Faith Forward
But the LORD stood by me and gave me STRENGTH, so that through me the PROCLAMATION might be COMPLETED and all the gentiles might HEAR it.
-2 Timothy 4:17
Regional Youth Conference in Eastern Visayas was a blast! It was my first time to join this and right away I became a member of the service team. The experience was great, it was different not like just being a participant like I was in provincial youth conferences. I wasn’t only a stage manager; I became a member of our music ministry in Leyte and I also became a model for the 100% free advocacy for our province. Everything that I was able to experience during the RYC was my first, and who would have thought that I could experience all of those things right away?
I was there before, during and after the conference. I was able to see different people doing their part in the camp – decorating the venue, practicing the songs, and preparing everything that is needed. I saw people working hard just to finish their work from dusk to dawn, rain or shine, and with or without electricity. I saw their passion, and dedication of their service all throughout the event. But what I saw was beyond what the eyes could see – I saw and felt how the Lord worked through us.
Every day, I see people do their jobs – run errands, play music, prepare their talks, guide delegates, participate events, have meetings and many more. I see them busy with their work. I could already feel how tired they are inside, how busy their schedule is, and how much work they need to do. But despite everything they were doing, I still see them wear a smile like there’s no problem they need to negotiate, happily greet you like there’s no work waiting for them to be finished, and ask you how you’re doing like they know you for a very long time. Watching them in their actions made me realize more on how blessed one is to become a Youth for Christ.
Seeing those different actions made me thought how grateful I am in being a part of this community. That in this circle of people, you develop to a better person. I am able to say this for I have witnessed and experienced how one person could change to become better and even best for the Lord. People who joined YFC were once a person that was simple and shy, or a person that had different vices, or even a person that once doubted the Lord. But as you grow with other YFC’s, you discover that you are a great artist, or you are an athlete or a musician, or you are singer or a dancer, or you are a person that is capable of managing events or programs. You could truly say that with these talents and skills, we are showered with blessings by our Lord, and in that way, we are able to share these blessings not just to our friends but to all the people around us even in our own simple ways.
Another thing that entered my mind was how happy I felt just simply seeing the people around me – praising and joining the conference for the Lord. I saw them with their smiles, laughter and tears, thinking that these people never expected to be here, that they were able to join, and that they had their own problems way back home; thinking that behind those smiles and laughter was a story untold, a story that bears sorrow deep within, or a story that made them who they are right now.
YFC is not an organization. It’s a family. It is a place where each of us is accepted for who were and we are now; a place where you meet different people who went through a lot of struggles and challenges, not only during the conference, but also in their journey of life; a place where difference is not a bad thing; a place where people will be always be there for you despite what they are undergoing and what they had been through; a place where you are accepted despite the shortcomings; a place where you could discover, develop and share God’s given talents; a place where you will meet and earn new friends; a place where you would grow and be molded with the presence of Jesus Christ.
The Regional Youth Conference was victorious. It shared the greatness of our God. It made people happy. It changed the way of life of one. It gave opportunities to people. It strengthened our Faith with God. It marked through the lives of everyone.
