Kristine Vik, Charlotte Staurung Frantzen and me
God enjoys seeing us happy and thankful for the life and friends that He gave us.
Happiness is healing to the bones..
What a great laugh!Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Just having fun with my friends from Norway!
Kristine Vik, Charlotte Staurung Frantzen and meHappiness is healing to the bones..What a great laugh!
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
If You Only Knew
I've been visiting young boys who are sniffing "rugby" (a kind of glue that they use as drugs) live under the bridge. I always find them high on rugby. I would feed them, pray for them and just hang-out with them.
If You Only Knew
They tell me they are hungry,
I say "if you only knew."
They tell me they need clothes,
I say "if you only knew"
They say they're cold at night,
I say "If you only knew".
They tell me how terrible life is,
I say, "If you only knew".
They say, no one wants them,
I say "If you only knew".
They tell me no one loves them,
I say, "If you only knew".
If you only knew how great God's love is for you,
Then you won't have to suffer.
If you only knew that you were created to love and to be loved,
Then all sorrows will turn to joy,
If you only knew that you are a child of the King,
Then you are out there doing noble things.
How will they know?
If you and I, who are saved by grace,
Who heard and received God's unconditional love,
Would take the time to tell them,
Then they will all know Him and will receive the fullness of life.
If You Only Knew
They tell me they are hungry,
I say "if you only knew."
They tell me they need clothes,
I say "if you only knew"
They say they're cold at night,
I say "If you only knew".
They tell me how terrible life is,
I say, "If you only knew".
They say, no one wants them,
I say "If you only knew".
They tell me no one loves them,
I say, "If you only knew".
If you only knew how great God's love is for you,
Then you won't have to suffer.
If you only knew that you were created to love and to be loved,
Then all sorrows will turn to joy,
If you only knew that you are a child of the King,
Then you are out there doing noble things.
How will they know?
If you and I, who are saved by grace,
Who heard and received God's unconditional love,
Would take the time to tell them,
Then they will all know Him and will receive the fullness of life.
Friday, June 1, 2007
Sweeping 12th Street
Last night was our third Bible Study in 12th Street. There were about 20 people came. I started teaching them about prayer, its function, its importance, and its result. After that I group them into four and pray for one another. At first, people were laughing, not really used to praying. But after that, they said, it’s good.
A 14-year old boy named Jeff accepted the Lord during the Bible study last week. He is “gay”. And when I told him about why there are homosexuals, he started crying and I prayed for him. He went to church last Sunday and totally dressed manly. I was very happy. But he wasn’t in the Bible study last night. So I asked one of his friends to show me where Jeff was. So we found him working in a junk shop and staying with a 15-year old lesbian who has a live-in partner. So many words to say, but I don’t think it’s quite helpful this time. I just held his hand and I said I miss you, Jeff. As I left the place, I felt heavy in my spirit. There are many people to help, too many people who are lost, and too many people who need God.
This morning, I couldn’t find words to say to the Lord. I am so grateful that I can talk to Him like that. We can commune with Him even times that we don’t know what to say. Because He knew exactly what is going on inside of us. And then suddenly a verse came to my mind.
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for the Lord
has anointed me to bring good news to the poor.
He has sent me to tell those who mourn
that the time of the Lord’s favor has come,
And with it, the day of God’s anger against their enemies.
To all who mourn in Israel, he will give a crown of beautify for ashes
A joyous blessing instead of mourning,
festive praise instead of despair.
Isaiah 62:1
He said, “When you go to these people, when you shake their hands, when you listen and talk to them, I am just standing right next to you”. I cried and cried. And I said, God, thank you. That means you can hear them too. Then He also said, I am going to sweep this place, I will take away the dirt and trash anything that is not of Me. I will bring righteousness into this place. What you see is physical, but I am going to sweep this place spiritually that will take effect on the physical”.
I was awed and humbled and I said, “Ok, Lord, let it be.”
has anointed me to bring good news to the poor.
He has sent me to tell those who mourn
that the time of the Lord’s favor has come,
And with it, the day of God’s anger against their enemies.
To all who mourn in Israel, he will give a crown of beautify for ashes
A joyous blessing instead of mourning,
festive praise instead of despair.
Isaiah 62:1
He said, “When you go to these people, when you shake their hands, when you listen and talk to them, I am just standing right next to you”. I cried and cried. And I said, God, thank you. That means you can hear them too. Then He also said, I am going to sweep this place, I will take away the dirt and trash anything that is not of Me. I will bring righteousness into this place. What you see is physical, but I am going to sweep this place spiritually that will take effect on the physical”.
I was awed and humbled and I said, “Ok, Lord, let it be.”
Sunday, May 20, 2007
Home Evangelism in 12th Street
My co-staff Jomelyn, William and I started the first Bible Study Amy’s house at about 5 o’clock in the afternoon last Friday, May 19, 2007. We had it outside the house because it cannot accommodate 15 people. However, I sense the excitement and the joy as each person come to see what is going to happen. I thought at first it’ll be casual since it is the first time. We planned to have fellowship and get to know one another. Nevertheless, the Holy Spirit moved and 10 friends of Amy accepted the Lord right there and then. Some having their tears in their eyes as we prayed for them. Amazing!
