Just Wondered.

I just came back from a two-day-long road trip to search for the best retreat destination. We scourged the entire Tagaytay area to look for suitable retreat venues. We were looking for venues that could accommodate 60 people for two nights and two days with food. Part of our criteria is that the venue should allow team building activities (noise + large space), and a suitable conference hall wherein we could conduct our sessions.

Someone once commented why not make our retreat a camping style retreat with tents and the great outdoors as a venue. I have no problems about that, although some of my fellow youth may not agree. Some are not so comfortable with the lack of a suitable comfort room or the idea of sleeping under a tent with unfavorable weather conditions (you can't predict the rain!). It is also unfair for the facilitators if they would have to worry about cooking and food preparations. So to accommodate everyone, we had to find a good venue already with dormitory beds, enough comfort rooms to last several lifetimes and a food package that would cover all the meals during the stay. I had other personal criteria aside from those mentioned.

Hence we had to search for a venue. We made a quick (which is an overstatement) of our previous venue: Caleruega. Two years ago, we went there and had the best retreat so far. It became the benchmark (whatever that means) of any future retreat. Everyone was so hyped it, all facebook videos of the event became viral throughout the youth of our church. However, when we checked out the place, the venue has already been booked by a different organization. We were supposed to scout the surrounding venues but due to the heavy traffic that sunday (part of the four day long weekend) we had no choice but to take the fastest route home. Some of us had work early the next day  (no holiday=me) and some of us had a flight to catch.

Due to the dire circumstance of not having a venue for the retreat a month before the supposed date, we had to reschedule another day for occular inspection. I had to sacrifice one day (no holiday=me) from work to be able to scout for other venues with others who were on holiday hence, available. We were able to scout 6 other venues. It was an amazing road trip. We practically drove around Tagaytay City and stopped at every place that had a "retreat" on its name. We were amazed by the view of some. Others we didn't enjoy so much due to certain reasons.

On our trip, we all noticed one thing in common with all the retreat venues: all were run by priests or nuns of the Catholic Church.

Now, I have nothing against that denomination. Most of my friends are Catholics. I was actually amazed at the number of their retreat centers that really offered a great view or a great ambiance suitable for meditation and prayer. It goes to show that they value constant meditation and communication with God. Some of the venues we checked also had Bibles at each corner or at each sitting area. While resting you could meditate upon God's word. Talk about convenience!

What really bothered me was the fact that we're not the only ones who conduct retreats on a regular basis. I'm talking about other SDA youth ministries from other churches or areas who also annually conduct retreats or hikes or camp meetings in various locations. They may have different program sets or themes, but one thing is certain, SDAs love retreats, hikings, campings and the like. We're people who love the outdoors and nature. 

Because of this, I can't help but wonder how come we never had any SDA owned venue for a retreat? A campsite or a retreat center that would help any youth ministry with their venue problems. It doesn't have to be grand. A wide plot of grassland or forest could be enough. It has to be something that doesn't double as a school, and has the sole purpose of being a venue for retreats. It doesn't even have to be an exclusive venue, if we could accommodate other denominations, it would be better. Aside from being an income generating institution, it would also be another means of reaching out to other denominations so that you won't have to answer "What is an SDA?" every now and then. It could also have a free public access library which could be available to all who would rent as an additional amenity. That way, other denominations would also have access to our books which has the potential of drawing them closer to God. 

If we could only find the idea to invest in a retreat venue on top or at the side of a mountain, we wouldn't have any problems. 

The Youth Ministries is Alive!

I don't really know how to react. I guess the youth really is the backbone of the church.

I was sent on a beat weeks ago to gather information regarding the schedule of activities of all the ministries of the church from August to September. This is in line with the new ministry that is about to come out. It's called Engage and it's going to be the new publication of PAC. 

Since I already have an active role in the Youth Ministries, gathering their calendar of events was as easy as checking my daily schedule. The same goes with Makati Project Grow and the Deaf Ministry. I tried to contact Lifeline Chorale, our youth choir, and the Angels' echoes, the children's choir and gathered their activities. Next I contacted people from the Prison Ministries, Radio Ministries and Women's Ministries. Then, I inquired from our head deacon and the deaconesses about any up coming activities. Finally, I was able to ask the head of the Health Ministries for any medical missions and such for those months. I couldn't find the head of the Senior Citizens Ministries a.k.a. Young Once Ministries and the head of the Home and Family Ministries.

What I found out was really amazing. I don't actually know how to react, but it turns out that out of all the ministries, majority of the ministries headed by the youth have a full schedule. Other ministries don't even have a schedule for august or september. I figured they either made no plans or just made activities on the fly. 

