Today's trip took us on a long journey ride through polluted roads to reach Pasig. We were accompanied by Mark, who was a student and a CCM member from Parmantasan High School. We were greeted by Che Che and several other students from the school. Che Che briefed us on things to share to the students when inviting them for life group such as venue and times for life groups (boys and girls separate) and church service, as well ask for their contact details and Facebook. The team also planned a small gathering at 1pm at nearby park for mini gathering similar to a life group. We got into the school and strangely enough, weren't asked for our IDs or to leave it with them. Security is pretty relaxed today. Hmm...
No matter, onto the mission ground we go. The time was 10.30am. Nilla, Mark and myself went in a team, and we talked to the first students we met under the green arch in front of the main entrance. Nilla talked to some girls herself, and Mark and I got to talk to two guys doing I.T. Introducing Voltaire and Aeron, my first mission targets (he he). You would think this would be a scary experience, talking to foreigners (look who's talking!) about myself and trying to steer the conversation towards Jesus. Well, they told me they were Catholic, so that helped me jump straight into sharing how I used to be a Catholic but learning how I needed Jesus in my life. I don't know how, but I soon found myself before two guys who were willing to accept Jesus into their lives and led them in the sinner's prayer. Woo hoo! Praise God! Mark later told me that they had been coming to life group for a while but had never made an outward declaration to follow Jesus. Well, at least I was able to sow into their lives.
Onwards to our next group of people (Nilla went ahead of us). We climbed up the school building and talked to four guys who were passing up their assignments. I used the same approach, but could sense they were distracted and their answers weren't sincere. We left them after getting their contact details and waited for Nilla while she was talking with 8 girls (she was receiving a lot of attention). We regrouped later and went to McDonalds for lunch. Mark is the guy with the tie on the left, and Che Che is sitting to the left of Judith. On her left is Grace, who draws, Paul and myself. Whilst munching, we shared some stuff about CCM.
We made our way to the park for the afternoon gathering. Unfortunately, none of the new contacts we made were able to make it for session as they all had classes. Amazingly enough, Mark, Che Che, and the girls from the school: Janine, Arlette, Zoey and Naomi, all applied for leave from their classes to join us that day. We had praise and worship by the river park (wouldn't want to swim in it) and went back for a second round of evangelism. This time I was with Myrna and Ning Ning and wandered around the canteen area. Ning Ning had all these Tagalog tracts that I didn't know what to do with, so I stuck with sharing my life story. We first shared to four girls. The dynamics were different now, Ning Ning did most of the sharing by going through the four spiritual laws and gospel with them. Myrna and I just made small talk and shared our testimonies. I thought they were pretty open to our sharings. Next, we talked to a boy and a girl, who I remember was called Annajoy. The boy was seeking the truth but feels distracted by all the different versions of truth he hears. The girl believed in God and Jesus but not the Bible. I basically shared how I received 4 confirmation verses in a row once when praying for a major decision, and how God doesn't speak to me directly but I can still receive through the Word. Personal testimony can be a very powerful outreach tool, and different situations call for different testimonies. Believe that God has equipped you with the experience and knowledge for that one moment of sharing.
The sun started to set and hence, we had to make our move. Before we left, we took lots of group photos!
Hmm...I'm sure we had more guys than that. The CCM members of Parmantasan High School Pasig are well versed in their gospel tracts, and very bold and enthusiastic about sharing the gospel to their fellow students. It's like their second nature. Please pray for them and CCM, that they could get their own office and promised land on the campus! They have an advisor to the club who is actually a strong Christian who supports CCM and other christian clubs. They have to deal with the likes of other cult clubs. One such club grants the privilege to enter heaven once a student joins the club, but the initiation ceremony involves 100 lashes with a whip.
That night, we visited the pastor of Hope Manila, who was in an accident because of a road accident. At certain places where we stopped the car, children would run up and bang against the car to beg. It's terrible to try to ignore them. The team commissioned me to draw a card for pastor, after hearing that I could draw. Oh well, since I'm such a nice guy...
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