To all our dear friends and supporters,

For the next month, we are going to be introducing you to some very special people. We have recently had 4 brand-new members join (or about to join) our Staff team, and we would like you all to get to know them.

Starting next week, and for the rest of the month, we will be featuring them one by one. We will be asking them about their experiences with Young Life, and their personal journeys with Jesus.

Some of them will be working in the field, reaching out to kids within their areas, while some will be part of the trellis that support those who do direct ministry. Some of them may be familiar faces, while some of them you may be getting to know for the first time!

We are very much excited to introduce each one of them to you over the coming month, and we hope you would pray for them as they start their ministry work within their areas.

Praise God for an expanding ministry, and for praise God for workers willing to harvest the plenty!

Mabuhay!

From all of us,

Young Life Philippines

Empty Hands and an Open Heart

by: Aizel Calunsag

Scripture:

1 Peter 4:10

“God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.”

Devotional:

I've never described myself as someone with talents and gifts. I used to think that it meant being good in dancing, singing, or sports. And because I wasn't, I asked God: Lord, what talent do I have to use to serve You in the ministry? How can I serve You well?

I may not be good in dancing or singing, and I may not excel in anything else, but I realized that God blessed me with a heart to serve.

After I responded to His calling to be on staff, it was then that God slowly revealed Himself to me. He showed me what He can do with my life.

I've learned to speak in front crowds—at first to a small group of kids, and now in big clubs. I've learned song leading and teaching God's word. I've developed self-confidence, not by myself but through Jesus as I grow with Him.

Looking back, I finally realized that it's only by emptying my hands and surrendering everything to the Lord that He will open my heart to things I never imagined I could do. Kung ano subong kag kun diin ko subong (who I am and where I am right now), it is all because of God.

Prayer:

Jesus, thank You.

I pray nga padayonon mo pako nga pagagamiton sa imo hilikuton. Ikaw lang gd mag puno sa mga kakulangan ko. Kabay pa magpadayon ko na maging channel simo pagpalangga sa mga tawo sa palibot ko. (I pray that You continue to use me to carry out Your work. May You fill in the gaps where I lack. May You continue to use me as a channel for Your love to everyone around me.)

Amen

FROM: ROKSAN

Please pray for the Lord’s provision for my father’s medication and supplements, as well as career guidance for my sister.

FROM: LOREN

Please pray for Bigkis as we prepare Frontier Ranch Philippines and handle some necessary repairs within the campsite, prepare the volunteers and staff for upcoming camps, and for a good camper turnout for these camps.