End Of The Year Message‏

NYMC. It's what happens despite the absence of one. Some of our key leaders have been led to join the mission force. Some of you may have already known that Eman Ortaleza of the Manila core team is now working in Qatar and experiencing the life of a tentmaker. I personally pray for him everyday along with the other goers among upgs in my prayer list. Please include him in your prayers. He will be spending Christmas there by working just like any ordinary day in the Middle East.

Candy Galagnara, the sole delegate from Mindanao to the NYMC in Bacolod, will be leaving for the UK on January 3 for further studies AND work as a nurse. She went thru more missions courses and short-term missions trips than I can imagine. Like Eman, she sees herself as a tentmaker. No wonder the Lord did not make it possible for her to join K Art to the SMMR! She would not have been able to carry out her mobilizer duties anyway. Many obstacles beset her as she prepares to leave in January but she has learned to "embrace" (her own words) them as part of God's missionary training for her. Please pray for her as well.

Ptr Allan Obedoza, formerly with Asian Center for Missons when he served on the Manila core team, is now preparing for career missions in Thailand. He is presently setting up the missions department of his church while raising the needed support for bringing his whole family (wife and 4 children) with him to the mission field. He will be facilitating the Kairos course for the IVCF missions team a few weeks from now. Let us also pray for God's provision, preparation and timing for their actual departure.

There may be more NYMCers among you who are in "obedience" mode. I just don't know it. You can always make your prayer needs known through this egroup. It has been FOUR years already since this egroup for the Zambales NYMC batch was formed. Hopefully, each of us has grown a little more mature and wiser in following the Lord's call to bless the nations. Many have yet to hear as there are many who suffer for their faith in Christ in places hostile to the gospel.

This Christmas season, let us renew our commitment to be "faithful, joyful and triumphant" to bring every human heart to "adore Him, Christ the Lord"!

Blessed CHRISTmas & an Exciting New Year to all,
Joy (to the world)
http://nymm.blogspot.com/
http://timetogetrealwithgod.blogspot.com/

Waiting on the Lord

It seems like ages since anything has been posted here. Except for Kuya Art's report of the SMMR (which he posted on the nymm egroup), nothing seems to be happening. But I believe something soon will.

As ramadan comes to a close next week, my own fast also ends. I've done this before but not this long and this intense. I have some pretty heavy personal and ministry concerns that I can't pray about in the usual way. At the top of my list are some unsaved loved ones.

So far, God has been showing me my own spiritual hardheartedness. Even if I do most of the talking, I am doing more listening, too.

Hirap palang mag-fast. Hindi ka lang nagdidisiplina sa sarili na huwag kumain, pati yung puso mo binubulatlat! (Sorry, I didn't know how to express myself in English] But I really believe it's the right time for me to do this. Before I expect God to move in a mighty way, He waits for me to make time for Him.

For an update, Eman will soon work in Qatar as a tentmaker. The other Filipino delegate to SMMR is studying at ATS and wants to meet with the NYMM core team sometime when her schedule permits. I also met another young missions mobilizer who coordinates short-term mission trips for youth.

God is truly making things fall into place. May He bring the core team together soon.

Blesssed to be a Blessing

Today I officially have a new cellphone, exactly one week after I lost one. Just as I had barely finished emailing and telling just about everyone about my loss, God sent someone to give me its replacement. The "angel" asked me three times why I hadn't bought a new cellphone yet. I didn't have a ready answer but I tried to come up with one. Then I heard the surprise of my cellphone-less life, "Because I will give you one."

I couldn't believe my ears! Sure enough, three days later (last night), I held a cellphone unit in my hands, complete with charger, cable, software CD and SIM card. It even uses the same network I have been using all my cellphone-user life (SMART). My first trial text message to the "angel" was "Thankyou" (didn't know how to space yet). The reply was "Ur mst welcm ate. Ikaw talaga pinabgyan ng Lord nyan."

Amen and amen. A blessing on all such "angels" and the people they bless.


