I. Balikatan Youth’s Description of their Experiences

with IVCF Philippines through Haiku (a Japanese poem of seventeen syllables, in three lines of five, seven, and five).

“Philippines is good
God revealed Himself to us
We were really blessed”
– By Josh & Mikaela

“Through our weaknesses
You filled our emptiness
You are with us Lord”
– By Andrew, Gabby, & Victor

B. Short Prayer of Thanksgiving

by each participants for how God worked through them and how He spoke to them while spending time with IVCF.

Dear Heavenly Father,

I truly thank you for just giving me the opportunity to go to the Philippines for mission exposure and to see the ministry here. Thank you for raising the funds for all of us to come here. Thank you for filling my life and help me to remember a life filled with the Spirit, a Christ-centered life, a Christ-driven purpose is infinitely greater than what I could ever have for myself. Thank you for the opportunity to tell the world about You, and letting me witness to another life for Christ. I thank you for Your greatness, Your love, Spirit and everything you’ve done and still are going to do in my life. In Jesus name, Amen

– From Joshua Ninonuevo

Lord,

Thank you for the opportunity You have given me to be able to share with others, as well as learn from them. I thank You for the experiences you have given me while I was here with IVCF Phil. I pray that You give me the heart to be able to continue Your work beyond this trip. Thank You.

– From Victor Perez

Dear God,

Thank you for this opportunity that you blessed us with. I learned a lot about myself through this experience, and it also helped me grow in my faith. I am thankful that You have chosen me to be a servant, though I am not worthy. I am also thankful for the people involved with the IVCF Ministry, especially for Kuya Raff, Ate Rhoda and Ate Shebel for welcoming us into their home. Thank you also for putting me in an environment where I can easily grow because it is comfortable with. Please continue to bless the IVCF Ministry here in the Philippines. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

– From Mikaela Louise Marasigan

Lord,

Thank you for the blessings you have given me here. I longed to go to summer projects thinking that it was best for me, but you have showed me Your greater plan. Thank you for providing me the opportunity and funds to even come to the Philippines. Though I have less here materially, You have given me greater spirituality. Thank you for “ates” and “kuyas” who welcomed us with love and the new friends and family here. Thank you for the forced opportunity to be still, to finally enjoy what you have truly given us. Thank you for Your presence and guidance for the last few days. Thank you for Your love when I though I had none. Thank you for giving me joy. Thank you for who You are and who You made me to be. Thank you for your time. Thank you for the past experiences that allowed me to see you so much more here. Thank you for revealing Yourself in ways I never though to look and showing me how You are really always there. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

– From Gabrielle Ninonuevo

Dear Jesus,

Thank you for enabling me to experience mission, outreaching and partaking in evangelism in U.P. Diliman. Thank you for showering your blessings on me through the activities of IVCF campus chapters as well as through the IVCF Staff members. Thank you for using me to touch and spread the gospel, for Your everlasting love, and for the strength and health You gave me throughout my experiences in the Philippines.

– From Andrew Malincon

C. Discoveries and Lessons Learned

by the participants from IVCF Philippines

IVCF Philippines’ goal is to dispel the unbelief of the youth.
– From Andrew Malincon

I learned that IVCF uses different methods to share the gospel and minister to students
(events like Freshmen Treat and activities like Commando Evangelism).
– From Mikaela Louise Marasigan

Shadowing IVCF staff and living with them not only showed me their life and ministry,
it also made me think of others who devoted themselves to the Lord through ministry.
– From Gabrielle Ninonuevo

I was grateful for the opportunity to experience for a week,
what the IVCF staff does on a daily basis.
– From Victor Perez

It’s awesome to see the ministry here in the Philippines, such as IVCF,
to see students’ lives changed, many lives blessed,
and IVCF alumni still involved in high school and college ministries of IVCF
and as well as involved in Missions.
– From Joshua Ninonuevo

God’s blessings were not only for the Balikatan Youth Mission Outreach 2009 participants, there were also for IVCF Philippines. God sent these young missionaries to bless the IVCF staff members with joy in having fellowship with young Christians who are passionate in loving the Lord Jesus and who desires to know Him more and serve Him more. The IVCF staff members were blessed with the food that these young people share with them and the gift of friendship.

IVCF Philippines gained people who now know about the significance of our special ministry to students in our country. We now have additional brethren who would pray for us and for the mission God gave us in sharing the gospel to the youth of our land.