Dear friends,

Purihin ang Diyos! Thank you for investing in this trip and for praying. Let me count the ways that God answered prayers and beyond. You may recall my prayer requests that God would use my time in the Philippines to accomplish the following things:

1.  to rally and encourage local alumni to give to IVCF Philippines—I believe that this happened through the first IVCF Alumni Homecoming event last Saturday, Nov. 29th. About 350 alumni from many campuses attended, including the seniors (staff 60 years or better) who were honored at the event. Alumni were delighted to meet each other. I rejoice greatly at seeing alumni whom I had not seen for over 30 years!! At the beginning of the program, Dr, Bel Magalit read his famous “I have a Dream…” talk. Alumni from different professions mentioned in the “Dream” were asked to stand and were acknowledged. That dream is now a reality in many different places.

I spoke on “Partnership in the Gospel: Some Reflections” based on the partnership Paul had with the church in Philippi. I made a strong challenge to give to IVCF. The alumni responded generously. The offering that evening was 103,000 pesos!  (Think in pesos, not dollars) One staff said she had never seen an offering basket filled to overflowing with 500 and 1,000 peso bills!

By the way, when I mentioned that I was in the Philippines through the gifts and generosity of North American IVCF-Philippine alumni, the crowd applauded!

A brief background: This whole alumni homecoming event was inspired by an idea shared by Dr. Marvin Basco of the Warrior Christian Fellowship (Univ. of the East) alumni group.  When I visited with a few of the leaders of this group last year (during my sabbatical), I shared about the needs of IVCF Phils. They said that their alumni group met regularly and would discuss ways that they could support IVCF at their upcoming meeting in December of last year. Dr. Basco called me in Wisconsin 6 months later to say that they had raised some money to help support the Resource Development Department.  Ging Marbella is the Alumni Liaison staff in that department, a new assignment for her after returning from her sabbatical. She did a valiant job contacting InterVarsity alumni around the country and organizing the homecoming event.

But beyond the generous offering, other alumni saw what a group could do to raise the level of awareness and involvement with the needs of IVCF. At the end of the evening, inspired by what Warrior Christian Fellowship started, some alumni of the University of the Philippines were already talking of forming their own group for similar purposes!

It was also appropriate, in my talk, to share about Balikatan‘s beginnings and 25 years of financial commitment to IVCF Philippines. It was a special treat to have Landy Ancheta there in person. (Thanks, Landy for taking the time and expense to make the trip on your way to Canada). He greeted the alumni on behalf of Balikatan

Erickson Velardo followed my talk with current financial information and specific ways to give to InterVarsity. After the event, the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between IVCF, Philippines and Balikatan was signed by George Capaque, Board Chair, Landy Ancheta, Erickson Velardo, and me (as witness).  The MOA is a significant step in strengthening and furthering our partnership.

2. to inspire and equip staff in their ministry- Fifteen staff attended a whole staff training day at the IVCF office on vision and resources. The staff appreciated our time together. One staff said, “Thank you for helping us see our plans and visions clearer.” Another staff wrote, “Nabuhayan ako ng loob sa words and life ninyo.”

I brought specific IVCF/USA resources (CD and hard copies especially made for them) on starting and building chapters.  They said that they had seen those resources in the past and wanted to make them applicable to the Philippine setting.

Each staff who attended the training day got a new book for their own library (from the books I brought-gifts of IVCF staff at our National Office).  The national library also received additional books.

3.  to challenge students (college and high school) to seriously follow Jesus and be His witnesses on campus – I was able address the students through different events and opportunities last week. The high school group resonated when I shared about what it means to live in 2 realities – “Woe is Me” and the “Wow is Me”.  The combined group of college students from 5 colleges that met at UP on Friday, Nov. 28th heard my challenge on seeing the campus and international students, in particular, with Jesus’ eyes (based on Matthew 9:33-38).

The effort to address the Christians’ responsibilities to our environment at the IV Day was commendable. Different chapters creatively expressed what it meant to be more intentional in their environmental responses. One group showed a YouTube video of SEGMAN, a character they created, who was careful to segregate paper from glass, etc. I gave the concluding remarks about seeing our world as our “Father’s world” and what it meant to be jealous for Him in our treatment of it.

