The week before the Family Olympics there were wars in my heart. I’ve been struggling inside and that somehow affected my way of serving God especially in my small group. I think this is the moment that my world just closed in and only He can help. I felt empty and cold. Waking up in the morning became a heavy load because a real battle always ensued to put myself on my knees and to enthrone and acknowledge God’s steadfast love.

Two days before the Family Olympics, I got sick – I felt dizzy and had a headache; still I went to work but came home early. When Friday came, I still wasn’t feeling very well when I met one of my small group members. I prayed so hard that God will still use me to be a blessing to this person. But the meeting went the other way around. While she was sharing about how she and her sister were able to accumulate sponsorship for the laps, my heart just melted. I saw the twinkle in her eyes, the excitement in her soul for what God will show to us at the event.

During the Family Olympics, I chose to take part in the swimming event. However, I last swam during the Duathlon pa, at naka apat na laps lang po ako nuon. So I was expecting to finish that same number of laps, as well, because I wasn’t able to prepare myself. Then, after two laps, my knees cramped so I rested for a while and said a short prayer. And truly, it helped when I saw my team mates-the youth-striving to do more laps. My heart got broken before God and I remembered the verse that He gave me earlier, “His joy is my strength.” Amazingly, by His strength, I went back to the pool and accomplished twice the number of laps that I prayed for, and six times more than what I did from the previous Duathlon. Truly, Lolo William Carrey is right, “always expect great things from Him.” Once we depend on Him and consecrate our hearts and our strength by His Spirit, we will be able to accomplish beyond our measure. While swimming, I was mostly using “back stroke” because I couldn’t finish a lap in “free style”. I was facing the vastness of the heavens. I found myself imagining our Shire events inside the mini theater and I couldn’t hide my tears. Though my heart felt empty, God filled me up again slowly, in a most special way. He showed me once more the bigger picture – the Mosaic Lounge, the fight for the next generation, the Brown Raise Movement, our battle cry for the next twenty five years and more.

And then the Amazing Race . . .this part of the event raised my hopes for the next generation. When I saw that a lot of my team mates were from the youth, I felt so blessed having expected not to see so many of them. My heart was crying in prayers that it may truly be a stepping stone for the youth in Makati. Then I saw the kuyas and ates, though better players in some parts of the game, give chances to our younger team mates. I’m just so blessed seeing that simple act of selflessness. It was not about pasikatan, instead it was about sharing fun time with our family, with our loved ones in our Church. No one felt left out. Even the mommies and the daddies were there sharing in those cool times together, giving support and cheering!! I pictured those cheers as their prayers.

Indeed, it was not only for the next generation but for everyone. I couldn’t help but notice the million peso smiles and the excitement despite the sunburn and few aches we got. Those smiles warmed my heart again. Truly, the Mosaic Lounge second phase is not a vision anymore, it is finished. I saw it in the eyes of the people. God does not only want us to build up the walls but He wants to build us up first – our hearts – to be one in Him. The walls will follow; it will be finished in His time, and that will be very soon.

As the day ended, I thanked God for the things I saw and witnessed. I broke down before Him as I remembered the things He unfolded on that day. The memories my heart would be lasting. It inspires me to continue the fight that He has set before us and to live the reason and my purpose in life – a never-ending “passing of the fire” for the next generation (just like the passing of the torch to start the Olympics). It was so beautiful. Even in our dry season, God finds a thousand ways to show His grace, mercy and blessings.

Who am I to witness all He’s been doing in the hearts of His people? I believe it is about focusing our hearts and our whole being on God. It’s about obeying and continuously surrendering to Him. And throughout the entire Family Olympics, it was never about the number of laps finished nor which team won the most events. It was all about what our hearts found and gained, and it is God (Go Lord!). There is really hope for the next generation for God continually moves in each soul, not according to their ages or circumstances. Each is taking part in building His Kingdom.

I thank God for giving me the privilege to be part of building His Kingdom in Makati, The Mosaic Lounge.

When Project Mosaic started, I didn’t know how I could contribute. Until I had a burden in my heart to give the savings allocated for the passenger jeep that my family was planning to buy. This was the jeep that my father drove to support our family from the time I was born. I surrendered my savings one Sunday after praying to God about it. On Thursday, that same week, my father passed away.

