BALIKATAN (Balikbayan) BOXES – Won’t You Be a GiK Vessel?

Dear Balikatan Family,

HELLO ALL, and HEAR YE PLEASE, this URGENT APPEAL !

On behalf of the Board and IVCF Philippines, it is our joy to announce that we will continue the collection of Balikatan (balikbayan) Boxes for the IVCF Philippines Staff this coming Conference. Attached is IV Phils’ ”Wish List” for you to prayerfully consider. Hopefully – together – we will be able to provide for their GiK Needs (gifts-in-kind).

ATTENDING?
Consequently, please do not forget to bring your gift(s) with you if you are planning to attend Balikatan 2010. Also kindly mark clearly as to who your gift is for or for which unit. We will place some colorful boxes in strategic locations at the Conference Site where you can then deposit your tremendous “Stack of Goods” upon registering.

NOT ATTENDING?
Now, if you are unable to attend Balikatan 2010 but would still like to contribute to this “Wish List”, don’t despair! Please feel free to mail them to your Treasurer (as soon as possible) at 31 Chapel Street in Norwood, MA 02062. Better yet, have someone in your Fellowship/Chapter attending the Conference bring it for you…along with theirs.

Therefore WALANG LUSOT di ba?

DEADLINE?
We look forward to a huge collection this year! We trust the Lord will bless this initiative bountifully, and our staff workers at IVCF will consequently be overwhelmed by your generosity (as they always are!). So won’t you be a GiK Vessel today?!

Finally, we thank Kuya Rolly Malincoln for agreeing (again) to voluntarily bring these items to the Philippines during their upcoming Medical, Dental and Optical Mission on July 19-24, 2010.So if we could get your gifts to him at least a week before then, that would be great! Thank you again Kuya.

Looking forward to your favorable response.

May the Lord reward you ten-thousand-fold!
See you soon at BALIKATAN 2010!!!!

His Richest Blessings,
Edna

Download IVCF Staff Wish List in PDF format

Just want to share the following ‘YouTube’ connections to give you a flavor of Boston’s Grand July 4th Fireworks event. As I shared earlier, it is always a big deal here.

These are links from last year’s that are sure to win your hearts.

Sweet Caroline Sing-Along with None Other than Neil Diamond:

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8tuRx98wIh4

Boston Pops Orchestra Playing Tchaikovsky’s “1812 Overture”:

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=op6e5BcmqV0

The GRAND FINALE of BOSTON’S July 4th FIREWORKS:

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OoltJkxHgl8&feature=related

Crowds actually begin “tenting” at the Esplanade around 4:00 am that day.

Average is about 50,000 folks attending. So for those who are planning to see it after the conference, we just encourage you to consider these. There will be strategic locations to see the fireworks outside of the Esplanade (though you won’t hear the music background). We will be happy to give you tips at the conference.

Alrightee – just one of the many, MANY features that this year’s Balikatan Conference venue offers you.

Blessings!

Dear Balikatan Family and Friends,

Less than 2 months! You’re going to be in Massachusetts in less than 2 months!

Whooo-hooo! We can’t wait to welcome you all to Balikatan 2010!

Some of you have asked for “Things to Do” and “Sights to See” in Boston (or Massachusetts or New England) before or after the conference. Before or After the conference, correct? Not During, hmmmm?! Alrightee then, if yes, then we have a deal.

Please check out the pride of Massachusetts and beyond:

1) The pdf  ”Area Guide“, [download here] courtesy of Gordon College, is a collection of hot-picked eating places and area attractions in the North Shore (and in Boston). “North Shore” is the nickname of the general region above Boston City Proper, and where the College Campus is located (immediate vicinity). Please check it out.

2) Independence Day, July 4th – the Closing Day of the Conference Proper is always a big deal for Boston. As you know, Massachusetts is a State saturated with historical and patriotic significance (Commonwealth some would argue by history). This after all is the location of the famous “Midnight Ride” of Paul Revere! So celebrating July 4th is no exception! The Boston Pops Orchestra, conducted by the renowned Keith Lockhart, always throws a SPECTACULAR CONCERT at the Esplanade (in Boston), capped by THE GRANDIOSE FIREWORKS Display that is coordinated with the Orchestra’s playing of the “1812 Overture”.

Check out http://www.july4th.org/concert.htm for more details, especially of how to get there, parking and best spots to be for viewing the fireworks.