4. to be an “Ate” to individual staff through one-on-one time together-This definitely happened over a conversation, a meal, while riding a cab, munching on “lechon kawali” or shopping.  Although I did not have a lot of individual appointment with folks, as I had thought, the group times proved to be more in context of our Filipino culture! It was a refreshing experience to hang out with our IVCF Philippines staff. They are energetic, committed, and are rebounding from the difficulties of the past. They are a loving group of people who want to impact the campuses for the Kingdom.

Summary:  I believe that God encouraged Erickson Velardo and the rest of the staff through my visit. I am humbled by God’s provision of money, strength, wisdom, and insight. God is great!

Surprises:

As always God surprised me with the unplanned and the unexpected. They include:

1. Time with some of the Board members.  Four Board members treated me to lunch on Saturday, Nov. 29th.  I got to know them a little bit through this informal setting.  I shared my intentions for this trip mainly to “come along side” IVCF Philippines. I encouraged them as “gatekeepers” of the core values of the movement and affirmed them in their role as board members.
2. Time with Center for Community Transformation- I was impressed with their work with the poor and the street-dwellers (homeless) and the roles of IVCF alumni serving on their board.
3. Alumni’s financial response to IVCF, Philippines (see number 1 of report)!
4. My Tagalog resurrected! I knew that I had to be speaking mostly in Tagalog and God surprised me with the ability to remember words I had not used before! One commented that I sounded like my mother i.e. it was good Tagalog.
5. Closeness and bonding with 3 female staff over the course of my time in the Phils.
6. I did not expect to see so many alumni who I knew from their student days! I was encouraged that the seeds planted 30 some years ago do bear fruit.
7. I was surprised with the strength and endurance God gave me through the last 11 days.

Because you prayed, God was gracious to respond.  Salamat ng marami!

Back to the US

48 hours ago I was in my slippers, perspiring in the humid weather and looking forward to a second shower of the day. Today, I was in my snow boots, driving in snow-covered roads, and shoveling my driveway and sidewalks. (Leiton is out of the country)

I miss my time in the Philippines and the bonding God gave me towards the staff during that brief period. Let us pray that whatever was planted and invested during my visit will help advance God’s work on Philippine campuses.

There may be things I missed in this report. I hope others will fill in the gap. Thank you for the opportunity to serve and come along side IVCF Philippines!

To God be the Glory!

Lisa Espineli Chinn
Your “Balik-Staff”

Dear Fellow Balikatan Members and IVCF Alumni,

IVCF pioneers honored!

I had the opportunity to attend the IVCF-Philippines Alumni Homecoming on Saturday, November 29, 2008, at the UP Institute of Small Scale Industries, Diliman, Quezon City.  It was a well-attended event.  About 350 ‘Dugong-IV’ attended the gathering that lasted for about 5 hours, from 3 in the afternoon to 8 in the evening.

The highlight of the evening was the honouring of the pioneers of the IVCF ministry in the Philippines.  There were twelve of them that evening.  Pastor Bel Magalit read the original transcript of his ‘I Have a Dream’ piece.  I felt nostalgic as I pondered that his dream has over the years, become a reality.  Although only a fraction of the Christian doctors, lawyers, accountants, businessmen, politicians, nurses, teachers, pastors, missionaries, etc. that Pastor Bel mentioned in his dream attended the alumni homecoming, I felt assured that the rest are serving God and witnessing for Him in the workplace and in various communities around the world.

The alumni were requested to stand up as the year of their initial involvement with IVCF was called out.  The decades of the ‘50s, ‘60s, ‘70s, ‘80s, and ‘90s were well-represented.  The bulk of those who were involved with IVCF in the 21st century were the students.

Balikatan’s very own Ate Lisa Espineli Chinn provided the alumni homecoming message and the challenge to all alumni that it is for their own benefit that they financially support the ministries of IVCF-Philippines.  Her challenge was well-received.  The alumni present that evening responded by donating more than 103,000 pesos.

Ate Lisa’s participation in the alumni homecoming program capped her busy week with the IVCF staff, students, alumni, and the Board of Trustees.  She also visited a non-government organization, Center for Community Transformation, and had speaking engagements at the Institute of Studies in Asian Church and Culture (ISACC) and at the State Varsity Christian Fellowship at the UP Diliman campus.  She ministered to the IVCF Philippines staff and students in her own time.  It is her loving way of giving back to a movement that helped her define the focus of her work these past decades.