I may never understand God’s ways, but during those hard times, I was able to experience God’s love. Before my father died, I was on his side during the last moment telling him that if he will believe that Jesus is His Savior, he could be saved. The circumstances also gave way for my other family members to seek God. Although my father had no insurance or savings, we did not incur any debt. And even after paying all the hospital and burial expenses, we were still able to pay for the jeep that my father longed to own.

In all these, I’ve learned to love and trust God more and to surrender everything to Him because HE is truly faithful in keeping His promises!

I dream that many people will come to know God. I want to build a place where people will praise and worship the Lord and accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. I knew this was about to happen when Project Mosaic began.

The Sunday School Teachers planned to watch Spiderman 3 but it didn’t push thru because they said that it was Sunday. So they made another plan that we will watch Shrek 3 instead next Sunday. Each ticket costs P300. After attending church service, we forced my Dad to buy us tickets for the movie because we said it will help us to know more about God and to have a bigger church for the next generation. So that Sunday, my dad got 2 tickets – for me and my sister. The movie was great but it is greater to help build a church.

The next Sunday, I asked one teacher how much money they got. She said P200,000. I think that it is big but she says that we need more money, so I’ve made a plan. Every Sunday, we will save some money. I will tell my church mates to do the same too. I gave P20. I said it is small but it helps for the church. One day, we prayed for the Project Mosaic to be finished and be done well. I think God was pleased for all the people who joined this Project. I pray that they will be blessed by the Lord. If I am a rich boy, I will give some of my money for this church but I realized it is not about the money, it is for the Lord and for the next generation.

We reserved two tickets for the screening of Spiderman 3 for my wife and I. My father came to stay with us at that time. Since our budget was tight, we thought not to buy an extra ticket for him because he can watch Spiderman anytime with his Senior Citizen Card privileges. But it seemed God was asking more from us.

On the day of the screening of Spiderman 3 at On Stage, I got a call from my teenage son. He asked if I was available that afternoon. It turned out that he just wanted to see us. Since he doesn’t reside with us, it was quite a surprise that he would want our company. Immediately, I asked him if he wanted to watch Spiderman 3. He said yes and I rushed to get 2 more tickets, one for him and one for my father. Funny, but I didn’t think of my budget!

God is not concerned with how many tickets we bought for Project Mosaic. He wants us to give to Him until it hurts. In our giving from our nothingness, our Jehovah Jireh shall provide. And over and over again, God shows that we cannot outgive Him. He blesses us in areas more than financial or material things. For me, He continues to strengthen my relationship with my family, most especially with my son and my earthly father (as God reveals to me more of Himself as my Father in heaven).

Matagal na ako na-bu-burdened sa mga concerns ng Bread of Life Makati. Simula pa nang construction ng first Mosaic Lounge, knowing that the youth ministry will have a space there, sobra akong na-excite and na-burden. I was still in high school then and thus my resources were just enough for me. I felt guilty because although I know we contributed something for the Mosaic Lounge, it did not come from me personally but from my parents. Now that I am in college, I am saving my money. In fact, for my birthday, I have saved around P700 so that I could treat my classmates in school. But then I thought of giving it instead to Project Mosaic. Though it was seemingly little, I promised myself that I’ll be saving more soon, kahit madami pong nakapilang gastusin sa school and sa mga “luho kong kailangan”. I realize those are not the main things for me right now. I think what is important now is to follow God’s calling and take part in His work.

Presently, I am serving the Lord by giving out coffee every Sunday at the services. When I serve I feel joy, excitement and happiness that I am serving God wholeheartedly. Yet I feel unsettled, as if serving coffee and attending my small group is not enough. I think this is the right time to take a big step in my life, to engage myself deeper in the work of God for each of us.

Madami po akong gustong samahan na activities ng Project Mosaic. Pero lagi na lang po may kasabay na activities sa school kaya hindi ako nakakasama (tulad ng Fun Run at ng Duathlon). Then during the film showings of Spiderman 3 and Shrek 3, hindi naman din ako ang nagbayad ng tickets. Naisip ko lang “Bakit lagi na lang ako may reason? Bakit hindi ako mag-take part personally in the work and sacrifice something?” Now I have decided to engage in Project Mosaic, in the Conversion Sale!

