As a church kid, it was really my heart’s desire to join the Full-time Training in Malabon (FTTM). Prior to my training, I have been hearing unusual testimonies of the trainees who had unfavorable experiences during the propagation. I told the Lord that whenever I would be assigned in the propagation, I should not be placed in an uncomfortable place specifically in a “mountainous” place. This condition that I often brought in prayer exposed my unwillingness to suffer which the Lord reminded me in the propagation.
Historically known as the hottest place in the Philippines, the province of Cagayan, particularly the locality of Sanchez Mira, was the spot the Lord has prepared for me to absolutely gain Him during the 41st FTTM propagation. Our team of three was assigned in Sanchez Mira, Cagayan. I’ve never heard of that place before but I was certain that it is the desert part of the Philippines. The temperature of the place could really turn your skin into a “charcoal” but hallelujah, it has also never failed my spirit to be burned into flame, loving the Lord! Despite the condition of the environment, it never afforded me to be home-sick nor be anxious. The place made me simply to turn unceasingly to the Lord and exercise my spirit to say, “Amen!”
As we arrived at the place, the first thing that struck me was not actually the irritating humidity since I was expecting it, but the prayer I made quite long before I entered the training. The initials of the place, “S.M.,” are quite comforting to think since it sounds like a shopping mall, but in reality it stands for “seas” and “mountains.” This was exactly the opposite of what I prayed before. I then realized that it doesn’t mean that the Lord never hears my prayers but it entails my growth and maturity in life, the Lord will sovereignly place me in an unexpected environment where I can absolutely gain Him.
Being a “first-timer” in propagation caused me to experience many things for the first time. The six-week propagation enabled me to be brought in the reality of the “six NOTs”: not afraid of suffering, not afraid of difficulty, not showing one’s poverty, not soliciting funds, not afraid to die and not loving one’s soul-life. The initial aim was to gain souls through preaching of the Mystery of Human Life. Majority of the people only understood Ilocano, so it was my first time to have an interest in studying Ilocano. It was through the Lord’s grace and mercy that the people were open to the gospel. For their baptism, we have to walk a kilometer just to reach the biggest baptismal pool, that is, the Pacific Ocean. Since many were willing to be baptized, we steep rugged road day by day under the heat of the sun.
Among the other experiences that I’ve never encountered before were the following: getting water supply from a well, eating a “grass-like” food, consuming sweet potato as our viand, and lastly to be in Banaue Rice Terraces for a week during the Young People’s Conference. It was in the latter environment that the Lord dealt with me considerably breaking the shell of my outer man, which strengthened me into my inner man (2 Cor. 4:16). In Banaue, I truly and deeply enjoyed the bountiful supply through the messages. But the Lord allotted something more for me to be deeply rooted in Him. That was when I got contaminated with a chicken pox virus from an infected brother who attended that conference. I never even saw that brother once, thus, I was wondering why among hundreds of young people there, I was the only one who was infected. I asked, “Of all the time and place I could have it, why was that illness given to me during the propagation?” But, hallelujah! My self was subdued by the Lord. I realized that His power is indeed perfected in my weakness (2 Cor. 12:9). My eyesight was opened not to preserve my soul-life, but counting all things as loss that I may gain Christ (Phil. 3:7-8). The enemy may frustrate me in serving the Lord but I just need to stand on the Lord’s side for me to be found victorious in Him. Hence, despite my illness, the Lord’s move in Sanchez Mira was still intensified. Through all the cirhad to repeat this for four times a day. It was really my first time to walk that distance over a cumstances, I rejoiced in the Lord always, giving thanks and turning to Him in my prayers unceasingly (1 Thes. 5:16-18).
Two last things that the Lord enlightened and perfected me during the propagation were my personal enjoyment of the Lord and my coordination with the team. Only in the propagation was I sincere to spend much time to absorb Him personally by being constituted with the Word. The Lord’s speaking is in my spirit, the environment and in the saints. I really appreciated His speaking through the expounded and high peak truths in the Life-study messages and ministry books. Since the team had the same appetite to personally enjoy the Lord, it was never hard for us to be properly coordinated. The oneness and harmony in the team were just the issues of an overflow of one’s personal attachment and being rooted in the Lord. The wonderful experiences I had with the Lord together with my sister teammate caused us to consecrate ourselves again to the Lord.
Through this propagation period, the Lord has blessed us with 33 souls baptized. May we all continually bring into prayer the church in Sanchez Mira that the saints there will continually stand firm and steadfast for the Lord’s testimony and glory! Praise the Lord!
Razel Flores
Church in Quezon City
Living Christ in Any Situation
and EnvironmentHallelujah for 40 days and 40 nights of testing and trials in Lucena. The night before we left for the one-and-a-half month of propagation, I consecrated myself to the Lord. In the evening, I wrote a letter again to the Lord seeking His leading and wisdom on how to live Him out in any situation and environment. At that moment, I knew that the Lord had something to reveal to me.
The one-and-a-half month of propagation quickly passed. I was amazed because many things happened and almost three consecutive activities were held. I was thankful that Hallelujah for 40 days and 40 nights of testing and trials in Lucena. The night before we left for the one-and-a-half month of propagation, I consecrated myself to the Lord. In the evening, I wrote a letter again to the Lord seeking His leading and wisdom on how to live Him out in any situation and environment. At that moment, I knew that the Lord had something to reveal to me.
The one-and-a-half month of propagation quickly passed. I was amazed because many things happened and almost three consecutive activities were held. I was thankful that He gained me. I enjoyed the church living of the young people on the first week during the Summer Truth Training that was held at Batis, Aramin, Lucban for ten days. On the last week, the Children’s Bible Class was held. Praise the Lord; we experienced His sweet death and resurrection in this summer propagation activity. I thank the Lord for the saints who perfected and trained us more in practical matters especially on how to lead the young people, how to be a teacher, and many more. I thank Him also for giving me my teammates who filled up my lack.
This time I really appreciated the Lord’s faithfulness to us, for we know in ourselves (with my teammate) that we were really gained by Him. Through door-knocking, He also gained a lady in-the-waiting who already attended the Lord’s table meeting. We sensed the Spirit moving in her as she prayed for the salvation of her household. Praise the Lord! We experienced Him as our great Shepherd! This caused me to consecrate myself to the Lord more, to serve Him not only during the training time but until His return. Amen.
Rosalie O. Villafuerte (FTA)
Church in Catanduanes