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Missionaries Begin New Terms
Missionaries Begin New Terms
REACH local missionaries returned to the field after a one-year furlough. Two were assigned to new ministry areas. All felt the Lord's calling as they returned to ministry. The following stories tell how God has guided them.
Mercy Beltran / Roxas City
 I thank God for convicting me to finally consider Roxas City as my mission field after serving in Mindanao for five-and-a-half years.
When I was still in Mindanao I was open to any place where the Lord would lead me. My furlough for one year gave me enough time to seek God's direction. I was open to other places, but Roxas City was at the top of the list.
Several reasons made me consider Roxas City. One, my older brother and his family lived there, and two, Rogie Dadivas and his wife were praying to transfer there to teach. I was more excited when I learned that they were open to co-labor with REACH to start a campus ministry at Capiz State University (CAPSU). I sensed that these circumstances were ordered by God to extend His territory through REACH in Roxas City.
By the way, Dr. Rochellier Dadivas, Rogie's father, is the president of the 12 campuses of CAPSU, which includes CAPSU, Roxas City. Dr. Dadivas and the family were reached out when they lived in Cabagan, Isabela years before by Paul Pasicolan and Abel Saquing.
During the 2003 REACH national conference in Cavite, the REACH leaders through Gene Tabor commissioned Rogie, his wife and myself as workers at Roxas City. In November 2003, I joined the team of REACH, Cabagan to visit the place. We visited the campus, claimed it for Christ and prayed for it. I also took this opportunity to visit my brother and his family for the first time. I was then settled to consider Roxas City as my next mission field.
In March 2004, I was discouraged by my brother's sudden death there. I was confused whether this was the right place for me to go and cancelled Roxas City on my list, especially when Rogie and his wife's transfer from Isabela State University to CAPSU was delayed for a year. I continued to seek God's direction by praying, listening to Him through His Word, seeking counsel and through providential circumstances from God.
One day, my quiet time in 1 Tim. 5:8 burdened my heart for Roxas City. It says: “If anyone does not provide for his relatives and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is more than an unbeliever.” This was confirmed when my mother was in favor of Roxas City as my next mission field.
I had been praying that the spiritual blessings, which my family in Cabagan had been enjoying for years, would also be shared and established with my family in Roxas City. Finally on July 28, I moved to Roxas City, a few months after Rogie and his family moved there.
I am still adjusting and establishing new relationships in the new assignment where God has put me. This is not easy for me, but God keeps assuring me through Is. 45:2-3 that it is He who will go before me. And in Mt. 28:18-20 that He will always be with me to the ends of the age.
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Ruby Santiago / Muñoz
 I have been involved at Precious Child Montessori (PCM) as a part-time worker since July 1998. Besides being a bible-study leader at the school, I taught Character Education and Music subjects. I used those opportunities to share the gospel to my students.
Last year, during my furlough, I sought the Lord's guidance on the kind of ministry I should pursue. I considered being a roving missionary, but the Lord led me to PCM as full-time missionary. With the exposure God gave me in Metro Manila and in Calamba among the kids, I was able to sense right away God's leading for me. God impressed on my heart Mt. 19:13-14. The children are here; do I have to disregard their need for a Savior? God put in my heart a compassion for kids.
When Paul Pasicolan, from the National Development Staff (NDS), talked to me about my plans, I openly shared what was on my heart. It would be a new kind of ministry because it's in an elementary school, but I knew it was from God. As it so happened, I was not able to raise my support. So when Paul talked with Adel Valdez, who owns the school, he asked her to look for a part-time job for me. Adel then offered work at the school.
God put everything in order. Oyay Jimenez, also from the NDS, later talked to me about my ministry plans. She blessed and assured me that I could still be a REACH missionary but on loan to PCM.
Since June, I have served as the officer-in-charge at PCM, taught classes, worked on the finances, and also served as a guidance counselor. As a guidance counselor, I take the opportunity to share the love of God with the students.
Please pray for wisdom for me in this new role, especially on finances, that God will make me more careful and consistent. I really want to thank those who have become part of my ministry.
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Cynthia Ubiña / Los Baños
 In my devotional time, God continued to burden me for the youth. My passion for the youth was all the more rekindled as I witnessed and listened to testimonies of professionals who were reached out in their student days and who are now making an impact in their workplace.
Today's youth are tomorrow's leaders—and the hope of the nation. Therefore, there is a need to bring our young people closer to God. King Solomon reminded the youth to remember their creator while they are young (Eccl. 12:1).
So I knew my ministry was still with the youth. My next question was where? What campus? My mind flashed back to UPLB and its glorious days. I was in the university when the ministry was in full bloom. I saw how strategic and instrumental the place was since many of the students come from many parts of the Philippines and even from other nations. When these students are reached out, discipled and trained to multiply (2 Tim. 2:2), and return to their homes or other places, they will become great leaders and workers. What a strategic way of spreading the gospel!
My burden for UPLB was confirmed as my next mission field, when one of our leaders asked me to prayerfully consider coming to Los Baños because of the great need for a full-time worker there. They were praying for me too. Hence, God arranged everything. That's why I am now in UPLB.
God gave back His promise (Is. 45:2-3) to me when I went to Davao City, “I will go before you and will level the mountains; I will break down gates of bronze and cut through bars of iron. I will give you the treasures of darkness, riches stored in secret places.” He added a new promise in Lk. 5:1-11 that he will bring forth a harvest—a big catch of fish. Please claim these promises in prayer for the Los Baños ministry.
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