Dear Friends,

Shalom! Let me summarize my journey with the Lord for the past months.

My 2 months in Canada have been a fruitful time to me as a person and as an IVCF staff. The blessings and protection of the Lord has been poured upon me in many ways. Starting from the granting of my visa to Canada; fee for attending the IFES World Assembly; a time to be with my cousin Patrick and Aunt Beth;� renewal of ties with friends;� new acquaintances within and beyond IVCF; a new laptop given by my friend; a tour in Ontario and a time of being in awe of God’s creation with the scenic beauty of Vancouver. These have contributed to my wonderful experiences on my Sabbatical outside the country. It refreshed me a lot! God is indeed faithful to me.

God’s Goodness

Two weeks before I flew back to Manila, I learned that my father suffered from� stroke and can’t move half of his left body. It was an alarming message to me. This was one thing I and my family dreaded because we were aware that my father lifestyle choices (vices) would greatly affect him in the long run.

When I arrived last September 11, we brought him to the doctor for his check up. His� prescribed medicines are expensive.� Our family in Canada, IVCF and our former pastor gave for his medicines expenses. Praise the Lord, He provided for our needs.

We were having a� hard time carrying my father because he’s tall and heavy. Then I thought of writing to our congressman to ask for a wheelchair. After 3 weeks, we had the wheelchair for my father. It helps us a lot in moving him around the house. During those times, I’m still on leave so I do all the household chores to help my mother and brothers. Since I am petite, I can’t help him carry around the house. (For your information, I’m the smallest in the family! My two brothers height is 5′9 and my parents too are both tall.)

October 2007

Saying Hello

For the past months, I have been� in the spirit of waiting upon the Lord’s will whether I will return to IVCF or not. I was open for any plans and challenges from the Lord. I asked some of the staff to include me in their prayers. First week of October, I received an invitation to apply for Compassion International. I sent a resume to them last year. Their HRD staff called� me last year but since I already said YES to IVCF to help in the Resource Development Department, I declined the invitation. I continued to work for IVCF last year June 2006� May 2007.

At first, I was hesitant to apply because I know it’s hard to qualify in this organization. However, the staff encouraged me to try. That week I was interviewed by the Program Manager and Country Director. I was grilled by the Country Director with hard questions. At the end of the day, the meeting with him went fine! I survived! Then the HRD staff scheduled my flights for October 9-11 in Bacolod and Iloilo for an exposure. I and my co-applicants, Lory� were accompanied with an LDP( Leadership Development Program) specialist, Ptr. David for 3 days. We met all LDP scholars in Iloilo and Bacolod for a fellowship dinner, university visitation in CPU and La Salle Bacolod and a home visitation with an LDP family. We had debriefing during the nights. The bonus is that I had chance to visit the Celises and the Villamors (IVCF staff). Although it was a brief visit since we had a schedule to follow. It was a good time of fellowship to dine with them and enjoy the food Ate Rose prepared for us. I brought along Pastor David and Lory too.

However, the results would come after two weeks since they would do further evaluation and background check-up. According to the Compassion staff there were 6 applicants being screened for the position of� an LDP specialist. Three from other parachurch organizations and three� from IVCF. It was reduced to 3 IVCF which included me. But they only need 2 staff. So I said to myself, whether I will be accepted or not I know I will have joy and peace.

Last October 18, I received a call that I was chosen! Happy� for the result but sad that I will be leaving the staff. I started my orientation with Compassion International last October 23-27and only ended last October 31. My� real work will starts on November 5. It means� meeting for planning with the Program Manager.

Saying Goodbye

The fact of saying goodbye dawned on me! I can’t believed it’s real. For the past years and until now, I have seen God’s hand upon IVCF movement. I have learned, grown, trained and humbled in many ways by the Lord’s grace and faithfulness through this movement. I have learned to love IVCF and it’s people (local and international). That’s why it’s hard for me to say goodbye for all the people I love working with I treasure the quality� friendship I developed with my ate’s and kuya�s whether in and beyond IVCF.

I will not be an IV staff anymore but I’m still an IVCFer. I will continue to be an advocate for this movement. I would continue to volunteer as collector for some donors I’m still in contact with (so it means bringing still the provisional receipt.)

I thanked God and the people like you who supported me financially. I thank you my co-staff, my mentors and �tormentors�, my prayer warriors,� graduates and students who contributed a lot with my ministry in IVCF. I’m very grateful for your partnership. I hope and pray that you will all continue to include me in your prayers even if I’m already with another Christian ministry. Let us all work for God�s glory!

In His care,

Angel Aldaya

�Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some stay for a while, leave footprints on our hearts, and we are never, ever the same�.
Flavia Weedn, Forever
� Flavia.com