To all our dear friends and supporters,

Last week, two of our Filipino staff were part of a huge international gathering in the city of crumpets, tea, and cloudy skies. Kaykay and Robbie Yasi took to London for the week-long annual gathering of the YL i100 program. This program, which includes around 90+ more participants from YL Areas all over the world, allowed the next generation of leaders to grow and develop into the key players they are being called to be.

Here, they learn from top-notch youth ministry experts, dive into various international ministries, and share about their own ministries to Young Life leaders from other parts of the world.

Robbie, who is currently the Learning and Leadership Associate for YL Asia-Pacific, led a session on Supervision with Stha Moyo, an Area Developer from YL South Africa. This session served to be a brief overview of what’s to come for the rest of the year for all the participants.

On the other hand, Kaykay (Area Director for YL Cebu-North), had the opportunity to give a Club Talk about leading with the Cross during one of the clubs throughout the week. If you wish to listen to her full talk, check out the link below:

It was indeed an enriching experience for both Robbie and Kaykay. They were able to share a little bit of what Young Life is like in the Philippines, and they learned more about what ministry is like under different circumstances and in different cultures.

One takeaway they both agree on is that regardless of location and language, the core mission of Young Life remains the same: to make sure every kid has the opportunity to be introduced to Jesus Christ. That and that the future of the ministry lies in equipping the next generation of volunteers and staff.

So this week, we ask that you join us in praying for all YL leaders around the world. That they may continue to hold fast to the goal of reaching every kid for Christ, that they may be thoroughly equipped with the solid armor of God, and that their hearts would be drawn closer and closer to Jesus.

Mabuhay ang mga YL volunteers and staff!

From all of us,

Your Young Life Philippines Family

Staying Spiritually Healthy

by: Wilbert Yasi

Scripture:

Proverbs 4:20-23

“My child, pay attention to what I say.  Listen carefully to my words. Don’t lose sight of them. Let them penetrate deep into your heart, for they bring life to those who find them, and healing to their whole body.  Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.”

Devotional:

Becky and I are already senior citizens and well among the veterans of Young Life. We’ve spent more than half of our earthly life in full-time ministry, with almost all those years with Young Life in the Philippines.

What keeps this frail body and fragile life going? I believe it’s by pursuing a spiritually healthy life. Being spiritually healthy or spiritually well acknowledges our steadfastness in our Christian faith. We have more clarity and confidence in making everyday choices, and our actions become more consistent with our mission, beliefs, and values.

How should we discern to live our lives in ministry and be spiritually healthy? From Proverbs 4:20-23, allow me to share three tenets we need to hold fast and prayerfully submit to the Lord’s guidance:

1. Abiding Faith. “Listen carefully to my words. Don’t lose sight of  them.” Another version reads, “Never stop thinking about them.” Paying close attention is something we’re supposed to do with God’s words. More than just half-listening, we should let them in our hearts and affect our daily lives.

   
   

   This is what the Lord means when he says, “Abide in Me and I in you.” God’s words should be a part of what we think, do, and say. When we let His word into our hearts, it has the power to change us.  

   
   

2. Absolute Trust. “Let them penetrate deep into your heart...” One of my all-time favorite passages in scripture is Proverbs 3:5,6.

   
   

   It talks about how we're to fully rely on the Lord's providence, promises, and direction. Trust in God doesn’t mean you act irresponsibly and seek forgiveness later. It means you patiently walk with him in your decisions and choices. Not fully trusting God leads to frustration and worry. Absolute trust in Jesus leads to contentment, joy, and peace.

   
   

   To truly embrace what God has planned for us, we have to trust—with all that we are and all that we have—that he has our back, and that he will help us and take care of us.

   
   

3. Advocate Virtue.  “Guard your heart.” To do this, we must only allow things that build us up. What corrupts our hearts should stay out.

   
   

   Corruption comes through what we watch, what we listen to, and who (or what) influences our thoughts and actions. This leads us to the sins we commit. If we let ungodly things in our hearts, we become ungodly. If we develop impure hearts, we will end up doing things with the wrong motives. If we guard our hearts, it is possible to live a life of virtue and keep away from lifestyles and mindsets that are unbecoming of Christ’s disciples.

