Celebrate joy!

One of the questions I get asked most often in working in full time ministry is: "Do you get paid?" The person who asked me recently works in the insurance industry and is raking in millions a year so it's not surprising that was her top-of-mind query. I am not sure if I should be offended but I just remembered  smiling and answering "yes, it's actually a lot like a company." And it really is, guys! I am not sure what goes on in their minds after that but another question we get asked too often is "When is your off?" -- knowing full well that church is in full swing during weekends.

Yesterday at Kids Church, this one kid was asking for another round of biscuits during snack time... But to be fair to everyone, I said, "*insert name of kid here*, only one biscuit for each kid." This kid then started stomping his feet, pouting and even resorted to opening the cabinet of snacks behind my back... So I had to be stern about it and reiterated what I just said. This went on for about 10 minutes, until one of the little girls went up to me and told me she didn't want to finish her biscuits anymore. Whew! Thank you God! A teaching moment right there: the act of giving, an opportunity of gratitude and the importance of obedience. So I gave the biscuit to the kid who was in a biscuit battle with me... and asked him to say thank you to the little girl who gave hers. He didn't say thank you, and when I thought he already had enough of biscuits for the rest of the afternoon, he went up to me again, repeating this 2-syllable word "BIS-CUIT". Oh b...

We just got back from Teachers Summit last Saturday and it was a great experience. I went as a full-time staff this time (so much happened in a year's time! Last year, I came as a participant.). And yes, while  I saw it through different lens, I recognize the same hunger in me to join and listen in on the discussions. We learned so many things from the speakers! Bishop Manny Carlos, Pastor Paolo Punzalan and Pastor Jojo Henson were there! I missed Pastor Joey Bonifacio's session though but I'm glad that I got to join for the most part of the sessions. Despite that crazy photo above, we really are serious in  reaching out to the next generation. Hiiiiiiii from Greenhills team!  So what did we learn? Here are the highlights for me and the Greenhills participants:

Sundays are the busiest for me... Like last night, all I wanted to do was lie in bed when I got home. :P I am physically and mentally spent that I am knocked out by 10pm  at the very least every Sunday! I think last Sunday I slept at 9pm and woke up at 9am the following morning! Whoooohoooo! Jackpot na 12 hrs of sleep!!! But it's so much different a year ago... I was in total peace last night because I may be spent but I was certain of where I am. And I am glad to be where I am at this moment. Questions weren't clouding my mind as I wonder what my next step would be. Basta ang gusto ko lang matulog, yun lang naman ang concern ko kagabi . :) I was talking to 2 girls yesterday during the 5pm Preteens service and found out that it was their first time to attend. I was so elated as I found out that they were there just because they wanted to... They weren't brought by the parents, they weren't forced to be there out of a school requirement... they were there becaus...

Being part of a full-time ministry really opens your eyes to a lot of things around you because it gives you a front row seat into the hearts of the people you work with. During my "tambay " mode aka hanging around at the reg table with the volunteers, I learned the following: - one walks 45 minutes every Sunday just to volunteer for our 9am service - one waits patiently to those he is discipling, just in case they decided to come; when I asked this guy "what if they don't come?" he replied ever-so-casually "it's okay, ganun naman po talaga. Basta hintayin ko nalang po sila, okay lang yun." - one openly asks for feedback the first time he preached so he can apply it on the next service - one gives out an immediate and resounding yes EVERY time I ask him to lead or participate in one of our activities at Kids Church (and I tell you, we have many activities :P) ...and it's not because they are just that good of people. This passio...

Hello there! So it has been a busy yet focused couple of weeks at Kids Church and we're just excited to be launching so many initiatives this year! I will be a little mysterious about the other projects we are brewing, para may surprise factor ... but this one right here is so ready to explode... *drum roll please* Can you guess what it is? It's Discpleship Day for Kids! :) We believe that God is moving mightily in the lives of ALL people. No matter what age you are. you can be used by God. We have seen kids disciple as young as 6 years old... and you just have to be encouraged and amazed by that! - Open to kids 8-13 years old - Every Saturday, 10:30-12nn - Victory Greenhills, Kids Complex 12 Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. 1 Timothy 4:12

The 3-day Teachers' Summit has been such an amazing experience... With 500+ volunteers of Victory Kids Ministry across the Philippines, a great revival has come upon each and every one of us. The moment that He provided for the summit's registration fee of the summit, I knew that He wanted me to be at the event -- maybe it's to tell me something, or to ease my worries, or just to jolt me with energy and excitement as I peel myself away from the routine-like way of worshiping Him... Whatever it was, I knew I was growing in anticipation as the summit drew closer :)  "Edi Wow!" - Victory Greenshills reprezent!