Great job Youth! 

The Day Birthday

Because it's my birthday, I was inspired by a friend of mine, ate aye (http://angelaye18.wordpress.com), to write about what happened today and post it on my blog.

1) I had a great discussion with my Sabbath School Small Group. Lots of friends were there and we talked about the importance of showing reverence to God in worship and how important it is to know the God we worship. I really enjoyed the presence of everyone there.

2) I attended the Second divine worship and really got captivated by the song "I AM" and "No More Nights" embedded in the message of the speaker. It was a clear reminder that God is I Am and all I have to do is to trust Him, know Him and acknowledge his plans for my life. I was also blessed to serve for the deaf ministry as the interpreter during the prayers. I seem to get the hang of it. I enjoyed it a lot.

3) Surprised to see no one from the Youth Ministry core group after the service. They were all in their small group room. I got several CDs and huge birthday greeting from all of them. I loved those people.

4) Spent lunch with my cousins who came over to have the latest addition in our growing clan dedicated in church. It's not really a baptismal, it was more like a dedication service to encourage the parents to lead their kids in church. We had a hearty meal.

5) Running to and fro the deaf ministry fulfilling last minute duties such as providing them with fare and lunch budget for the next Sabbath. All the while preparing to leave for Fort Andres Bonifacio Adventist Church where the Area 8 Fellowship was supposed to be held. The deaf ministry are supposed to go as well, but I opted to go with the Makati Project Grow people for some personal reasons not against any ministry. 

6) Experienced the heavy rains on our way to FABAC. I forgot that every time, at this exact date, it rains. Had a great talk with some friends while on the bus and had a hilarious moment while waiting in the rain and riding the jeepney that would take us to FABAC, which was already jam packed when we came.

7) Really didn't feel anything during the afternoon program. Missed the sermon and missed out on the commitment message. It was somewhat disappointing, but I was blessed when the deaf ministry sang. Got a lot of hilarious moments with my deaf brothers as well. 

8) Escaped the social nights because someone also wanted to go home. Instead of going home, went straight to Market Market and had dinner. It was great night with friends including that someone. 

9) On our way home, our group separated to our destinations. Said someone had no choice but to go with me since we live somewhat near each other. Made small talk. Enjoyed the time and even walked that said someone home to cap the night.

10) Something got into my friend, Mike Duco. He posted one of the legendary photos on FB and didn't even bother to hide it from others. So before the night ended I had a lot of people posting on my wall with greetings. I intentionally didn't put my birthday on my profile so only a select few would remember. However, something came into Mike Duco that made him do crazy stuff. 

11) Technically not counted as part of the day and also this should only be up to 10, but had time to watch the CD I received this morning. Almost moved to tears by the volume of people who greeted on that CD. Nagsabwatan ang buong Youth Ministries sinama pa ang parents ko. Hmp! hahaha...

Great! hahaha...

25

An uncle once told me that life and your view of life would definitely change once you turned 25. 

I was in college back then and my imagination wandered to what would happen if I turned 25. I imagined my self discovering that I had super powers that would only manifest when I turned 25. Or maybe I was already a rockstar enjoying the fame and fortune and the thousands of fans flocking to my concerts each day. Or maybe, I woke up on my 25th birthday sounding like Aristotle or Socrates and filling my head with philosophical thoughts and eccentric inventions. 

I wondered what would happen to me when I turned 25? What radical change would happen? What part of me would change? 

I kept my uncles word and tried to watch and wait for the change that would come to me when I turn 25. 

Apparently that's today. And I don't seem to find any change in me. Probably a little wiser or more inspired than before, but nothing else seemed new to me. 

Nonetheless, I'm 25. So that's that.

Looking forward

I have no work for the third day this week. It's another stretch of vacation when just a week ago I spent a weekend on top of a mountain, then the week after that, I spent the long weekend on a great venue called tagaytay.

Now I have another long weekend.

What's sad about our profession though is that if you cancelled sessions, it meant you cancelled your pay. No work, no pay. regardless of reasons, unlike in some businesses, wherein you are entitled to sick leaves with pay or absence with pay, our profession is really lenient enough to allow you to be absent but don't expect any payment.

Because of this, lots of questions popped on my head. How long would I live like this? What else can I do to have steady flow of income and still do what I want to do?

I am not business minded and most of the people who try to give suggestions offer multi-level network businesses which I don't really like (remember the PONZI scheme). Now I am at a loss as to what business or sustainable activity I would do...

If you're striving for petty things, how then could you reach higher, far better things?"

Whoever thought that sports fests are a good way to bring fellowship, then they are dead wrong. Sports fest with competitive sports breed animosity and anger among brethren.