   
   

Just like our physical bodies, our spiritual health goes through the wear and tear of age, work, trials, and tribulations. If we don’t prioritize staying spiritually fit and spending time with God, we will suffer the consequences of a spiritually unhealthy life and ministry.

We face an enemy that is determined to destroy people’s lives, and young people are the most vulnerable. The Lord of the harvest needs men and women who, even in our frailty, will accomplish the mission. But without spiritual nourishment, we will never be spiritually fit and strong.

May we all find ourselves abiding in faith, with absolute trust in a good and merciful God, and advocating righteousness and virtue to all the world.

Prayer:

Dear Jesus, our savior and deliverer, hear our prayer.

We humbly come to you, surrendering our fears, our doubts, and our worries. You rescue us when we are in distress. You are our hope in the middle of failure. Grant us the courage to rise again after each failure. Let your promises give us the confidence we need to continue forward and pursue our life’s purpose of giving glory to your wonderful name.

Amen.

Janielle Lorenz Ibonalo | Oct 16 | Volunteer Leader, YL Cebu-South

Peter Loy Joseph | Oct 16 | Volunteer Staff, YL Cebu-North

Glorivic “Ate Glo” Gabutan | Oct 19 | Admin Staff, YL Philippines

Marlowe Alcoran | Oct 20 | Volunteer Leader, YL Dumaguete

Stephanie Gequillo | Oct 20 | Volunteer Leader, YL Cordova

Wilbert “Kuya Wilbert” Yasi | Oct 26 | Executive Director, YL Philippines & Regional Director, YL South-East Asia

Hermilo “Kuya Macky” Arimas, Jr. | Oct 26 | Area Director, YL Iloilo

Ma. Elsa “Ate Els” Trasporte †  | Oct 27 | Former Metro Director, YL Panay

Edrian Monteclaro | Oct 27 | Volunteer Leader, YL Cebu-Highland

Juncel Loriosa | Oct 28 | Volunteer Leader, YL Iloilo

Joeanne Librodo | Oct 29 | Volunteer Staff, YL Bacolod Northsyd

FROM: CARLOS

Please pray for peace in the Middle East, and for my mom and ate Marichu’s health.

FROM: CATHYRINE

Please pray for a safe and peaceful election as my sister and I will be serving in the Electoral Board, for good health in my family, and for application for EPI to be successful.

FROM: ALBEROSE

Good health and safety for everyone.

FROM: CATHYRINE

Please pray for a safe and peaceful election as my sister and I will be serving in the Electoral Board, for good health in my family, and for application for EPI to be successful.

FROM: RICHELLE

Please pray that I would be able to remember what I studied for my midterm exams, for good grades, and for peace between Israel and Palestine.

FROM: RUFGIE

May the Lord grant me wisdom during my Midterm exams, and that He would push my groupmates to be more participative in our Entrep business, and for abundant blessings for me and my family.

FROM: REGIE MAE

I’m praying for more blessings and good health, daily guidance—especially in school.

FROM: ARAH

I pray for guidance and good health for everyone, for courage as I face my struggles in life, and for provisions.

FROM: DOREEN

Please pray for my family’s health and financial provisions, and that I would be shielded from depression and stress.

FROM: REIAN

Please pray that my family and I would continue to have good health. Also, please help me pray that the Lord would continue to guide me with my every decision, especially with my upcoming Civil Exam this Nov 3.

FROM: ELTHON

Good health and safety for my loved ones, guidance and safety for my review, and that I would be able to successfully pass my upcoming board exam.

FROM: ARTHUR

Please pray for my wife Maimai’s myoma operation. It will be on October 11. Also, please pray for my personal health condition (arthritis).  

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: ANONYMOUS

Please pray for the people around me to learn to love themselves and see the small blessings and miracles given to them every day that they may have overlooked due to our fast-paced lives, and that we may we all learn to love.

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.