Going beyond my Borders

May 18, 2012

Today marked my 9th year in the community of Couples For Christ. That would be 8 years and 5 months as Youth For Christ and currently 7 months as Singles For Christ. I don’t really know why I am part of it until now.

Last weekend i realized what are the blessings i received from being part of this community. I’m blessed to have this chance to be a speaker sa CAMP ng YFC. and the talk is all about, Growing in the Spirit. As i shared God’s message, dun ko na realize kung gaano ako kamahal at ka bless na napasama ako sa community na to.

Naka build ako ng Friendship that  last forever. Yung alam mong pinagpapasensyahan ka kung mali ka, ung tutulungan kang makabangon sa putikan. Yung tipong mamahalin ka hanggat sa kahulihulihan mong kwento. While giving the talk i asked someone to share something about their Growth as well, I was amazed of this brother whom I asked to share. he said and i quote “and YFC hindi lang isang org kundi 2nd family ko na” Sobrang saya lang  sa pakiramdam na nashare nya un. And that Brother ako ung nagfacilitate nung camp nya. So blessed to hear that from him. Siguro yun ung reason why I’m still here serving. kasi aside from knowing GOD which is the first reason I found a new home with my 2nd family sa community na to.

Now, I’m currently serving SFC and alam kong nasa tamang direction ako. Alam kong nasa maayos akong mga tao. If i was given the chance to seat again sa chair and bumalik noong may 17, 2003 I will still decide to Stand up when the speaker asked who will commit to received the holy Spirit. Gagawin ko ng paulit ulit hanggang sa mamatay ako. Tatayo ako para sa Diyos ko at tatayo ako para sa Community na to. looking for another 9 years sa service. Until i reached the day that i’ll return my heart  and my Soul to GOD.

Having this 2nd family is always my strength, Serving God is always my JOY.Looking forward for the next decade of service.

Proclaim the greatness of the Lord.

“You came into my life, you made me whole. You turn my world around, no longer a fool”

My second ILC. I remember my first ILC reflection “I am for Christ” (http://yfc.tumblr.com/post/4837180056/i-am-for-christ) last year and the thing is, I didn’t have any idea if I was going for this year’s ILC in Kalibo, Aklan. As a matter of fact, I didn’t even want to go in the first place. I was having a silent struggle with my family, friends and school. You know, the usual problems teenagers face nowadays hah. I felt unworthy and undeserving. But you know what? God is always bigger than our problems. Again, I cannot stress more on how He works in mysterious ways. He made it happen, he made me go and again, I was healed.

“You took my tears and made me smile, you lifted me up”

Blessed. That’s what I’m feeling right now. Before the ILC, I thought I lost faith. I thought that I lost the intimate relationship I had with God. I had so many doubts and fears that I forgot how great and awesome he is. But truly, brothers and sisters I felt his majestic presence during the conference, his love and his mighty power. He was there talking to me during all the talks and the amazing homilies during the Holy mass. He was also whispering to me during the wonderful Praise & Worships. And let me tell you, the Praise & Worships during the conference or any conferences from the previous years are priceless. It was something that even a thousand words could not describe. 

“You have captured me today, Jesus”

Healed. This ILC was all about Him. It was all about surrendering yourself, and lifting yourself up to Him, the Almighty. I surrendered my fears as I kneeled down before him and I lifted myself up as I worshipped him with all my open heart and mind. My faith has been restored. The simplicity of this year’s ILC gave us a clear message:

GOD KNOWS WE’RE WORTH IT

Indeed, we are worth it. God brought us here in this world for a purpose, He brought us here to love and to serve. If he’s not giving up on us, why should we give up on ourselves? He brought us here to be young, Christian and most importantly, Happy. He brought us here to be Christ and bring Christ wherever we are. 

“Ablaze for you, Lord. I wanna go out and spread your Love”

So am I going for next year’s ILC? Hah, who knows? It’s all in God’s plan and all in his will. Being an International Delegate makes it even harder to decide but if he made me go for two ILCs already, he will make me go for more :) Amen? AMEN. Let us continue proclaim and testify the greatness of the Lord!

“For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38,39) 

Joanna Mariel, 15 | YFC SINGAPORE

PYC ROXAS 2012

Grabe sobrang BOOM ng Provincial Youth Conference sa Roxas.

Sobrang init ng panahon pero nag STAND OUT parin ang mga YFC sa init ng pagmamahal ni kristo!

Kahit sobrang nakakapagod at nakakauhaw patuloy parin ang mga competitions nagbigay ng saya sa 300+ na YFC!

At lahat ng talks at sessions nakakainspire, talagang worth it ang lahat.

Marami ang nakarealise na totoo ang pagmamahal na binibigay sakanila ni Lord. Kaya mga YFC dapat lagi natin tandaan na nandyan lang si Kristo para makinig satin! Hindi ka lang mapapakanta sa mga worship MAPAPASIGAW KA kahit masakit na sa lalamunan tuloy parin para marining ng ating panginoon ang ating pagmamahal.

Sa huli at uwian na, ang lahat ay naging malungkot dahil ito yung isa sa mga ala-ala na hindi nila makakalimutan. (And more to come)

Sobrang success ng Conference na ito, Boom na Boom talaga!

Let us be the light of the nation!

Let us STAND OUT!

-Cluster A, Calapan, A proud server of God