3)     http://www.massvacation.com/ and http://www.visitingnewengland.com/ are the websites to check for all other events, areas to visit and places to eat in Massachusetts and beyond. They’re the most comprehensive listings of what you can do in this beautiful corner of the US. If they don’t satisfy your curiosity of Massachusetts and New England, we’re not really sure what will.

In closing, let us entice you by saying “WE HAVE EVERYTHING IN MASSACHUSETTS!” Whale Watching, Six Flags for the kids, Historic Plymouth Plantation and the Sturbridge Village, Museum of Fine Arts, Cape Cod Beaches, Arnold Arboretum, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, the Berkshires, lighthouse galore, sports arenas, golf courses, the Franklin Park Zoo, antique shops and glamorous department stores & outlet malls

(huh!huh!huh!) to eat your shopping heart out!

SOOOO PLEASE COME TO BALIKATAN 2010!

You’ll not only be Spiritually Fed and Renewed By God’s Presence and His Holy Word. You’ll also be tickled pink by the profound beauty and richly diverse culture that is uniquely…and gloriously…”Massachusetts!”

Blessings,

Boston Balikatan Family

Click to download [Download not found]  here.

First of, THANK YOU all for your relentless prayers for and support of the upcoming Balikatan 2010 Conference. The Planning for this significant event has been on-going for over a year and 4 months, and your Boston Family is ‘wicked thrilled’ (New England dialect!) to welcome you back to the beautiful New England corner of the world!

Please continue to check the website conference page for updates at www.Balikatan.org, specifically www.Balikatan.org/bc2010.

Meanwhile much mindful of the numerous details of your own conference trip preparations, we are delighted to provide for you the General 2010 Conference Schedule (living document). Please note the detailed version will serve as the centerfold of the 2010 Balikatan Conference Souvenir Program Booklet to be distributed at the conference.

If you have questions or require clarification, please do not hesitate to e-mail me at: Eleanr@hotmail.com or Kuya Ernie Jimenez at ernievee@gmail.com.

His Richest Blessings to Ya’ll (in deference to our southern counterparts!),

Edna Eleanor Bargan
Balikatan 2010 Conference Director

DOWNLOAD OR VIEW General 2010 Conference Schedule

[Download not found]

Thank you for praying with us, and for anticipating alongside us God’s unleashing of His powerful challenge for this conference: ‘Kabalikat sa Misyon!’

Like the bricks and mortar of an invincible fortress, He has given us the honor – those of whom He Redeemed – to be crucial, integral and invaluable to each other as we strengthen each other in the united fulfillment of His Call for the world, “Come Unto Salvation”.

Come Back!

Boston Welcomes You!!!

We look forward to your return to Boston, Massachusetts – the site of Balikatan 2010!

To Praise God with You, to be edified by your testimony of His Goodness in your lives, to hear your perspectives on Global Evangelization in the 21st Century – starting with where God has placed you thus far, and to be rekindled alongside you of our commitment to where we all began: God’s transforming work within IVCF Philippines and Balikatan.

And speaking of compelling testimonies, our Key Note Speaker, MISSIONARY OTTO KONING of the renowned “Pineapple Story Series – Yielding Your Rights To God” will be sharing insights, experiences and his own love story with the Lord. This is truly a once-in-a-lifetime occasion. You wouldn’t want to miss it!

So Register Now!

1) To date, 218 have already downloaded the Balikatan 2010 Registration Forms.

2) There is no time for procrastination. Register now, and invite a few more family members, friends and associates for whom the Word of the Lord would cause profound cultivation.

3) Registration Deadline is Wednesday, March 31st. Download the Registration Form for specific details.

4) Please note that churches, other Christian organizations and friends, particularly in the New England area, will be invited to join the conference.

Conference Venue

Gordon College, one of the top Christian Colleges in the nation, will be the venue of the conference. Its President, R. Judson Carlberg describes the school’s own missional vision: “As a distinctively Christian college of the liberal arts and sciences, we are educating our students into a paradox: the further in they go in knowing Christ, the further out they will go in joyful and sacrificial service to the world.”

http://balikatan.org/photo-gallery/2010/gordon-college-science-building/
State of the art technology
ooohs and aahhs on views of the workshop rooms

http://balikatan.org/photo-gallery/2010/chase-building-housing/
features:
air-conditioned double occupancy suites, wi-fi

http://balikatan.org/photo-gallery/2010/lane-center-dining/
cozy dining room, wi-fi

http://balikatan.org/photo-gallery/2010/music-room-worship-place/
ideal place for the worship service