http://nymm.blogspot.com
http://timetogetrealwithgod.blogspot.com
~~~~ We are the NYMM at your service ~~~

While SMMR is Going on

While the SMMR is going on, I experienced another mini-crisis. I lost my cellphone right in the comforts of my spacious office. A female outsider loitering in the lobby yesterday morning is suspected as the lunch break thief. The last time I recalled using my cellphone was right before lunch break. I guess times are, indeed, hard and office security ought to be tightened some more. The lady was a pro. Her kind are probably roaming around security-lax Christian establishments now.

The reason I highlight this personal tragedy is because it happened on the very day (and time!) that K Art presented the NYMM at the consultation. The only time I left my desk was lunch break (12 noon). K Art's slot was 11:30 to 12:10 (if they started on time). I confess that my hunger took the better of me and I failed to shoot up a prayer for him. Up to now, I still have to hear from him and how it went. K Art is not the emailing type (sigh!). If I know him well enough, he is having the time of his life making new friends and trying out new things. And that's what he should do.

Surprisingly, I don't feel that devastated. This is my first time to lose a cellphone. I had used only one number for the many years I've had a cellphone. Maybe I'm still in shock. Or maybe it's not that big a deal compared to the emotional turmoil I went through the past weeks. But it sure felt funny waking up this morning without hearing the Polaris sound of my cellphone alarm go off.

It's going to be a bit more serene for a while  I've always put my cellphone on silent mode so I won't miss the ring tone (just the morning alarm). And I just have to start collecting contact numbers again (a great way of updating the directory!) and rely on the landline for a change (sort of like regressing, right?).

Even if it looks so petty as an application, what Job declared at the height of his loss is how I can describe what I feel at the moment: "The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away: may the name of the LORD be praised." Yes, I can live without a cellphone. Just not too long (heh-heh). - Ate Joy


http://nymm.blogspot.com
~~~~ We are the NYMM at your service ~~~

NYMM: The One and Only

Dear Egroupmates and friends:

The last two minutes are up. K Art will be the only one leaving for Korea this Sunday at 3 pm for the SMMR. Candy has decided not to go even if she gets her visa next Wednesday afternoon. She has peace of mind about it. And that's good enough for me.

Things had not happened the way we had planned but we can only trust in God's sovereign will for the NYMM. God knows how I prayed for Candy to make it to Korea (and so did all of you who have been keeping track of the preparations) but He spoke to me this morning in my Bible reading found in Job 37. I think it was verse 13 that said to this effect, "Did you call for the morning and put the dawn in its place?" I took it to mean, it's not for me to ask why these things happened. It just happens. And God is still in control. He's not obligated to explain or give an answer that makes sense to me. This insight helped prepare me for my talk with Candy later in the day. I, too, have peace about it now.

As for K Art, he is scheduled to talk about the NYMM on Wednesday, Aug 6, an hour before lunchbreak. I had sent the Powerpoint presentation to the organizer last week. I had also prepared a session outline with notes for K Art to use in presenting the movement to the body in 40 minutes. The aim of the presentation is to share our experience as a movement and the lessons we've learned in the process that may contribute to the discussion on forming a global student mission movement. Please pray that K Art accomplishes that aim during his scheduled talk.

Thank you once again for your prayers and support. Let's continue to pray for next week's SMMR and the role NYMM will play in the global move of God's Spirit among the youth around the world.

For the Lord of the Harvest,
Joy


http://nymm.blogspot.com
~~~~ We are the NYMM at your service ~~~

Urgent Prayer Request

Dear Egroupmates & friends:

This week is the "last 2-minutes" for our two NYMM representatives, Art de Guzman from Manila and Candy Galagnara from Cagayand de Oro, to the Seoul consultation next week. The program coordinator is waiting for their confirmed flight schedules and has also requested a session outline about the NYMM for their souvenir program. They already received the Powerpoint presentation and a short writeup about the movement. All systems are go for the international gathering of youth missions leaders. As of this writing, 68 leaders from 20 countries are expected to attend.

K Art will claim his visa this Thursday and will buy his plane ticket as soon as sufficient funds come in. Candy, on the other hand, just arrived in Manila yesterday to apply for her visa in the Korean embassy this morning. One of her requirements has to be corrected and she does not have much time left for the processing of her visa (5-6 days). She is also waiting on the Lord for enough money to buy her plane ticket.

I guess these last-minute hitches are typical of any missions activity or endeavor. But it is surely keeping me on the edge of my seat! I would like to share the suspense with you and beseech your arrow prayers for the two to make it to Korea by Monday (Aug 4)!

Nagpupumigil sa pagpraning,
Joy

~~~ We are the NYMM Young People at your service ~~~

SMMR 2008

This might be too long but please do read for those who was not able to read this one in the emails! :)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NYMM Spitfire wrote:

Dear egroupmates & friends:

The NYMM has been invited to the Student Mission Movement Roundtable (SMMR) consultation in Seoul, S Korea this coming August to coincide with S Korea's 10th anniversary celebration (if I'm not mistaken) as a missionary-sending country.

I have officially recommended three young leaders from our three main islands: Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao to this historic gathering. They are Mikko Cabalfin from the, Vir Antonio Silva from Dumaguete and Candy Galagnara from Cagayan de Oro. I first sought their willingness before sending their names and email addresses to the organizers. Each will receive an official invitation and more information about the meeting. I will share with you more details next time.

The organizers of the Asian SMMR are from Indonesia, India, Korea and Malaysia. I met two of them at the Ethne conference in Indonesia last March 2006. A few months after, Joannie Sitoy as NYMM representative attended the first roundtable meeting in Singapore. We missed the next one set in Malaysia late last year (I think) but they have not given up on us. I count it a privilege that they want the NYMM inivolved in the Seoul event.

