Since moving to the US, the Lord has helped Bene (my husband) and I reconnect with our fellow IVCF graduates. We enjoy traveling to different places and have met IVCF friends along the way. In 2018, I was invited by a friend to join the FB group of Balikatan Ng Mga Kristiano. I also received invitations to attend the Balikatan Conference but had no chance to join due to conflicting schedules or commitments. Last year, Bene and I joined the NextGen Balikatan group. Though we only met online via Zoom, this allowed us to meet and know IVCF graduates, learn the Word of God together, share our testimonies, and pray for one another.
On my birthday, Ate Jane Galazo visited me and invited me to attend the Balikatan 2025 Conference. She also asked Bene and I to be part of the Souvenir Program Committee. The Lord planted in our hearts the desire to join. We started to pray and put our faith in God that He will provide for our family’s registration and travel. As we look forward to the upcoming Balikatan Conference 2025, we pray for a meaningful fellowship with our fellow Filipino IVCF graduates and families. In addition, we hope to hear testimonies that encourage us about how our fellow Balikatan attendees walk faithfully in our adopted country. As Proverbs 27:17 says, “Iron sharpens iron and one man sharpens another,” we pray we will be a blessing to each other in the IVCF/Balikatan family.