PHOTOS OF THE GRAND EVANGELICAL MISSION ON FEBRUARY 28TH, 2011 IN THE PHILIPPINES

I remember this line in the song entitled ''If'' by David Gates 
" If a picture paints a thousand words, then why can't I paint you? "
I think, when David Gates wrote this song, he still didn't know that pictures really paint thousands and thousands of words.

To help you remember this song, I have decided to include its complete lyrics in this blog.
"

If

~ David Gates
If a picture paints a thousand words,
then why can't I paint you?
The words would never show,
the you I've come to know . . .

If a face could launch a thousand ships,
then where am I to go?
There's no one home but you,
you're all that's left me to . . .

And when my love for life
is running dry,
You come and pour
yourself on me . . .

If a man could be two places at one time,
I'd be with you,
tomorrow and today,
beside you all the way . . .

If the world should stop revolving,
Spinning slowly down to die,
I'd spend the end with you
when the world was through . . .

Then one by one
the stars would all go out . . .
Then you and I
would simply fly away! "

As an ESL teacher and trainer, I have been using photos to develop the thinking skills, vocabulary, creativity, speaking, listening, and other communication skills, and conversational abilities of my students and trainees.


Photos also teach cultures. They increase the general knowledge and information of every learner.

To prove that pictures really paint thousands and thousands of words, and maybe, millions and millions of words, I wanna showcase here the photos taken on February 28th, 2012 during the first ever simultaneously held Grand Evangelical Mission in 14 different and separated regions in the Philippines.

It's up to you to decide whether these pictures really speak more than thousands and thousands of words.

One of the venues: the Quirino Grandstand in Manila, Philippines before the event started.

As early as February 27th, 2012, brethren together with their guests started to flock the different locations from the different parts of the Philippines for they were so excited about the Grand Evangelical Mission.

brethren and guests flocked the place very early

From London, one of the special people on that very special day, Mr. Allen Molden.

at the height of air temperature and heat of the sun, brethren and guests stayed uncovered waiting for the clock to strike 5 in the afternoon

a very large  throng of people, I.N.C. members or not walked all the way from Pasay to Quirino Grandstand on the day, February, 28th, 2012. I saw them walking under the heat of the sun without any umbrellas.

Brethren and guests with their families enjoyed watching the fountain. That time served as the bonding moment of every family.

Devotion, enthusiasm, unity, love, spirituality, and strong faith were captured by this reflection.

It was also the time to talk to a lot of brethren and a lot of guests. I enjoyed talking to them. Tears ran through my face upon seeing them walking from Pasay passing through Makati down to Quirino Grandstand.

Brethren were happily waving flags of liberty and freedom to GLORIFY THE ONLY GOD ALMIGHTY.

The choir members from different locales in Metro Manila were rehearsing before the G.E.M. started. I was not included in this assemblage of choir members. Central choir members were not selected to perform. Instead, I invited a lot of people for the G.E.M. At least, I distibuted 20 invitations. But only 7 people were able to go with me

These men were from the MMDA sector. They offered help to the brethren though I found them as UNFRIENDLY AS THEY ARE. USUALLY, MEMBERS OF THE IGLESIA NI CRISTO ARE MOCKED AND RIDICULED. Though we were able to inviite many guests on that day, still, THERE WERE PEOPLE WHO MOCKED US ESPECIALLY IN THE PLACE WHERE WE PARKED OUR L300 VAN. BRETHREN WERE MOCKED BY SECURITY GUARDS, AND I SAW POLICEMEN AND MMDA PERSONNEL DID NOT REALLY HELP TO MANAGE THE TRAFFIC. THEY SAID THAT IGLESIA NI CRISTO HAS HER OWN TRAFFIC PERSONNEL TO MANAGE EVERYTHING.

Family members took the chance of having a picnic.

Brethren are so proud to show to the whole world that they are members of the IGLESIA NI CRISTO or the CHURCH OF CHRIST...THE ONLY CHURCH WRITTEN IN THE BIBLE THAT HAS A PROMISE OF SOUL'S SALVATION.

The whole area was already filled with people. It was difficult to walk. But every one was so happy doing so.

Brethren and guests started to fill in the venue, the Quirino Grandstand in Manila, as early as possible, never minding the great heat coming from the sun.

