tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78409024638539949372024-03-05T03:48:24.827-08:00Hebrews 13:3Updates about the Prison Ministry of Ligaya ng Panginoon (Joy of the Lord) North Sector.HeARTworkshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14953317888563627979noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7840902463853994937.post-37769172039475836582014-07-03T18:39:00.005-07:002014-07-03T20:41:08.495-07:00Frank is Free!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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papemelroti's Peggy Lasa and her husband Charlie,</div>
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have been serving in the Ligaya ng Panginoon's</div>
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Quezon City Jail Ministry since 2009.</div>
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They met Frank Llagas there.</div>
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Read his story below.</div>
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Frank Llagas is free now, after being imprisoned</div>
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for being falsely accused of rape.</div>
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You can help Frank regain back his life</div>
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by donating damaged appliances that he can fix</div>
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and sell to build up capital to start his business.</div>
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You may donate small appliances like electric fans,</div>
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irons, rice cookers, and oven toasters</div>
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and bring them to any <a href="http://papemelroti.com/branches.htm">papemelroti branch</a>.</div>
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If you would like to have appliances repaired,</div>
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you may call him at 09292493350 or 09232204030.</div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); color: #222222; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">When he can, John Keating of the Servants of the Word joins the Ligaya Ng Panginoon North Sector's Jail Ministry on their weekly visits to the QC jail. On a visit, an inmate who was part of the worship team called his attention. John with his fantastic memory recognized the inmate, Frank Llagas. John met Frank on one of his visits to Payatas with Fr. Paul Uewemedimo. Fr Paul helped Frank acquire a house and would at times live with them.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">Frank told John he was falsely accused of raping a mentally handicapped girl. At the onset, Frank was told the case would not be pursued if he paid a significant sum. He may have looked like a good extortion target as he was doing quite well repairing appliances. He did not concede and was soon sent to jail. Soon after, a group approached him claiming they could work on his release if he advanced money for legal representation. Believing this legitimate, Frank sold his house to raise the funds. The group soon disappeared with the money. </span><br /><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">Frank and his family faced untold challenges that may not have happened had he not been imprisoned. Instead of being crushed, he clung more closely to God. Frank was determined to remain joyful and would be a front-liner at the jail worship brimming with a smile.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">John took an active interest in Frank's case and attended the court hearings when possible. He was deeply disturbed when there were three successive deferments of the hearing. Witnesses gave distorted testimonies and no one showed up for Frank's defense. The judge had to declare one last hearing date if the defense did not present a witness. The outlook was very bleak. John felt more had to be done. Boy Tambule, a freed inmate and whose own jail story is inspiring worked on tracking down a witness who could credibly testify to support the innocence of Frank. This was evidently vital in the court's decision to free Frank early this June. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3dBA_BRprRpQ8-6tXiQLok2lXC3_mPkFhdVrwcdVdQY0pFLDj_fW4R6-Mh_WSXYzozAaJmjafe37NUzOwgPnfWpOY3OORDywylHPMDx9vokqu-8DjWQkKVKLSo2K8D8XfbJOz6uOQTG4/s1600/a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3dBA_BRprRpQ8-6tXiQLok2lXC3_mPkFhdVrwcdVdQY0pFLDj_fW4R6-Mh_WSXYzozAaJmjafe37NUzOwgPnfWpOY3OORDywylHPMDx9vokqu-8DjWQkKVKLSo2K8D8XfbJOz6uOQTG4/s1600/a.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">What if John had not been coming to Payatas, or to the jail? What if Fr. Paul had not reached out to the family of Frank in Payatas? What if Frank turned his back on the Lord and did not want to attend the jail ministry group? What if there was no Boy Tambule to track down witnesses? What if no one wanted to serve in the jail ministry? The Lord's providence was there all along, the power of prayer and His blessing on the work of those who labor in the vineyard cannot be denied. What's essential is that Frank knows that it was the Lord who saved him. Since being freed, Frank together with Boy has been eager to join the jail ministry to share his faith and encourage his ex-fellow inmates. </span><br /><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">After losing five years to jail time, Frank now needs to rebuild his livelihood. He wants to resume working on appliance repair and needs help. He repairs electric fans, washing machines, electric irons, electric stoves, rice cookers, dispensers, oven toasters, hot water pots, slow cookers, blenders etc. If you have have any small appliance to donate or in need of repair please bring them to any papemelroti branch.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Donations of these appliances are particularly welcome since this will help Frank build up some capital, hopefully to put up an appliance repair outlet in the QC area. If you wish to donate cash, that is also welcome. Email or text us so we can let you know how to send your donations of either cash or in kind if you are unable to bring this to our drop off points.<br /><br />If the message of Isaiah 58:6 speaks to you and you are interested to support the LNP NS Jail Ministry in some way, you may contact me. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Pray too that the Lord sends more workers to the vineyard and that we all be faithful in responding to God's call. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /><br /><b><i>Patsy Paterno</i></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i>(632) 9179183951)</i></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i>patsy.paterno (at) gmail.com</i></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i>Isaiah 58:6-12</i></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">6“Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">to loose the chains of injustice</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">and untie the cords of the yoke,</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">to set the oppressed free</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">and break every yoke?</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">7Is it not to share your food with the hungry</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">when you see the naked, to clothe them,</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">8Then your light will break forth like the dawn,</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">and your healing will quickly appear;</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">then your righteousnessa will go before you,</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">9Then you will call, and the Lord will answer;</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“If you do away with the yoke of oppression,</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">with the pointing finger and malicious talk,</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">10and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">and satisfy the needs of the oppressed,</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">then your light will rise in the darkness,</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">and your night will become like the noonday.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">11The Lord will guide you always;</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">and will strengthen your frame.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">You will be like a well-watered garden,</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">like a spring whose waters never fail.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">12Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">and will raise up the age-old foundations;</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls,</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.</span></span></div>
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13:3</a></b><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #660000; font-family: georgia,serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">Remember those in prison as if you were
their fellow prisoners...</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: georgia,serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"> </span><span style="font-family: georgia,serif;"><br />
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<span style="font-family: georgia,serif;">It's that time of the year again when
we are able </span><br />
<span style="font-family: georgia,serif;">to share our blessings, and give joy to those forgotten </span><br />
<span style="font-family: georgia,serif;">by even
their closest friends and family.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: georgia,serif;">We are preparing a merienda party for 100
inmates, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: georgia,serif;">and gift bags for 300 inmates of QC Jail. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: georgia,serif;">Would you like to help us?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: georgia,serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: georgia,serif;">We need soap, shampoo, detergent,
toothpaste,
towels, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: georgia,serif;">canned sardines, soup packs, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: georgia,serif;">crackers, and money to buy shorts at
wholesale in Divisoria.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: georgia,serif;">We just finished a Purpose Driven Life
Seminar </span><br />
<span style="font-family: georgia,serif;">for 100 inmates. Talks and sharings were given </span><br />
<span style="font-family: georgia,serif;">by Charlie Lasa, Luigi
Paterno, Jun Cruz,
Ruel Morales, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: georgia,serif;">Andy Juan, Danny Carreon, Ben Salvedia, Jim Orbe, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: georgia,serif;">JoeDean
Sola, Edwin Ondoy, Conrad Viriña, Luigi Paterno, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: georgia,serif;">Jopeng Piquero, and
Toby Estrella.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: georgia,serif;">John Keating also came to give support
and to talk </span><br />
<span style="font-family: georgia,serif;"> to the inmates. He was even recognized by one inmate </span><br />
<span style="font-family: georgia,serif;">who is a member of Couples for Christ</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: georgia,serif;">and who said he was unjustly accused of
rape.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: georgia,serif;">The sharings of the inmates after the
PDL </span><br />
<span style="font-family: georgia,serif;">were
very heartwarming.</span></div>
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</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: georgia,serif;">Here is a letter from one
of them to Charlie-</span></div>
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: georgia,serif;"><i>Doc,</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: georgia,serif;"><i>Good morning, Doc,
salamat ho sa mga </i></span><br />
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: georgia,serif;"><i>pagtuturo niyo sa amin kahit </i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: georgia,serif;"><i>sa kaunting
pagsasama natin ay
naituro niyo </i></span><br />
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: georgia,serif;"><i>sa amin kung paano </i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: georgia,serif;"><i>mamuhay bilang
kristiyano. Sana ho doc huwag </i></span><br />
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: georgia,serif;"><i>kayong magsawa ng pagturo</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: georgia,serif;"><i>sa amin at sa iba.
Dahil ako
naramdaman ko </i></span><br />
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: georgia,serif;"><i>sa inyo ang presensya ng ating Panginoon
lalo na </i></span><br />
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: georgia,serif;"><i>pagnagpapaliwanag ang mga kasama niyo.</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: georgia,serif;"><i>At lalo na nang
matapos ko ang
libro na </i></span><br />
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: georgia,serif;"><i>The Purpose Driven Life ni Rick Warren.</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: georgia,serif;"><i>Tumimo sa isipan ko
ang mga pagkakamali ko </i></span><br />
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: georgia,serif;"><i>dahil sa libro na iyon </i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: georgia,serif;"><i>nabago ang pananaw
ko sa
buhay. </i></span><br />
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: georgia,serif;"><i>Sana Doc maipagpatuloy niyo ang</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: georgia,serif;"><i>nasimulan ninyo
dahil alam ko </i></span><br />
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: georgia,serif;"><i>marami kayong matutulungan at maliligtas</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: georgia,serif;"><i>na kaluluwa lalo na
dito sa QC
Jail. </i></span><br />
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: georgia,serif;"><i>At siyanga po pala doc, meron po sana </i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: georgia,serif;"><i>akong hihilingin sa
inyo kung puede sana </i></span><br />
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: georgia,serif;"><i>bigyan niyo ako ng libro tagalog version </i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: georgia,serif;"><i>iyong babasahin
about God kasi
hilig ko </i></span><br />
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: georgia,serif;"><i>ang magbasa at saka nga pala doc </i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: georgia,serif;"><i>kung puede sana
pakitulungan ako sa salamin ko </i></span><br />
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: georgia,serif;"><i>kasi nasira ho siya kung puede lang po</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: georgia,serif;"><i>sana pakitulungan
ako para
maayos ito kasi ho </i></span><br />
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: georgia,serif;"><i>isang beses lang ako dalawin sa</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: georgia,serif;"><i>loob ng isang buwan.
