Team Baguio Mission

Our team Baguio story, what an eye-opener and life experience..

We leave UECM December 20, 2009 around 11am then we arrived Baguio around 5pm, the group then packed the gifts for the kids and we contacted UECM workers to had our sack of donated jogging pants be delivered to us in Baguio soon haha
We then had our dinner with Pastor Demi Mier together with his wife.
Then the team had our 1st devotion with Dra. Jean. In their room, I notice a lot of food. ^_^

Mission day Day1: (Monday)
We wake up early on the 1st day of our trip, we have schedule in Ambiong, where we need to climb a mountain for 10-15 minutes to reach the day care center, where we will going to do our program with the muslim kids.. the road beside the hill is not so good but neither bad, it is about 1.5 to 2meters in width… when we reach the place, we can see that the kids belongs to the poor class… the kids enjoyed our team presentation, they also enjoyed the giveaways and prices, I can say that with these group of kids, the team 1st felt success in Christ name… one of the kids their sang the song “Who I am” by Casting Crowns, he sang it very well, he even memorized the whole song, my heart felt joy, for we can see GOD works with some of the kids there and that is the 1st time I felt how GOD works with the muslin kids.
In the afternoon around 2 to 3pm we went to SM to buy gifts for the sudden notice of exchange gift given to us by Pastor. That we’re going to have the evening in fellowship with some of the missionaries in Baguio and to some active volunteers at SNN. So by 330pm we arrive at SNN, 1st Pastor Demi Mier educate us about Muslim more and taught us how to befriend and evangelize them. We also had a question and answer set up with other volunteers and missionaries regarding Muslim. We spent the afternoon and evening in fellowship with them.
When we got back our base in Baguio ahia Jonathan lead in our devotional group meeting.

Mission day Day 2: (Tuesday)
On our 2nd day with our mission, we went to the Bry Irisan Cypress Village, the travel is not difficult, we don’t have to climb any mountain…there they also have their kinda day care center, but it is kinda small for the group so we had the lower garden to perform and to accommodate all the kids. Same class of kids, we again had our programs, giving of gifts which again the kids and parents enjoyed. In each and every programs and activity we had for them, we assure that we made them feel the spirit of Christmas and explain/share why/who do we celebrate it, for GOD’s glory.
In the afternoon the most unforgettable moment and learning I/we had, is our time/fellowship spent with Imam, or the Muslim priest at their Mosque. The group learned a lot about Muslim, if before we had this negative connotation about them, now I personally don’t, and I think same with my team mates. Instead I feel pity for them because they are near to the truth but the enemy have twisted the truth in them, like Imam, he knows the Bible very well, yet the Holy Spirit is not working in HIM, my heart is also feel wounded when he didn’t acknowledge Jesus Christ as saviour, I even ask him who would save you? He is really good in answering and twisting words. I can say that a person with a weak spiritual life and who are not very familiar with the words in the Bible would be converted to Islam hehe ^_^ the experience inside the Mosque, being with these Muslim is a treasure. If there is one thing I realize and learned about Muslim and then applied it in my life is their reason for fasting, well I don’t really agree with fasting per say, I didn’t also says that I am into their faith, because me personally I don’t believe with Mohammad, I asked Imam about fasting, then He explained it, I’ll just summarized it to this: It is their way to know how to control themselves in all the temptation of this world, including food, sexual practices and etc.. It’s for them to be holy. Then my glutton sin came to my senses. Which is I also know a long time ago, how I love eating and I always over eat myself. Also a realization that I am not glorifying GOD with my act, because sometimes when I am in my moment enjoying my eating, I am forgetting that it is from my Creator, I just get to indulge with it and enjoy its deliciousness and the satisfaction it is giving me. I fell so guilty I prayed and asked for forgiveness, and thank GOD. Since that day I kinda loose my big appetite and gluttony attitude. And I will continue to pray for it that in everything I do, eat or drink, it should be in the glory of GOD. (1Cor 10:31)
In the evening we had this prayer walk, where we will walk along Baguio, name the place, hehe well we divided ourselves into 3 groups and try to socialize with the Muslim we will meet along the way. So our group had the chance to talk with a Muslim silver jewelry vendor, I myself bought a cross earing as bridge of conversation. We ask questions and there is this one conversation that until now runs my mind. I said to the vendor, buti even Muslim kayo nag bebenta kayo ng cross… she answered me, binebenta lang yan..hindi sinasamba… so the thought came to me that this person mind is closed… she have her faith and I just prayed for her that someday she will come to know the truth.
Then we again got back in our base, there ahia Elliott shared something about worry in our devotion group.

Mission day Day 3: (Wednesday)
This 3rd day was the most tiring day of all, we again proceeded with our mission, in the morning we went to Crystal Cave outreach, same thing happen, we perform, gift giving and made them feel Christmas and its meaning, but here they have prepared a special performance for us, they also sang Christmas hymms and Christian song for us, which lightens our hearts. This group is supported by DECS, and here my heart was really touched, because I can really see how the teachers touched their students heart, they don’t just teach, they love and care, they are really after for the kids/teens welfare and studies. How I love this group. And here I keep on thanking GOD, thanking HIM over and over of how amazing HE is. HE is the best indeed. These group of kids even gave us creative cards, that we hope to show and share to UECM people if given the chance. They just gave me the color that really fits me pink and red with floral attached to it hehe how I love it. ^_^
In the afternoon we went to Pastor Demi Mier church in Bibak Bible Church, still in the process of construction, not yet fully-constructed, there we we’re able to interact with lots of little kids. Same activities happened. This is our last schedule so we consumed all the prices with the kids. I am surprise how Pastor did the clothes giving, he made a bazaar for the kids, all the clothes are aligned on the floor then the kids also are lined up. They will fit the clothes they choose/like and when it fits, it’s theirs hehe ^_^ ow how cute the scene hehe Here I felt a feeling of great thankfulness to our GOD, how HE works with Pastor Mier and his family. Hope we include them and their missions in our prayers so that they may continue to bring glory to GOD, and may they able to save more Muslim lives that are born with twisted faith.
We still got an hour to relax, some of us went to the market and buy some goodies, and some went to Burnham Park. After, we had our dinner with Pastor Demi Mier and his family together with achi Grace Co (Dra. Jean cousin), who also helped us/assist us with our stay in Baguio.
When we got back in our base, Mars did the sharing through prayer.

Departure day:
We left PBTS around 8am, we got 2 hours to travel around Baguio before our departure time, so we consume it with this time breakdown 30-40 minutes travel to Camp John Hay, 30-40 minutes stay there, we then went to Manor Hotel stayed there for 30-40minutes. After we are on the way home to Manila, then arrive Manila around 430pm safe and sound, with glad hearts and the take home experience. With full of Joy and thanksgiving for our GOD the Father, who made all things possible.