Even if I couldn’t find anything to give except for my time, skill and my whole self, I could do something to help. I believe po kasi that IT’S NOT ABOUT THE GIFTS, BUT IT IS ABOUT THE ONE WHO GAVE THE GIFT, AND THAT’S GOD! During the Conversion Sale, I was able to use my knowledge as a marketing student and my passion in the arts to help in creating beautiful displays of the foods and other products. For me, arranging those products was not just so people will notice the presentation. We were BENCHMARKING! I believe we must be the standard for excellence and it must start from us. If not, sino pa po ang magsisimula? We represent the 21st century people, we are the Unbound Generation! I strongly believe we are Benchmarking for a higher reason!

Ang grabe po talaga ang fulfillment na nararamdaman mo when you know you’re not just doing something to serve the people buy you are actually serving God. Though taking part in God’s work is not easy, I must really say po God gives the strength!

It was 1992 and after 2 years of saving-up a portion of our salaries, we finally had a Christian wedding officiated by one of our pastors. Our prayer then was just to have a simple wedding and that we will not ask or accept any financial help from our parents. They have already sacrificed enough for our education and we wanted to honor them on that day. God answered our prayers through our friends. We were referred to a couturier in Quiapo where we got a modest package for the whole entourage; someone shouldered the cost of the invitations; and friends working in Saudi Arabia at that time gifted us a pair of simple wedding rings.

Five years later, we prayed and got ourselves a new wedding band – something we would have bought then if we had enough money. So the previous wedding rings were kept in my wife’s drawer, “Maybe we can give it to our sons when they get older, and to be handed down through generations”, we sometimes thought and laughed.

We’ve been married for fifteen years now and whenever we see our first wedding rings, it never fails to remind us where and how we started our life together, our own family and our journey with God. Everything comes back – our prayer covenant and wedding plans, the day we moved into our own house, the birth of our children, being part of our Church and so many other things that God has allowed us to experience and cherish through the years . . . Surely, His love and faithfulness have kept us!

The thought of giving our ring for the Project Mosaic came to us not because the rings were expensive (we never had any idea of its real worth!), nor even for its beauty. We decided to give it as a thanksgiving. We are offering back a special part of our lives, our simple beginning, our love story with God, something of sentimental value – our heart’s treasure.

By now, we already know its worth. God immediately gave us unspeakable joy the moment my wife handed over our simple wedding rings for Project Mosaic. Come to think of it, what would be our relationship, our family, our eternity without the Love of God and His people in this Church? And that’s our Heart’s True Treasure!

Naikwento sa kanya ang isang youth na nagtipid ng transpo para me maibigay…

Nang may opening sa MTG grocery — nag volunteer siya para matutunan ang “value of work” at para may ma-contribute sa Mosaic.

Alam nya na pag may needs sila, di na sila nagko-complain… Mga bagay na dati mong mahirap bitawan, di na mahirap bitawan

Ang mga bata pa ang madaling magbigay. Ang magulang pa ang mahirap bumitaw.. Kahit gusto nila pero pag di maibigay, ok lang.. di naman kailangan.

Natutunan nila ang pribelehiyo ng sakripisyo.

Minsan nag-usap kaming dalawa.

Anak iba ang calling ng daddy. Mas magandang ipasa ang mga bagay na di nakikita… ampaw pagka puros material ang ibibigay mo sa anak mo. Mabait si Lord. [Di Niya tayo pababayaan. Maraming magagandang alaala ang pamilya]. Every summer makalabas yung family … o lunch sa labas pagka weekend. [Sa saya at sa pagsubok magkakasama sa pagsamba sa Ama.]

Youth #1

Noong una kong narinig ang Project Mosaic, gustong-gusto kong mag-take part pero di ko alam kung paano. Dumating ang Duathlon pero unfortunately sumabay sa NCAA opening na ni-require sa amin na mag-attend. I asked the Lord why. He told me to wait because this is not the right time yet. I continued to ask God, “What can I do to be part of Project Mosaic?”

Isang gabi tinawag kaming magkakapatid nila Papa at Mama. Pinag-usapan namin ang tungkol sa Conversion Sale. Nag-brainstorming kami kung paano makakatulong. Napagkasunduan na gagawa ng chocolates. Sabi ni Papa pwede kami magbenta ng chocolates sa Conversion Sale. I was so excited! Ito na ang hinihingi kong sagot sa Lord.

