Mindanao! Such a beautiful place! Might be because I’ve never seen it all my life and I don’t know if I’ll have an opportunity to see it again. If I would describe the place, I would think it was like a very wide but little hotter Baguio. Or to make it more detailed, it’s filled with much trees and green plants. The people there I think depend more on agriculture and farming. I saw canyons along the road going to Bukidnon. It was a thrilling feeling as I personally haven't seen such kind of geographic feature, only in pictures. There were different kinds of trees, unlike in my home place where Pine trees are a common sight. And of course, I admire the hospitality of the people who received us and have taken care of us. The place is truly a magnificent place, a place seemingly I’m longing for. I’m an asthmatic person, a reason why I greatly appreciate the kind of nature-like place, where not much pollution can be found. Although I must say, I fear soon enough, such beauty will be marred in the near future, if the people will not learn to value it’s natural beauty and care for the magnificent creation of God.
But far than my appreciation and delight of the place are the lessons I’ve learned and experiences I probably won’t forget. One of the experiences I won’t ever forget was my first flight. At first the plane flew up and up and up, I truly felt the change of height. It was just like riding an elevator going up. And then in a few minutes the pilot announced that the plane would experience turbulence within a few minutes. Experiencing the turbulence was kind’a bothering at first, for it felt like the plane is nearly falling apart. Nevertheless, I placed my full trust in my God, that whatever His will is, so be it. I was ready for whatever would happen. Suddenly I heard whispers around me. I couldn’t understand the whispers but it can be heard. And then, I felt some kind of a migraine or a bad headache. It felt like my nerves in my head were growing bigger or something. It felt like my head was gon’na explode. I took hold of my head trying to deal with it. But while experiencing the pain, the agonizing headache, I suddenly noticed the turbulence seems to be not stopping; my companions closed their eyes, not even bothered to notice me having a headache. In addition, the whispers grew stronger, and can be clearly heard. They were praying! They were calling the name of Mary, the mother of Jesus! They were probably praying the rosary. It was a sign, people were panicking, whereas, I was more concerned on the pain I’m experiencing. We even felt the plane falling, then up again, as if the plane was going to crash. And the prayers continue to grow stronger. They were chanting, “Mary… mother of god… pray for us… Jesus….” and I could hear it clearly. At some point, I’m reminded of a verse or a song by Steve Green… saying “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the Name of the Lord our God,” which could be found in Psalm 20:7. This is just a reminder that people trust in many things but as Christians we should only put our trust in God, knowing as well that if God has a plan for us, He will put us to safety. It’s a sad note though, that people who knew not Christ are living in fear and taking their refuge in a sand castle.
For almost 15 – 20 minutes of turbulence, the pilot then announced that the plane will now go back to NAIA, due to a technical problem on the plane. Hearing that announcement, I saw my sister Kristine open her eyes, then, followed by the others, which then allowed Ptr. Lemuel to notice me having a headache. He gave me a pain killer after that. That was one unforgettable ride.
As for the lesson I’ve learned, I’ve learned that in every relationship, not only in a man-woman relationship, but in every kind of relationship, like friendship, communication is a very much substantial factor to make relationships work. I may have not to be detailed on this lesson I’ve learned, but perhaps it’s just part of reality that happens in every circumstances. It’s been long that I have been with my friends. And I know them, their weaknesses and their strengths; but of course not everything. But with my friend Joffer’s wedding, somehow things went not as what we’ve always expected. If I may give a little glimpse, we are so used in organizing, moving or doing things in our own perspectives, especially when it comes to special event. Now, Joffer’s wedding is truly a special and big event, we hope not to mess up and we would like to do all our best to make it a wonderful event. But the case is that, we are not tasked to do the task of preparing and organizing it. Because of this, we made our own ways in helping brother Joffer. The bad thing about what happened is that we went our own ways and the network of Globe Telecom had a frustrating problem, we weren’t able to communicate well with others. Night before Joffer’s wedding, we were seeing, like nothing was happening and that, what we were expected to do, we failed to do. We soon started blaming one another and our weaknesses have been unfolded becoming offensive to others. It felt so bad I could not picture what would happen on my friend’s wedding day. Nevertheless I took time to pray and ask God for His leading. Nearly midnight came, I had to talk to my friends and talk them out as to what to do. We made plans and set our minds to help in any way we could. After this, we asked Ptr. Joshua to pray. And as soon as we woke up, we did as we had to do. And as the wedding started and finished, still God blessed it as I see it. It was definitely a special day for my friend who was married that day, an interesting event indeed. I couldn’t imagine what God was thinking or was planning, but surely I know God wanted me to learn something, and I hope my friends also learned something.