I would like to thank everyone in Balikatan who prayed for and financially supported Ate Lisa’s recent trip to the Philippines.  What you have done greatly encouraged the IVCF Philippines leadership and staff, as well as challenged the alumni who were present in the homecoming ceremony that evening, and I believe even those who just knew about your generosity but were not there.

Ate Lisa’s recent ministry work with IVCF Philippines, from my perspective, will increase our openness about doing ministry work with IVCF Philippines on a short-term or long-term basis.  I dream that the Balikatan Board and IVCF-Philippines Board of Trustees would in the near future partner to create a process by which the skills and giftedness of  alumni would be matched with the needs of the IVCF Philippines ministry.  Such process would enable those who are considering ‘giving back’ to or assisting IVCF-Philippines in its ministry to plan their ministry work around their visits to the Philippines.  I am hoping that eventually, such process would be appended to the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Balikatan and IVCF-Philippines, which was recently executed.

Speaking of the MOU, it was really a thrill to see how God made it all possible for the MOU to be signed-off on by all the key individuals because they were present at the IVCF Alumni Homecoming ceremony.  For many months since the date was announced , I wished that I would be able to attend the alumni homecoming but I did not know how it could happen given that I was working in Indonesia (on a  temporary assignment) and my home is in Canada.  But God had plans and they were great.  My office in Canada called me for meetings so I planned my trip to the Philippines around my travel to Toronto.  Everything came together the week of the homecoming.  It was also on the week leading to the homecoming when I got an email from Erickson Velardo, National Director, IVCF-Philippines, that the MOU is ready for final review and approval.  (The MOU has been in the works for the last 10 months).  During the alumni homecoming ceremony, the MOU was signed by George Capaque, Chairman, IVCF Board of Trustees and I, as the President, Balikatan.  The signing was witnessed by Erickson, representing IVCF, and Ate Lisa, representing Balikatan.  It was a glorious day.

The MOU formalized the partnership between Balikatan and IVCF Philippines.  It is strategic to the accomplishment of their respective objectives as well as their joint objectives.  Through the MOU, the expectations of Balikatan with respect to obtaining updates from IVCF-Philippines programs, including operational, financial, and staff concerns (e.g., prayer letters) were laid out.  To the Balikatan member and IVCF supporter in North America, this would mean ready access to information through the Balikatan website and email group about IVCF-Philippines, which is extremely important to you as you continue to prayerfully and financially support IVCF Philippines.  Maybe in the near future, you would also consider volunteering your time with IVCF Philippines.

God is good.  To Him be all the glory.

Landy Ancheta
President, Balikatan

Dear Balikatan Friends,

Hi! Kamusta po? More than three months has passed since our last Prayer Letter.� Let us share to you once again the stories that speak of God�s grace in our journeys.
SEASONS

We noted that the months of August and September were the peak of student meetings.� We thank the Lord for the opportunity to share the gospel to more than 30 students mostly in small group settings. We are also inspired to witness the zeal of student leaders in reaching out to their classmates in their own simple ways. Though there are moments of rejoicing and inspiration, there are moments of sadness and confusion as well.� We witnessed chapter fellowships and individual students go through their own seasons of growth and stagnation, highs and lows, burst of passion and dwindling strength. We are in need of much grace and wisdom in coming alongside them.� We started to allot Tuesday mornings as our �official staff meeting� where we have our devotional and business /prayer meeting.� This discipline helped us work together as partners in life and ministry.
OCTOBER CAMP

Ledership & Discipleship Camp last October 2008

October meant preparing for and overseeing the IVCF discipleship /leadership camp for college students. Nono was the staff-in-charge. It was inspiring to read the delegates� written testimonies in the camp and to know how God has encountered them there. One student wrote, �In this camp, God made me realize the need for workers, the need for spiritual awakening and commitment to expand His� Kingdom, �not to focus on my ambitions but on what I can do for God.�

