Going to the YCOM was a life changing experience. From the beginning to the end, it transformed me to a better and more virtuous person. Before going to this mission trip, I took a lot of things for granted. This mission trip opened my eyes to be grateful for everything that has happened in my life, because Christ is everywhere.
Everywhere I went in the Philippines, especially in the Answering the Cry Of the Poor (ANCOP) villages, I witnessed Christ. I saw Christ’s perseverance and agape love through the parents. I saw Christ’s joy through the children that found joy in the simplest things, whether through the rain or pebbles on the ground. I saw Christ’s selflessness through the volunteers that gave their time away to help build houses in the communities.
It is difficult to be ungrateful when you realize how much God gives us in our lives. How can I complain if I live in a place where the air is clean and water and food are abundant? How can I be ungrateful when there are people who are grateful for simple things? There is no reason to complain when we see Christ in all things. To be able to see Christ in all things has helped me to also become a more fearless follower of Christ, because “I can do all things in Christ, who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:13). I reflected on this verse constantly during the trip and it has helped me to be fearless for the Lord.
I remember being very scared when we went to St. Martin de Porres Orphanage in Tondo Philippines. All I could do was think of how dangerous the city was and I kept asking why we had to go there. We were not allowed to speak English or look people in the eye when we walked the streets, which made me more scared. As I walked down the streets of Tondo, I saw Christ there. I saw Christ through the people in the orphanage, who were willing to take care of orphans in one of the most dangerous city in the Philippines. The love of the people in the orphanage assured me that even in the most dangerous part of the Philippines love existed, meaning God was present. True love casts out all fears.
Praise God for this experience, because my experience there challenged me to grow in patience, temperance, and humility. I encourage everyone to go at least once to this mission trip. I assure you that it will be a life changing experience!
[This reflection is written by Butch Pingol, one of the missionaries who went on the Great Adventure Tour in the Philippines.]
Everywhere I went in the Philippines, especially in the Answering the Cry Of the Poor (ANCOP) villages, I witnessed Christ. I saw Christ’s perseverance and agape love through the parents. I saw Christ’s joy through the children that found joy in the simplest things, whether through the rain or pebbles on the ground. I saw Christ’s selflessness through the volunteers that gave their time away to help build houses in the communities.
It is difficult to be ungrateful when you realize how much God gives us in our lives. How can I complain if I live in a place where the air is clean and water and food are abundant? How can I be ungrateful when there are people who are grateful for simple things? There is no reason to complain when we see Christ in all things. To be able to see Christ in all things has helped me to also become a more fearless follower of Christ, because “I can do all things in Christ, who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:13). I reflected on this verse constantly during the trip and it has helped me to be fearless for the Lord.
I remember being very scared when we went to St. Martin de Porres Orphanage in Tondo Philippines. All I could do was think of how dangerous the city was and I kept asking why we had to go there. We were not allowed to speak English or look people in the eye when we walked the streets, which made me more scared. As I walked down the streets of Tondo, I saw Christ there. I saw Christ through the people in the orphanage, who were willing to take care of orphans in one of the most dangerous city in the Philippines. The love of the people in the orphanage assured me that even in the most dangerous part of the Philippines love existed, meaning God was present. True love casts out all fears.
Praise God for this experience, because my experience there challenged me to grow in patience, temperance, and humility. I encourage everyone to go at least once to this mission trip. I assure you that it will be a life changing experience!
[This reflection is written by Butch Pingol, one of the missionaries who went on the Great Adventure Tour in the Philippines.]