Reflections on the Journey
by Ernie Jimenez
In the 55 years of my life, I am amazed and humbled by our loving Father’s provisions, sustenance, faithfulness, and steadfast love towards me. Admitted in 1972 to a university offering high-quality but low-cost education was a special blessing. My parents ‘ joint income wasn’t enough to send me to school. I did not have the talent to survive rigorous training, but looking back I now see God’s very neat scheme of allowing me to graduate majoring in IVCF and minoring in Sociology. It was His grand way of introducing HIMSELF to me.
Fast forward, in 1982 I got married, was blessed with two kids, migrated to the US in 1987, and linked with Balikatan in 1989.This connection gave my family a two-dimensional view of God’s continuous work in IVCF- Philippines and His unceasing work in the lives of those who have migrated to North America.
In 2002, we welcomed our lovely granddaughter with joy and pain. Joy because she is a gift, pain because she was born out-of-wedlock, as a result of a teen pregnancy. This shook my faith to the core, but His grip on me is much stronger. As a line in a song states, “He makes everything beautiful in His time”. The experience matured my daughter, changed her life from a directionless teenager to a God-committed mother, wife, and now a youth leader. To us, the experience taught us to forgive and trust God’s purposes and gave us a glimpse of His tender heart.
There are pains in life only God can soothe and explain. My mom died in a car accident as the vehicle they were riding hit an electric post on a very clear day. Vangie’s mom was the person driving the vehicle. She survived, my “Ima” did not. Yet His grace proved to be sufficient even in this seemingly unfair incident. His thoughts and ways are truly higher than ours, my mom now enjoys my dad’s (he died about 6 years before) company in God’s presence.
In 2008, I was diagnosed with stage 4 Non-Hodgskin’s Lymphoma. Even as a believer, I was shocked by the news. My older first cousin died of cancer a few years before. My aunt passed away because of cancer. This is on my mother’s side. Cancer took a few lives on my father’s side too. Again God showed me that trusting Him completely proves that “my life and times are in His hands” as the psalmist wrote.
Though these losses generated fear, the calming assurances of God’s full control over me manifested itself in many ways. God knew way ahead I will have this disease. Thus he provided me with a loving wife who is also a nurse. Our migration to the US, benefits me with modern health care. Who knew my primary care physician that we chose in 1989, is actually an internist- oncologist. So even in the choice of a doctor, God had his hand on my illness. Work changes allowed me to work from home enabling me to continue working while undergoing chemotherapy. At present, my friend describes me as, “mas malakas ka pa sa kalabaw”, which can be translated as “You are stronger than a water buffalo or a carabao.”
So I can conclude that be it in rigorous education, severe disappointments, tragedy, near death sickness, and uncertainty of the future, God our Father, continues to be our hope and rock to whom we are anchored to. HE ALONE IS TO BE PRAISED!!!! And to Him we shall always be grateful!!! Amen and amen.
IVCF Alumni in Missions
Dennis and Bernadeth Honrubia
My wife and I were both active members in a campus based ministry known as Inter Varsity Christian Fellowship (IVCF) of the Philippines. My wife led a cell group and has led non-believers to our saving power of our Lord Jesus Christ. She graduated from IVCF’s intensive one-month training in Cebu known as Kawayan Camp in 1991. I graduated from the same camp in 1990. We were actively involved in many leadership trainings conducted by IVCF and were eager to learn more. We have learned practical leadership skills and experience when we were given an opportunity to organize student leadership and discipleship camps. IVCF all was known for its “student led” ministry. Our Ate’s and Kuya’s have encouraged, trained and inspired us in our walk and service in the Kingdom.
Kalasag Christian Fellowship-Polytechnic University of the Philippnes Dennis Honrubia -Front Row, First from Right
After I graduated with a degree in Architecture and my wife in Computer Engineering, we decided to find a better life in Singapore. Some of our dearest friends went into full time ministry. I was never convinced that I was called to full time ministry. I worked for an Architectural firm and my wife worked as Systems Support Coordinator. We were involved with Filipino Bartley Christian Church which was led by Pastor Celeste Cruzat. The church grew in numbers as a result of earnest united prayer. I was later invited by our Pastor Celeste to be one of the associate pastors. She was very instrumental in ministry calling in our lives.
God’s calling in our lives started to unfold once again. My parents and my sister who live in the United States had wanted for my wife and I to come to America. They prayed for this desire along with their bible study group. God’s direction became clearer when I had an opportunity to come to United States to work for another Architectural consulting firm. Our passion and our vision for the lost kept growing. Our desire to prepare for full time ministry also grew. God was slowly putting the pieces of the puzzle together. We started attending Christian Life Ministries in Folsom, CA with our parents. Pastor Bill Terry who was the senior Pastor at that time asked us to be pastors of another church. We served the Lord through that church for about 2 years. While serving as pastors, we had an opportunity to study at a Bible School in Sacramento California. We graduated in 2003 at the Pacific Coast Bible College with a Masters’ Degree in Practical Theology.