Ginagamit ko ho ito </i></span><br />
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: georgia,serif;"><i>habang ako ay nagbabasa.</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: georgia,serif;"><i>Pasensiya na ho kayo
pero kung
busy ho kayo </i></span><br />
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: georgia,serif;"><i>ay okey lang. Sa akin basta sana
doc ipagpatuloy </i></span><br />
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: georgia,serif;"><i>lang ho ninyo ang gawain niyo dahil baka isang araw </i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: georgia,serif;"><i>kasama na rin ninyo
ako.</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: georgia,serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: georgia,serif;"><i>God bless you.</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: georgia,serif;"><i>God bless your
family.</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: georgia,serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: georgia,serif;"><i>Virgilio Abadia</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: georgia,serif;"><i>SSS Main</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: georgia,serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: georgia,serif;">Perhaps if you have tagalog Word Among
Us (even
old ones) or other tagalog reading materials good for their spiritual
growth we can
also add it to the gift bags.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: georgia,serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: georgia,serif;">I am sure God will bless whatever loaves and
fishes we give him!</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: georgia,serif;">This
is the third year we have been doing this and we have always been able
to </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: georgia,serif;">give more than what the inmates expect
in their gift bags!</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: georgia,serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: georgia,serif;">You may drop your donations at any
papemelroti
branch </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: georgia,serif;">(pls label <b style="color: #a64d79;">PATSY PATERNO for the JAIL
MINISTRY</b>)</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: georgia,serif;">Branches: SM
North Edsa, Mega Mall, SM Southmall Las Pinas, Glorietta 3,</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: georgia,serif;">SM City Fairview, SM Manila, SM San
Lazaro, Robinsons PLace Manila,</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: georgia,serif;">Sta Lucia East Grand Mall, SM City Sta. Mesa, </span><span style="font-family: georgia,serif;">Ali Mall Cubao, </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: georgia,serif;">Gateway Mall Cubao, </span><span style="font-family: georgia,serif;">SM Pampanga, SM Clark </span><span style="font-family: georgia,serif;">and at our main branch</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: georgia,serif;">91 Roces Ave.,QC.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: georgia,serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia,serif;"></span><br />
<div style="line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia,serif;"><span style="color: black; line-height: normal;">God bless you!</span></span></div>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia,serif;">
</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: georgia,serif;">:^) patsy paterno </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: georgia,serif;">09189173951</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: georgia,serif;">3751069 3742442 4126487</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: georgia,serif;"><br />
</span></div>
HeARTworkshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14953317888563627979noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7840902463853994937.post-28202421452915401632010-10-22T23:39:00.000-07:002010-10-22T23:57:59.315-07:00Father Suarez goes to PrisonThank you for your prayers! Please join me in thanking God for a morning<br />in the jail that was truly blessed and filled with God's love.<br /><br />October 18-24 is National Prison Awareness Week.<br />As part of the celebration, <span class="il">Father</span> Fernando <span class="il">Suarez</span>, the priest with healing gifts from the Holy Spirit, celebrated mass at the QC Jail yesterday, in spite of many obstacles. Although Fr. <span class="il">Suarez</span> and his Superior said yes right away, we had problems getting permission for the mass from the Prison admin! We knew that the enemy wanted QC Jail for himself so we continued to<br />intercede and God gave us victory.<br /><br />Fr. <span class="il">Suarez</span> was a little late as he had been praying over sick people at UST Hospital<br />and many wanted him to pray when they saw him there. While waiting for him, we could see that even the prison guards were excited and even joked around with us. The mood was so different from other times we visit when the guards are usually gruff or indifferent. <span class="il">Father</span> Hector from Laguna and <span class="il">Father</span> Jeff from Canada heard confession before the mass.<br /><br /><span class="il">Father</span> <span class="il">Suarez</span> spoke to the prisoners during his homily about Viktor Frankl<br />and how even in the prison, in their darkest moments, they can find meaning,<br />that their salvation would always be in finding God, and because of that,<br />they would be able to give love to others around them. We could see that he was very sympathetic of the plight of the prisoners and the first thing he said before the mass was that he was honored to be there, and that he wanted to come back.<br /><br />The sky was a little dark, and I was praying the rains wouldn't fall, as there was hardly a roof over our heads! God is good all the time- the rains fell AFTER the mass! Since it was overcast, it was not so hot!<br /><br />After the mass, <span class="il">Father</span> prayed over many of the prisoners even if he had said earlier he would just give a general praying over. Prisoners and even the guards lined up for praying over. <span class="il">Father</span> <span class="il">Suarez</span> was almost hugging them as he prayed over them. One inmate, Patrick de la Rosa, who was in the news recently, did not want to let go of <span class="il">Father</span> and was obviously crying as he spoke to <span class="il">Father</span> S. After <span class="il">Father</span> prayed over the inmates at the basement, where we held the mass, he went to the cells and even to the infirmary. He also prayed over Jopet as Jopet had an attack of asthma the previous night.<br /><br /><span class="il">Father</span> S was obviously sincere when he said he wanted to come back. He even gave a date for his next visit! When I thanked him for coming, he waved away my thanks saying that he was really happy to be there.<br /><br />Thank you also for the toys some of you have donated. We brought them yesterday. They will be given away to inmates' children on Sunday, October 31, when the families and friends of inmates will visit and there will be games and prizes. So if you still have toys to donate, we can still bring it on our next scheduled visit, Friday, October 29. You can bring the toys to any papemelroti branch, or you can contact me and I'll try to arrange for pick up. Please mark donations with "Prison" as we are also a drop center for CYA's Ukay Ukay.<br /><br />God bless you for your untiring support and prayers!<br />:^) patsy<br /><br /><h2 style="color: rgb(51, 153, 153);"> <span style="font-size:85%;">Hebrews 13:3 (New International Version)</span></h2> <p style="color: rgb(51, 153, 153);"> <sup>3</sup>Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners,<br /></p><p><span style="color: rgb(51, 153, 153);">and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering</span>.</p>HeARTworkshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14953317888563627979noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7840902463853994937.post-15663661643729208192010-08-14T22:05:00.000-07:002010-10-22T23:54:46.982-07:00August 14, 2010<span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 0);font-family:georgia,serif;" ></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 0);font-family:georgia,serif;" >I have good developments to report :^)</span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 0);font-family:georgia,serif;" ><br />1. Our <span class="il">prison</span> <span class="il">ministry</span> is now part of the Restorative Justice School</span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 0);font-family:georgia,serif;" >run by the Archdiocese of Cubao. The school runs every Friday from 9am-12 noon.</span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 0);font-family:georgia,serif;" >From 9-10 am, there is scripture teaching on the gospel of the succeeding Sunday.</span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 0);font-family:georgia,serif;" >10-11 am is the slot for Good values, then at 11am to 12 noon they have some practical lessons.</span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 0);font-family:georgia,serif;" >Our little Ligaya group was given the 9-10 am slot every 1st, 2nd and 3rd Friday.<br /><br />We are assigned the scripture teaching portion.</span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 0);font-family:georgia,serif;" >Last Friday, Luigi taught on the Visitation, focusing on the qualities of Mary that we should emulate</span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 0);font-family:georgia,serif;" >and contrasting her with Eve. There was a short portion where he asked questions and gave out prizes </span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 0);font-family:georgia,serif;" >for those with correct answers. Then we served a snack for 100 inmates.</span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 0);font-family:georgia,serif;" ><br /><br />2. Jopet was denied bail last month. This really depressed him,</span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 0);font-family:georgia,serif;" >and he got angry at God, and he even threw his Bible. We were able to talk to him soon after</span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 0);font-family:georgia,serif;" >to encourage him, and talk him out of "giving up"! He said something like, "I'm doing everything already,</span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 0);font-family:georgia,serif;" >what more does God want!!" He hated the judge with a passion! <br /><br />Meldy shared </span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 0);font-family:georgia,serif;" >what Lito, her husband, does does when he is angry at somebody or if somebody is unfair or hurts him- Lito prays for him</span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 0);font-family:georgia,serif;" >and asks God to bless him. </span><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 0);font-family:georgia,serif;" > Jopet then said, "That's hard!" </span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 0);font-family:georgia,serif;" >Before we left that time he promised not to give up and to continue "fighting the good<span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"> </span></span><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);font-family:georgia,serif;" >fight!"</span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 0);font-family:georgia,serif;" >I'm happy to report that Jopet was quite hopeful and upbeat when we visited last Friday.</span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 0);font-family:georgia,serif;" >His last Judge (whose son died I understand in a drug related incident) agreed to inhibit himself.</span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 0);font-family:georgia,serif;" >A new woman judge is now reviewing his case and Jopet said she was kind.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 0);font-family:georgia,serif;" >Another good news is that Jopet's paintings were featured in a thick glossy Art Magazine entitled</span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 0);font-family:georgia,serif;" >"Flow". I'll take pictures of it and post it here. At least now he has proof that it's </span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 0);font-family:georgia,serif;" >not just his family and friends who think he has a God-given gift for art!