After that day, a question bothered me. “What if I choose not to have friends?” It was a mere question as I am angered by my friends’ actions and attitudes. The truth? I am capable of being alone, with God alone as my friend. But is it still worth having friends when we dislike people’s character, personality or attitude? And if I may ask you who reads this note, “What will your response be?” As far as human nature is concerned, it is easy to conform to the thought that “if you don’t like it, then leave it!” kind of thought. But, if I would think of Christ, He always reminds of His sacrifice, His love, His compassion and His laid-down life for His friends; such unconditional love indeed. And because of this, as one of His own, it’s still worth having friends even with their weaknesses and flaws, simply because Christ Himself has done the same thing toward me. But of course this doesn’t mean when a friend sin, we simply forget, but it’s a challenge to put them back in the right road as they are supposed to be.
Friendship, such a precious relationship! If you choose to have it, make sure you have these factors to make it work: Love, Forgiveness, Communication and Humility. I may not say it all, nevertheless, look to Christ. He’s the best example of portraying the kind of Friendship we could ever have.
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Monday, April 25, 2011
Loakan Baptist Church Easter Cantata 2011
Here are some videos (video by Ptr. Marzan) taken from the Easter Cantata 2011. Hopefully I could find more videos =) and oh yeah... sorry it ain't arranged as it should have been.
Monday, March 21, 2011
A Burden, A Challenge, A Blessing
Recently I have seen how God has been working in the hearts of men & women. Seeing the great fire in the hearts of those who hear His Word in the area of Apalan, the place where our family is ministering to, started by my father & mother just last year 2010. I have joined their cause this year 2011 and have seen how God was blessing the fruits of His work, having us to be His instruments in His Ministry, His harvest field. Herein I saw, indeed the harvest is plenteous but the laborers are few. Much more just hearing my father stating his desire to help and share God’s Word on other places like Daclan and Cubabeng (a recent place where they visited for Bible Study last March 6, 2011).
It may be a blessing that I have been trained and edified within the church premises of Loakan, but sadly to say it is only now I have seen the great need of ministering outside the boundaries of the four walls of the chapel or the church building. People are groaning and desiring to know the Lord Jesus Christ. And sometimes we don’t even notice it and just pass by.
I know in my heart that I have not the skills or perhaps the talent to simply share the gospel in an instant to a lost soul. But I believe I could still share what I have learned in order to support and pursue sharing the gospel and God’s Word. And with me, being part of my father and my Heavenly Father’s work at the Apalan area, it is such a blessing and wondrous satisfying labor, for what we do is indeed an investment for eternity.
But far from this work of the Lord, I should have known more. I’ve never been such in a greater struggle and battle with the enemy of the Lord, when it comes to the spreading of the Gospel. At these times, our family is being tested and tried. Physical and material or even emotional problems seem to arise, such as our current problem wherein our van, which we use to travel going to the area, is now under repair and needs a great deal of money to repair it. As of now, my parents don’t have work to gain income from and as far as I know, mostly our needs are provided from what I and my brother gain from our job. Taking note in actuality, my brother has his own family as well. These matters are currently one of things we’re dealing with. And it has made me to constantly kneel before God and pray, asking God for His grace and mercy.
The recent Sunday (March 20, 2010), going to the place of Apalan, our van malfunctioned, reason why we were delayed on our scheduled gathering. I was able to handle though and continue our topic in our young people Sunday School, about the Christian enemy. Surely I was able to make one example of the enemy’s strategy. But further than this, I and my students were reminded of His great promise: “…Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world (I John 4:4).”