William led the worship, Jomelyn shared her testimony and I shared the Word. I shared that the Lord’s eyes are on them and He sent the three of us to tell that He knows every need, every cry and every tear, every shattered dream. He wants to restore hope in them. He wants to restore their lives and their families back together again. Jesus is the answer to every need they have.
Suddenly Aling Adelina said that she was feeling dizzy. She could smell “marijuana”. I did not know the smell of it. Someone told me that 12th St is a place where drugs are being sold. Men, women, and even children are selling drugs there. I did not know that part. Little did I know that I was stepping onto the enemy’s ground. However, its not really his, It’s the Lord’s and its mine to take as an inheritance from Him. I believe the Lord wants this community back to Him.
Keep praying! Thank you…
William led the worship, Jomelyn shared her testimony and I shared the Word. I shared that the Lord’s eyes are on them and He sent the three of us to tell that He knows every need, every cry and every tear, every shattered dream. He wants to restore hope in them. He wants to restore their lives and their families back together again. Jesus is the answer to every need they have.
Suddenly Aling Adelina said that she was feeling dizzy. She could smell “marijuana”. I did not know the smell of it. Someone told me that 12th St is a place where drugs are being sold. Men, women, and even children are selling drugs there. I did not know that part. Little did I know that I was stepping onto the enemy’s ground. However, its not really his, It’s the Lord’s and its mine to take as an inheritance from Him. I believe the Lord wants this community back to Him.
Keep praying! Thank you…
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Joy Comes In the Morning!!
Dealing with pain is not easy. We seek ways to avoid or get rid of unbearable pain. But we cannot do anything about it. We just have to go through and endure it. Jesus said when He was praying in Gethsemane, "Please take this cup of suffering from me. Yet I want Your will to be done, not Mine."(Mark 14:36)
I went through a difficult situation recently. I wanted to leave and start anew. However, I knew it doesn't work that way. I have to go through it. I decided to be alone with God, My Maker. The One who knows and holds the original plan in my life. As I spent time seeking the Lord, asking Him what He is trying to teach me. He gently showed me things in my life that I never thought were there. The problem that I thought was, is not really the problem at all. Things became so clear to me. I was enlightened and saw the bigger picture. I came to understand and know Him more.
In the afternoon, I went out for a walk. I visited 12th Street again. A Christian lady named Amy, opened her house for Bible study. She said she wanted to invite her neighbors and share about God and His Word in her home but she doesn't know how. I offered my help and we are going to start it this coming Friday at 5pm. Yes! We are going to dominate that place.
Right now, I am very happy. He constantly proves to me that He is always with me even in the hardest times of my life. Being with God and hearing Him speak to me is awesome. Its amazing to know that the One who made Heaven and Earth and everything in it would speak to someone like me. And not only that, He makes me a part of what He is doing in this city.
By the way, Tina came to church last Sunday.
I went through a difficult situation recently. I wanted to leave and start anew. However, I knew it doesn't work that way. I have to go through it. I decided to be alone with God, My Maker. The One who knows and holds the original plan in my life. As I spent time seeking the Lord, asking Him what He is trying to teach me. He gently showed me things in my life that I never thought were there. The problem that I thought was, is not really the problem at all. Things became so clear to me. I was enlightened and saw the bigger picture. I came to understand and know Him more.
In the afternoon, I went out for a walk. I visited 12th Street again. A Christian lady named Amy, opened her house for Bible study. She said she wanted to invite her neighbors and share about God and His Word in her home but she doesn't know how. I offered my help and we are going to start it this coming Friday at 5pm. Yes! We are going to dominate that place.
Right now, I am very happy. He constantly proves to me that He is always with me even in the hardest times of my life. Being with God and hearing Him speak to me is awesome. Its amazing to know that the One who made Heaven and Earth and everything in it would speak to someone like me. And not only that, He makes me a part of what He is doing in this city.
By the way, Tina came to church last Sunday.
Saturday, May 12, 2007
Touching Someone's Life
Last Friday, I woke up at 3 in the morning. I was feeling so restless, so hurting and so heavy in my spirit. As I was lying down, I said, "God, please speak to me. Speak to my heart. Speak to my mind, and speak to my bones. One word from You will make me feel better." And then He said, "Go to the wounded, go to the hurting, go to the poor, go to the oppressed."
I wonder how many people go to sleep with tears in their eyes - how many people who don't know how to deal with unbearable pain? Oh, how they need the Lord! Even though there are 6 billion in the whole world, God has His eyes on each one of us. He is looking at us individually all at the same time. His eyes are full of compassion as He gently wipes away the tears falling on our faces. He feels and touches every wound - every scar in our hearts - comforting us.
That day, before going to work, I walked straight to 12th street where the squatter area is. I met an old lady who has been paralyzed for 5 years. As I approached her with a smile her countenance changed, to a smile. I talked to her for sometime and when I asked to pray for her, her face lit up some more. After praying for her, I asked her if there had been people going there to do Bible studies. And she said, “None.” I said, "I will come back and visit you again."
