DEAR FRIENDS,
A warm hello to you!
A few more days to go and the ‘warm’ will become hot, hot, hot as summer is fast approaching. Kamusta kayo? We hope you are well. Allow us once again to share our stories.
MERRY TREATS
How our lives are enriched by friends and mentors! Last December, the visit of the Rabuya family from Cebu whom we did not see for 4 years was a real treat for us. We accompanied them in their one- day tour over some places in Bicol. How we enjoyed our time together – going to places and catching up with stories! Then our dear staff mentors, ate Elsie Calalang and Ate Millie Guarin arrived the day the Rabuyas left to do some training among the Graduate volunteers in the region. We were delighted to be with them as well. As they refreshed us, may the Lord refresh them.
We are also grateful for the kindness bestowed to us by people who also support the IVCF ministry. Dr. Justin Novela and his family hosted a Christmas dinner at their home for ministry workers. They not only stuffed our stomachs but showered us with gifts as well. Days later another IVCF graduate, Kuya Tony Litam delivered a basketful of fruits to our house. There were also some dear friends and family members who came to visit and/or gave their gifts- though some did it sacrificially. We experienced God’s generous provision and love through all of them. May they be made rich in every way (2nd Cor 9:10-12).
Attending the week-long January Staff Conference in Capas, Tarlac has been a real treat as well. The times of listening to the Word, fellowship, sharing and praying with the staff family has been invigorating. It was also a time of planning and discussing important matters concerning the movement. During our stay there, we visited the Death March Shrine, Ninoy Aquino’s Museum and ancestral home. Moreover, after the staff conference, Nono’s 6-month sabbatical leave started. What a major treat! May the Lord show His clear direction to Nono as he seeks His guidance and will.
OF HEALING and GRACE
Your browser may not support display of this image.We also experienced God’s healing as series of illnesses beset us recently. After being healed from coughs and colds last month, Mayumi and Makisig (and their two cousins) recently contracted a viral infection (rotavirus) that caused vomiting, watery stools and fever. It was a harrowing experience watching them vomit at the same time, changing kisig’s diaper for the nth time only to be soiled again, touching their bodies hot with fever, and giving them medicine and food but throw them up anyway. We thank the Lord for His grace – they were able to recover after a few days and we didn’t have to admit them to the hospital. We are blessed to have many praying friends and family! May the Lord bless us with good health in the months to come.
Your browser may not support display of this image.The changes in the students’ schedules on the 2nd semester of this school year (08-09) have greatly affected the frequency and number of attendees in the student meetings. Nevertheless, we carried on with the usual round of evangelistic and discipleship activities albeit relatively fewer participants compared to previous years. We had more one-on-one talks with students though. Aside from the weekly bible studies, some highlights of this semester were: climbing a mountain to plant Mahogany trees (and went for a swim at a river right after!); the ISCF Spaghetti party (evangelistic event), holding an evangelistic Christmas party among underprivileged children at a community in Nabua (we might hold a separate ‘party’ for the nanays next year), and campaigning for sexual purity (True Love Waits) among highschool and college students this February. As the school year is about to end, we wrap up chapter activities, choose next batch of leaders, kick-off the graduates and prepare for summer camps. May the Lord raise more students who will serve as light and salt in the campuses and may He continue to equip us to serve in the student ministry. May He raise more people to become our ministry partners who will support the movement faithfully.
Summer Plans
We look forward to our vacation in Roxas City and be with Gerlen’s family on the last two weeks of March. On April, we will be having two camps in the region: the ISCF Camp for highschool students and Pili Camp which is intended to train college student-leaders. On May, we will also serve as camp staff and counselors at the NCR ISCF Leadership –Discipleship Camp. Engage us once again with your transforming power, O Lord!
Your browser may not support display of this image.Thank you for taking the time to read. We hope to hear from your end. We will be honored too, if you ask us to join you in praying for your concerns. May God bless you!
Sincerely Yours,
Nono and Gerlen Orozco
with Mayumi and Makisig