“Live and love for Christ”

March 2008 Prayerletter of Erickson and Dot Velardo

Dear Balikatan Family

Memorable Moments

Jahd, our second son, celebrated his 6th birthday last March 6.  He was requesting to go to the beach but he and his kuya, Zeik, had bad cough that time.  We had a small celebration for him when Dot baked a fire truck cake instead.  He is so much into fire trucks these days.

This month had been filled with so many goodbyes for us.  We had about 3 major despedidas (farewell parties) given by our IVCF students and graduates, and two local churches we are helping.  Several small fellowships over meals and coffee also took place.  These were all heart warming, filled with so much love, also a bit sad, yet memorable moments.

The Holy Week was spent in Vigan, Ilocos Sur. Erickson preached at the  Inter Church Sunrise Resurrection Service at United Evangelical Church of Vigan; Dot sang a worship song.  Since it was a long weekend, we took the boys to the beach and we all enjoyed the water even for just a few hours.

We are now at Kawayan Camp and stay there for almost 3 weeks.  We are again excited to minister to a new batch of students leaders and this year is the 50th KC.  After that, we will be back again to Baguio as we prepare for the bigger ministry opportunity the Lord has called us into.  We are assured that you are with us in this with your love and support.  Our gratitude to you.

In His grace,

Erickson and Dot with Zeik and Jahd

Rejoice with us for:

•    Jahd’s 6th birthday.
•    Good health especially for the boys.  They had cough but they are better now.
•    For traveling mercies.  Erickson had been to Manila and joined the IVCF Board of Trustees meeting. We have been to Dagupan, Vigan, Quezon City and now in Bacolod for the Kawayan Camp.
•    The Lord’s surprises as He sustains us in spite of delayed salaries.
•    Our new Baguio IV-Home.  We just moved to an apartment that is big enough for fellowships at Php 8,000.00 monthly rent.
•    The commitments of our students and graduates in Northern Luzon, and for a former student and present GT, Zyla Tagarino, as incoming staff.

Dear Friends and Ministry Partners,

“…From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.” – Luke 12:48b, NIV

Somebody said that leadership is a lonely place. It is very costly. Yet it is also a great opportunity to discover so many things. It’s a tough test of faith, character, decision, consistency, capacity and values. It could either strengthen or ruin one’s identity and spirituality. For the past ten months here in Davao City as OIC-Regional Director of IVCF-SMRU, I think I’m still having a sound mind and proper perspective for the ministry and life. In the midst of failures, challenges and uncomfortable circumstances, God’s grace is very evident…even in the making of this letter.

Rewind [what has been?]

* Solved the puzzling pages of NCF BS Guide for almost overnight.

* Twenty-eight students, including leaders from Kabacan and Kidapawan as well as Agape Ministries, attended the Leadership Training in Gen. Santos City last February 22-24. It was run by MSU-GSC IVCF leaders and other LCDC 2007 graduates.

* More than ten students joined the separate sessions on Leadership and Discipleship Series at San Pedro College.

* New mixed group is formally formed in Holy Cross of Davao College.

* New mixed group emerged in Brokenshire College.

* IVCF-KCAST sponsored a campus-wide Thanksgiving Worship Service last March 3 which was attended by more than 400 students, faculty and staff. After that was a 2-hour leadership session among the IVCF leaders.

* Area visit at USM-Kabacan last March 13-14.

* Twenty-two student-leaders from KCAST and USEP-Tagum flocked to the Leadership Training Day last March 15 at USEP-Tagum.

Play [wazzup?]

* Bid final goodbye to Lily Florendo (GT) last week and shared sympathy to the bereaved family.

* Labors on KC 2008 financial transactions.

* Explores and finalizes some wedding preparations.

* Explored and booked the venue for ISCF Camp on May 2-7,2008 at Hope Mountain, Catalunan Pequeño, Davao City.

Forward [things to come…]

* To meet my biological father for the third time.

* To Attend the graduation of my ‘scholar’ sister at MSU Marawi on April 2.

* Delayed arrival to Pre-KC 2008.

* KC proper on April 7 – May 5.

* More wedding preparations after KC.

* Turn-over of ministry responsibilities to the Tecson’s as new staff couple for Davao City.

Pause [praise & prayer]

* Praise for complete recovery from sickness.

* Praise for more students that have been reached this school year.

* Praise for the Lord’s creative ways of providing our basic needs.

* Pray for safe travel to KC as well as good health.

* Pray for financial blessing and some receivables.

* Pray, continually, for our big day preparation.

* Pray for good weather on June 12.

* Pray for adjustment as I go back to my former field area in Davao del Norte.

* Pray for more personal Philippian Connection partners & for on-time salary (as of the writing of this letter, we are experiencing 1.5-month delay).

Mr. Darby S. Aspacio