The Baywalk area was also filled with the brethren and guests. The Quirino Grandstand wasn't able to hold the very large crowd of people. So most of us were just around the vicinity listening to the words of GOD from the sound system or from the car stereos.

The Philippine government wasn't able to manage the traffic properly because they DIDN'T BELIEVE THAT A VERY LARGE CROWD OF IGLESIA NI CRISTO MEMBERS AND GUESTS WOULD BE COMING TO THAT VERY SPECIAL EVENT. Most brethren walked from Divisoria to the Quirino Grandstand. Others took the ''calesa'' just to reach the place on time.

This bus had an engine problem. Brotherhood inside the Church has been displayed enormously.

Though this brother is sick, he still wanted to be part of the missionary work. Luckily, the Church is ready for this kind of circumstance. The Iglesia Ni Cristo has her own PROFESSIONAL  medical personnel ready to give medical assistance.

A very catching bus with the colors of the Iglesia Ni Cristo: green, white, and red.

A sister in a wheelchair eager to attend the G.E.M.

The Quirino Grandstand before the Grand Evangelical Mission started

 

Introducing the IGLESIA NI CRISTO or CHURCH OF CHRIST

This is the Central Temple of the Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church of Christ) nestled in the heart of Quezon City, Philippines. This is where I go to attend our worship services and sing praises to our Almighty Father on Thursdays and Sundays. I belong to the English Choir. I always perform my duties as a member of the English choir at very early dawn on Thursdays and at 7 o' clock in the mornings of Sundays. As a choir member, I need to go to the Temple at least an hour before our choir drills. So expect that I need to wake up very, very early for my preparations every time I perform my duties.


Why am I so enthusiastically performing my duties? Why do I have to make sacrifices and deny myself because of my calling?

Maybe, you won't understand me if I will just state here the reasons why. It's much better to introduce to you, my Church, the Church of Christ or the Iglesia Ni Cristo.

For sure, Iglesia Ni Cristo or Church of Christ isn't really familiar to you. Here is the link to introduce my Church more to you.
http://www.incmedia.org/

To know more, please click here 
http://www.incmedia.org/watch/sof  

I hope to hear from you. 
Thank you.

ON MY NATAL DAY....11th of JANUARY....

On my natal day,
11th of January

No celebration. No food preparations. It's just a simple and naive day. Only my self alone lying on bed. Why? Because every time this date passes, I AM ALWAYS SICK. 

And since today is January 11th, I am sick again, but not as serious as the past years. Today, it's just a mild headache, colds and coughs, maybe, brought by stress last Monday, January 9th, 2012.

I thought I would be healthy today. Last night, I was able to invite guests for the bible study. I walked alone in the midst of cold night and searched my vicinity alone looking for people who would want to be saved come Judgment Day. I was a little bit okay. Though I already felt my headache during my session with Collin, a BEM student who is enhancing his academic skills with me. So I got my ginger tea to solve my health problems. But I am wrong. I still suffer health problems today which have been here every time this date, January 11th, passes by. Though this year's suffering is much lesser than the previous years of my life.

There were times that I had heart attacks, or kidney attacks. Last year, I was lying half-conscious. At least today, I can still write some here on my blogs. Hopefully, as year passes by, this syndrome will become weaker and lesser. This is the so-called blue baby syndrome.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_baby_syndrome

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-blue-baby-syndrome.htm  

But I am no longer a baby, so I called my self, a blue woman. And I called this disease a blue woman syndrome. 
http://web.jbjs.org.uk/cgi/reprint/64-B/4/458.pdf

Hopefully, I will be able to enjoy this day, at least, by singing along with my nieces who have beautiful voices, or by playing my organs, or strumming my guitar, or singing in the choir loft. Hopefully, I will be with my whole family including my sisters and brother, nieces and nephews. But, time really doesn't permit me to do all these things? WHY? It's a big question that needs to be answered. 

What I understand about this is, MY NATAL DAY IS MY REST DAY. Will I also die on my birthdate? Nobody knows.

