I'm back in Manila! (in one piece..hehe)
The roadtrip was really fun! Never thought that trying to stay awake in the bus would be the hardest challenge on the way to Batangas. You see, I went into the bus at 2pm, I was tired from the office and wanted to get a nap. But I had to stay awake so as not to miss the landmarks! Hehe:)
The Youth Camp was really awesome. It wasn't the usual camp that's jam packed wth activities. It was designed to get-to-know the new members of the youth ministry by having a lot of free times. (Which means, rest and retreat times for the speaker..hehe)
There was a 'duyan' just outside the hut...that really gave me the sleep I wanted for months. =) Gusto ko na ngang iuwi yung duyan...pati yung acacia tree..kaso baka mahirap akong isakay sa tricycle. =)
I changed my outline the night before my scheduled talk. The Core said that most of the kids are new believrs, so when I prayed and ask the Lord for His word...he guided me through the bible and gave me the topic on 'The Invitation: COME! (Christ Offers Me Eternity)' The topic gave emphasis on Christ's inviatation for us to COME to Him because He wants to be with us in eternity. =) It was a joy to see them listening intently and even taking down notes. I really pray that the Word that was shared will be planted on fertile hearts and will grow and bear fruits in their lives.
Another thing that I really enjoyed was the HARANA.
I was on my duyan, relaxing and praising God for the wonderful night sky, the moon that looked like a dime in the sky, the stars...the soft cold wind...when I noticed Elwin, Michael, Jhe and kuya John were on the bench beside my duyan starting their jamming session.
Tapos sabi ni michael, "Tara haranahin natin si Ate Ja, para makatulog siya ng mahimbing..=)"
I chuckled. Nobody really did that to me...kantahan ako hanggang makatulog? Aww...* That's really very sweet.
Haay..ang sweet talaga ng mga Batangenyo kahit kelan.:)
They started singing..yung may voicing talaga ha. Eh kamusta naman, church choir pala sila. The most memorable song was 'Kundiman ng Langit' by Prasia. Grabe, para kong nasa langit na talaga. Ang ganda ng boses nila.=)
Then sang a few more songs, and then finally, I told them that I was already sleepy...They clapped their hands and said.."yes! tagumpay! Napatulog naten si Ate ja!" (in the cutest batangenyo way!)
*Awww...* Sweet-sweet.=)
The next day, they didn't want me to leave. They wanted me to stay until sunday! But I had to beg-off since I have a commitment in the church for TGIF. (One year yun! At wala pa akong absent!) But I'll sure go back to Batangas. Meeting these kids really reminded me on how to have a simple heart for the Lord...
No complications. Just pure Love for the Savior.