SHOUTOUT! YFC Metro Manila conference 2009!

What better way to end this year than to give all praise to the One who made all the difference? That was what brought me to this year's Metro Manila conference. For those of you who don't know, I've been in Youth For Christ since I was thirteen (do the math). I've attended a number of conferences in that span of time, but this year was different. Apart from the possibility that this might be my last chance to attend the Metrocon as a student, this year was my first time to attend a major conference, not as a participant but as part of the documentations team. I am so thankful to Ate Gelai, Kuya Cy, and Ate Nina for giving me this opportunity to serve God using my best talent and a new hobby of mine: writing and photography respectively.

My Metrocon experience

First and foremost, I'd like to honor my brothers and sisters from YFC DLSU, in particular Francis, Clar, Ate Drei, Jed, Jerrick, Patrick, Paul, Rodz, Jan, Darren, Lara, James, Kuya Tino, Drew, Chris, Ate Ynah, Kuya Darwin, Kuya Marco, and Kuya Rocky for helping make this Metrocon a truly God-filled experience. In particular, I'd like to honor Francis for stepping up as the (un)official delegation head of the group.

To say that the journey to Tanay was a roadtrip would have been an understatement. It was an adventure for us who endured the three hour commute from Vito Cruz to Tanay. On the way, we met a number of YFCs who were headed in the same direction. It was quite fun, and heartening to find that there were so many other youth who were seeking the same thing we were. Probably the funniest moment was when the jeepney driver of the jeep from Tanay town proper to Barangay Sampaloc (where the Metrocon was held) discovered how many of us were going to the same place. For just a little extra added to the fare, he drove us to the gate of the university. Praise God.

After arriving in Tanay, I spent almost the entire afternoon doing documentations work: shooting pictures, conducting interviews (thanks to Renz for the great video work!), and later attending the writers' workshop. I also got to see Jan and the YFCs from his area (Central B) performing in the band and acapella competitions. Congrats bro! I'd also like to affirm YFC DLSU for stepping up to help out in the other workshops. I'd also like to affirm Ate Jill, Kuya Gem, and Ate Jas for being workshop facilitators, and the Saturday night band (Kuya Tino, Kuya Jeff, Chris, Darren, Daff, Drew, Kuya Nayrs, etc).

The sessions that evening also had me thinking, but not in that "Hey God, send me out on a huge mission right now!" way that I was used to as a younger leader in this community. Rather, the talks had me reexamining what it might mean to live my everyday life with the conviction that I want the world to know who God is. Then I also realized this: that for everything that has happened this year, all the pain, drama, loss, uncertainty, angst, and frustration--all of it was just so that God could prune me. Basically I had to get stripped of all my masks, illusions, achievements, hopes, and plans to realize that what God has created me to be is something much simpler, more beautiful, and more true than I can envision for myself. It is not that there is anything wrong per se with my life now, but I just need to ground it on the right things. Or the right Person.

And that's why I still went to the Metrocon. Not because I had a great year---I didn't actually. It was so far from ideal. I went because I believe that He is praiseworthy. He has a grace-filled plan for my life, and that He wants me to learn something. I believe too that He wants me to live and tell a story of His amazing grace. And all the same, I am still grateful.

From the praisefests, to the household after the sessions, to writing in a brand new logbook, the random conversations I had with SIGA friends, docu teammates, other YFCs in the same area, or the people I was interviewing---every moment was blessed. Sure, I had my share of interesting faux pas and scrapes, but I could laugh it off and continue serving all the same.

It was inspiring to hear the shoutouts of my fellow YFCs. I have heard many a story of 'how God turned my life around", but this year I loved listening to something that was more of the lines of, "Not just for what He has done for me, but what He is, and has planned for me!" It was thanksgiving mingled with surrender, joy mixed with hope, and faith all throughout.

I'm tired, sunburnt, and my problems haven't gone away---but I'm not afraid to claim that I will end the year strong. I have no idea what the next phase of my mission will be. But I believe that I will continue and finish it because God is with me. I know that this week will be difficult, that I will face trials, but I will not stop my shout out. I will have to testify to my cousins and my friends that although my year was not what I envisioned it to be, I saw God working in my life and the lives of others.

My shoutout: Even if He takes everything from me, but if it is so that I can glorify Him, I will say yes. For first and foremost I am His child, and I will live a life grounded first on that identity--then all the rest can follow. He is God, what more can I want?

After all of this, may God be praised.

strange lessons to learn

Well, here it goes. As I'm trying to make sense of my embryology notes (obviously scribbled while in a semi-conscious state), I am wondering at all of the things I've encountered since Monday...

-discovering that someone up in the registrar's/vice-dean decided to "rectify" an error I made in my enrollment. Grrr. Now I have to add a new INDPSYC section to my sked (and drop the TREDFOR section I wanted). Oh well. Maybe God wants me to learn something in my senior year.

So it's three days till Metrocon 2009. Possibly my last metrocon as a YFC leader/member. Lord knows where I will be next year, or if I will have time still for this. But I am blessed this year to be on the service team. It's one of the things I have prayed for since I was a newcomer to this community.

Last night was the first night I got to attend worship since I got sick some two weeks ago. And I think God had me at the right place at a very good time. Everything from getting picked up late (such as that I was able to attend most of the meeting) to finding friends old and new on the team was such a blessing.

I've got several prayers in God's "pending" box. And I am hoping they will be answered in time.