Where I got the title:
For the past few weeks I have been thinking about how I'd update you about my journey. I can't think of a nice title, and thus I can't even start writing an entry. Today I encountered this song that I've heard a couple of times before, and thought it was just a plain love song. When I played it and read the lyrics, I thought it was just a perfect theme song for me now! It was not just a romantic song after all! It is a song about the beginning of a JOURNEY.. how we find people on the same journey with us - most often surprisingly, and how we commit to journeying together with a friend, or maybe even strangers. Enjoy playing the song while you read! :)
So, a couple of weeks ago, I have been VERY busy. After three months of being unoccupied, I suddenly became my normal self again - traveled a lot, met a lot of people, and ate a lot of good food! :) I would say, God might have really given me a good rest for a couple of months because he was preparing me to set out on a journey with much more passion, and much more lessons to learn. I would be enumerating the highlights of my experiences - or I would call them BEGINNING OF A JOURNEY:
1) Journey with the Evangelical Youth for Social Action
Last year, I met a bunch of young people who were on a journey towards peacebuilding among young people in Metro Manila. I was so much blessed to hear their story and somehow called myself an "adopted" member of this group. This group is working with fraternities and gangs around Manila, committed to provide an alternative environment so that these groups would no longer result to violence and frat/gang wars. It was exciting to see how this organization managed to grow and have more dedicated members. I kept connection with them only through facebook, not knowing when I could actually work with them closely - or if that would even be possible.
Three weeks ago, they invited me to join their Leadership for Peace Training, and even welcomed me as a new member of their organization. I willingly committed to be part of their journey. We all do not know what lies ahead and what we could actually be doing together. All we know is that God is calling us as young people to be active followers of Jesus by doing something for the society. That is enough to declare that we are "at the beginning" of a journey together, and that we are committed to be on this journey together, no matter what lies ahead.
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| The Evangelical Youth for Social Action Leadership for Peace Training June 7-10, 2012 |
2) Journey with the Peace Church Philippines
Three weeks ago, the Barkman family arrived in the Philippines to start planting Peace Church Philippines, rooted in Anabaptist-Mennonite doctrine. They are a young couple with two little boys, and they managed to travel around Luzon so far, excellently.
Peace Church is in partnership with the Integrated Mennonite Church of the Philippines (IMC). I currently serve as the National Coordinator for IMC and I had the chance to give them a tour around the IMC congregations throughout Luzon. Their visit to the IMC congregations allowed them to see a better picture of how the Mennonite church in the Philippines currently look like. It also allowed them to personally get to know the people behind the IMC, and the work that they do in their own areas.
For me personally, it was a blessing to get to know them while at the same time introducing them to IMC. I do not know how we would specifically work together in the future, but one thing for sure, we will be on the same journey in the years to come, and that is very exciting! I am not sure how far God would allow me to walk with the journey of Peace Church Philippines, but I am glad that "at the beginning" of the journey, we walked together.
3) Journey with the Integrated Mennonite Church of the Philippines (IMC)
I grew up loving the church, and I grew up dedicated to serving the church in any way possible. It is an honor and a blessing for me to be trusted as the National Coordinator for the IMC at this point in my life. Honestly, I have no idea what God is preparing me for, but right now I feel like I am just "at the beginning" of a wonderful journey that God has for me.
There are a lot of uncertainties, trials, and even heartbreaking moments that would challenge my dedication and commitment, but I always remind myself that I am committed first to God, and then to the church. My commitment to serving the church is backed by a dream of seeing a new breed of IMC leaders who would stand up and make a great impact to the society. I dream of an IMC where all the leaders work harmoniously with each other, and where all the members are building a harmonious relationship in their own communities, inspiring lives, transforming societies, and declaring the gospel of the Prince of Peace.
4) Journey with the Barkman Family
Spending a couple of weeks with the PeaceChurch planters has actually created a personal connection between me and the Barkman family. We were just strangers weaved on the same journey, and it is my delight to actually spend time with them. What seemed to be a professional task for me, created a personal relationship with this great family.
It was a joy and a blessing for me to spend time with Darnell and Christina, and their sons Cody and Makai. This wonderful, Christ-centered family is the kind of family I dream of having someday.
Darnell and Christina (my ate and kuya), have been very supportive of me and the ministry that I do, and they are a huge encouragement for me. To me, they are examples that I can follow in many different ways - spirituality, relationship, family, and personality. There is just so much lesson I learn just from talking to them, eating with them, watching them take care of their kids, and even just sitting with them on a 5-hour bus ride. :)
Cody and Makai are the kind of children that I dream of having someday. Aside from being cute boys (as most babies are), I could see how God has designed them perfectly to become missionary kids. Cody's friendliness and wit is a blessing that brings delight to every single person he meets. Makai's strength as a 2-month old baby that traveled half-way around the world shows how much God is protecting him, and it amazes people who find out how much he is already going through despite being very very young. :) As I only had one younger sibling and we are only two years apart, it is my first time to actually try being a "full-time" Ate (big sister). It is a blessing that God gave me these two wonderful kids to play with, and to have special times with. The moments we shared are moments I would never forget even when they grow old. :)
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| The Barkman Family [Christina, Cody, Darnell, Makai, and Ate (me) :)] |
The past couple of weeks have been very busy for me, and yet I anticipate the next few days to be more surprising, busy, inspiring, encouraging, and challenging. Whatever else may happen next, I'm pretty sure:
"... life is a road that I wanna keep going
Love is a river, I wanna keep flowing
Love is a river, I wanna keep flowing
Life is a road, now and forever, wonderful journey
I'll be there when the world stops turning
I'll be there when the storm is through
In the end I wanna be standing
At the beginning with YOU"
Please keep praying as I journey through life :)
-radicaljourneyist