</span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 0);font-family:georgia,serif;" ><br /><br />3. The best news is that there's so much opportunity for blessing others and "saving others</span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 0);font-family:georgia,serif;" >and bringing them into the ark".</span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 0);font-family:georgia,serif;" >Here is the schedule for the teachings and the Gospel readings to be expounded on.</span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 0);font-family:georgia,serif;" >Perhaps there are brothers and sisters who would like to give an hour to be with our</span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 0);font-family:georgia,serif;" >incarcerated brethren. If you are free or can make yourself available on a Friday,</span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 0);font-family:georgia,serif;" >please consider giving a talk or coming along to pray and be a blessing by your presence!</span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 0);font-family:georgia,serif;" ><br />August 27- Luke 14:1,7-14 "Rather when you hold a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame...- Lito Fider</span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 0);font-family:georgia,serif;" ><br /><br />Sept. 3- Luke 14:25-33 "Discipleship"- open</span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 0);font-family:georgia,serif;" ><br />Sept. 10- Luke 15:1-32 "Parables of the Lost Sheep, Lost coin and Lost Son"- open</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 0);font-family:georgia,serif;" >Sept. 24- Luke 16:19-31 "Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus"- open</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 0);font-family:georgia,serif;" >Oct 1- Luke 17:5-10 "Attitude of a servant"- open-</span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 0);font-family:georgia,serif;" ><br />Oct 8 Luke 17: The Cleansing of the Ten Lepers- open</span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 0);font-family:georgia,serif;" ><br />Oct 22 Luke 18:91-14 "The Parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector"-open</span><br /> <span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 0);font-family:georgia,serif;" >Oct 29- Luke 19:1-10 "Zaccheus and the Tax collector"- open</span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 0);font-family:georgia,serif;" ><br />Nov 5- Luke 20: 27-38 "The Question about the Resurrection"- Bobby Quitain<br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 0);font-family:georgia,serif;" >Nov 12- Luke 21:5-19 "The Signs of the End"- open</span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 0);font-family:georgia,serif;" ><br />Nov 26- Mt 24:37-44 "Be prepared when the Son of man will come"- open</span> <sup style="font-family: georgia,serif; color: rgb(51, 0, 0);"><br /><br /></sup><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 0);font-family:georgia,serif;" >Remember those in <span class="il">prison</span> as if you were their fellow prisoners, </span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 0);font-family:georgia,serif;" >and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering. Hebrews 13:3</span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 0);font-family:georgia,serif;" ><br /><br />Thank you for your continued support! </span>HeARTworkshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14953317888563627979noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7840902463853994937.post-22253774254173299352010-06-15T22:41:00.000-07:002010-06-15T23:24:32.652-07:00June 16, 2010 Prayer Meeting at the QC Jail<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia,serif;">We had a great meeting at the QC Jail this morning.</span><br /></div><table style="width: 512px; height: 1290px; text-align: left; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" class="Bs nH iY" cellpadding="0"><tbody><tr><td class="Bu"><div class="nH if"><div class="nH"><div class="nH hx"><div class="nH"><div class="nH"><div class="h7 ie"><div class="Bk"><div class="G3 G2"><div class="nH"><div id=":13s"><div class="HprMsc" style=""><div class="gs"><div id=":13t" class="ii gt"><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: georgia,serif;">Tony Fernandez celebrated his birthday there,</span><br /><span style="font-family: georgia,serif;">and the inmates enthusiastically sang Happy Birthday to him.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: georgia,serif;">Tony shared about his miraculous experience </span><br /><span style="font-family: georgia,serif;">when he was 7 years old and escaped unscathed </span><br /> <span style="font-family: georgia,serif;">from what could have been a terrible accident.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: georgia,serif;">Luigi took his cue from Tony's reading of Psalm 23,</span><br /> <span style="font-family: georgia,serif;">and talked about how the Lord is our shepherd,</span><br /><span style="font-family: georgia,serif;">comparing our weakness to a sheep's dependence </span><br /> <span style="font-family: georgia,serif;">on its master. He also shared about how, even if they were </span><br /><span style="font-family: georgia,serif;">inside the prison, they could be ambassadors for Jesus.</span><br /> <br /><span style="font-family: georgia,serif;">Charlie asked the inmates to share about their experiences </span><br /><span style="font-family: georgia,serif;">as ambassadors, and when they shared, gave away shirts </span><br /> <span style="font-family: georgia,serif;">and the Word Among Us Meditation guides (donations from </span><br /><span style="font-family: georgia,serif;">you, Ligaya members).</span><br /> <br /><span style="font-family: georgia,serif;">Then Joanna de Almeida, one of the guests</span><br /><span style="font-family: georgia,serif;">from the community in Pune, India, shared about how </span><br /> <span style="font-family: georgia,serif;">the Lord is our shelter and we can always depend on Him, </span><br /><span style="font-family: georgia,serif;">and how we can only find our home in Him. </span><br /> <span style="font-family: georgia,serif;">This was an all seats taken, standing room sharing. </span><br /><span style="font-family: georgia,serif;">Many inmates crowded around the chapel to hear her </span><br /> <span style="font-family: georgia,serif;">testimony, with Luigi translating it into tagalog.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: georgia,serif;">Ben ended our morning with a song and salvation prayer.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: georgia,serif;">Praise God that even if we only go there now every three weeks,</span><br /><span style="font-family: georgia,serif;">we can see God's hand. Peggy gave some bible studies to </span><br /> <span style="font-family: georgia,serif;">some of the inmates, and they said they have been </span><br /><span style="font-family: georgia,serif;">going over it several times. Let us pray that God will give them </span><br /> <span style="font-family: georgia,serif;">a portion of His Spirit and guide them. We can claim that </span><br /><span style="font-family: georgia,serif;">we will have many bible teachers being formed even while </span><br /> <span style="font-family: georgia,serif;">"they are in chains" like St. Paul!!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: georgia,serif;">May we ask you, brothers and sisters to storm heaven</span><br /> <span style="font-family: georgia,serif;">with your prayers for Jopet- he says that the judge will give</span><br /><span style="font-family: georgia,serif;">a decision before August 3 whether to set bail or not.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: georgia,serif;">It will be Jopet's 25th birthday on June 18, our anniversary celebration.</span><br /><span style="font-family: georgia,serif;">Wouldn't it be wonderful if he could be there to celebrate with us?</span><br /> <br /><span style="font-family: georgia,serif;">One of Jopet's painting club members has finished </span><br /><span style="font-family: georgia,serif;font-size:6;" >3 oil paintings.</span> <br /> <span style="font-family: georgia,serif;">They are all P1000 pesos each. </span><br /><span style="font-family: georgia,serif;">1- Magandang Balita sa Birhen Maria is 16" x 20"</span><br /> <span style="font-family: georgia,serif;">2- Bird Cage (similar to Two Teapots) 20" x 15"</span><br /><span style="font-family: georgia,serif;">3- Two Teapots 20" x 15".</span><br /> <span style="font-family: georgia,serif;">Please contact me if you're interested.</span><br /><span style="font-family: georgia,serif;">Patsy at 09189173951.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpZoxRwgXDfjaJBv9YdwTcjzGxVyP7yzrRaJVgpnOKE9KY5NeGgFZ1W7Qb9DF8Tq9MOnnUX0wVkpx3j1cTUc8pYUoy_Wox0yX0va7XD94VAiSzV7yRDs69pX-uJhcfeXVnCN3kCmbAkVQ/s1600/DSC04598.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpZoxRwgXDfjaJBv9YdwTcjzGxVyP7yzrRaJVgpnOKE9KY5NeGgFZ1W7Qb9DF8Tq9MOnnUX0wVkpx3j1cTUc8pYUoy_Wox0yX0va7XD94VAiSzV7yRDs69pX-uJhcfeXVnCN3kCmbAkVQ/s320/DSC04598.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483243018070429570" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi82jNJj79CZdmxwAhfzwIGSDQBLhFQ6Jdz38XsGW584C5VLwcFmZP-RFnd-Dz3zeeBjIlkYODCGKH8jPpV_CAzepRkSzpWT0utLl1EGp4Re7522FCYgnuySLvyK_JSO3DiPficLLqRtHw/s1600/DSC04597.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi82jNJj79CZdmxwAhfzwIGSDQBLhFQ6Jdz38XsGW584C5VLwcFmZP-RFnd-Dz3zeeBjIlkYODCGKH8jPpV_CAzepRkSzpWT0utLl1EGp4Re7522FCYgnuySLvyK_JSO3DiPficLLqRtHw/s320/DSC04597.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483243011942193602" border="0" /></a><br /></div> <span style="font-family: georgia,serif;"></span><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></td><td class="Bu"><br /></td><td class="Bu"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>HeARTworkshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14953317888563627979noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7840902463853994937.post-35935677766509526102010-04-23T22:08:00.000-07:002010-10-22T23:49:25.118-07:00April 23, 2010<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:georgia,serif;" >QC Jail decided to limit our visits to once a month,</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:georgia,serif;" >every third Thursday of the month,</span> <span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:georgia,serif;" >from 10-12nn. </span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:georgia,serif;" >They want to have all visitors come in the afternoon</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:georgia,serif;" >and all service</span> <span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:georgia,serif;" >providers (that's us!) in the morning. </span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:georgia,serif;" >They divided the slots in the morning and it came to </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:georgia,serif;" > once a month!</span> <br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:georgia,serif;" >It's a pity because I don't know how we can give a<br />Life in the Spirit Seminar</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:georgia,serif;" > if we meet just once a month!</span> <span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:georgia,serif;" ><br />Also we were really gaining ground with some inmates. <br /><br />One in particular, named Edwin, shared that it was only<br />when our group came, that he ventured inside the chapel. <br />He's been in jail for 9 years and<br />"pinagtatawanan ko lang ang mga pupunta sa chapel"<br /> ("I laugh at those who go to the chapel") he said.<br />But he said the Ligaya ng Panginoon <br />(our covenant community is called "The Joy of the Lord")<br />was different- why did we come, we had work, we had families.<br />I guess the other groups were religious. He became curious and started attending.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:georgia,serif;" > So now he said he reads the bible, he prays, etc. <br />When he heard of the change in schedule, he said it's not bad news.<br />"Kaya namin yan ni Jopet. Mag ba-bible study kami."<br /> (We can do it- Jopet and I. We will do bible study.)<br /> Jopet got astonished- "Pabigla-bigla naman tong si Edwin! <br />Sinama pa ako!" (Edwin's too brash, and he's including me!)was his reaction! <br /><br />Edwin is such a fan of Ligaya he will call his bible study group<br /> and his basketball team "Ligaya ng Panginoon"!!