It was also a blessing that we �survived� � having 2 children (our active 2 year- old toddler Mayumi and 4-month old baby Makisig) in the camp. We also experience God�s protection upon us when we were on our way home from the camp.� Our car had some trouble with the clutch and so we experienced 3 near-collision instances. Imagine what a relief to all of us when we reached home without a single scratch. Praise God!
HERITAGE

The IVCF� Bicol Grand� Alumni Homecoming last Nov. 1 at Daraga was held successfully, with more than a hundred participants attending the event.� Our speaker, Kuya Tony Litam, who was also the pioneer of IVCF Bicol, encouraged us to reach out to students with the true gospel� –� the one that demands repentance and true discipleship.� We are thankful for the heritage that is being passed on to the new generation of IVCF students in Bicol.� We pray that we can strengthen the student ministry in Iriga and also we plan to pioneer student work in Partido, Camarines Sur with the help of graduate volunteers.� We pray that we can get contact persons who can help us in this endeavor.
A SIGNIFICANT STEP

Nono�s non IVCF involvements include preaching at a local church once a month and doing house to house bible studies every Sunday afternoon.� On a personal note, Nono�s entrepreneurial side kindled�� when he got involved in FERN-C business and last October, he took a significant step when he became the first FERN-C stockist in Iriga City.� Now, he prayerfully wishes to change his status from full time IVCF staff to associate. This step marks a significant change for us but we believe it is another opportunity of service �only in a different capacity.
CAMPUS STORIES

Our Bible study group in University of North Eastern Philippines (UNEP) and another one at University of Saint Anthony (USANT).

�Classmate, may gagawin ka ba sa vacant time natin?�� Sama ka sa amin, mag bible study tayo�.�� It was a simple invite from students wanting to reach out.� But this simple invitation produced 2 new bible study groups in University of North Eastern Philippines (UNEP) and another one at University of Saint Anthony (USANT).

The ISCF (highschool fellowship) in USANT came out of their shell when they participated in the school wide United Nations celebration program by rendering an interpretative dance number, �If My People Pray.���� The nervous first-timers in dancing overcome their fear when they did it!

For the first time in many years, the leaders of Anthonians Christian Fellowship (ACF) had their Daily Prayer Meeting (DPM) and now they testify how meeting together for prayer transform their lives and the IVCF chapter.� One of the fruits of laboring in prayer is the sparkled interest of new students in attending ACF.� To add to the spice, most of the newcomers were guys.� During the last fellowship for the first semester, one of the newcomer remarked, �Yeah, let�s have more of these next sem ha. And, let�s invite more girls!�

About Us

Gerlen is thankful that she can take care of the kids at home while being a staff at the same time.� She maximizes IV Home ministry as she holds bible studies and student meetings there.� The campuses that she visits were also near IV Home so breastfeeding Makisig is convenient.� The DSL connection which was sponsored by a graduate helped tremendously in doing her communication work, research and getting in touch with her family and friends.

At the start of the second semester, we face the challenges of yet another season.� Some of the student leaders were not able to continue schooling mainly due to financial crisis.� Schedules were again changed and time is needed in stabilizing student meetings.

�Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope;
Because of the Lord�s great love we are not consumed, or his compassion never fail.
they are new every morning; reat is your faithfulness.
I say to myself, �The Lord is my portion; herefore I will wait for him.�
Lam. 3:19-24

The Lord is good.� He is the ord of all our seasons.
Let�s thank Him for the hope hat we have.� Thank you
for your partnership and we ope to hear from you .

May God bless you!

Leonardo "Nono", Gerlen Joy, Yumi & Kisig

To my Balikatan family,

News staff training in Bohol with other new staff.

My heart was filled with excitement and at the same time fear as I started the month of October. As if I was riding on a roller coaster, passing through the highest and lowest part of the trail. His grace saved me and gave me hope to finish this “month’s trail”. I knew I can reach the finish line.

I had an “overtime” preparation for the LCDC, as what all of us did! I began to understand that staff work really is not an easy stuff. It requires discipline, persistence, focus, good time management, discerning spirit, concentrated prayer and everything else. I was even challenged to improve and make some changes for better result next camp. Of course, everything happened because of His will.

GOD’S SOVEREIGN POWER! - works before, during and after the camp. I’m amazed until now how God provided our needs for the camp and how He touched the lives of 11 campers and 16 counselors and as well as mine. God reminded me to trust His sovereign ways over everything.

