Go Forth

March 16, 2023, the Territorial Convocation was officially announced.   Some of us were excited, few were undecided, but others signified of not attending the event and to be candid, I am one of them.  Why?  Because I don’t feel it at all despite the convincing invitation, I strongly declined several times.  Is there any other reasons?  I had my 40^th birthday plans for the week.   

“Many are the plans in the person’s heart,

but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.”

Proverbs 19:21

A week before the pre-registration closing, I signed up.  What made me decide to attend?  I bartered with God.  Is it lawful to barter with God?  Perhaps because I did.  Such a confidence, but for what condition?  “Lord, if it is Your will for me to attend the convocation, then, let You provide for our accommodation, plane tickets and registration fee.”  Did God make it?  Absolutely.  Unexpected provisions came and we secured the things we prayed for.  Indeed, God is faithful enough to fulfill His promise.

It was already midnight when we reached PITX and while waiting for our bus going to Alfonso, l felt like, God has something to convey with me but I’m not certain about it.  I just prayed in the spirit as I can’t even sleep nor had a nap. 

The “waiting” moment is not an easy task because it test your patience.  Waiting sometimes is kind of boring, irritating, annoying, you name it all but God showed me something in waiting.  The way I saw it at that time, staying in PITX for six (6) hours was like a preparation for my India trip because our lay over in Singapore will be about nineteen (19) hours and a half.  I then realized that the reason why God wanted me to attend this convocation is for me to experience it.  I saw myself in the airport waiting and strolling around.  

“Go Forth” was the theme of the convocation and it was held in  Camp Benjamin Alfonso, Cavite.  It was a good place that looks like familiar to me.  I met my colleagues and friends there.  One of my unforgettable memories was when I was at the reception area and all of the sudden, I heard the Youthnited sang a "happy birthday to you"...    I don't know who started it but kind of surprised and embarrassed at the same time.  I can't even recall if I thanked them after that because it was an unexpected moment that I want to hide somewhere else but to be honest, I was touched and really appreciated it...  

In one of the sessions, I laughed out loud inside when I heard Bp. Paul Villavicencio mentioned “India” as one of the places to go to for mission.  I mean, it’s India and I’m going to go there in December so is it a coincidence Lord? I asked because you know, it was like a confirmation to me as it assured me that God will take good care of my India trip.   I wonder how God will orchestrate things for me because it’s one of the things I bartered to God that’s why I said yes to attend the convocation. 

The convocation was fine and though the enemy tried to steal our joy in the midst of chaos situation, our love for God is higher than anything else.  I’m grateful that God showed me things to come and how to deal with it.  If I didn’t make it happen, maybe my India trip will be a messed up.  It really pays to obey God than sacrifice.