Our Guardian God

Greetings in the name of Jesus who is our Guardian God.
How are you?  Here now is our latest prayerletter.

We have traveled to places and just started to settle down again and regain momentum in our ministry and family dynamics here in Manila.  The beginning of the year gives us excitement about what God has in store for us.  Knowing that He is our Guardian God who will continue to journey with us, to keep us hopeful and motivated.  We know that this is true with you, too.  We may have  our first round of difficulties but we have so much to praise the Lord for and we would like to share them with you.

We left Baguio City last January 4 and headed back to Manila for a day of transition before leaving again for our 8-day Staff Conference at Capas, Tarlac. It was a good conference.  We were refreshed and energized.  It was a time of listening to the Lord as a team, praying for and listening to one another.  Though we had a lot of work ahead of us, especially for the summer camps and conferences, we praise God for how He had spoken to us through our sessions and knitted our hearts together.

After a few days of rest and cleaning our apartment unit at the IVCF building, we traveled to San Carlos City, Pangasinan for the wedding of Roselle, a former staff of Northern Luzon.  Erickson was one of the ninongs, Zeik read the Bible passage during the ceremony and Dot sang at  the reception.  It seemed like an IV event.  Most of IV staff were there since it was right after our conference.

We met several people this month.  We’ve seen long-time friends (Dennis Astorga & Nancy Ababa-Fussle), and met with key partners & donors like Kuya Manny & Ate Arlyn Gumapon from Singapore and Ate Lilia Salazar-Nigro, a Balikatan Board Member. We praise the Lord for these good times of  fellowship and reconnecting.

Both of us had an opportunity to speak to students. Erickson spoke at Philippine Science High School during the recollection of students, while Dot taught at the UP Dorm Fellowship.  It was such a privilege for us being with them.  Erickson was invited to preach at Diliman Campus Bible Church, where Manong Bel Magalit is the senior pastor.

On the home front, Zeik, our first born, turned 11 last January 6. Dot baked a cake for him and we gave him new basketball shoes. Then we left for our staff conference that day. He is starting to work harder in his homeschool program.  He also enjoys taking care of Meimei (a pug we are “dogsitting” for 3 weeks), an aquarium of zebrafishes & tiger barbs, and 2 hamsters. The boys are so fascinated with these pet animals.

Jahd had an accident last Friday (Jan. 30).  He tripped over and hit his face on the cement ground at the IV Bldg.  His left front tooth was knocked off and the right one misaligned.  He also had bruises on his right elbow and left shoulder.  Jahd said that it was good he was able to protect his eyeglasses and avoided further injuries.  We rushed him to our dentist friend for checkup that night. His right front tooth was then extracted. So Jahd lost his first 2 baby teeth.  Erickson was in an IVPM meeting that time. We thanked God for Aldwin (also a staff), who drove us to the dentist. Erickson was saddened to see Jahd when he arrived before midnight, but we still ended up thanking the Lord that no major injury happened.  Jahd is now recovering and is still a happy boy as if nothing had happened.

We are coveting your prayers. Please pray for us:

• as we do our assigned tasks  here at the IVCF national office and prepare for the summer camps.
• for Erickson as he continues to lead the movement and as he leads our family.
• Rejoice with us. Dot had a second ultrasound and it showed that the suspected benign cyst in her left ovary was gone. Continue to pray for her health as she manages our home and as a full time staffworker.
• for good health, especially for the Zeik and Jahd.  We had cough and cold after all our travels. PTL! We are all okay now.
• for safety and in all our travels.  Our car “Endureth” is still enduring yet continues to show weariness and old age even with occasional repairs.  May it bring us safely to our destinations.

Psalm 121 was very true to us this January.  And we know that He will continue to watch over all our comings and goings.  We are really trusting in God’s care.

Thank you for your prayers and partnership in our ministries. You are always remembered in our prayers.

In His guidance and care,
Erickson & Dot, with Zeik & Jahd

Psalm 121
(The Message)
I look up to the mountains;
does my strength come
from the mountains?
No, my strength comes from God, Who made the heavens, the earth, and mountains.

He won’t let you stumble, your Guardian God won’t fall asleep.  Not on your life! Israel’s Guardian will never doze or sleep.

God’s your Guardian,
Right at your side to protect you—Shielding you from sunstroke, Sheltering you from moonstroke.

God guards you from every evil, he guards your very life.
He guards you when you leave and when you return,
He guards you now,
he guards you always.