<span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></span></span> <span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:georgia,serif;" >Please pray that we know what God wants us to do.<br />Peggy said maybe to meet with the </span> <span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:georgia,serif;" >smaller group of worship coordinators<br /> and give them formation, during the weeks we don't have the big group mtg.<br />Please also pray for Jopet- the judge in charge of his case got a heart attack<br />and was in the ICU last week. They don't know what is the status of the case,<br />whether another judge will be assigned. Meanwhile they're just waiting.</span> <span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:georgia,serif;" ><br /></span><br /> <span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:georgia,serif;" >God bless you! </span> <span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:georgia,serif;" >:^) patsy</span></div>HeARTworkshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14953317888563627979noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7840902463853994937.post-2671709348869685882010-02-23T20:31:00.000-08:002010-02-23T20:44:51.798-08:00Charlie Lasa's sharing in our Community Conference<span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: georgia;">I am Charlie Lasa from North B and I am here to share with you an update on our Prison Ministry. My involvement at the QC Jail started last year with a visit to Jopet Tecson, son of Joe and Flora Tecson from North B, who was jailed on drug charges. Later in August 2009, a group of seminarians vacated a 2-hour time slot for religious instruction at the jail.</span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: georgia;"> </span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: georgia;">Other religious denominations wanted to come in and get that time slot, but it was first offered to </span><i style="font-weight: bold; font-family: georgia;">Ligaya, </i><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: georgia;">our community</span><i style="font-weight: bold; font-family: georgia;">,</i><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: georgia;"> because we had previously donated chairs to the jail.</span><o:p style="font-family: georgia;"></o:p><p style="font-family: georgia;"></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; font-weight: bold; font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;"><span style="letter-spacing: 1pt;" lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; font-weight: bold; font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;"><span style="letter-spacing: 1pt;" lang="EN-US"> At that time we were reflecting on the theme: <i style="">“An Open Door! Walk Through It!”</i><span style=""> </span>and my wife Peggy thought that this could probably be the “Open Door” the Lord was inviting us to walk through, to be fruitful, multiply and occupy! Here, literally, was a space we could occupy, if only for 2 hours every Thursday. So she asked if we could go.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; font-weight: bold; font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;"><span style="letter-spacing: 1pt;" lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; font-weight: bold; font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;"><span style="letter-spacing: 1pt;" lang="EN-US"> I wish I could tell you that I answered, “How wonderful, honey!<span style=""> </span>Let’s go! Let’s walk through the open door, and occupy Quezon City Jail!”<span style=""> </span>However, that was not the case.<span style=""> </span>Instead, I said: <span style=""> </span>“What? Are you crazy? Ano ang gagawin natin doon? Hindi naman tayo magaling magdasal sa Tagalog!” (<span style="font-style: italic;">What are we going to do there? We're not good in praying in Tagalog!</span>) <span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; font-weight: bold; font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;"><span style="letter-spacing: 1pt;" lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; font-weight: bold; font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;"><span style="letter-spacing: 1pt;" lang="EN-US"> So what is a husband to do, if his wife seems so intent in going to a place that could be dangerous to her?<span style=""> </span>Leave her alone with the lions and the wolves?<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; font-weight: bold; font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;"><span style="letter-spacing: 1pt;" lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; font-weight: bold; font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;"><span style="letter-spacing: 1pt;" lang="EN-US"> But in the days that followed, I was led to reflect on Matthew 25 where Jesus says: <span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in; font-weight: bold; font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;"><i style=""><span style="letter-spacing: 1pt;" lang="EN-US">‘I was</span></i><i style=""><span style="letter-spacing: 1pt;color:black;" lang="EN-US"> in prison and you did not visit me.' </span></i><span style="letter-spacing: 1pt;color:black;" lang="EN-US">And when we answer,<i style=""> 'Lord, when was it that we saw you in prison and did not take care of you? ' </i></span><i style=""><sup><span style="letter-spacing: 1pt;color:black;" lang="EN-US"><span style=""> </span></span></sup></i><i style=""><span style="letter-spacing: 1pt;color:black;" lang="EN-US"><span style=""> </span></span></i><span style="letter-spacing: 1pt;color:black;" lang="EN-US">He will answer<i style="">, 'Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.' </i><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; font-weight: bold; font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;"><span style="letter-spacing: 1pt;" lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; font-weight: bold; font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;"><span style="letter-spacing: 1pt;" lang="EN-US"> I felt convicted, and eventually, I decided to go, but only until other Ligaya members, who could better pray and preach in Tagalog, will be available to take over.<span style=""> </span>One Thursday led to another, and we have now been serving in QC Jail for the past 5 months. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; font-weight: bold; font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;"><span style="letter-spacing: 1pt;" lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; font-weight: bold; font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;"><span style="letter-spacing: 1pt;" lang="EN-US">So what have we been doing?</span><span style="letter-spacing: 1pt;" lang="EN-US"><span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; font-weight: bold; font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;"><span style="letter-spacing: 1pt;" lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; font-weight: bold; font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;"><span style="letter-spacing: 1pt;" lang="EN-US"> We take advantage of the fact that we have a <i style="">captive</i> audience for 2 hours. There is no escape from us. We start out with worship, ably led by Ben Salvedia from North A, and supported by an inmate music ministry group. Then as the Spirit leads, we give teachings, exhortations and personal sharings.<span style=""> </span>Every week we provide a simple snack and give basic necessities, such as soap and other toiletries.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; font-weight: bold; font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;"><span style="letter-spacing: 1pt;" lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; font-weight: bold; font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;"><span style="letter-spacing: 1pt;" lang="EN-US"> Little did I realize how God had been working in us and using us for His mission, until one Thursday, I received a letter scribbled on cigarette wrappers, and I quote:<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in; font-weight: bold; font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;"><span style="letter-spacing: 1pt;" lang="EN-US">“…Nawa’y huwag kayong magsawa sa pag-tulong at panga-ngaral sa katulad naming kapos palad at nakalimot kay Lord.<span style=""> </span>Pero unti-unti akong nahuhubog sa mga aral at pag-intindi sa mga salita ng Diyos.<span style=""> </span>Dito ko nalalaman ang katotohanan, ang tungkol sa mga salita ng bibliya na dapat sundin ng mga taong tulad ko, na naligaw ng landas…” (<span style="font-style: italic;">I hope you will not tire of helping and teaching us who are underprivileged and who have forgotten the Lord. Little by little I have been formed by the teachings and understanding the Word of God. I learn the truth here, about the Bible verses that we who have lost our way, should obey...</span>)<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; font-weight: bold; font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;"><span style="letter-spacing: 1pt;" lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; font-weight: bold; font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;"><span style="letter-spacing: 1pt;" lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p>Brothers and sisters, we have learned firsthand that indeed God will empower us beyond our limitations and use us to do His work. And in doing so, we have experienced <i style="">many delightful moments</i> in this ministry:<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; font-weight: bold; font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;"><span style="letter-spacing: 1pt;" lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <ul style="font-family: georgia;"><li><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="letter-spacing: 1pt;" lang="EN-US"><span style=""><span style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;font-size:7;" ></span></span></span><span style="letter-spacing: 1pt; font-weight: bold;" lang="EN-US">We have heard inmates share how prison life became better for them when they <span style=""></span><span style=""></span>started reading the Bible.<o:p></o:p></span></li><li style="font-weight: bold;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="letter-spacing: 1pt;" lang="EN-US"><span style=""><span style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;font-size:7;" ></span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="letter-spacing: 1pt;" lang="EN-US">We have heard them share the joy they felt after forgiving those who put them <o:p></o:p><span style=""></span>in jail.<o:p></o:p></span></li><li style="font-weight: bold;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="letter-spacing: 1pt;" lang="EN-US"><span style=""><span style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;font-size:7;" ></span></span></span><span style="letter-spacing: 1pt;" lang="EN-US">We have seen men wanting to accept Jesus and asking us how.<o:p></o:p></span></li><li><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="letter-spacing: 1pt; font-weight: bold;" lang="EN-US"><span style=""><span style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;font-size:7;" ></span></span></span><span style="letter-spacing: 1pt;" lang="EN-US"><span style="font-weight: bold;">We have experienced the joy in leading them to Jesus.</span><span style=""><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span></span></span></li></ul> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; font-weight: bold; font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;"><span style="letter-spacing: 1pt;" lang="EN-US"><span style=""></span></span><span style="letter-spacing: 1pt;" lang="EN-US"></span><span style="letter-spacing: 1pt;" lang="EN-US"> They have so appreciated what we have shared with them that, believe it or not, there have been some inmates who have approached me, asking me how they can join <i style="">Ligaya</i> after they get out of prison. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; font-weight: bold; font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;"><span style="letter-spacing: 1pt;" lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; font-weight: bold; font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;"><span style="letter-spacing: 1pt;" lang="EN-US"> We thank you, brothers and sisters, for the support you have given us. Many have taken time off from work, simply to just be there for the prisoners. Some of you have chosen to celebrate your birthdays at the jail, sharing food and drinks with the inmates. Others have expressed their commitment in other ways, such as praying for our ministry, or donating in cash or kind. <span style=""> </span>We continue to pray for your support.<o:p></o:p></span></p>HeARTworkshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14953317888563627979noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7840902463853994937.post-86985555068563488542010-02-08T01:26:00.000-08:002010-02-23T20:31:18.444-08:00One World, One Heart<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/%20http://awhimsicalbohemian.typepad.com/a_whimsical_bohemian/one-world-one-heart.html"><img alt="Photo" and="" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v129/Love2/logo2010.jpg" hosting="" at="" sharing="" video="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">Congratulatons to GAIL who won the bead bracelet. We sent it off right away and I hope she likes it!</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Hello, fellow travelers, almost didn't make it! This is my blog for our prison ministry. We visit the QC jail every week, on a Thursday, from 3-5 pm. We share the gospel, we bring HOPE and minister to about a hundred men. While we do this, we are amazed at how God shows US His face and how His Spirit is guiding us! Even if we don't know what we are doing, even if we don't plan, God takes care of our meetings!<br /><br />My art blog, <a href="http://patsypat.blogspot.com/">HeARTworks</a>, has joined OWOH before, and this year, I decided to offer a prize here too- we are hoping to provide livelihood for the prisoners so they can have money for their basic necessities. The prison here in the Philippines is pitiful! My prize is what we are going to teach the prisoners to make- paper bead jewelry. The bracelet has one paper bead amongst other kinds of beads.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJlhN3fbbmYks8_NuUq8CTDxIkd8k4alkv0Udhr3Pk6hvu9SPwhnSqg8mMRTQHO7SIRys3Rx-gjVlOHNlNBgZ2NVirOUEdas2neV4ZNHLg-u0Jie-gMvzX7kyw3Z_wCbffi7fSk78Kwgs/s1600-h/DSC03655.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJlhN3fbbmYks8_NuUq8CTDxIkd8k4alkv0Udhr3Pk6hvu9SPwhnSqg8mMRTQHO7SIRys3Rx-gjVlOHNlNBgZ2NVirOUEdas2neV4ZNHLg-u0Jie-gMvzX7kyw3Z_wCbffi7fSk78Kwgs/s320/DSC03655.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435804452733746498" border="0" /></a>Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners. <span style="font-style: italic;">Hebrews 13:3</span><br /><br />For those who don't know what OWOH is, you can visit <a href="http://awhimsicalbohemian.typepad.com/a_whimsical_bohemian/one-world-one-heart.html">Lisa Swifka's blog</a>, and read all about it. There are over a thousand blogs participating, all offering prizes to be won! And all you have to do for a chance to win is, make a comment! If you have a prayer or a suggestion for our ministry, I'll be glad to have it!<br /></div></div>HeARTworkshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14953317888563627979noreply@blogger.com151tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7840902463853994937.post-41090199272097436832010-02-08T01:20:00.000-08:002010-02-08T01:26:09.943-08:00January 31, 2010<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikmYq8HqQSzIm9C3UK_g7lwj-rCGY5uxUCiOHVn3d51xeShXxcRY3NyzaaOyjMZC53WhWLWKhMQNHa5ssd58KB3sva2ioeZI7ebo56fw8s2vIQNMubjuZDL977HLPck1HeOyhin0CXQ8w/s1600-h/image-3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 309px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikmYq8HqQSzIm9C3UK_g7lwj-rCGY5uxUCiOHVn3d51xeShXxcRY3NyzaaOyjMZC53WhWLWKhMQNHa5ssd58KB3sva2ioeZI7ebo56fw8s2vIQNMubjuZDL977HLPck1HeOyhin0CXQ8w/s320/image-3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435801410764577730" border="0" /></a><br />I can't help myself- have to share about our last visit to the <span class="il">prison</span>. :^)<br />Usually we discuss before the meeting who is going to give a talk, what theme, who will share or lead a prayer, if we're going to divide into men's groups, etc but last Thursday, we forgot! When we were at the jail chapel already, Charlie asked Ben to teach a new song and Ben thought for a while then wrote on the board the lyrics for "Worship the Lord , in Spirit and truth..."<br />Charlie's eyes got big and he asked, "Does Ben know the talk I prepared?" None of us told Ben, and when we asked Ben, he said he didn't know what Charlie was going to talk about. Charlie said, "Why am I surprised? I should just expect it."<br /><br />Charlie's talk started with reading about the Samaritan woman, John Ch.4. He used it as an introduction to his talk on how to worship the Lord. John 4, verse 24 reads "God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship in spirit and truth." I thank God for this and the many other times He has shown us that His Spirit is the the one running the <span class="il">ministry</span> we are doing in QC Jail!<br /><br />Charlie asked some of our brothers in the jail questions and some of them had really good answers to "What does it mean to worship God in spirit? What does it mean to worship God in truth?" Some of them sounded like preachers!<br /><br />I'd like to tell you about Tikyo- he's a funny guy. I don't think I saw him look serious until last Thursday when he shared. He's full of tattoos and even told Peggy he had a tattoo in a place he couldn't show her (ka-men's group ni Peggy!). He's also an artist, and he made a paper sculpture of a man in <span class="il">prison</span> with an angel, and he even managed to make the thing light up! All this with just the meager resources in jail! Anyway, he's one of Jopet's friends. When it was his birthday, he wished he could have pancit. Well, because of Jopet he had more than pancit and he was ecstatic. Jopet and Tikyo had a pact- if Tikyo shared, Jopet would share too. So when Jopet saw Tikyo go to the front, he said, "Oh no!!<br /><br />True to his word, Jopet got up and shared. You can imagine how the others listened to him share. He emphasized that he was suppose to be free already as the Dept. of Justice gave him release papers but "The president put me here. The most powerful person in the Philippines. But in Isaiah, it says, my thoughts are not your thoughts. I will change you. I saw all the miracles He did. In PDEA, I started drawing. Here I paint. I pray that with this talent I can help those I draw. I really pray now, and kneel before God and say there is no one I worship but Him. He is making us strong. Let's just continue to pray. It's not important if we're in or out. The important thing is we're with Jesus!"<br /><br />Jopet said there were lots of things he wanted to say but forgot, and we said that's alright-there's always part 2. That's a giant step forward that Jopet volunteered to share because before his reaction was, no way! Praise God, he's using his time in jail to help others. He now teaches painting lessons to the 15 inmates Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.<br /><br />As a body, we were also able to pray over Aldrin, who shared that he received his sentence already- life sentence- so he was going to be moved to Muntinlupa. He was teary eyed as he admitted his crime, and his sins against his family. What he wants is to be forgiven by his family, so Peggy asked for contact details so we can try and contact his family.<br /><br />Thank you for your prayers and continued support! There are many more Aldrins and Tikyos who need our prayers and encouragement. If you would like to pray for particular prisoners, you can approach any one of us and we can assign a prisoner for you to pray for.HeARTworkshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14953317888563627979noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7840902463853994937.post-63980664672345387932010-01-14T04:03:00.000-08:002010-01-14T21:26:45.875-08:00Seeing the Face of Jesus<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixOgl9GQbtcyliggLJbl1K4IQR_il4606jbctExHAKmo2STvD0Wj1PiEftE2gcfy3aHXCIwyiY6QvJ3GatZrinT7IUtrtAZTc27_FFFb3E5_nxGR0xXJ_VciDdoK4_Zq2kxAAH8aBa4iQ/s1600-h/image-6.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 230px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixOgl9GQbtcyliggLJbl1K4IQR_il4606jbctExHAKmo2STvD0Wj1PiEftE2gcfy3aHXCIwyiY6QvJ3GatZrinT7IUtrtAZTc27_FFFb3E5_nxGR0xXJ_VciDdoK4_Zq2kxAAH8aBa4iQ/s320/image-6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426578346549748242" border="0" /></a><br />Last Thursday, Millard Villaverde came with us to QC jail because he was convicted by the Gospel reading that morning during his prayer time, "...he has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives." When would he go, he thought, he had a lot to do. But when he continued reading, the Word continued, "Today this Scripture has been fulfilled..." (Luke 4) so he obeyed God's marching orders and was blessed. Truly with obedience comes blessing! He was rewarded right away! One of the things he had to do was arrange a schedule with a priest he usually has to run after, but this time was different! The priest called him up while he was on his way to the jail! God took care of his work, just as He promised to take care of ours when we go serve in the prison!<br /><br />After Luigi gave a detailed bible study about the first chapter of Genesis, Charlie asked questions about the lesson and it was a lot of fun seeing how eager the inmates were to answer (and receive the prizes that Flora Tecson provided). Then Millard gave an inspired sharing which was applauded several times. Truly he was sent by God to minister to our "captive audience"! He shared eloquently how he used weapons of goodness and humility in his fight against an injustice done to him. We ended with Danny Carreon enthusiastically asking our brothers in the prison to list all the verses in the old and new testament about "Do not fear." He said there were more than 350 verses and he would give a prize to the winner who found the most!<br /><br />This Thursday, Millard texted asking me who would give the talk and what was the topic. I responded that I didn't know, the Holy Spirit would lead as He usually does! True enough, our meeting was very charismatic! Ben started off with a teaching about obedience to God. Then Judith Alpay shared tearfully and earnestly about God's message to her for this year about obedience, "Whatever He says to you, do it." (John 2:5) She ended with a song about obedience. Millard was inspired to share too and ended with singing, "Hindi Kita Malilimutan." Charlie joked that he would have to practice singing as the bar has been raised higher for the sharers!<br /><br />We were surprised at how many took Danny Carreon's challenge seriously and listed bible verses about "Do not fear". The winner listed 250 verses. We gave him and the other brothers who painstakingly listed verses, t- shirts from the donations during our Christmas Eve mass.<br /><br />It is indeed inspiring to see God's hand. When we obey Him, He more than meets us half way. We do not need to fear. He sends many companions on our journey. Today we also had Dory Concepcion, Lily Innumerable, Jenny Maniego and Malou Bautista from North-E.<br /><br />Malou shares, "<span style="font-style: italic;">Nakita ko ang mukha ni Jesus sa mga prisoner, wala kang makikita sa mukha nila kung di ngiti at wala kang maririnig sa bibig nila kung di maraming salamat at ramdam ko galing sa puso nila. Si Jesus ang nangusap sa akin nung oras nayon nagpapasalamat at ngumiti sa pagdalaw natin sa kanya sa kulungan</span>." (I saw the face of Jesus in the prisoners. You can't see anything in their faces but smiles, and you can't hear anything but gratitude that I feel comes from their hearts. It was Jesus who spoke to me at that time, who thanked and smiled at me during our visit with him in jail.)HeARTworkshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14953317888563627979noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7840902463853994937.post-53887014917897438382010-01-14T03:57:00.000-08:002010-01-14T04:01:39.676-08:00December 18, 2009<span style="font-family: georgia,serif; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"></span><span style="font-family: georgia,serif; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">I am so proud of my community! Because of their generosity, we were able to collect P41,500.00 in cash </span><span style="font-family: georgia,serif; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">and so much in kind and quantity from our sector and the central sector, for QC Jail. <br /><br />Yesterday, we heard </span><span style="font-family: georgia,serif; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">mass with Fr. Noel in the jail and his homily was brilliant. He said that at first he was kind of scared but when </span><span style="font-family: georgia,serif; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">he saw the eyes of the inmates, he wasn't scared anymore and he thanked us for inviting him. </span><span style="font-family: georgia,serif; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">We were so touched during mass, with the fervency of the singing and how everyone participated.