After the service and our lunch-fellowship we had to wait for my brother, who contacted bro. Gino to take us back home. But it was a great opportunity given to me to share my knowledge and all things I’ve learned to the young people there in Apalan. They asked questions and I tried to answer it whatever I have learned. I admit, I was challenged with their questions. But probably a simple question bothered me. The question about our church (pertaining to my home church) having a program of which we follow, when it comes to house-to-house witnessing. I was speechless about the matter, for I know I wasn’t fully trained when it comes to sharing the gospel or evangelize to people out of the church premises. I only remember the month of November, when the young people go out to share gospel tracks. Other than that, I can’t remember much. I was more trained within the church boundaries; trained in the teacher-student kind of environment and not the going-out-to-reach kind of ministry. And so it struck me, “How indeed will their number grow if I myself do not know how to look for those who are lost and bring them to the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ?” A very challenging work on my part and the more I need to cling to God.
Truly it’s a spiritual battle and even though it is a battle me and my family have to go through, it’s also a great avenue for God to be glorified. As again I’m reminded of a promise or a verse of assurance for whatever work we do for God. Gamaliel’s statement found in the book of Acts chapter 5 verses 38-39 - "And now I say unto you, refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought: But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God." The only thing we ought to do is trust that God is still in control and knows what He is doing. And much more for me to learn to be still and know that God is God.
It may be a blessing that I have been trained and edified within the church premises of Loakan, but sadly to say it is only now I have seen the great need of ministering outside the boundaries of the four walls of the chapel or the church building. People are groaning and desiring to know the Lord Jesus Christ. And sometimes we don’t even notice it and just pass by.
I know in my heart that I have not the skills or perhaps the talent to simply share the gospel in an instant to a lost soul. But I believe I could still share what I have learned in order to support and pursue sharing the gospel and God’s Word. And with me, being part of my father and my Heavenly Father’s work at the Apalan area, it is such a blessing and wondrous satisfying labor, for what we do is indeed an investment for eternity.
But far from this work of the Lord, I should have known more. I’ve never been such in a greater struggle and battle with the enemy of the Lord, when it comes to the spreading of the Gospel. At these times, our family is being tested and tried. Physical and material or even emotional problems seem to arise, such as our current problem wherein our van, which we use to travel going to the area, is now under repair and needs a great deal of money to repair it. As of now, my parents don’t have work to gain income from and as far as I know, mostly our needs are provided from what I and my brother gain from our job. Taking note in actuality, my brother has his own family as well. These matters are currently one of things we’re dealing with. And it has made me to constantly kneel before God and pray, asking God for His grace and mercy.
The recent Sunday (March 20, 2010), going to the place of Apalan, our van malfunctioned, reason why we were delayed on our scheduled gathering. I was able to handle though and continue our topic in our young people Sunday School, about the Christian enemy. Surely I was able to make one example of the enemy’s strategy. But further than this, I and my students were reminded of His great promise: “…Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world (I John 4:4).”
After the service and our lunch-fellowship we had to wait for my brother, who contacted bro. Gino to take us back home. But it was a great opportunity given to me to share my knowledge and all things I’ve learned to the young people there in Apalan. They asked questions and I tried to answer it whatever I have learned. I admit, I was challenged with their questions. But probably a simple question bothered me. The question about our church (pertaining to my home church) having a program of which we follow, when it comes to house-to-house witnessing. I was speechless about the matter, for I know I wasn’t fully trained when it comes to sharing the gospel or evangelize to people out of the church premises. I only remember the month of November, when the young people go out to share gospel tracks. Other than that, I can’t remember much. I was more trained within the church boundaries; trained in the teacher-student kind of environment and not the going-out-to-reach kind of ministry. And so it struck me, “How indeed will their number grow if I myself do not know how to look for those who are lost and bring them to the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ?” A very challenging work on my part and the more I need to cling to God.
