road trippin'

there is always something so majestic about being on top of a mountain and looking out to a great expanse of greens and sky and sea. 

the great minds in mcof combined powers and decided that we should do our annual retreat in negros occidental. i immediately opposed the idea for two reasons:

first, i am from negros occidental!  if we are going on a tour it should be on a place i've never been (selfish self is of course subtle. saying things like, "we cannot travel typhoon is coming!)

second, i am still recovering from a mini pneumonia and still feel weak even though i already have missed work for more than 5 days.

i was thinking, maybe a nice resort around the island would be good or a quick over night stay in some place outside the city. no chance.

we left for bacolod city at 1 am. some of us did not sleep at all. we did all the crazy stop over stuff on top of don salvador mountains and take crazy amount of photos and then went directly to campuestohan highland resort. we headed down to civilizations again and rest for an hour, then eat dinner in diotay's place and head to a carnival area in the city and stayed there until 11 pm.  i was already a walking dead. i was swaying as we find our way to the car. 

when my body hit the bed, i was out but when i opened my eyes it was morning already! not fair!

when all my complaints is done, i would say that we had a really super good time together. relationships deepen, laughter comes easily, conversations are abundant to the point where someone has to do referee duties for everyone to have their time to express opinions, ideas or just 

fart/burp. 

a windmill. a prominent stracture in campuestohan higland resort

pretty girlfriends

hand holding walks

paddle time on a small lagoon. 

spring water meeting with salty huge one

spotting a cacao fruit after many many years.

the amazing view of cebu city from a million miles away.

calmly plan it

i spent the first 4 days of my last week in a place where there're plenty of coconut trees, curvy roads, steep hills, rocky sands & lots of people who are passionate advocates for children. 

i was actually expecting this planning summit to be stressful and hectic. it was far from that. there were some pressing issues but all was discussed in a calm and precised manner as expected of every compassion (when clicking the site of compassion there is a disclaimer, please proceed. i assure you it is completely safe) related meetings/conference.

just up the hill where we're staying

1st day arrival : dusk

7:00 am : 2nd day

noon: 2nd day

7:00 : last day

rocky shoreline: 3rd day

all photos were shot using my samsung galaxy mega 5.8

reflections: singli mountain resort

reflections for our staffs before the year 2014 started. a very late post. ministry to children is rewarding but it has its moments when even i question if the things that we do makes a difference in the lives of the parents and the kids.
but it does make a difference. i do see changes not just with the kids but also in the lives of the staff that i work with.
in my observation we have become more gracious, more patient & decidedly intentional in our ministry.
our christian lives is a always a progressive one. we continue to grow. in our love. in our compassion. in our desire to to be more like our Savior.

this was a weekend of reflections and renewed goals for us. also a little bit of fun

all photos courtesy of jore millan

reflecting: is it dinner yet? 

because of who you are I give you glory....

fun during devotions

the mountains & the skies declares God's glory (my own translation of a bible verse)

coffee on the mountain top

scary laugh. fear of heights

the amazing group i work with everyday. 

sorry chelda, ethel's pose is much more interesting. haha

 

bff's

  

required jump shot :-)

silaob 2014

it is always a challenge to design a program or event that will be celebrated every year. but the youth leaders of mactan cathedral of faith kick started this event called SILAOB. the words means AFLAME. it was and will be a Feast of sorts. the idea was that during the Old Testament times (biblical times) the israelites has always celebrated  important moments by having feast. so they reason, why don't we do that. God is faithful - it is a HUGE reason  for celebration. thus, SILAOB.

it is a celebration of the young people's passion for Jesus Christ! a jubilatio of His goodness and faithfulness! an expression of the mcof youth's desire to reach out and spread His love in all of their community and prayerfully, beyond that. 

here are some photos courtesy of adams pepito

concept by: richard, photo courtesy of dianne

worship time

margie & bachochay. notice the "anapog-filled" background, it will be flattened & paved soon

izhar did what izhar do best: amaze people!

  

cindy's first time to challenge her youth members to not be shy to testify about their faith

future pastor?

braving the crowd. overcoming shyness for the Lord!

waka-waka eh eh? 

:-))))))))

sweet & renee 

reflections

prayers

AJ shares God's Word

Add caption

clean up time!

1 Timothy 4:12

12 Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.