</span> <span style="font-family: georgia,serif; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">It was quite an experience seeing the inmates all raise their hands during the Lualhati sa Diyos,</span> <span style="font-family: georgia,serif; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">hold hands during the Ama Namin (Our Father), and show the peace sign to everyone during the peace be with you!</span><br /> <br /><span style="font-family: georgia,serif; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">We provided hotdog sandwiches, fruit salad, pancit and water for merienda afterwards. Our gift packs for 260 inmates </span><span style="font-family: georgia,serif; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">included a pair of shorts, a bar of detergent, a towel, soap, toothpaste, shampoo, crackers, cookies, </span><span style="font-family: georgia,serif; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">3 packs of noodles, a chocolate bar, coffee, and a gospel tract. One inmate said that our gift packs </span><span style="font-family: georgia,serif; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">were good enough for two! They were as happy as children to receive it and we could see them looking through </span><span style="font-family: georgia,serif; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">their loot and waving to us and saying thank you. We were also able to give token </span><span style="font-family: georgia,serif; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">gift packs to the guards and rehab office workers which included gospel tracts also. </span><br /> <br /><span style="font-family: georgia,serif; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">We gave Jopet one of the really nice beach shorts that Toby E. gave and when we saw him, he was wearing it already!</span> <span style="font-family: georgia,serif; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">He liked it! He has testified twice already and will be cross examined on January 19. Please pray for that</span> <span style="font-family: georgia,serif; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">as that is important for his case.</span><br /><br /> <span style="font-family: georgia,serif; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">Let us continue to pray for conversion of hearts and minds. We plan on conducting an LSS there next year.</span> <span style="font-family: georgia,serif; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">Our next meeting will be on Thursday, January 7, 2010. Please also pray for more workers as the harvest </span><span style="font-family: georgia,serif; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">is PLENTY! </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: georgia,serif; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">Thank you to Vic Vianzon for helping us find Fr. Noel. He did such a good job with the homily, the prisoners</span> <span style="font-family: georgia,serif; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">were inviting him to have a regular 'slot' ! Thank you to Lily who volunteered to help us pack the gifts for the inmates!</span> <span style="font-family: georgia,serif; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">I didn't realize we needed help actually, but it was a lot of work! Thank you to Ben, Dory, Lily, Vic and Clair </span><span style="font-family: georgia,serif; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">who joined us for the mass. </span><br /><br /> <span style="font-family: georgia,serif; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">Thank you, THANK YOU! for all for your prayers, cash donations and contributions. May God, the Giver of every good gift, </span><span style="font-family: georgia,serif; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">bring the gifts that the world cannot give to your doorstep this Holy Season and the coming year.</span>HeARTworkshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14953317888563627979noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7840902463853994937.post-65012251071815897792009-11-24T12:57:00.000-08:002009-11-24T12:58:32.632-08:00Peggy's Sharing<div style="font-family: georgia;"><i><span style="color: black;">Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners.</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: black;">Hebrews 13:3 </span></i><br /></div><div style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: black;">A few of us go to the Quezon City jail every Thursday at 3:00 in the afternoon. How did I ever get myself into this situation? I feel I am the most unlikely person to serve there. Not only am I female(it is an all male prison),I can hardly talk in straight Filipino (the product of parents who came from different provinces and had different dialects, and therefore ending up speaking English).</span><br /></div><div style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: black;">It started when the son of one of our friends was sent to jail on drug charges. And then, in August, as part of our prayer community's activities, we started a time of reflection. The theme for the first week was <span style="color: rgb(56, 118, 29);">"</span></span><span style="color: rgb(56, 118, 29); font-size: small;"><b>An Open Door! Walk through it!</b><span style="color: black;"> The following week's reflections were also so meaningful to me. And so, when an opportunity of a time slot for religious instruction in the jail was offered to us, how could I refuse that open door!? The fact that I was allowed to miss an afternoon's work every week to go there was enough of a sign for me.</span></span><br /><br /></div><div style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: black;">On the first meeting, after someone gave a teaching, I just sat together with my husband when he led the small group sharing. Eventually, in the weeks ahead and with so few of us going regularly, I had to handle a group myself. At first, it felt so weird for me to lead a group of inmates in the small group discussions. Since I do not speak Filipino very well, I sometimes, even now, have to ask them in Filipino, "What is'______' in Filipino?" hoping one of them can translate for me.</span><br /></div><div style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: black;">But God can use even the most unlikely person,and the more I go to the jail, the more I grow in love and compassion for the inmates. </span><span style="color: black;"> So now, I am comfortable to sit among a small group of inmates. Many of them are very young, young enough to be my sons. Many of them are innocent and waiting for their hearings, waiting in such distressing surroundings. The Quezon City Jail is unlike the prisons in the movies, with jail cells with bars and individual beds for each inmate. Since the jail is extremely overcrowded, many of them have no space to sleep, even sleeping one person to each stair step. </span><br /></div><div style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></div><span style="color: black; font-family: georgia;">But,inspite of this, in the midst of the many men who are there, I have seen men wanting to accept Jesus and asking me how; I have seen teary eyed inmates listening to me share, and men who are just so glad to have someone - anyone, visit them there. I have heard them share how light and happy they felt after forgiving those who caused them to be in jail unjustly. <br /><br /><span style="color: black;">Indeed, it is a joy to see God working through this ministry and to visit Jesus in (what Mother Teresa calls) His distressing disguise. <i>"I was in prison and you came to visit me." </i> Matthew 25:36 </span></span>HeARTworkshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14953317888563627979noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7840902463853994937.post-61760885148910617442009-11-21T14:28:00.000-08:002009-11-21T14:32:09.786-08:00God is alive in the QC Jail!This was taken from <a href="http://meldysblog.blogspot.com/">Meldy's blog</a> and written in June 2009:<br /> <span class="insertedphoto"><a href="http://meldyf.multiply.com/photos/hi-res/1M/30"><img class="alignleft" src="http://images.meldyf.multiply.com/image/R1GRJEx1EPmZhwo76I7UPQ/photos/1M/300x300/30/2009-June-020.JPG?et=DbcOUofTLX4yPKObhrdJWw&nmid=0" border="0" /></a>We were pleasantly surprised at how vibrant and alive the prayer meeting was in the QC jail! They have their own music ministry complete with drums, guitar and trumpet. They sang so loud and straight from their heart I cried! Bro.Boy who leads the prayer mtg. puts me to shame with all the bible verses he has memorized...in pilipino pa! We had a video showing of Joel Osteen from his weekly podcast titled " Living Breakthrough Minded". Going there made me realize why God wants to bless them - not only spiritually but also materially. He wants to show them that He will answer their prayers for provision! I feel so privileged that God can use me to bless them....all of us to bless them!<br /><br />We brought with us donations of 120 bibles, merienda and the 1st batch of polo shirts </span><img src="file:///C:/Users/User/AppData/Local/Temp/moz-screenshot.jpg" alt="" /><span class="insertedphoto">and pants. They still need more polo shirts and pants. Most of their waist sizes are 28" to 32"- they're very thin but anything will do. They are not picky. They even wear the girl's petron uniform! They were sitting on the 52 chairs we brought- also from donations! Two of them got prizes for memorizing Ps23. I would have wanted to take more pictures but it's actually not allowed. Patsy just sneaked this one.<br /><br />Thanks so much to all those who rummaged through their closets! To all the rest PURGE NOW! and make an inmate happy. Remember, what you do for the least of your brethren you do unto HIM! God bless! </span>HeARTworkshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14953317888563627979noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7840902463853994937.post-340738822278242072009-11-20T16:28:00.000-08:002009-11-20T17:19:34.477-08:00November 12, 2009 Update<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfxpBq3PIPzc8d_Uq8Zi0OSdaToTpti-svWDNvldZMvXk3mI9nomR50492Tg9ERTzKFHDhl0z9QTHBpF58Ddi7llhyiTk64auDSRd3doeOeM_QTfNOFxVrNSHj_zaS692aihvNqlDen70/s1600/011+Bless+the+Lord+O+my+Soul+with+Bird.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfxpBq3PIPzc8d_Uq8Zi0OSdaToTpti-svWDNvldZMvXk3mI9nomR50492Tg9ERTzKFHDhl0z9QTHBpF58Ddi7llhyiTk64auDSRd3doeOeM_QTfNOFxVrNSHj_zaS692aihvNqlDen70/s320/011+Bless+the+Lord+O+my+Soul+with+Bird.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406360358046612642" border="0" /></a><br /><p class="MsoNormal">Let me share my exhilaration and amazement at what God is doing in our <span class="il">prison</span> <span class="il">ministry</span> so you will be reminded to keep praying for it <span> </span>(like a missile, Ric Warren said, prayer will find its target unerringly!)</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Usually Peggy and I just sit on the sidelines praying while any one of the brothers give a<span> </span>talk or sharing (Luigi, Charlie, Lito, Ben Salvedia, Ben Galang, Ian Belmonte, Dennis Castillo, Stephen Rebueno, Joe Dean Sola, Jojo Villegas, brothers <span> </span>from Familia, etc.)<span> </span>But yesterday there was no doubt about it, God wanted me to share!<span> </span>Before the meeting, we prayed a prayer of protection, then Charlie, who has been taking the lead in this <span class="il">ministry</span>, said he was going to talk about God loving the prisoners.