From that day on, I started to save money. Instead of taking an FX then a tricycle that would cost P39.00, I opted to take 2 jeepney rides that costs P17. Also instead of buying food at the canteen, I would bring my own baon. For these efforts naka-save ako ng P600.00. Two days before the Conversion Sale, my sister and I bought everything we needed. Once home, we immediately made the chocolates and then called our friends in church to tell them the chocolates are ready for the Sale.

That Saturday, I was excited and nervous at the same time. May bibili kaya ng chocolates? I prayed to the Lord and He told me to wait. So I waited. Little by little customers began to trickle to our booth and bought chocolates. Grabe! Super natuwa ako nang nabenta naming lahat ang mga nagawa namin at binigay namin sa Project Mosaic ang aming kinita. Ang saya-saya ko pag-uwi ko dahil kahit sa maliit na bagay ay nakatulong kami para sa susunod na henerasyon. I thanked the Lord for all the guidance He gave me. From that experience I learned that God always has a purpose. We must trust and believe in Him. Be patient in all things because with God, indeed, nothing is impossible!

Youth # 2

It started when my parents put up a family meeting about the Project Mosaic. They told us about the Conversion Sale. At first, I had no plans of participating. But my parents encouraged us. That night, I prayed and asked Him, “Why should I join? Do I have to do this?” Then God made me realize “Oo nga pala ang calling ko is to serve Him… to join in this project is like serving Him.”

It was August 16 when we started making chocolates for the conversion sale. We finished after 4 hours. Grabe, I couldn’t believe na matatapos namin but God is really good. Hindi Niya kami pinabayaan. The next day we made chocolates again. Nakakatuwa nga kasi na-budget ko ang time ko.

Conversion Sale na. Before going to Mosaic, I prayed first na mabenta iyong chocolates. Astig talaga si Lord. At first, konti pa lang bumubili. I kept praying and later even non-church members bumibili na rin. That day was so tiring but pag-uwi namin gumawa pa kami ng chocolates. Mga 10pm na natapos but God still gave us strength na gumising for church. The second day ng Conversion sale naubos din ang chocolates ! That night I thanked Him. I was happy that God gave me the privilege to take part in that project.

In preparation for the board exams, I will need a computer for my review since the exam is computer adaptive. Kaya lang nagloloko ang computer ko kasi outdated na. So I planned to buy a computer. Matagal ko na itong plano at napag-ipunan ko na.

Then one day after our SG meeting, our Host mentioned about our pledge for the Mosaic and other activities. Although I have been supporting it already in a small way, gusto ko pa din maging part nun. The same day before the start of the midweek service, the Lord nudged me into giving half of my budget for the computer to Mosaic. I texted my SG Host and pledged the amount because I knew God would provide and take care of my needs.

I prayed and told God that I am very willing to give the money and be a part of this Project for the future generation. This is a very small amount compared to all the things God did for me. I continued to pray and He faithfully answered my prayers because He provided me a place with computers, with air conditioning plus free coffee for my reviews. God is so good!

Last April 20,2008, after the crossroad 201 series, our smallgroup (SG) host met and told us about the Family Olympics(FO). As the days passed, I felt I was not yet ready physically, mentally and spiritually. My heart was not ready.

It was a Wednesday and it was my college classmate’s birthday and despedida so he treated us out. The Lord reminded me about attending Resoul midweek service but I told him, “Just a little more time then I’ll go.” So I strolled with them until I realized I was late for Resoul! I kept blaming myself and saying sorry to God. As I sat and listened to the speaker, God gave me this quotation from George Washington Carver, “99% of failures come from people who have the habit of making excuses”. It seemed God was talking to me because He knew I always make excuses in my quiet time and in reading the Bible. Yet He always gives me open doors.

The day before the Family Olympics, I went to Youth hub and met our SG leader. She asked me how my relationship with God was and I said that it was not that okay. She said she also went through similar feelings in the past and reminded me that when I accepted Christ in faith, He has been with me whatever my feelings were or my circumstances were. As I got home, I prayed and talked to Him. He assured me, “These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold… (1 Peter 1:7). And I was filled with God’s strength.

On the day of the FO, I was so excited and felt recharged by him. The program started. Our first activity was the tug-of-war. While I cheered for my teammates, I felt that I was cheering for the Lord. I was ready to move with the cloud of glory. A few minutes later, the run and swim activity started. As we all got ready to run, I told God that I will run for him! I will do my best and give all my strength to Him as he is my Father. So I ran and ran for His glory!