Sharing with you slices and spices of life at my end. I had the privilege of meeting and listening to Kuya Jojo Remigio when he was here recently. It is such an encouragement to know of your great concern and loving efforts to help Inter Varsity. Thank you from all of us in the staff.
TO BALIKATAN BRETHREN
Sharing with you slices and spices of life at my end. I had the privilege of meeting and listening to Kuya Jojo Remigio when he was here recently. It is such an encouragement to know of your great concern and loving efforts to help Inter Varsity. Thank you from all of us in the staff.
WORKWISE
Since coming back to work last October, Ive been mostly involved in training and coordinating tasks; serving as resource person in camps and in students and new staff training events. My job description actually says Im supposed to write (materials) but I dont mind temporarily filling in some gaps as needed. Please pray that I never lose sight of the truth that faithfulness to small tasks matters a lot. I still desire to compile and organize needed materials for IVCF. This has been a long-time dream (I fervently hope this does not turn into a nightmare). In the midst of present realities and pressing needs may the Lord grant me impetus and fresh ideas as I carry on with work.
We had the National Staff Conference at Camp Jabez last January 6-12. We are grateful for times of refueling and sharpening. It felt odd though not to see familiar and dear faces anymore. As some colleagues had moved on. The call to sail afresh with trust and boldness is a constant challenge we face as a movement. Do pray for unity, diligence, and steadfast faith for us in the staff team. May we patiently and lovingly do our tasks and exercise our gifts in the particular roles we are presently given.
Preparation for the summer camps has kicked off! Theres more than enough concerns to keep minds and hands busy the coming days. Yet again, it is an exciting time to be in the midst of unfolding of graces, of changing of hearts and mind, to witness His power and grace at work! Kindly pray for all those involved in the preparation and actual running of the camps. Pray too for the students who will come that they will be ready and open to the work God intends to do in and through them. And by the way, KC turns 50 this year and a grand celebration is coming. Hope to see more of you there. 
ON THE SIDE
I have an exam and a report this week and the next. Pray for discipline and extra intelligence to take on tons of readings, a research project and my not-so-favorite Statistics. Repeatedly, specifically during submission of major papers, I would ask myself- why in the world am I studying (again)? Grad school remains to be on the periphery. I am taking two subjects per semester) but I am hanging on just fine. I pray that I will be able to find some good use of the opportunities offered me by this gift of schooling. Kindly pray with and for me.
HEARTBEAT
In my previous newsletter I shared with you the call to come alongside my dying stepmother. This invitation brought pain and gain. It surfaced out mixed feelings and thoughts and became a period of sifting and shaping. My first impulse was to flee or stand from a distance but in His kindness, (though not easy) God has ushered me in to see the wonders He wanted displayed.
The past four months were especially difficult for Mama Flor but she never stopped affirming her faith in God. There was no trace of bitterness or of anger just hard-to-explain physical torment progressively sapping her strength. Last January 20, she passed away quietly. We were given enough time to say goodbye and to brace ourselves for the inevitable. But death stuns just the same. The assurance that it is not the final state comforts and spurs us on to take careful thought of how we live just so we may know how to die. Life and death- these two seemingly opposite states are intricately linked as we are told. Life takes on a different meaning when death is in full view.
My heart does not always beat for that which is eternal or essential. Its wayward and it takes more than wooing and gentle nudges before salvation dawns in my small stubborn heart. Realities of suffering and lack, of dependence and faith, of mercy and sheer grace which I have seen through this episode re-awakened me to very things His heart beats for. May I learn to listen and respond sensitively.
From my heart, I thank you for the prayers, help, and encouragement extended to me and my family. I am grateful to and for all of you. The Lord saw to it that enough provisions poured in. He is indeed the Lord of the living and the dead!
ON FIRM GROUND
On Christ the Solid Rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand
This line from a familiar hymn captures what I wish to hold on to this new year. May I not forget that Christ remains the focal point. And that He is the solid rock on which I stand. Do pray that this will be real to me each day.
The truth that were not standing on just any ground but that we have our footing secure in Christ gives us hope in the face of the changing dollar rates and the volatile socio-political situations, in the midst of personal crisis or ministry transitions. We can be at peace and remain unmoved, because in Him, through Him, and for Him all things hold together! (Col. 1:19)
I pray that you experience His steady hand and unchanging grace in moments you need them most. May the Lord keep you ever safe and mindful of His presence too.
Grateful for your partnership,
Mutya
After 40 years, I came home to my high school alma mater, Pampanga High School. Together with 23 of my IV-I classmates (7 are balikbayans), we attended the Centennial Grand Alumni Homecoming last February 12. Wearing golden T-shirts with Batch 68 written on it, we proudly joined thousands of alumni from the past 10 decades. William, now a well-accomplished doctor, treated us with overflowing food and drinks at his farm. As expected, we reminisced, talked, ate, and laughed endlessly. I am awed by the closeness and affection I sensed among us, even if some of us have not seen each other for 40 years! It is a joy to see how we have grown in wisdom and character and have succeeded in our respective careers and family life. It is amusing to see how we have changed physically.
This is the title of a book by Joyce Rupp which I used as a resource material in facilitating a 3-day Spiritual Retreat for 12 ladies in their midlife. I was the oldest in the group and the only unmarried. At first I was a bit anxious because the group was new to me. Except for one, it was my first time to meet them all. But thank God the group welcomed me warmly. I felt very comfortable with them. I enjoyed their stories, learning a lot from their midlife journey with all its challenges, struggles, grief, joys and triumphs. Joyce Rupp describes the midlife journey as coming home to one? true self. In this retreat, I felt I was well on my way to coming home to my true self as I have come to terms with many realities of my midlife journey as a single person. I don? feel ashamed of my grey hair anymore. I have accepted the fact that I can no longer have my own child. I am more comfortable with my “rounder” body. I am getting used to being addressed Nanay and Mrs. by strangers, Tita by some colleagues, and “Mommy” by my students. Thankfully, no one has yet asked for my senior citizen card! I have embraced gladly the gift of singleness. May I continue to live fully and joyfully as I approach the evening of my life.
