Wrestling with the Lord (Radiate-Dec2024)
Wrestling with the Lord
Leading a region is like leading a family, where I must provide for the family's needs. Like other heads of families, as the regional director of IVCF Southern Mindanao, financial security is one of my few challenges.
One of the most challenging tasks as the regional director is securing the necessary funds to support our ministry. Unlike working as an employee, where I can expect a certain amount every month and budget accordingly, our organization solely depends on the support of our generous ministry partners. I have to wait, pray, and see how much the Lord will provide at the end of the month. Yet, the region spends almost Php 100,000.00 monthly. Our monthly expenses are fixed, while the support we receive is not. So, as the 'head of the family', I can't help but feel anxious. Will we have enough for the next coming months? Where else can I ask for support? Should I shut down some of our projects? It's a constant struggle between planning for the future and trusting in God's provision.
These are some of the few things I've wrestled with the Lord over the past months as I lead the region. And these are not far from my concerns as a husband. As much as I need to secure the finances of the ministry, I need to make sure also that we will have enough for our family. I remember a few months ago, our faith was tested when our savings ran out and we had only two thousand pesos left. Yet, we survived and still have enough for the coming months.
Looking back, I can't help but be amazed at how God has provided for all our needs. Our savings ran out, but we never went hungry; there was always food on our table. It's the same with our ministry.
There were months when we were in deficit, but there were also months when we had a surplus. God provided, and I believe He will continue to provide. I know I will still feel anxious from time to time. So, I will continue to wrestle it with the Lord. I will look back and continue to hold on to the fact that He will take care of me, my family, and His ministry in IVCF SMRU.
-Charlie, SMRU Regional Director
North East Davao Area
The middle of the academic year was a time of breaking and pruning for me, both personally and ministry-related. God taught me to be patient, allowing Him to speak through everything, especially when plans and prayers were unmet and unachieved.
As I reflect on Psalm 27:14, it reminds me to “Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!” (ESV). These are the comforting words that I hold onto, to wait and see His goodness. I had one quiet time moment with God that has lingered in my heart until this time. It states that being in a constant state of anxiousness is a manifestation of doubting God and what He can do for me—that He can do anything.
This season has taught me to wait and trust Him, especially when plans go awry and when we are unsure. I am delighted with what God is continually teaching me in the ministry and my personal life. To God be all the glory and praise.
Praises:
Praise God for the success of the 71st IVDAY celebration in NorthEast Davao. Thank God for 70 attendees, both graduates and students. We enjoyed the time together through fellowship and the Word of God, and delicious food was prepared.
Praise God for the lives of our Ates and Kuyas here in the area who supported us not just in prayers but also by doing campus work and giving financial support to sustain the needs of each campus chapter.
Praise God for the new Regional Associate Staff Intern assigned in Kapalong, Abigail.
Davao City Area
As the year ends, we are deeply grateful for God's grace and faithfulness. His guidance has been our strength, helping us overcome challenges and embrace growth. In the Davao area, the ministry of IVCF has thrived, with lives being changed, faith communities growing, and new opportunities for outreach and discipleship opening up. Truly, His blessings overflow, reminding us of His greater plans.
Here’s our recent update and ministry highlight for this quarter:
Finance
We are incredibly grateful as Ate Russel has committed to serving as our regional finance staff. With her stepping into this role, we are currently transitioning the finance responsibilities to her capable hands. This adjustment will greatly enhance the efficiency and accuracy of our financial reports, ensuring they are prepared and submitted on time. Additionally, this transition will allow me to dedicate more of my energy and attention to fieldwork, strengthening our outreach and impact in the ministry. We trust that this change will bring even greater effectiveness and growth to the work God has entrusted to us.
Student & Graduate ministry
Praise God for the continued Bible study and regular gatherings in our ministry for students and graduates. The students continually grow in their faith in the Lord and discover more about themselves as we experience God's love in our lives and apply the lessons we learn in our Bible study. Most of the first-year students have completed the first module discussion, and we are planning various activities next to make studying the Word of God more interactive and enjoyable.
We also praise God for the regular prayer meetings and gatherings of our graduates, which strengthen fellowship and expand their network, providing encouragement and support to the students.
