them of his presence with them as they respond to his call and invitation. 

Our journey as community begins today

Congratulations to our sisters of the Balikatan Community! May the Lord bless the Balikatan Community, and continue to give our sisters His joy, wisdom and courage to share Jesus in their neighbourhoods and make a difference. May Christ's light shine through them brightly!

Our praise report for Reverse Carolling 2011!

 It's finally over! Weeks of singing, visiting families and praying with them- Reverse carolling - our annual project where we always end up receiving so much more than we can give. Truly Jesus is incarnate in the families that we visited. Special thanks to our benefactors who have made it possible for us to support 400 families this year. This year, we also enjoyed the company of our 7 volunteers from Singapore who braved showers and challenging conditions to reach the poor families in Montalban and Tagaytay. Thanks for responding to God's call to share this special time with us!
Please read on for pictures and a summary update...
Reverse Carolling 2011 Report

Reverse Carolling- an extraordinary period of grace

We went reverse carolling 13^th -14^th December in Montalban, near the dumpsite and also in Tagaytay on 15^th – 16^th December with a group of seven Singapore volunteers. Here is what two of them have to say:

“This is my second time reverse carolling in three years and while the format was familiar, there were many new things that struck me this time around. For one, the Balikatan Ministry members amazed me with their sincerity and love in reaching out to their fellow brethren when we walked with them, laden with Christmas food hampers, in the outlying areas of Montalban to visit families living in places I would not term houses.

Many of the members are in “the same boat” as the families we visited, and yet, they were generous with their time (they took time off work which meant no income for two days) in reaching out to the fellow brothers and sisters.   

I was also affirmed by their strong faith and the leadership qualities they displayed in organising the reverse carolling endeavour in Montalban – from  doing the groundwork to select the “poorest of the poor” families to visits, to facilitating the visits, and leading the prayer sessions confidently.

Nothing bonds people more than a common purpose and the desire to bring God glory. It was heart-warming to be part of a group of people, most of whom I did not know and yet work so well together with them to help bring some cheer to the families that we visited.

 There is nothing pretty about poverty and while it is easy to slip into despair at the futility of our efforts, 400 Christmas food hampers being a drop in the vast ocean of economically disadvantaged families that surrounded us both in Montalban and Tagaytay, I know that what we did touched the hearts of at least 400 families and made a difference in their lives, and for that I am most grateful.

The Christmas party for the child street vendors was new as it was the first time ICPE has organized such an event and it was lovely to be able to spend time with the kids and get to know some of them as we played games with them and ate fried chicken and ice cream with them.

It was initially difficult to watch the group of children gathered outside the door who could not gain access to the party, for we could only host 25 children, but the kids inside would share whatever they received with those outside. And many of them packed food which they did not finish for their siblings at home. I was humbled to see the generosity of their actions for I could never match them in generosity, giving from the little that they received so easily.

So many thoughts and emotions crowd my mind from having experienced reverse carolling this December, but foremost is the gratitude I feel for having been able to be part of an extraordinary period of grace.

Most of all I am glad that I have been able to give back to them what is their right and due in some small way and I thank God for giving me this opportunity this Advent season.”

~Jackie Pau

The happy smiles shared at Reverse Carolling

After postponing Reverse Carolling for a day due to heavy rains, we returned to Salaban, Amadeo to visit more families. Again, we had to squeeze our way past coffee and banana trees to reach the families. This time round, we had to deal with the challenge of the wet and muddy lanes whilst carrying the hampers and our guitar. Despite the slippery paths and muddy shoes, we reached the families that made the inconvenience worth it.

These were the things that made us smile..

We met Maria, a visually impaired woman who lives alone after her mother passed away. Filled with so much joy, Maria sang the Christmas carols with such gusto and was so happy to receive the food hamper. She said that it was her prayer for Christmas.. to have food to eat and soap to wash her clothes. Such were the simple yet basic needs that God met today. Yet as Maria took over our tambourine and started playing with impeccable rhythm, we were the ones who left with hearts filled with joy and gratitude to have met such a lovely person.

Maria receiving a lit candle, the symbol of Jesus, the Light of the world

Maria singing with gusto with our tambourine

And who says you can't share what little that you have? Maria's neighbour was so touched to see us that they insisted that we join them for some local snacks and hot coffee...

enjoying merienda with the family

It is true that love is the thing that you are never too poor to give away. We saw this in practical action as a woman who was supposed to receive the hamper asked if we could go instead to her neighbour's family as they were more in need than her. This came from a woman who was also very much in material need herself and we were touched by her generosity and her love.

