To all our dear friends and supporters,

Last week, we asked you as to what you were thankful for for this year, and boy did you guys come through! We received many submissions, and we are so excited to share them all to you.

This week, we will be going through the ”Gratitude Lists” of those who sent in their answers. We are going to pray for every single one of them, and let’s all pray that the spirit of gratitude and thankfulness would continue to live on—even in 2024.

"The 3 things that I am grateful this year are:

1. God's goodness

2. People that never left  my side even during the difficult times (family, friends, neighbors)

3. Resilience, even when things are rough."

-Joana Abalorio

“So many things happened to me this year—so many obstacles, learnings, and achievements. So many things I am grateful for. First, for everything that God has given me. He helped me during my lowest times, and I am grateful because he changed me into who I am today. Second, I met a lot of people that have helped me grow more as an Individual. God showered me with so much love and blessings this year. Words aren't enough for me to express how grateful I am. Thank you so much, God! May you continue to guide me and my family more!”

-Lea

“I'm grateful to have:

• good grades

• good health

• a good circle of friends

• protection and wisdom

• all the blessings that i have received every single day."

-Christian Baguio

“Grateful that the idea of creating a peer counseling hotline for Negros Oriental—as a way of bringing counseling to the grassroots level—is slowly becoming a reality.”

-Julz

“1. The Best of health for the whole year.

2. Additional supporters for the Area.

3. Successful Young Life events.”

-Crispin Gabutan Jr.

“I am grateful that I was able to come to Canada. Finally, after all the struggles and crying moments.”

-Jungie May B. Guile

“I am thankful for the opportunity to serve God through Young Life and to have a job and a ministry.”

-Glorivic

"Good Health and the opportunity to daily touch people whom our shared Lord draws into my life in a positive fashion. Watching Jeffrey Luague’s ministry grow because people invest in him and others in Young Life Philippines and throughout the Asia Pacific Region.”

-Dan Aldrich

A Complete Family ✅

Good health ✅

Daily provisions ✅

-Jesabelle Borganio

“I am thankful for new-found friends that turn into family. Forever thankful for gift of family and prayer warriors. Thanking the Lord for the never ending assurance of provision and love. Cheers, 2023!”

-Analie Singgit

“Grateful kaayo ko nga karon nga year kay maayo rami ug panglawas sa akong pamilya kay karon baya na year kay daghan kaayong mga accident nga nahitabo sa amoa. But thankfully, wala raju'y dautan nga nahitabo sa akong family. Also, thankful usab kaayo ko kay karon nga year daghan kaayo ko’g mga pagsulay nga na-agian but na-overcome rajud nako tanan. And finally, daghan kaayo kong mga naapilan nga camp sa Young Life.”

-Anonymous

“This year 2023 for me was a year full of surprises and blessings, indeed a rollercoaster ride. I am forever grateful to God for all the guidance, provisions and protection He had given to me and my family. I am just so blessed, especially because I recently passed the Licensure Examination for Professional Teachers. I am also thankful to my Younglife Family for being with me in prayer. Thank you very much Lord for giving me these people 💕🙏🏼 and thank you Young Life Philippines.”

-Masloi

Support System (family and friends) ✅

Provisions for the whole year ✅

Ministry ✅

Opportunities to grow spiritually ✅

Crushed off Disneyland from my bucket list ✅

-Kim Codera

"To begin with, I am incredibly grateful to the Lord God alone for His unwavering support and daily gifts of strength and blessings.

Second, despite all of the excuses and hectic schedules ate Kim never ever got tired of  reminding us about Young Life club. Thank you, Ate Kim for your help and for being patient with us. Without you, same situation rajud gihapon: Buhat sa mga di maayu buluhatonon. Dako og tabang ang YL namo para mapaduol mi sa Ginoo ug ma hinay hinay og kausab. Saksi jud ko ani.

Thirdly, I am grateful for my parents, who continue to provide me with a wonderful life.”

-Anne Marie Painandos

"So grateful and blessed for the Lord’s provision of:

Strength, hope, love, courage, & wisdom.

He has just been so immeasurably graceful to me, my family and my ministry.

Thank You, Lord."

-Kaykay

1. Daily provisions

2. Protection and good health

3. Strength and patience as a mother/wife/daughter

4. My husband’s promotion and his being supportive

5. My child and being able to watch him grow

6. Kauban gihapon ang parents this year and lahutay gihapon ang ilang business

-Apple

“Maayong panglawas adlaw-adlaw.”