After the camp, I attended my younger sister’s wedding and spent time with my family. I had “meaningful rest” at home. I praise God for opening the eyes of my mama when I shared the Gospel to her. It is an answered prayer indeed! I felt of being in my own home with their love and care towards me. Wow! What a great feeling to give love and be loved.

As reward for all those sleepless nights during the camp, I enjoyed my “lagaw lagaw” in Bohol for our 2nd NST. I treasured our bonding moments with my co– new staff and my precious time with my Maker while I was there in that very nice place. I learned a lot from my batch mates in staff work and especially from my respected mentors Ate Elsie and Ate Milli. Another dream come true! I stepped on the Chocolate Hills and met my “long lost sister” tarsier.

I know you don’t have time to read a very long letter. Until here and see you on staff conference!

God bless you.

PS. Please help me pray for

1. Provision for my Mom’s mayuma operation
2. Wisdom in planning for this sem activities
3. Managing the IV Home
4. Computer and other needs of the region
5. Unity among the graduates in NM
6. Formation of RAC
7. Strong commitment of student leaders
8. Passion for us in sharing God’s Word
9. Healing for my lola

“ I trust in You, O Lord; I say, “You are my God.” My times are in your hands.

Psalm 31: 14-15

JONAHLIZA B. VILLAFLOR
Northern Mindanao

Colorful  September …

This   month started with a five-day visit to Bicol of our National Director Kuya Erickson Velardo with his wife Ate Dot and their two children Zeik and Jhad.They visited Naga on September 5, wherein Kuya Erickson gave a talk in our Large Group fellowship at the IV Center and Ate Dot gave a song writing workshop and blessed the students with her songs, sense of humor and beautiful voice. It was a fulfilling time with us because the IVPM and RAC also had the opportunity to have dinner and fellowship with them. Before we formally ended the fellowship we all prayed for Kuya Erickson and his family and he blessed us with a prayer in return. It was a very meaningful and joyous time for everybody. Even the children enjoyed and had a great time with Zeik and Jhad.

Last September 18 we had a feeding program in Talidtid, Canaman Cam. Sur where we ministered to more than 100 children. This was done simultaneous to Naga’s 6-day local holiday in celebration of the Peñafracia Fiesta.  We took the opportunity to have this activity on time with the holiday and have ample time to minister to these children. They learned some action songs, played games, watched a “Pag-ibig ng Diyos” skit and enjoyed the food we cooked for them. Seeing them so happy and full made our hearts swell with satisfaction.

As Bicol got busy with the fiesta my family and I also celebrated Charlize’s 3rd birthday last September 16. Thanks to my parents and sister who helped us in the preparations. My mom baked her birthday cake too?. Our daughter enjoyed the presence of her cousins, relatives and playmates.  It was also a joyous and memorable occasion for the rest of the family especially because my dad’s with us on vacation and my siblings and their respective spouse were all present. My daughter indeed had a great birthday!

And on September 22 Jay and I celebrated our 7th wedding anniversary. We thank the Lord for the years of joy, miracles, challenges and journey of faith in the Lord. We also thank the Lord everyday for giving us our daughter who really is a great gift to us. God makes our family life complete, happy and colorful because of her. May the Lord continue to pour out many more blessings to our family as we continue to live a life of obedience and faithfulness and may He find all our prayers  in accordance to His perfect will.

Serving and trusting,
Daphne

My prayer requests:

• Please pray for good health. For my cholesterol level and liver enzymes to normalize (blood test showed I have high cholesterol level and high liver enzymes) and for a perfectly healthy reproductive system.
• Please pray for my preparations for LCDC. Strength and good health during the camp and wisdom and enabling power of the Lord as I deliver my talk on Personhood and Counseling.
• Financial provisions. My husband and I are planning to get a low-cost house and lot unit this year. We will need P10,000.00 for reservation fee.
• We are targeting at least 60 official and committed members for this school year. We already have around 30. Please help us pray as we accomplish this task by introducing unbelievers to Christ.

And the Lord will guide you continually, and satisfy you with all good things, and keep you healthy too; and you will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring.
Isaiah 58:11 (TLB)