True North Missionaries Journal

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” -Joshua 1:9

They say all good things come to an end. For me, going on mission to Trinidad was one last hurrah.   I was prepared to serve with joy, love those I would encounter and once again leave my comfort zone.

As my tenure as an MV is coming to a close, I wanted to give this mission trip my all. Truth is, the Lord is not done with me yet. The joy I find in mission is undeniable and I will continue to serve and give my time to the Lord when He calls.

The joy I find in mission is undeniable and I will continue to serve and give my time to the Lord when He calls.

Being immersed for close to three weeks, not only allowed me to witness Christ to others, but draw the parallels and similarities from our perspective areas. We all share a common bond whether we are SFCs from the same area, region, country or international. We were all ready to serve, give our best and share our experiences.

If I had to pick one moment, it was attending 11pm first Friday Eucharistic adoration with local SFCS at the downtown Cathedral. I realized although we are countries apart, we share the same struggles and concerns as community leaders but also the same devotions and joy in mission.

I am truly grateful for the mission volunteer program that has helped me grow spiritually, emotionally and in my service. To be given the opportunity to expand my borders further than I ever dreamed and has truly led me to meeting Christ in others.

#iamSFC #MissionVolunteers #CaribbeanMissions #TrinidadandTobago #JoyinMission #teamKFC

You walked where I used to walk

Stood right where I used to stand

Saw what I used to see

And it reminded me

Of the dreams that I have

Dreams that one day

I’ll walk her where I used to walk

Stand with her where I used to stand

Together stare at the beauty

Of the places where I used to be

But I am here

You are there

And to be in the same place

At this very moment

Is not meant to be

Lord this is my heart

To You I offer it

All my dreams and hopes

I raise them all to You

All the hurts, regrets and uncertainties

I lay at the foot of Your cross

With faith, joy and gratitude

I will walk with You

Towards the eternal prize

I will set my eyes on

Where I am at right now

I will be my best

I will live in the moment

Grateful of what was

And hopeful of what is to be

Lord I want Your dream

To be my very own dream

One day I’ll walk again that lane

Seeing that dream a reality

Sincerely,

Aldin Francis

The picture shows University of Santo Tomas in Manila where I spent 4 years of my life in College. The lane at the center is called the Lover’s Lane where I used to walk almost daily going home after class. It was where I dreamed dreams. I want to personally call it the Dreamer’s Lane.

God doesn’t rule primarily by judging and condemning but by watering us.

After TNC I went for a short hike with my SFC brother and sister. We decided to take the Johnston Canyon trail, it was nice and  I learned a lot from my hiking buddies.

While walking and talking to my friends I cant removed my eyes on the flowing water and be amazed on it. Then I remember one of my favorite tagalog song entitled “Awit ng Paghahangad” this is the first stanza:

O Diyos Ikaw ang laging hanap,

Loob ko’y Ikaw ang tanging hangad.

Nauuhaw akong parang tigang na lupa

Sa tubig ng ‘Yong pag-aaruga.

I always reflect on this song every time I am down and I feel that I am dry and longing for something. I am the dry soil who need his love and presence. Because of busy schedule in my social, personal and community life I feel so drain and I wanna give up, so seeing the water flowing I was reminded of Gods flowing stream of water of life and He rules in us by watering us and giving us to drink. It is his flowing LOVE that makes me going and removed the feeling of being a drought. But the feeling of being dry and down means that I know someone is always there ready to water me and make me a healthy soil that other can grow in me (like a plant growing on a healthy soil).

Heavenly Father,

What a mighty flowing out You are. You flow throughout the ages! You flow in many stages and in many ways to reach me. O, Lord, keep me drinking on You. Keep me in the divine stream of your LOVE.Supply me the water I need every time I feel dry and make me a healthy and fertilized soil so other can grown on me. Lord, praise You for the divine stream in which I drink.

AMEN

Mark Mirano

Everything and nothing less forever
Everything and nothing less
Oh, my life is Yours
Completely Yours, Oh!

Twenty-nine different journeys in life crossing paths. Twenty-nine encounters with Christ.

Twenty-nine individuals from across North America. Twenty nine beautiful souls. Twenty-nine different journeys in life crossing paths. Twenty-nine encounters with Christ.