We were able to rekindle our relationship with Pastor Glimar Melo who is our friend all the way back in College where we served the Lord through Kalasag Christian Fellowship. He visited us a few times on his way to a conference in Columbia. His life in the ministry and his encouragement was instrumental for us to plant a church. Our humble beginning was conducting a service for a facility of senior citizens. We have diligently conducted weekly services for individuals in wheelchairs and crutches and some hearing problems. We prayed for healing and comfort. Little did we know that the caregivers who were assisting the elderly were also listening and paying attention to the Word of God. The official church was started and recognized in December of 2003 with 25 members. As we prayed, the life and calling of Nehemiah became very inspiring to us. Our calling was to proclaim the true builder and re-builder of lives. Thus, the name Nehemiah Ministries International with a subsidiary known as Builder Of Life Church. Both of our secular career continues to support the ministry. I was offered a job in Utah as Architectural Project Manager to oversee design and construction of churches all over the nation. My ministerial calling and Architectural experience was the main reason for the job. God called us to start another church in Salt Lake City. Currently we have about 25-30 individuals attending our worship service in a rented auditorium.
We are very grateful to IVCF Philippines. The training we received from IVCF was very important in preparing us for our ministry today. We learned how to expound the Word of God in its fullest, how to organize an event, how to be creative and also how to work with available resources. All these things were part of God’s plan of preparing us for the work ahead. Website: http://www.jmjwebdesigns.com/builderoflife
IVCF Alumnus in Missions
Ces Valdez
Ces Valdez-2nd from left
Back when I was a freshman in college, the Lord used the ministry and members of State Varsity Christian Fellowship -Manila (IVCF Chapter in University of the Philippines Manila) to open my heart to know Him. It was also in SVCF where He raised me up to love His word and the community of believers. He also used those 4 years of college to hedge me from where I came and to where I was going, and truly the Lord’s grace was more than sufficient even then and up to the present time. Tthe Lord is truly a faithful Father, abundantly gracious, and His mercies indeed endure. They endure even in my stupidities. I am convinced that His sending me to South Thailand is His giving me a second opportunity to straighten up my act. The vision He gave me for His work here in Yala particularly at Yala Rajabhat University is to see men and women from the ranks of teachers, students and even the staff, whether \B– or M, coming together to worship Phraa Yesu/Isa Al-Masih, and studying His word on a regular basis. This is my fourth year of English teaching here and I am willing to do it however long the Master wants me to stay. There are lots of opportunities to share the gospel here even inside the classroom, so please pray that the Lord will open the hearts and minds of the members of this yru community as they hear the good news and draw them to Himself. May we, my co-workers and I, truly serve as salt and light in this corner of His harvest field, for many to hunger after Him and come to know Him as He wants to be known. Thank you again for your prayers. The enclosed picture is of my sister and niece (from Roseville, CA), and a fellow tentmaker, when we went for a little island vacation here in south thailand. May the Master especially guide you all.
Update on 2011 Balikatan Conference
University of California, Berkeley
Please pray for the Bay Area Balikat (BA Balikat) group as we make a decision regarding the early registration deadline on November 15, 2010. It appears that many Balikatan folks may have difficulty meeting this early registration date due to work schedule. Even if the registration date is moved to a later date, BA Balikat has its own deadline of December 1st to tell UC Berkely the number of attendees, 80% of which they are committed to pay before the actual conference. Please pray for wisdom and guidance as the BA Balikat committee meets on November 6 to make this huge decision. On a lighter note, we have already decided on the colors of the conference to be orange and black in honor of the San Francisco Giants!! Hooray!! On a real serious note, pray that BA Balikat will be GIANTS OF FAITH in trusting that the Lord will provide all our needs for the conference, that God will hand-pick the individuals who will attend from as far as the Philippines, that more West Coast Balikatan will be mobilized to come to the conference, and that the loyal East and Midwest Balikatan members will continue their support to our yearly conference. Let us claim God’s provision as He has been faithful to Balikatan in sustaining its 27 years of annual conferences.
Let’s Pray for IVCF Staff
Ara Morales
My confidence is the Lord’s. My hope clings to Him. He is the one who will bring new enthusiastic young hearts. Now, it is a different picture, having a new staff (Tonee Agustin) as companion and new level of work load. Last July, I started meeting students in their campuses. I am assigned in two pioneering campuses (UP Baguio and University of Baguio-UB) and regional administrative work. I enjoy the fellowship, study and prayer time during Friday nights at IV Home. The variety of IV Home activities open opportunities and provide as venues for friendship evangelism. Though, I still struggle with keeping or looking after some administrative concerns of the IV Home, this ministry serves as an important venue not only for me but also for the dwellers and visitors for growth and learning. I enjoy cooking new recipes and discovering cheaper dishes for the students. I enjoy reading and studying, surely there is a lot to learn and to discover. Read more….
IV Tulungan sa Tidewater met last November 6, 2010 at the residence of Rey and Ethel (Vida) Austria. The theme of November’s meeting was Thanksgiving. We enjoyed a Mexican menu consisting of Mexican menudo, Southwest chicken, Spanish rice, taco salad, taquitos, Mexican coffee, and homemade churros.
IV CARES met on October 10, 2010 to discuss plans for fund raising for the 13th month pay of the IVCF Philippines’ staff this coming December. We have decided to continue our annual caroling but made some slight modifications on how we are going to do it. Last year, we held the caroling in one of our members’ houses and we invited our friends and donors to the affair. This year we are planning to hold the caroling on 2 dates, December 11 and December 18, and at two different locations. We hope that this would allow more people to come and attend our caroling. Our rehearsals will be held once a week and will start on November 14. Dorie Bermudez will be conducting our choir. Please pray for strength and good health for everyone in our group. Pray that we will be able to invite many people to the caroling and we will be able to raise a good amount for IVCF. May the Lord be glorified in this endeavor. For more information about IV CARES please email Pete Parayno paraynop@yahoo.com