<span> </span>I said Oh no!<span> </span>that’s what the Lord has been prompting me to share!<span> </span>So of course I had to share and amazingly, the butterflies and other pains in my tummy disappeared while I was in front sharing in my awkward Pilipino about how God loves them so much and wants to give them so much and share His life with them.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">During the groupings, I usually don’t have to lead a men’s group when Familia brothers and sisters arrive, but yesterday, we were so few that I had to handle a group.<span> </span>Jopet said he’d join me and he noticed how I was having a hard time understanding what the inmates were saying that he practically took over!<span> </span>I was thanking God at his transformation when he led the prayer, and shared.<span> </span>He talked to the inmates about how his case was hopeless in the eyes of the world because it was the president who put him behind bars.<span> </span>“Huwag kayong mawalan ng pag-asa,” he encouraged them, “tignan niyo ko.<span> </span>Gawa lang tayo ng mabuti dito at kapag lumabas tayo, mag-iba na tayo ng buhay!”<span> </span>You know I was listening intently to what he was saying, and all the others in our group were also listening.<span> </span>I was thinking that it was so obvious God is planning something wonderful for this young boy.<span> </span>Let’s pray that he will open his heart more to receive all God wants to teach him.<span> </span>He’s already opened his heart and mind to giving what he can, where he is, with what he has.<span> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Here’s an opportunity to be blessed- the LNP group were tasked to sponsor a mass on Thursday, December 17, 4pm, and to give out 250 gifts and merienda for the prisoners after. We’re looking to give each inmate a pail with cover with stuff inside.<span> </span>The pail is so that they have a place to put their things.<span> </span>The inmates have to use the big paint pails for lockers because there are no cabinets for a majority of the inmates.<span> </span>We want to put soap, shampoo, toothpaste, face towel, sardines, etc. inside.<span> </span>So if anyone has connections to companies who would be able to donate ,we would appreciate if you give us where to write or if you could facilitate yourself, that would be most appreciated!<span> </span>Of course any donation, no matter how small is appreciated.<span> </span>Pls bring to any papemelroti branch (no money pls) and label for <span class="il">prison</span> <span class="il">ministry</span>.<span> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Thank you for all the support, especially to those who have given talks, provided for merienda, thank you to Timmy Tan who sent Ian to support us every week!<span> </span>Thank you a million times for the prayers because every week God sends His angels to protect us, sends His Spirit to guide our meetings, sends brothers and sisters to minister to the inmates He loves very much.<span> </span>Let us keep the people He loves in our hearts and minds, let us make His passion, our as well!</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Pls contact me if you have comments, suggestions, whatever- :^)</p>HeARTworkshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14953317888563627979noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7840902463853994937.post-26576395789523770692009-11-20T16:20:00.000-08:002009-11-20T16:38:17.969-08:00July 11, 2009 Update<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_me60ZPQv5-5l58p-UlGMCKUIy2UgpA3-gyhxukuo0r5z4-TAcScpkeXjWS_kQMwHpWM1Hgo9OzQHfifOmsJD07hWh8O1oc_dyqcdoq0k6vMTqCl9nDKemur1Nosm4j0OeVtb0SxS5HE/s1600/Simple+Joys.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_me60ZPQv5-5l58p-UlGMCKUIy2UgpA3-gyhxukuo0r5z4-TAcScpkeXjWS_kQMwHpWM1Hgo9OzQHfifOmsJD07hWh8O1oc_dyqcdoq0k6vMTqCl9nDKemur1Nosm4j0OeVtb0SxS5HE/s320/Simple+Joys.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406349684259225362" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">Jopet, the son of a friend of mine has been in prison for 6 months now. Blame it on a skewed justice system. He's just 23 years old and we've been visiting the prison, bringing bibles, chairs for their chapel, food for the meetings, and now we're collecting shirts and pants for the prisoners to wear when they have hearings.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:georgia,serif;" >It's so inspiring to talk to this young man because he proves Romans 8:28: And we know that God causes </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:georgia,serif;" >all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. It's a terrible thing for him to have to stay in jail with all the other prisoners. We know all the horror stories. But after talking to <span class="il">him</span>, I could see God's hand. </span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:georgia,serif;" >He admitted that if God hadn't allowed him to go to jail, his life may have gone on a downward spiral. But now, I see that he's grown in the Lord, his heart has expanded, and he's recognized his gifts. He is developing his drawing and painting, something he didn't use to do. He didn't use to read, now he's read 30 books. He didn't use to write, now he has a journal. When before he was concerned with acquiring the best cellphone, he now appreciates simple joys. He also cares about the other inmates. He makes really tasty sandwiches, cuts them up, and serves his fellow inmates. He esp. tries to show care to those without visitors, because these men sometimes get crazy!</span><br /><br /><strong style="font-family: georgia,serif; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=65&chapter=13&verse=3&version=31&context=verse" target="_blank">Hebrews 13:3</a></strong><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:georgia,serif;" > Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners,</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">He'll be turning 24 soon, and I'm collecting encouraging messages to bring to the jail on his birthday. Won't you say a prayer for him please?<br /></span>HeARTworkshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14953317888563627979noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7840902463853994937.post-53849310374460648932009-11-20T16:17:00.000-08:002009-11-21T15:09:45.703-08:00Ways Prison Ministry Promotes Church Growth<div style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="im"> <p style="text-align: center;" align="center"><b><span style=";font-size:14;color:red;" >TEN WAYS <span class="il">PRISON</span> <span class="il">MINISTRY</span> PROMOTES CHURCH GROWTH</span></b><b><span style=";font-size:14;color:red;" ></span></b></p> <p>This is from an article about <a href="http://business.baylor.edu/phil_vanauken/Prison.htm">Prison Ministries</a>.<br /></p><p>"I never shared my faith with anyone until I got involved in <span class="il">prison</span> <span class="il">ministry</span>." "<span class="il">Prison</span> work taught me the true meaning of forgiveness, repentance, and restoration." "My prayer life has a new lease on life due to jail <span class="il">ministry</span>." </p> <p>These comments from recent <span class="il">prison</span> (or jail) <span class="il">ministry</span> volunteers capture some of the joy and spiritual excitement of this strategically important church <span class="il">ministry</span>. The growth of the local church is built on the personal spiritual growth of its members. <span class="il">Prison</span> <span class="il">ministry</span> offers unique, vital opportunities for personal spiritual growth because volunteers get personally involved, even immersed, in the gospel basics: witnessing, Bible teaching, counseling, worship, and encouragement. And when church members catch fire for the Lord, it won’t be long before the church grows. </p> <p>Let’s explore ten core impacts <span class="il">prison</span> <span class="il">ministry</span> can have on the local church and its members: </p> <p>1. <b><u><span class="il">Prison</span> <span class="il">ministry</span> is America’s largest spiritual harvest field</u></b><u>.</u> There are more than a million inmates, many of whom are genuinely seeking change, stability, and love in their lives. Many inmates acknowledge that coming to <span class="il">prison</span> was "the best thing that ever happened to me" because they encountered Christ. </p> </div><p style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">2. <b><u><span class="il">Prison</span> <span class="il">ministry</span> does wonders for revitalizing the spiritual lives of volunteers (and subsequently their churches</u></b><u>).</u> There’s nothing like sharing the gospel to open ears, teaching the Word to thirsty minds, and praying for people with broken hearts to "rev up" one’s spiritual life and commitment. And the newfound spiritual enthusiasm of a <span class="il">prison</span> volunteer is infectious, quickly spreading throughout his or her Sunday school class and friendship network. </p><div class="im"> <p>3. <b><u><span class="il">Prison</span> <span class="il">ministry</span> breathes new life into church evangelism and outreach programs</u></b>. Unfortunately many evangelism and visitation programs are either stillborn or impotent because charged up church members experience so few genuine opportunities to share their faith and see God reap the harvest. Doors are shut in their face, invitations rejected, and the same prospect cards endlessly recycled. In <span class="il">prison</span> <span class="il">ministry</span>, by contrast, spiritually hungry inmates come to the Christian volunteer, often in bountiful numbers--and all under the careful supervision and organization of the chaplain’s office! </p> <p>4. <b><u><span class="il">Prison</span> work can be a real shot in the arm to the Sunday school <span class="il">ministry</span></u>.</b> Class members can pray for inmates on a personal level, participate in "pen pal" correspondence with recently converted inmates, and pray for and encourage those who actually represent the class "behind the walls." Inmates are invariably deeply moved to know that a whole class is regularly praying for them. (This is the first time many inmates have ever experienced genuine love from anyone.) Some Sunday school classes even "adopt" an inmate’s family in their local area, opening up the vital new arena of compassion <span class="il">ministry</span>. </p> <p>5. <b><u><span class="il">Prison</span> <span class="il">ministry</span> enhances worship.</u></b> Many <span class="il">prison</span> volunteers receive a renewed vision for worship while attending church services behind the walls. When repentant Christians of all color meet together to express their love for Christ and joy in being spiritual brothers and sisters, things happen. <span class="il">Prison</span> worship is never characterized by stale routine or manufactured emotion--inmates definitely see themselves as God’s chosen people, not God’s frozen people! </p> <p>6. <b><u><span class="il">Prison</span> <span class="il">ministry</span> enhances the church training effort</u></b> by preparing volunteers to minister to the unique needs of incarcerated Christians. What they learn about sharing their faith, counseling Bible study, and follow-up is equally applicable in "free world" <span class="il">ministry</span>. Knowing they will actually utilize these skills upon entering <span class="il">prison</span> makes volunteers attentive, serious learners. The necessary training can be supplied by a <span class="il">prison</span> chaplain, a veteran volunteer, or a <span class="il">prison</span> <span class="il">ministry</span> such as <span class="il">Prison</span> Fellowship or Bill Glass Ministries. </p> <p>7. <b><u><span class="il">Prison</span> <span class="il">ministry</span> gets church members off the pews and outside church walls</u></b><u>.