IV-Day
After two challenging years of transitioning from the pandemic to face-to-face activities, and also managing the changes brought about by the staff transition of two previous members assigned here in Davao, we are filled with overwhelming joy and gratitude. This year, we had the precious opportunity to once again come together and thank God for His faithfulness in sustaining the ministry through it all. The celebration of the 71st IV Day/IVCF Anniversary was a remarkable moment for us to reflect on how far God has brought us and to look forward to the future He has prepared for us.
The event was a true testament to the growth and dedication of the students, who took the initiative to help organize the program. Their hard work and enthusiasm were supported by our graduates, who not only attended but also invited guests and visitors, further strengthening the sense of community within our ministry. It was a beautiful occasion that highlighted God's continued work in our lives, and we are grateful for the collective effort that made it all possible.
Praise God for the continued fellowship and activities in the student and graduate ministry.
Praise God for the growing community of IVCF in the area.
Praise God for more contacts of students and ministry partners.
Praise God for His guidance and favor this semester for our students.
Pray for a favorable and fixed schedule of activities for the upcoming semester.
Pray for the spiritual and personal growth of the students whom the Lord has entrusted to this ministry.
Pray for opportunities to have fellowship inside the campus, as most campuses are strict with outsiders and region-related activities.
South Cotabato Area
For the past three months, God has been teaching me to fully surrender to Him and trust Him. To embrace my season and to flourish where I am. I still have a lot to learn and I still have a long way to go. I am praying that I will be able to practice, learn, and apply the full surrender, dependence, and trust in the LORD.
Praise God for the successful student-led IV Day in South Cotabato last November 30, 2024. We had 40 attendees and three kids.
Praise God for the ongoing ISCF meetings from General Santos City National High School. They meet every Wednesday outside the campus.
Praise God for the SG meetings in MSU and Ramon Fellowship.
Praise God for sustaining the Sycamore Chapter, raising up student-leaders and helping them in their spiritual growth. Also, praise God for the students from Ramon Fellowship with a student from Cronasia for continuing their eagerness to grow in the LORD.
Praise God for the lives of the ministry partners and graduates for continually supporting the ministry.
Pray that the student-leaders will continue to grow in the Lord and understand their role as student-missionaries inside the campus. Also, pray for the students from Ramon Fellowship that they may grow and have a deeper relationship with the LORD.
Pray for the next semester, for the activities of the Sycamore Chapter in MSU, for the Ramon Fellowship, SEAIT Fellowship, and ISCF-GSCNHS.
North Cotabato Area
As I contemplate on the things that the LORD has done in the ministry that He entrusted to us, I have 2 things in my mind and heart that He is teaching us.
First, He is teaching us to be dependent on Him in all things. Our temptation as we have seen a lot of ministry opportunities is to do more and accomplish more without seeking God with all our hearts and to learn what it truly means to work with Him and not just for him. So we don’t want to pursue anything unless we realize our great need for Him.
Secondly, we believe that God wants us to deepen our partnership with our ministry partners. We have seen the beauty and strength of partnership in the past months. God has opened a door for us to partner with churches and individuals even though we don’t have written agreements yet but our hearts are united in reaching to out the students for Christ.
So for the remaining months of this year and the years to come, may we continue to learn what it means to depend on Him who called us to do His work and may His Spirit will lead us to open doors where He is already working.
Glory to Him Alone!
International Student Ministry
The Lord be praised! This is our seventh year that the Lord has given us friends among Indian medical students here in Davao City. We echo what one HBB, who is now a new doctor back in India, said, “God is doing great things in Davao City!
*HBB means Hindu-Background Believer
The Light shines in the darkness
We teach them God’s Word and proclaim that Jesus is the Light. One of the ladies in this group decided to put her trust in Jesus during our weekly Bible studies. One lady is still struggling but she continues to join our friendship club. Learning how to share the gospel to others.
We help them learn the content of the gospel, why share it, and how to share it to others. One Hindu lady, who joined our picnic because she is free that day, got to hear the gospel. Another lady testified that though she comes from a Christian family, it is only here in Davao that she understood the gospel. Pray for their discipleship while here in Davao to prepare them for their witness back in India.
All the glory, honor and power belong to Jesus.
And we pray that these young men and women will love God with all their hearts and become compassionate and competent missional doctors for His kingdom.