-Kent Ryan Baelin

"My 2023 Blessings:

1. For the gift of life

2. For all the blessings the we receive everyday

3. For keeping me strong despite of all the silent battles"

-Jackris Meñoza

all the camps ✅
friendships ✅
travels ✅
successful big club ✅

-Alexis

Praise God for such a blessed year! We’re sure there’s so much more to be thankful for, but this is certainly a good place to start!

Please continue to pray with us as we close out the rest of the year, with some camps left to do, some club left to hold, and some more kids left to meet and form bonds with.

2023 has come and is about to go, but the memories of such an eventful year will certainly not be lost on us. May the rest of the year be a blessing as well to all of us!

Mabuhay and Lahutay!

From all of us,

Your Young Life Philippines Family

What Great Joy!

by: Arrah Hernandez

Scripture:

Matthew 2:10-12

“When they [the wise men] saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house, they saw the Child with Mary His mother, and they fell down and worshiped Him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered Him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.”

Devotional:

Just a month ago, my brother’s son was born, and what great joy it brought our family once again! Indeed, what great joy families experience every time a baby is born. They immediately capture our hearts. They immediately become the center of attention.

I remember when my first nephew Ethan was born, he gave me so much joy even during times of sadness. In Matthew 2:10-12, the wise men were so overjoyed when they saw the baby that they fell on their knees and worshiped Him—Jesus, the King of kings and the Lord of Lords. In their joy, they offered Him their treasures.

I wonder what treasures I could offer Jesus, who already has everything, as I celebrate His birth this Christmas season.

What I know for sure that I could offer others, is the overflowing joy. The very joy that I felt the moment I decided to put Jesus in the center of my life. The true, lasting kind of joy. The joy that fills us with hope even in hopeless moments.

Jesus brings us a unique kind of joy. So as we ponder on the very reason for this season, may we open our hearts to this unique experience. May our hearts fill with great joy knowing that Jesus was born and the world was changed forever.

The world may throw us countless reasons not to celebrate, not to hope, but know that there is Christmas because of Christ Jesus. And Jesus came because of us. Have a joyful Christmas everyone!

Prayer:

Lord,

In the middle of Christmas madness, may we take the time to reflect and be joyful even if there are so many reasons not to. Thank you for coming for us. Thank you for the love and this unique experience of joy that the world could never offer. We love you and happy birthday!

Amen

Weekend Escapade

YL Leyte

December 16 to 18

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.

Crystal Joy Johnson | Dec 21 | Volunteer Leader, YL Dumaguete

Noel Marjon ”Kuya No” Yasi | Dec 23 | Volunteer Staff, YL Philippines

Christian Cabalo | Dec 24 | Volunteer Leader, YL Bacolod Southsyd

FROM: KRIS

Please pray for good health, guidance, and protection for the whole family; as well as that the Lord would give us strength and peace of mind; and that we would be a complete family this Christmas.

FROM: JOANA

Lord, please strengthen me and help me overcome my struggles today. Please strengthen those people who are blessings to others, Strengthen those people who are suffering, who have pain, heartaches, and disappointments.

FROM: JESABELLE

Safety for my aunt Elgean, as she travels home from Hong Kong next week.

FROM: CARLOS

Please pray for my mom’s health, for continued strong sales, and for peace to come to the conflict between Israel and Palestine.

FROM: EMELYN

Please pray for the victims of the huge fire in Lapu Lapu, that they can recover from it quickly. Please also pray for guidance for my family who' lives far away, and for the decisions we are going to make soon, that we would not be causing others pain.

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: ARAH MAE

I pray for my strength and overall health, for everyone’s safety and guidance, and for peace between Israel and Palestine.

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.

FROM: JAMAICA

Please pray for the safety and health of my family, that I would be able to get a job, and that I would be able to pass the board exam.

FROM: LORRAINE

Please pray for the fast recovery of my brother Lyndon, as he got into an accident and had broken a finger. Also, please pray that we our salary would be released soon, and that my family would continue to be safe.

FROM: RUVILYN

Please pray for peace of mind and for the safety of my kids.

FROM: ANONYMOUS

Hopefully, Lord-willing, we would be able to have a baby this year.