PLW BACOLOD MISSION - A STORY OF GRACE

November 30, 2013

Speech on Sharing of experience on Annual Reunion of PLW Guides as a Bacolod Missionary 

I am a new guide. I have been send forth October 2012 last year. I had my 1^st PLW sessions last January with Sis Connie Vasquez as co-guide here at Bago Bantay, Quezon City.  We have 3 PLW sessions in Bacolod, every Saturday. Two at Palau Youth Center, La Salle Avenue  - 10 am and 3pm session and 7pm session at Tangub parish.

 FEAST BACOLOD and PLW BACOLOD DREAM

The dream started when Kimee and Rinah, former participants who have not completed the workshop, asked if there is a possibility of bringing PLW to Bacolod.  I won’t forget November 2012 last year, during the Kerygma conference,   Bro. Bo asked everyone asked everyone to write on a white flag the dream we wanted to surrender the following year. Rinah and I shared with the flag provided. On one side she wrote, the Feast Bacolod and on the other side I wrote PLW Bacolod. 

                

We raised that white flag with certainty, proclaiming the dream. Not knowing how it would happen.  But God always gave amazing surprises. =)

December 28, 2012, since I had a scheduled visit for an ministry activity in Bacolod, I met with Rinah and Kimee  and with those who are interested in PLW , and gave them an overview.  Some friends from Bacolod and Iloilo also joined us and shared their experience. 

 "There is a need for prayer. And how do we pray?... that is why we offer the prayer and life
 workshop." - I love this part na kahit sa kabilang table, listened well after hearing this part and
 listened also to the sharing of personal experience of former plw participants.

 

         PLW Bacolod meeting with Rinah Marie Vinco, Kimee, Intercessory Head -Feast Bacolod,
 friends and former plw participants - December 28, 2012  at Island Spoon

       On January 19, 2013 Rinah met with Manila guides for update on PLW Bacolod Plans.

Then Tito Domeng visited Bacolod for plans and orientation.

GOD’S GENEROUSITY and PROVIDENCE

We had the dream, but where to get the funds? We started to share the dream to other former participants and other co-guides, they wanted to contribute for the dream so they pledge to sponsor for two-way airfare.  That gave us high hopes.  Sponsors keep coming. I told myself, it is really happening.

THE KEY WAS SURRENDER

It came to a pause when I was told that priority will be given to Cebu mission, so PLW Bacolod was still uncertain for July cycle. This broke my heart and left me crying all night asking God, why did He placed this desire in my heart and yet won’t push thru. I prepared well for the trip – my health, cleared my weekend skeds, adjusted with my ministry work for I was very sure I will be going to Bacolod. I even had my vocal chords medically checked (no kidding!) That night, prayed the Hymn of Abandonment. “Not my will, Lord, but yours. Your plans are always better than mine.” This gave me peace. Kinabukasan, nagulat ako with a surprise call from Tito Domeng that PLW Bacolod will start on July 13 onwards, and about to book several “sponsored” flights. Surprises kept coming. Rinah and Kimee at the same time in Bacolod do the promotions, attending community gatherings (Bukas Loob sa Diyos, Ang Lingkod ng Panginoon, LOJ), visiting parishes talking to priests and friends. In less than a month, 16 flights were booked na. The Key was surrender. God showed me what little I can do and what He can do if I allowed Him and other people.

 Thank you for those who sponsored for the Bacolod trip. For the former PLW participants, co-guides and others. I know only of a few, the rest I don’t know. Maraming salamat po. Si Lord na bahala mag reward for your generosity and support for the mission.

MISSIONARY EXPERIENCE

My initial response doing the mission work was EXCITEMENT. Na sa sobrang excited, di nakatulog for my first flight to Bacolod with Bro. Derrick.  I woke up late and arrived at the airport, last call na and passengers are about to board. But I felt grateful dahil mabait ang taxi driver and airport staffs were very accommodating. I bet God was laughing with us but at the same time embraces and says, ‘Do not be afraid, I am with you.’  

I have a lot to share about my experience. but I had an unforgettable message during my August desert day I had in Bacolod which was very true for me.

His words through the book Embraced by Bro. Bo:

Do you seek tangible results in your service?

Be faithful to the routine of planting and plowing and watering. Beloved, that is your task. Whether you harvest abundantly is not your primary concern.  Often child, you seek the wrong fruit from your work.  You concern yourself with numbers, goals and successes, while I concern myself with the increased holiness of your soul, the growing love I see in your heart.

And during the 14^th session, one participant affirmed this message. She said, 

‘I know. I am very sure that at one point in your service you felt disenchanted by the decreasing number of participants. But I want you to know, that one invitation is enough. The people who are here, like me who felt so much joy of experiencing the love of the Father will be like a pebble thrown in the water and would create ripples. We cannot help but share and let others experience also. Thank you. Just continue and don’t stop.’

Now we have 11 participants who are discerning to undergo formation next year, two of them are in their Youth. One 19 and 21 years old, who persevered through the sessions.  So please, let us pray for them too.

LEARNING EXPERIENCE

1. From the 14^th session. “The apostles of all times and ages should act not trusting upon their own preparation or ability, but in the power of Jesus. Effort, preparations, prayers are very necessary. But the result is not up to us but by the Grace of God.  Everything is Grace.
2. The mission work is never about I-alone, but We- together as family, brothers and sisters. God’s message for me during the desert day before the start of the mission was Isaiah 43:1-7. Where he commanded and promised.” Do not be afraid, I am with you.”  I felt God through prayers encouragement, love and support from PLW family especially from Sis Connie. There was also a time when I had work assignment in a dangerous place, got sick and even lost my voice prior to Saturday.  But because I know very well, God wouldn’t allow me to be absent on my workshop sessions. All is well. We had no cancelled sessions despite the earthquake, heavy rains, storm, brown outs and I never had cancelled or delayed flights.  God was present though people, friends, Bacolod people especially kimee and Rinah, and even strangers. God gave me friends who are also doing mission work – through them my struggles were bearable because of their insights and sharings. God gave me so much love and learning from Bacolod people. Through them also, they give me strength and courage facing troubles.  I am also happy for the visiting guides, Bro Derrick, Tito Domeng and Tita Mila. Those who joined me on my (unknowingly) birthday – sis Janice, Emi and Edna.  

                              “Do not be afraid. I am with You.”

    3. Humility in accepting God’s providence through other people. If it is God’s work,

        surely He will provide everything – finance, food and shelter. Your only focus is to 

        do, what you are expected to do.

   4. Constantly rectify your intentions. Only God should be the moving force behind your

       work. Everything depends on your intentions. God cannot bless the works of a person 

       who through the work of his apostolate systematically seeks his own self-interest.              (LSG)

   5. Pray, even if you don’t feel like praying.

   6. Receive and always be love-filled. God’s love is everywhere.

Thank you.