</u> Christians of all backgrounds, education levels, and varieties of spiritual gifts participate in <span class="il">prison</span>/jail <span class="il">ministry</span>. Men and women, young and old, new Christian and "senior saint" all have a place chosen by God to serve. And <span class="il">prison</span> work is never very far away: city and county jails, juvenile detention centers, state and federal prisons, and "halfway houses." </p> <p>8. <b><u><span class="il">Prison</span> <span class="il">ministry</span> teaches deep spiritual lessons</u></b><u>,</u> such as how to forgive, how to restore, and how to really pray (reminding that God does all the work in <span class="il">prison</span> <span class="il">ministry</span>). It also teaches very practical lessons about listening, patience, cross-cultural communication, and theological diversity among Christians. </p> <p>9. <b><u><span class="il">Prison</span> <span class="il">ministry</span> promotes cooperation and goodwill among diverse</u></b><u> Christians</u> from different denominations, socioeconomic backgrounds, and theological points of view. Paul’s admonition to keep our eyes upon Christ was never more true than in <span class="il">prison</span> <span class="il">ministry</span>. </p> <p>10. <b><u><span class="il">Prison</span> <span class="il">ministry</span> produces new church members and <span class="il">ministry</span> volunteers.</u></b> Contrary to the worry of some myopic pastors that <span class="il">prison</span> <span class="il">ministry</span> will "steal away" their volunteers, Christians who become active in the spiritual basics of witnessing, spiritual teaching/counseling, and prayer gain a renewed desire to serve their local churches. Many times it is the pastor or staff member who is most revived by contact or personal involvement with <span class="il">prison</span> <span class="il">ministry</span>. Just listen to the testimony of pastors and lay people actively engaged in <span class="il">prison</span> work—there’s always an unmistakable spark of joy and enthusiasm when they share their experiences before the local church.<br /></p> <table style="width: 202px; height: 40px;" border="1" cellpadding="0"> <tbody><tr> <td style="padding: 5.25pt;" valign="top"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>Above all else, <span class="il">prison</span> <span class="il">ministry</span> is a shower of blessings for all those involved. You can experience the wonder and joy of leading people to Christ and seeing them start their lives over in ways productive to society and pleasing to God. You see prayers answered in timely and miraculous ways, strengthening your personal prayer life. You experience complete dependence on God for <span class="il">ministry</span> success after realizing that nothing lasting happens in <span class="il">prison</span> through purely human effort and striving. You come to understand deep down inside the awful nature and consequences of sin and the unique role of Christ in creating new creatures. <span class="il">Prison</span> <span class="il">ministry</span> shows us why indeed we’re all brothers and sisters united in Christ. </p> </div></div><br /><span style="color: rgb(136, 136, 136); font-family: georgia;"><br /></span>HeARTworkshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14953317888563627979noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7840902463853994937.post-71733036990120039432009-11-20T16:14:00.000-08:002009-11-21T07:47:10.693-08:00September 16, 2009 Roy's sharing<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFum9V0Vtkcx1UcNyL5VivDe9e42ZGXnl24UniIMahHJBpMYH21j7BGRfb9QNLoa7WSy57DEpKY0mhB9E23iRDgf3KQrS-OvLEsQMglhuyIMdfKzO05t5mM565t_hH13dyVtzUALb9HBc/s1600/image.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 228px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFum9V0Vtkcx1UcNyL5VivDe9e42ZGXnl24UniIMahHJBpMYH21j7BGRfb9QNLoa7WSy57DEpKY0mhB9E23iRDgf3KQrS-OvLEsQMglhuyIMdfKzO05t5mM565t_hH13dyVtzUALb9HBc/s320/image.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406583921721922306" border="0" /></a><br />Dear Everyone,<br /><br />I just wanted to add to Patsy's sharing.<br /><br />In my small group discussion, it was clear that what the prisoners needed was a reassurance that somebody still cared for them, no matter what crimes they may have committed (actually, the prisoners have not yet been convicted and their cases are still being heard, many of them delayed for several years already, probably because they did not have the means or the<br />influence to speed up their trials).<br /><br />I think a lot of them are attending these prayer meetings because they feel that only God can forgive them for what they have done, and that only God can provide them the salvation they are looking for. Indeed, it will be difficult for them to receive forgiveness and understanding from their victims or from their own friends and relatives who may have already given<br />up on them.<br /><br />So those who volunteer for the <span class="il">prison</span> <span class="il">ministry</span> and spend time with them give a human face to the God they are praying to, that the God they are yearning for to show them mercy and understanding is actually answering their prayers through the volunteers. And this, I guess, is where their true conversion starts.<br /><br />In my small group were two suspected thieves, one suspect for frustrated murder, one for murder, one for rape-kidnapping-murder and one for rape of her apo. Yes, these are indeed difficult people to minister to. The message I gave them was for them not to lose hope, that God is a merciful God and that they should never stop praying no matter how hopeless the<br />situation may look like. And that there are people who continue to pray for their welfare and will provide them some measure of comfort by spending time with them and to listen to their stories. And the only way this message will get through to them is by continuing this <span class="il">ministry</span> with<br />everyone's support.<br /><br />It was indeed a touching experience for me, and a truly memorable birthday. I do encourage everyone to consider celebrating their birthdays with the inmates or other less fortunate brothers and sisters as well.<br /><br />Many thanks for all the brothers and sisters, especially the Alejandro sisters, for their example of selflessness and love for the inmates and for giving me an opportunity to have a very meaningful birthday celebration.<br /><br />God bless!<br /><br />RoyHeARTworkshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14953317888563627979noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7840902463853994937.post-27326748859890683252009-11-20T15:59:00.000-08:002009-11-20T16:02:33.758-08:00Sept.15, 2009<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Dear brothers and sisters, </span><br /> <br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> What most impressed me at yesterday's jail visit was something a </span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> Nigerian prisoner told Luigi. This prisoner,his name is Tom Smith, told the other inmates that </span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> although it had been raining for days, it will not be raining on Thursday when we come back! True enough, it wasn't raining! </span><br /> <br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> But the devil worked overtime- we were not able to use the chapel as there was another group </span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> teaching rug making. We had to make do with a little room that held about 30 people. </span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> So very few inmates got to join in and listen. </span><br /> <br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> After Bong Mallari of Familia led the singing and prayers, Joe Dean gave his testimony. </span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> Even if the room was too overcrowded and hot, we still had small groups after Joe Dean's sharing. Praise the Lord for the 4 Familia brothers who came to serve, for</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> Charlie and Roy who celebrated their birthdays there. Thank you to Ian (Central </span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> singles) who helped distribute the 100 hotdogs and juice that Roy and Ross prepared. </span><br /> <br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> While Lalay and Ellen talked to Jopet, Ross and Tina (North B) got an eye opening tour from Tita Betty. Please pray for next Thursday's meeting that God will bless the inmates and show His love and mercy through those who will come and serve. Most of all pray for volunteers to come, and also that we will be able to use the chapel! </span><br /> <br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> I have realized the most important gift for these inmates is really showing that God cares about them. Just talking to one inmate gives that one person hope. Like when Luigi talked to Tom Smith- He was caught by the police in T. Morato and accused of drug dealing when all he had on him was one pill of ecstacy. The police asked him for P250,000 to set him free but he doesn't have friends, and no money. </span><br /> <br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> But what he said, that it won't rain when we come, tells me he had faith and hope. Perhaps in some way we can be rainbows to these men who are hungry for any sign that they are </span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> not forgotten. </span><br /> <br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> God is so good to us!! </span><br /><br /><b style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia,serif;"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=65&chapter=13&verse=3&version=31&context=verse" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Hebrews 13:3</a></b><br /> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia,serif;">Remember those in <span class="il">prison</span> as if you were their fellow <span>prisoners</span>...</span> <br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> :^) patsy</span>HeARTworkshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14953317888563627979noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7840902463853994937.post-54025102961417879702009-11-20T15:56:00.000-08:002009-11-20T15:57:29.529-08:00August 25, 2009<span style="font-family: georgia,serif; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">Dear brothers and sisters,</span><br /><br /> <span style="font-family: georgia,serif; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">I have just been told that a group of seminarians have stopped going to the QC jail </span><br /> <span style="font-family: georgia,serif; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">and their slot has opened up- it's every Thursday afternoon.</span><br /><span style="font-family: georgia,serif; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">Sister Betty Evangelista said that many other religions have asked for the schedule</span><br /> <span style="font-family: georgia,serif; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">to preach the word and evangelize. But she said she wanted to ask us first (Ligaya ng Panginoon). Because we have donated chairs, bibles, books and clothes, they were very happy to reserve it for us if we decide to take it on. <br /><br />I realize it's difficult because we are all working and it's a week day. However I also figured this may be one of the OPEN DOORS God is offering us to Be Fruitful, Multiply and Occupy. I would like to ask if there are brothers and sisters willing to commit to this service? It doesn't have to be every week, it can be once a month or once in two months. If we can get enough brothers and sisters to help out, I am sure it won't be burdensome</span> <span style="font-family: georgia,serif; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">and the rewards will more than compensate for any time and resources we sacrifice. </span><br /> <br /><b style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0); font-family: georgia,serif;"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=65&chapter=13&verse=3&version=31&context=verse" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Hebrews 13:3</a></b><br /> <span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0); font-family: georgia,serif;">Remember those in <span class="il">prison</span> as if you were their fellow <span>prisoners</span>...</span> <br /><br /><span style="font-family: georgia,serif; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">God bless you,</span><br /> <span style="font-family: georgia,serif; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">:^) patsy</span>HeARTworkshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14953317888563627979noreply@blogger.com0