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 Being an intern can be one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences in one’s Christian life. It’s an opportunity to practice your disciplemaking skills and make a contribution to the ministry and God’s Kingdom. Alfredo “Jack” Flora, Jr. has been an intern in Davao City for the past two years. Below are some of the lessons God taught him.
I started my career in the Father’s vineyard in my college days. I encountered the Lord Jesus Christ when someone shared to me the message of truth. It was during this time that I truly felt the presence of the Lord moving in me. Five years of equipping and training as I stayed on the MSU campus was of great help. I treasure it as my most memorable experience in life because God put me there to find the ever longed for answer to my question, “What does this life I live really mean?”
When the time came for me to leave school, I told God that I would give my first two years to serve Him as my offering. At the same time, it was a first step in my transition to another stage of life.
Before stepping into my internship, God inspired me through a song entitled For Such A Time As This and His Word in Romans 9:17:
“I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.”
Working in God’s vineyard for two years has been one of the most wonderful and memorable experiences I have ever had. Knowing the answer to my question about life and having God’s promise encourages me to work as an intern in the REACH-Davao ministry.
The Lord taught me a lot of things that have built up my character. First, God taught me in the area of my emotions. He wanted me to attach all of my emotions to Him. Early on in my internship, I struggled with loneliness because the setting at MSU was totally different from my present situation in Davao. I was not used to having no company in the house where I was living. There were no brethren in the surrounding area because the members live far away from each other. I had no one to share with and was alone doing the responsibilities left by Ate Cynthia Ubiña. There was just a once a month fellowship with the brethren. I felt dried up and thought of quitting at times. But God’s Word of promise kept me going. Emotionally it was a great fight, and I’m glad God won that fight for me.
Second, He taught me in the area of discipline. God wanted me to be responsible in everything. As an overseer of His flock, He taught me to guard, protect and teach His people in accordance with the Truth. He also taught me how and what things to prioritize. That included being a good steward of all the resources He gave me—especially of time—and to guard my personal and prayer time with Him.
Third, He taught me in the area of obedience. After I finished my first year of the internship, I was bothered by my parents’ financial situation. I felt confusion and made a foolish decision. I say foolish because it was a self-willed decision. My parents needed my help as the only child who was still single. I felt burdened to help them because I really witnessed the painful toil and poverty they were experiencing. Because of the burden and pressure within me, I decided on my own to end my internship. But the core team leaders didn’t grant my request because there was no one to take over my responsibilities.
My devotional time with God became mechanical during those times. I couldn’t hear God’s voice because of the burden. But God came to me with a comforting message that he flashed in my mind the night before our monthly fellowship. He said to me, “Son, delight yourself in me and I will give you the desires of your heart.” With just a single verse, God brought peace to my troubled heart. I was so amazed at how marvelous and great God can work in every situation of my life. Having been renewed and revived by God, I was able to continue in my commitment to serve Him as a campus ministry worker until the present time.
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