To all our dear friends and supporters,

Before anything else, we wish you all a MERRY CHRISTMAS!

So yeah, looks like we’re finally down to our last issue of Among Abing for 2023 and boy, was this year a wild ride for everyone! But guess what? Even in the final days of the year, Young Life here in the Philippines refuses to slow down.

This week, we are excited to share with you two HUGE things that happened over the past month. The first being that of the ministry’s 53rd Anniversary Celebration:

Last week, dozens of leaders and staff from all over the country gathered in San Carlos City, Negros Occidental for a two-day party that was focused on celebrating and giving thanks to the Lord for the more than five decades He has blessed Young Life with its mission to reach out to every Filipino kid!

The party included a “super”-sized dinner, a motorcade around the city, and a Hosanna celebration. With that many leaders and volunteers in a single area, San Carlos City surely felt the overwhelming YL energy that was radiating throughout our time together!

During the Dinner Celebration (where almost everyone was dressed as superheroes), awards of appreciation were given to all our staff that have served the ministry for more than five years:

Besides showing appreciation to the staff, the dinner also featured a fierce battle between Metro Areas as they competed for the title of “Best Metro Area Video for 2023”. This year, Metro Bacolod took the crown—but not by a large lead since all the entries were top-notch!

What surprised everyone however, was a special video presentation that was put together by the Main Office, with the help of our friends from all over the world! If you wish to check out our special rendition of “We Are The World”, check out the video below:

Needless to say, the whole celebration was a huge success! Everyone went home energized, grateful, and ready for another year of ministry. Praise the good Lord for 53 years of blessings and opportunities to share His wonderful news to every kid, everywhere.

Another thing to be grateful for is the reopening of Bigkis-Young Life’s campsite in Rizal, Frontier Ranch!

For years, the campsite has been a venue for kids to meet, experience, and fall in love with Jesus. But due to the COVID Pandemic, the camp’s doors were closed, and was soon in need of urgent repairs.

Now, more than three years later, the gates of Frontier Ranch have finally reopened and dozens of new campers got to experience the kind of life-changing fun you can only find in a Young Life camp.

Our friends from Bigkis-Young Life are extremely grateful for all those who helped out and prayed for the campsite’s revival. They are now super excited to continue the mission of introducing Jesus to the Filipino Youth!

Congratulations, Bigkis-Young Life!  

What a year this has been, indeed. So many things to look back on, and so much more to look forward to! From camp revivals, to big clubs, Young Life is definitely showing no signs of stopping. The mission is still ongoing, and there is still so much work to be done.

And so we ask you, dear friends and supporters, to please keep praying for the ministries here in the Philippines. Pray for the staff, the volunteers, the communities, and most especially, the kids. Yes, we are truly stronger than ever, but that also means we need your prayers more than ever.

Here’s to an AWESOME 2023, and to an AWESOME-ER 2024!

Maayong Pasko ug Malipayong Bag-ong Tuig sa tanan!

(Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year everyone!)

From all of us,

Your Young Life Philippines Family

What Great Joy!

by: Brandon Neike

Scripture:

Philippians 2:6-7

“Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made Himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness."

Devotional:

A few weeks ago at our church, my wife and I were asked to light the Advent candle for that particular Sunday service and to provide a reading and a few comments. To be specific, it was "the love candle" and the Scripture that came to my mind was this passage from Philippians 2.

I have always been captivated by who God is. Considering the fact that He is infinite, perfect, and sovereign over all of His creation, it blows my mind that He gave up all of that to be made "in human likeness." And He didn't join humanity as a full-grown man. He came as a delicate, fragile, helpless baby.

Why did He willingly let go of His "equality with God?"

Love. He...loves...YOU.

So Jesus, being fully God, decided to experience the fullness of life as a man—all the ups and downs, joys and heartaches—because He loves you.

I've already mentioned He didn't come as a man. Well, He also didn't come as royalty.

He came not to be served, but to serve. And give His life as a ransom. By coming as an infant, the stage was set for Him to live, forgive, heal, die, resurrect, and ascend. He did all this because He loves you.

As we celebrate the birth of Jesus this month, remember His radical, unique love for you!

Prayer:

Lord Jesus,

Help us to connect with you more fully this Christmas season and beyond. We don't want the distractions. We just want you. Forgive us for our forgetfulness and waywardness. Thank you for becoming a baby out of an act of love for us. I surrender to you now.

In Your Name,

Amen

Booster Camp

YL Western Negros

December 28 to 29

*if you have any inquiries regarding any of the events below, just click on the organizing area to send an email to the staff-in-charge.

Cristel Jocson | Dec 26 | Volunteer Leader, YL Talisay

Matthew Macayan | Dec 30 | Volunteer Staff, YL Bacolod Northsyd

Trixie Tubongbanua | Dec 31 | Volunteer Leader, YL Sibulan

Shane Valerie “Ate Shane” Rodriguez | Dec 31 | Area Staff, YL Ormoc

FROM: ANALIE

Please pray for my cousin Marilou, she has been through anxiety and depression for quite a while now. Please pray for peace of mind, wisdom, and emotional healing.

FROM: JACKRIS

Please pray for my family’s health, or them to continuously be guided and protected by the Lord, and for us to have strong and consistent communication always. Please also pray for me as I prepare to take my Licensure exam this January 2024.