I met another lady named Tina. She is staying with a friend. Her arm is paralyzed also because she'd had a stroke. Her husband is in prison and her 5 children are all scattered to different relatives because she couldn't take care of them. She asked me if I know someone who would like to hire her as a saleslady, or even a housemaid. She said, "My left arm may be paralyzed but my right arm is strong". I felt like crying but I held back my tears. I said to her, "You know the world keeps on rotating. The sun still rises up in the morning and sets at night time. It means everyday there is hope." She said, “Yes, I believe that." I saw her left wrist has many scars. I asked her, "What happened?" "Oh, it’s nothing. There were times I wanted to end my life." I prayed for her and invited her to church. She will come with me today, or, I hope she will. In the back of my head I think, "If this girl doesn't get ministered too soon, she may end up working as a prostitute in the bar." As I left the place, I was thinking of my own pain and how God uses it for me to look at people the way He looks at them. He deeply cares and cries out for these people. He is so close to the broken hearted.
I wonder how many people go to sleep with tears in their eyes - how many people who don't know how to deal with unbearable pain? Oh, how they need the Lord! Even though there are 6 billion in the whole world, God has His eyes on each one of us. He is looking at us individually all at the same time. His eyes are full of compassion as He gently wipes away the tears falling on our faces. He feels and touches every wound - every scar in our hearts - comforting us.
That day, before going to work, I walked straight to 12th street where the squatter area is. I met an old lady who has been paralyzed for 5 years. As I approached her with a smile her countenance changed, to a smile. I talked to her for sometime and when I asked to pray for her, her face lit up some more. After praying for her, I asked her if there had been people going there to do Bible studies. And she said, “None.” I said, "I will come back and visit you again."
I met another lady named Tina. She is staying with a friend. Her arm is paralyzed also because she'd had a stroke. Her husband is in prison and her 5 children are all scattered to different relatives because she couldn't take care of them. She asked me if I know someone who would like to hire her as a saleslady, or even a housemaid. She said, "My left arm may be paralyzed but my right arm is strong". I felt like crying but I held back my tears. I said to her, "You know the world keeps on rotating. The sun still rises up in the morning and sets at night time. It means everyday there is hope." She said, “Yes, I believe that." I saw her left wrist has many scars. I asked her, "What happened?" "Oh, it’s nothing. There were times I wanted to end my life." I prayed for her and invited her to church. She will come with me today, or, I hope she will. In the back of my head I think, "If this girl doesn't get ministered too soon, she may end up working as a prostitute in the bar." As I left the place, I was thinking of my own pain and how God uses it for me to look at people the way He looks at them. He deeply cares and cries out for these people. He is so close to the broken hearted.
Friday, May 11, 2007
The Legend Continues
I came to know the Lord through Youth With a Mission in 1984. We had a boarding house in Baguio City, where college students from different provinces stayed. I was only 9 years old, when YWAM missionaries started a Bible study in our house. They were all so kind and they were just the coolest people ever. They accepted us compassionately despite of who we were and what we have been through. They were the type of people you would always wish to be with forever. They modeled a life of dependency upon the Lord and willingness to serve Him. They unselfishly gave their precious time and effort to win the lost for God. Having been blessed by such wonderful people filled with God's love, my family and the students who used to live with us gave our lives to the Lord. It was such a life-changing experience for all of us.There were too many vivid memories to remember. Kuya John and Ate Angie Parsons were still dating back then and I still remember Ate Angie has the longest hair ever. Kuya Juan Coromina used to drive us around Baguio with his jeep. We used to call Ate Remy Weihman, "Ate Marvi" (I don't know why, really...). There were times when I would wake up early in the morning and find Kuya Santi Tabilla sleeping in our sala. The sweetest Ate Bel Torres used to bake cake for us. And the list just goes on, Kuya Victor Roa, Steve Scharf, Papa Jack and Mama Valerie Parsons, Ate Rose, Ate Luz and more. These are the bunch of great people who modeled the life that I wanted to have and wanted to be someday – a MISSIONARY.In 1989, my family moved back to Olongapo. I finished Computer Secretarial course and worked in an office in Manila. I found myself in circles that I sought God for directions. He led me to volunteer in YWAM Olongapo for seven months. I did my DTS in Baguio City in 1998 and had been with YWAM since then.The ministry we have in Olongapo is to minister to the women who work in the clubs trying to make a living. We evangelize them and accommodate them and their children for a certain period of time. It is a joy to see how their lives change once they decide to give up work and follow Jesus instead. What I like the most are the kids. They are such a blessing to everyone at the base. We have 6 disciples at the moment and 10 children (Whew!). But they are the best! We have so much fun together. We have a lot of disciples who did our program, took DTS, and are now working as missionaries together with their kids. It's great to see them continue their walk with the Lord.Now, I have two nieces who want to be missionaries when they grow up. It reminds me of the burning desire I had when I was at their age. I am so excited and really looking forward to see how the Lord will lead them step by step. And yes, a life lived for God does make a difference to the people around you. It is so humbling to hear how even the kids in our ministry would express their desire to be just like you when they grow up and how they want to have the life that you have…a life lived for God.
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