In the past, the Lord never failed to inspire me and refresh my heart through nature.   I’ve always sought Him in my travels through forests, beaches, mountains and even deserts. Needless to say, I was excited to experience God’s creation in a 3-day camping pseudo retreat. I looked forward to being out the city and spend time in the Rockies.

Truth be told, socializing on a 3-day camping trip was at the bottom of my expectations. Ambivert by nature, I predicted that I would ‘do my own thing’ and wander off to explore the ins and outs of Banff. Bears and all.

As always, the same lesson was repeated: Trust the Lord and let Him surprise you. Although I was able to fulfill my dreams of hiking in Banff, God had other plans to tug at my heart. It wasn’t through nature but each personal connection I made along the way.

Whether it was a shared laugh or out pouring of life’s desires, the Lord revealed Himself to me through others. Sometimes I get caught up the busyness of service and tasks that I forget to take the time just enjoy the moment and present company.

I will be forever grateful for this experience. Even reflecting three weeks later, the smiles, struggles, sweat, tears and even puns still tickle my heart. Although I expected to find Christ through a physical mountaintop experience, it was instead the joy of finding Christ in others.

*Special shoutouts to the Pre-TNCers if you’re reading this.

#PRETNC2017 #TEAMCLINGY

Praise God for the successful Singles for Christ True North Conference 2017!

It has been 9 days now since the TNC ended and I’m missing it so much. People ask what do I like most about TNC or which part was most memorable for me. I loved the talks especially because it has helped me understand better and appreciate more the Catholic faith. I loved the testimonies of our religious Brothers and Sisters and the Priests because they inspired me to pray even more and really discern for my vocation. The most memorable part for me was leading the conference band.

I have served as a member of the conference band as a vocalist for two consecutive years in 2011 Whistler and 2012 Ottawa Conferences. I have learned so much from my leaders and band mates and have enjoyed the friendship that the band has developed. We became a family and until now, each time we see each other at events or gatherings, we would rekindle the blessed times we’ve spent serving through Music Ministry and the fun memories we’ve shared.

This time it was a little bit different. I was asked to be the head of the conference band. Oh boy did all the questions, doubts and mixed emotions gushed and flooded my mind! I was excited as that was the first time that I will be leading a conference band. I was excited at the thought of meeting new people and making new friends. I was excited to make use of the talent that the Lord has gifted me with to glorify Him. I was excited of the message that the Lord has for me during this TNC.

There were doubts too. I am not a guitar player. I can play in emergency situations when no one can play the guitar but I will just usually focus on vocals. Usually, it is the acoustic guitarist that will lead the Conference band as he will know when to prompt or cue and he has more knowledge in the instrumental aspect of the band. I did question my appointment but I prayed and just trusted that the Lord will equip me for it. So with confidence in the Lord’s provision, I followed and accepted the mission He gave me.

Then came our practice days before the TNC. Finally, we were able to meet each and everyone face to face and the band was able to practice as one group. We started day 1 with a prayer and dinner then opened the practice with a worship. We did a get-to-know activity introducing ourselves by our names, sharing about our family and service, and what do we love most about our respective areas. We had a brief orientation and overview of our practice schedule, the conference, and the expectations from the members of the band. We did 2 sets of worship songs and the practice went well. We ended our night in a fun board game with one person sniffing a shoe and the other doing a hula dance!

Day 2 came. We had our wake up call at 6 am, had our personal prayer time, attended to hygiene then ate breakfast. By 8 am we had our morning worship. After morning worship, to wake us up because we have been fasting from caffeinated, carbonated and sweetened drinks, we did a game entitled “Protect the President.” We had so much fun during the game! Then we proceeded to a short walk around the community, rested for a bit when we returned home, then proceeded with practice.

We had the whole repertoire of worship songs to practice for the day till 4 pm. In the middle of practices, there were moments when we will feel tired, or will voice out suggestions, or give corrections, or will crack jokes or sort of play around practice time. With the short time left to finish the songs, I found myself losing patience, entertaining doubts in my head, belittling myself, questioning my anointing as head of the band and only seeing that there are other musicians more capable of leading the band than I can. I knew I was being attacked by the enemy. So deep inside me I fervently pray that the Lord take those thoughts away. I was reminded again of the expectations we laid at day 1: be excellent, yes and still enjoy and encounter Christ in everyone.

