I gained multiple blessings from Balikatan 2009. It was such a blessing to…

• See everyone cheerfully and humbly pitch in and help the Michigan group. Thus, even though the Michigan group is a small group, they were able to put up a great conference.
• Listen to Edwin Erni’s report. IVCF Philippines is accomplishing great things for so little money. The total budget of IVCF Philippines would be equal to the salaries of 3-4 federal or state employees. Talk about cost-effectiveness. The growth of the movement and the staff is so encouraging.
• Listen to our home-grown IVCF speakers, Ate Lisa, Ate Naty, and Ate Melba. Their wisdom and eloquence are so moving.
• Discuss our struggles living in America, keeping it real and honest.
• See the joy in my 4-year old son’s face as he plays with the other Balikatan kids; see the happiness in the adults’ faces as they look at my rambunctious son.
• Reflect on what God wants me to do in this season of my life and for my desire to be so quickly answered by my being elected to the Balikatan Board.
• Serve such a wonderful bunch of fellow believers in the US and the Philippines, and what a privilege it is to be a part of Balikatan’s leadership just when we are contemplating the future direction of our beloved organization.