The family that received the food hamper instead

And finally a young boy, stunned to receive a Christmas gift this year...

My Christmas gift!

 We continue to give thanks to our generous sponsors who helped to make this event possible. We carry you in our prayers and our hearts as we visit each family.

Please join us in prayer as we continue Reverse Carolling. We are praying especially for good weather as we are experiencing heavy rains these past few days.

Reverse Carolling 2011 has begun!

It has begun! Today we started Reverse Carolling and what an exciting start it was!

The morning started with cloudy skies which quickly into a heavy downpour around noon. We were still determined to be there at our appointed 2pm and God cleared the skies and held back the rains just as we left for Salaban, Amadeo, around 15 minutes' ride from our house. 

Together with the Claretian Sisters, we went round the area of Salaban, trekking through plantations, and squeezing past narrow lanes to reach the families located off the main roads. And indeed, we saw so many families living in such spartan conditions. All the houses were unpainted and made of zinc roofs and bamboo or plywood walls. Some houses contained 3 or 4 families living under one roof.

I was most touched when an elderly woman we visited started swaying to our singing while her tears flowed freely. She was smiling and dancing and crying all in one go- expressing such joy. It was such a touching sight that we were also crying with her until we could barely continue singing. Truly today, in that house, Jesus visited and touched not only the woman but all our hearts.

Tomorrow, we will continue with the rest of the families in Salaban, Amadeo. Next week, we will welcome our volunteers from Singapore and head off to Montalban, Rizal Province. Join us in prayer and in thanksgiving for all that God is doing!

Singing carols at a home

Food hampers in our green grocery bags

Visiting a house in Salaban. This family doesn't even own this house!

A young mother with her children welcoming us into her bare house

Trekking through the plantations with the Claretian Sisters

Reverse Carolling 2011 update!

We're really excited as Reverse Carolling 2011 preparations are now in full swing. After successfully raising enough funds for 400 families, we have now bought and started packing the food hampers. In Montalban, our Balikatan members are busy practicing their Christmas carols and strumming their guitars to master the chords!

Last weekend, Jitka and Gemma visited the families in Tagaytay to inform them about our visits. It was an adventurous trip as they trekked down steep slops to reach the families. We wonder how we will carry the 7kg hampers and guitars down ...

Last weekend, we also met our volunteers from Singapore who will join us for the Reverse Carolling. We had a nice time sharing our past experience of Reverse Carolling and answering some of their questions.

Above all, we are extremely grateful for the blessings and support from all the fundraising efforts of our friends who actively helped us promote the event and for our generous benefactors who donated for the food hampers.

We will continue to keep you updated as the preparations continue. Please keep us in your prayers!

Checking out of the supermarket with the stacks of groceries

Gemma packing a food hamper

more food hampers to sort out

our library looks like a warehouse!

Montalban Dental Mission

Our very first Dental Mission in the Philippines and what an experience it was! As the dentists set up the equipment and materials in the Suburban Health Centre, I was struck by the impressive array of metal extractors, syringes and dental equipment. Given that the Health Centre was not a Dental Clinic, I was taken in by how the dentists worked quickly and efficiently with the limited materials. Instead of a dental chair, they propped up two plastic chairs by the window (for optimal lighting) and the nurses took turns to steady the heads of the patients who had their tooth extracted. 

As the children and youth waited for their turns, I quickly realized the condition of their teeth. Almost all who went in had a tooth extracted! They braved the pain of the injection of the local anesthesia and waited patiently for their turn. For the younger children, their parents comforted and persuaded them throughout the check-up. The Balikatan Ministry adults came in the afternoon and all were subjected to a blood pressure test. Unfortunately, some could not have any tooth extraction done due to extremely high blood pressure. 

A salute to our two dentists who stood the whole day to serve all 56 patients and our nurses who deftly dispensed medication and took care of the sterilization needs! 

For our children and adults with severe dental needs, we will arrange the necessary follow up treatment. Next year, we hope to hold another round of Dental Mission to target the remaining children in our ministry in Montalban!

We take this opportunity to thank our generous benefactor from Korea who sponsored the Dental Mission. Many thanks also to the team from St Vincent Medical and Dental Clinic for their generous service!

Setting up the room

Dentists hard at work

Our youth waiting patiently for their turn

A tooth extraction