CHURCH OF CHRIST (IGLESIA N I CRISTO) GLOBAL ACTIVITIES

The Church of Christ or Iglesia Ni Cristo has been preparing for the following great events tomorrow, December 29th, 2011,  early Thursday morning:
1. dedication of the Iglesia Ni Cristo chapel in Houston, Texas
2. ordination of at least 28 ministers
3. Thanksgiving Day in that Locale


We, at the Central-Temple, are also part of these outstanding events. I, as a member of the English choir of the Locale of Central, will be partaking in the singing of hymns and worshiping our TRUE LIVING GOD, the ALMIGHTY FATHER and the ONLY CREATOR of the whole universe.
We are all witnessing these important happenings at early dawn tomorrow.

We are looking forward to these special occasions. 

As part of our preparations, we had our practice and positioning of the choir last night, Tuesday, December 27th, 2011.

After I post this, I need to go to to bed early, so I can wake up tomorrow at 2 o' clock in the morning.

We hope and pray that our ALMIGHTY FATHER will be pleased as we commence all these Iglesia Ni Cristo milestones in 2011 before the year ends.


GOD BLESS us especially the Church Administration through the leadership of Brother Eduardo V. Manalo. 

Glory be to our Father in Heaven. 
AMEN!

WHILE OTHERS ARE ..................

The whole world has just celebrated the so-called Christmas. Though not all people join in this event, we cannot ignore the fact that most people of the world rejoice the day they believe Jesus Christ was born.


The following links show the percentage of the world population that celebrates Christmas.
http://www.merry-christmas.org.uk/christmas-traditions/what-percentage-of-the-world-celebrates-christmas.htm

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_percentage_of_the_world_celebrates_Christmas 


While the global population celebrated Christmas, some Filipinos living in  Iligan and Cagayan De Oro City were trying to pick up their pieces.

http://newsflavor.com/world/asia/effects-of-flash-floods-in-cagayan-de-oro-and-iligan-cityphotos/

 Effects of Sendong are whacking, massive, and disappointing.

While victims of Sendong are still waiting for some hope and assistance, we in our church, the CHURCH OF CHRIST, continue to fulfill our duties to our Almighty Father.

On December 17th, 2011, Saturday, we were in the choir loft. It was our Thanksgiving Day. While we were singing songs of praises to our Almighty Father in Heaven, the TRUE LIVING GOD, typhoon Washi (Sendong) started to hit these cities, Iligan and Cagayan De Oro.

http://www.canada.com/news/Southern+Philippines+typhoon+kills+people/5877038/story.html

Many things happened in 2011. Many things were to be done. Many events were destined to occur. We couldn't say, "NO" or "STOP".

This world continues to move on, revolve, and evolve. All men need to work, and need to survive until this world comes to its annihilation.

While others sin, others try to be holy. While others are merry, others become lonely. This world is not gonna change for the better. It will become worse and worse. As the bible states:

"

Psalm 102:25-27

New International Version (NIV)

²⁵ In the beginning you laid the foundations of the earth,
   and the heavens are the work of your hands.
²⁶ They will perish, but you remain;
   they will all wear out like a garment.
Like clothing you will change them
   and they will be discarded.
²⁷ But you remain the same,
   and your years will never end."

"

Isaiah 24:19

New International Version (NIV)

¹⁹ The earth is broken up,
   the earth is split asunder,
   the earth is violently shaken."

"

Isaiah 24:20

New International Version (NIV)

²⁰ The earth reels like a drunkard,
   it sways like a hut in the wind;
so heavy upon it is the guilt of its rebellion
   that it falls—never to rise again."

"

Isaiah 51:6

New International Version (NIV)

⁶ Lift up your eyes to the heavens,
   look at the earth beneath;
the heavens will vanish like smoke,
   the earth will wear out like a garment
   and its inhabitants die like flies.
But my salvation will last forever,
   my righteousness will never fail."

"

Matthew 5:18

New International Version (NIV)

¹⁸ For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished."

"

Matthew 24:3

New International Version (NIV)

 ³ As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. “Tell us,” they said, “when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” 

And so in this writing, I would like to remind every one of the coming BIG destruction. All the things that we see are just "signs", "signs" that this Earth is gonna come to its end while others are sleeping, working, drinking, marrying, sinning, studying, and many more, as well as, worshiping.

 

Jesus Christ will come like a thief...........no one knows when.......
Jesus Christ will come like flash floods......no one knows when they will strike..........................BE READY!