I have already urged Mikko, Vir and Candy to work on their passports and to recruit prayer partners. They will need all our prayers and support in any form or kind (as the Lord leads you) to help them make the trip together. Just to let you know, the three have not yet met each other, only learned about each other through emails I copy furnish each of them.

Take time each day to say a special prayer for them. Feel free to post your notes of encouragement and advice on the egroup, too.
Happy Resurrection Day, everyone!

For the Lord of the nations,
Joy

~~~ We are the NYMM Young People at your service ~~~

Email: Vir Silva

Hi Everyone!

Happy Easter!

Our God is awesome! AMEN!

Many of you might have read Ate Joy's announcement of Mikko, Candy (hi guys!) and Me going on for the SMMR in Seoul, Korea by August 2008. I consider it a privilege to take part in this historical event in advancing the work of the Kingdom in Asia and the world.

I was asking myself a few weeks back if this is an opportunity I should grab or perhaps I'm making a fool of myself. Imagine, I'm reading a book entitled "Finding God's Will..." by Ray Pitchard or Something just to satisfy my curiosity and perhaps find an answer but as the book says, I may never have a 100% confirmation that this is really God's will but that He will reveal it to me one step at a time. With prayer and much time in reflection, I made the first step - saying "yes" to the invitation.

Why YES?

Perhaps it is because of my passion to encourage my generation to take part in advancing God's Kingdom. I remember joining NYMC when it was held in Dumaguete, Negros Oriental. I was one of the faithful few who responded to the call and went in front in the last night of the concert. After that life changing event, I got involved with InterVarsity-Dumaguete as one of the core leaders for the past 4 years. Through the years, my interest in missions grew stronger and got involve in any missions activity my church and InterVarsity has to offer.

In 2006,I asked the Lord to open up an opportunity to take part in NYMM again.This opportunity opened up when Ate Leah Aguirre became our missions speaker for LCDC2k6. It was through her that I believe God granted my request. After that fateful meeting in Camp Bato, I got involved in promoting NYMC2k6 in Bacolod to the different churches in Dumaguete and Negros Oriental. It was a great task but an experience of a lifetime. I learned promotional and marketing work I never did try before. I also had the opportunity to stand in big and small crowds to invite them for the event. After that time, I got involved in helping out to start a movement here in Dumaguete but it seems that it's not yet time for NYMM to be in bloom here. Nevertheless, my desire to see young people from here go to the nations to answer the call has become my passion!

On a personal note, I'm currently working in a call centre here as a sourcing strategy coordinator for the recruitment department. I try to balance work and life for a year now (and 3 months!) and kind of lied low in many christian opportunities. For this year, I decided to make some priorities and make one of my goal to join any event involving youth and missions. After weighing things down,I decided to get involved again with the church ministry by mentoring the new leaders arising in our youth and in leading the congregation in worship. I also accepted 2 opportunities lately to speak in a high school camp in Cebu and in a bible study in our church. My main priority this year is to get back into gear and spend most of my time with ministry opportunities. (I surely miss doing these things!)

So why fuzz about these things?

I see SMMR as an opportunity to invest my life for the kingdom. I have not gone out of the country for such an event but nevertheless, I believe this is an opportunity God has set before me. This is an avenue for both learning and inter-acting in strategizing missions work.

In one particular leadership conference co-sponsored by AGLOW Missionaries, I got the chance to look back and reflect on my answer for SMMR. The Lord seems to impress in my heart the question, "Where have all my generation gone through this season?" at that particular event. That question kept coming back into my mind when I realized that out of the 16 missionaries from AGLOW, only one of them was a teenager at 17.

God seems to be in the move of showing me (and my generation) the need to come out and take part, and I don't want to miss that chance this coming August 2008. With this in mind, I end this email with an encouragement to continue praying for us and in case you want to partner to any of us, kindly email Mikko,Candy and me for such an opportunity!

Thanks for reading....

Updates:2008!!!!

Hi everyone!

I've been trying to update the blog and doing some stuff that I believe could benefit the group. :)

First, I have created a group in www.emergenetwork.com and I do hope you all can join the group! :)

Second, after this blog message I'll be posting 3 emails from the group. ) It's all about the endorsement for the SMMR invitation this August 2008.

Third, anyone up for the challenge? Since it's summertime, I would like my fellow youth to use the camps, congress and any youth gathering to create a stir in the program by sharing NYMM to the group. Like what I will do this next week in our camp. Although I am not yet sure if I'm given the chance, but I know I can make something work out to get that chance. :)

For now, That's it!

Happy Summer!

Discovering God's Agenda - Henry and Richard Blackaby and Son, Daniel

Do you want to discover God's agenda for your life as a leader and as a child of God? Mark February 23 in your calendar and make it a point to come to the Discovering God's Agenda event at the Folk Arts Theater. You wouldn't want to miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see and hear Henry and Richard Blackaby with his son, Daniel. Please pray for us in the organizing committees, too. Salamat! - Joy C. Solina