Truly it’s a spiritual battle and even though it is a battle me and my family have to go through, it’s also a great avenue for God to be glorified. As again I’m reminded of a promise or a verse of assurance for whatever work we do for God. Gamaliel’s statement found in the book of Acts chapter 5 verses 38-39 - "And now I say unto you, refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought: But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God." The only thing we ought to do is trust that God is still in control and knows what He is doing. And much more for me to learn to be still and know that God is God.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Little is much when God is in it ^_^
Greetings in Christ Most Precious Name!
The videos and photos below as well as on my previous posts shows our family ministry in the area of Sitio Apalan, Loacan, Itogon, Benguet. Some also shows the ministry in Daclan, wherein my father is assigned every 1st Sunday of the month. But mainly we are ministering in the place of Apalan with a vision to start and plant a church in the area.
For this year I've committed in helping with my father, teaching esp. the young people in Apalan. We also have Ms. Janice Galong volunteered in teaching the kids for Sunday School. At the moment, I couldn't help but notice our number is increasing. We travel in about 45 minutes from Baguio to Apalan, whereas also picking up some members along the road, which has made our van almost overloaded with people (adults & kids) desiring to hear God's Word and grow in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. Whenever we go to Daclan, my father, desiring to continue to teach the people in Apalan, bring them along, therefore has made a need for additional vehicle. Praise God for willing volunteers who provide time to help and vehicle in bringing them to Daclan.
It's a heartwarming but a heartbreaking scene, seeing the great need of sharing God's Word to the places here in the Cordillera or even just in the region of Benguet, because the harvest is indeed plentiful, but the laborers are few. Seeing also the burning desire of those who hear God's Word to also share the Gospel or the Good News to their relatives is such a great opportunity and an open door.
With the great work and open opportunities at hand, we would like to solicit for prayers as well as physical or financial support to whoever has the desire to give us a hand in the ministry. Any help would be greatly appreciated for even with little things, it can be much as long as God will bless it. ^_^
For more information & queries, just contact me on my email address: naddjudge@yahoo.com. Thank you very much and God bless you!
In Christ,
Roldan Caroy ^_^
Photos from Apalan Ministry
Photos from Daclan Ministry
The videos and photos below as well as on my previous posts shows our family ministry in the area of Sitio Apalan, Loacan, Itogon, Benguet. Some also shows the ministry in Daclan, wherein my father is assigned every 1st Sunday of the month. But mainly we are ministering in the place of Apalan with a vision to start and plant a church in the area.
For this year I've committed in helping with my father, teaching esp. the young people in Apalan. We also have Ms. Janice Galong volunteered in teaching the kids for Sunday School. At the moment, I couldn't help but notice our number is increasing. We travel in about 45 minutes from Baguio to Apalan, whereas also picking up some members along the road, which has made our van almost overloaded with people (adults & kids) desiring to hear God's Word and grow in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. Whenever we go to Daclan, my father, desiring to continue to teach the people in Apalan, bring them along, therefore has made a need for additional vehicle. Praise God for willing volunteers who provide time to help and vehicle in bringing them to Daclan.
It's a heartwarming but a heartbreaking scene, seeing the great need of sharing God's Word to the places here in the Cordillera or even just in the region of Benguet, because the harvest is indeed plentiful, but the laborers are few. Seeing also the burning desire of those who hear God's Word to also share the Gospel or the Good News to their relatives is such a great opportunity and an open door.
With the great work and open opportunities at hand, we would like to solicit for prayers as well as physical or financial support to whoever has the desire to give us a hand in the ministry. Any help would be greatly appreciated for even with little things, it can be much as long as God will bless it. ^_^
For more information & queries, just contact me on my email address: naddjudge@yahoo.com. Thank you very much and God bless you!
In Christ,
Roldan Caroy ^_^
Photos from Apalan Ministry
 |
| Apalan Ministry |
Photos from Daclan Ministry
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| Daclan Ministry |
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
A glimpse on my father preaching in Daclan
Here is a video of my father preaching in Daclan... sensya mejo blird... and of course the language he is using is ibaloi mixed with some other dialects. feel free to watch =D
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