From then on, I loosened up a bit and learned to trust more in the providence of the Lord. I was reminded of the two sisters close to Christ, Mary and Martha, who in their own ways showed their love for the Lord. I saw myself leaning towards more to Martha focusing on the technicalities of tasks I need to accomplish than encountering the Lord as to how Mary did. I needed to have a balance of both. We made sure we had break times. We played games and laughed so hard! We attended mass and recollection. We had a short day trip for ice cream. We dine out. We had nap time. We had bubble tea. We shared about our lives. We had fun. We indeed encountered our Lord!

TNC day came when all our efforts, prayers and preparations will finally be put into action. I was excited and at the same time nervous. But the sight of our Blessed Mother right from where I stand in the band gave me so much reassurance, encouragement, peace, and joy that we will be well taken care of. The sight of our Lord on the Cross reminded me of the real purpose of my passion and mission. I was just all eyes on Him the whole time we played music and led worship.

It has been 9 days now since the TNC ended and I’m missing it so much but I know that the experiences and the relationships built have not ended but still is ongoing leading us even closer to Christ.

I will forever be reminded of our band’s  favorite version of the Liveloud song Eyes On: “Eyes on the ice cream pressing on, looking forward to McKay’s.” The journey continues and I’m keeping my eyes on the “ice cream,” which is heaven.

Our prize is eternal, 
into your direction forward to reach our home 
Shake off our chains, the sins of our past 
Will fade in Your awesome love


Lord, Your grace speaks true love
None can fathom Your ways
In every stride, we take by faith
As we give our all to You


Eyes on the distance pressing on
Looking forward to that day
When every heart sings out Your name
Our lives will pave the way


For You, for You
We live for Your name's sake
In You, in You
Our lives won't be the same

I’ve been suffering from vertigo for the past couple of days. Imagine waking up as your surroundings spun out of control. I was freaking out and I felt so sick. I was crawling to the bathroom and it wasn’t even 5 am yet. I felt so helpless.

Last night, my family brought me to the emergency to get checked. I waited to be seen by the on-call doctor as a series of injured patients piled in. Some were from a motorcycle accident, the rest were from drinking and driving.

And so I waited for my turn amidst the smell of blood, flesh wounds and vomit. I sat there and kept my stomach from churning. Finally I was tended to, and was referred to a specialist. My wait was longer than my actual check up.

Today, I waited for 4 hours to see the doctor. I only had crackers to munch on. I was getting so impatient and annoyed until I realized that most of my fellow patients were elderly. They were old and weak and they’d been waiting longer than I. So I told myself to wait longer.

After the check up, my aunt, brother and myself went straight to the restaurant to eat as we were starving. Within minutes, the food we ordered came, except for mine. Five minutes passed, then 10, then 15 then almost 30 minutes passed. Finally after following up, my order came. I was already past the point of hunger.

When it was time to get my prescription, the first pharmacy was full so we moved on to the next one but they didn’t have the medicine I needed.  It’s true what they say, third time’s the charm. Got the medicine on the third try.

Then on the way home, the bus ride that was only supposed to be 40 minutes turned to two hours due to road construction. So I sat there contemplating and realizing that the Lord is clearly telling me to wait.

Then when I looked up, I saw one of the most beautiful sunsets ever. The sky was orange red, in layers, fiery and bright. It was straight out of a dream.

All day long I’ve had to wait for something or someone. All day long I’ve been delayed. All day long I was chasing something I knew I needed. All the while, I was hopeful it will be my turn. I was hopeful that the food will soon come and I can finally eat. I was hopeful the next pharmacy had my prescription. It got me thinking, what does it mean to wait? What does it mean to be patient? It all lies in that four letter word: hope.

Waiting isn’t easy. Being delayed or derailed is frustrating. When situations don’t go the way we imagined it, we start to doubt and think it’s not meant for us. Sometimes it makes more sense to give up and just walk away, try our luck again tomorrow but when we’re in that moment, though we might think that our time is wasted or we’re sent on a loop, the point is to keep looking forward. To keep hoping especially if we know at the end of that hope is what we need most, what is necessary, what we’ve asked for from the Lord. He said, ask and you shall receive.

So trust that He will hand it to you; hopeful that it is the best for you.

At the end of the day, like that sunset, the Lord can turn it all around and show you what He’s been painting in the background for you, all along. We can’t pretend to see the ending but we know and are hopeful that the Lord is already there. Sometimes waiting is necessary. Often, waiting makes room for God’s grace.

Hopeful,

Alodia