One of the common questions I was asked when I went back to the Philippines is this: "So, hanggang kailan ka dito sa Pilipinas?"(Until when will you be staying here in the Philippines?). Interestingly, I found out that most people thought I am just taking a vacation when I arrived last December and soon I will be going back abroad to do world missions long term. This is the reason I entitled this one as "Balikbayan"-a term used for Overseas Filipino Workers(OFW) who returns to the Philippines either to have a short vacation or to stay for good after living abroad for a period of time.
I would like you to know that I am serving as a campus missionary in Lucena City in this season. I don't know until when but this is the assignment God has given me for now and until He move me again to another assignment I will just be doing what I am entrusted to do at this moment. Here are the latest activities we have been doing lately in the campuses in Lucena:
classroom evangelism
Quezon National High School
This photo below is taken in Quezon National High School while we were conducting a "Classroom Evangelism" outside the classroom. Reality is everytime there is a Regional Sports Competition in this campus, most of the students have to give way so that the athletes can use their classrooms for 2 weeks. This is the reason why we are in the hallway instead of the classroom.
Yes, you are seeing the clothes of the athletes on the sides.
This is another Classroom Evangelism among the SPJ(Special Program in Journalism) class. Jaja, one of our campus missionaries, shared the gospel by using her pen collection. It was so engaging and effective. Right now we are consistently meeting the students in victory groups weekly.
Maryhill College
Last February 15 we were given the opportunity to conduct a seminar about health among the 2nd year Education students in Maryhill College. Right now, we have existing additional victory groups among these students and some of them are now attending our youth service.
Lucena National High School
Due to conflicts of schedules of our Monday Victory Groups with the flag ceremony we decided to change our Campus Day in LNHS. Instead of Monday, we decided to go on Wednesday. We didn't realise that could open a door for us in a way we did not expect. After meeting some of the students from our Victory groups, these bunch of students asked if they could use the classroom for their meeting. As it turned out they will be running for student government in the school. There are representatives from Grade 7-11. So ofcourse, we took it as an opportunity given by God to share the gospel to them and we did. Thank God for this divine appointment!
Realization
How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” Romans 10:14-15 NIV
Coming from Vietnam last year made me realize how amazing it is that here in the Philippines classroom evangelism is common in the campuses. Here, some teachers(even non-christian) open their classes to us and all we need to do is just go ahead and share the gospel. But in other nations its not the same. There are still places where you needed to be more careful and creative to be able to just connect to a student or group of students. What a great blessing indeed to have open doors in our own land! We just have to be faithful seizing every opportunity given to us. Please do include us in your prayers as we continually follow-up those students who have been connected to us and are now under discipleship. I want you to know, you are playing a vital role as our ministry partner by sending us to the campuses in Lucena City.
Thank you for sending us to share the gospel and advance the kingdom of God in every campus and in every city!
Your campus missionary,
Melfer P. Carbonilla
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