My First Mission Outreach: Shine Pao-o 1 of 12

Salvation bracelets of Justine, Claudine, Carla Mae and of course, mine

Last Sunday, January 24, 2016, I got the special privilege to take part of our discipleship network’s mission outreach to the youth in Pao-o, Santa Maria, Laguna. I was just too happy and nervous at the same time, knowing that God has specifically called me few months back into doing missions. Clueless as I am, I was really seeking God to lead me into where He is sending me for His purpose.

And He never failed me. I immediately volunteered, without much hesitation, as a small-group facilitator for the outreach.

We had our volunteers’ general assembly a week before and had just one (1) day to talk and prepare about it, even though Mommy She (my discipler’s discipler) said that months were already spent praying about it. A week was proven enough, through God’s grace, to prepare all materials, funds, logistical requirements as well as the lessons.

Matthew 25:40 And the King will make answer and say to them, Truly I say to you, Because you did it to the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.

Living by verse 40 of Matthew 25, our group composed of all women belonging to small discipleship groups plus the godly boyfriends of our ate‘s, met at around 6am and left through carpooling of three (3) cars at around 7am.

Our group at around 6am, still sleepy yet happy

We arrived at around 9am in the pristine-looking area of the barangay. We were rewarded with a awesome view of God’s wonderful creations through the green mountains, clear skies and fresh air.

The Sierra Madre mountain range

Starting off immediately in setting up our venue, we arranged the chairs for the kids. Some prepared the food for the participants as well as for all volunteers. The large group and small group volunteers met for some last minute discussions and practice. Most importantly, we gathered around to cover the event in prayer.

The small group volunteers practicing the making of the salvation bracelet

At around 10am, children with ages ranging from 9 to 16 started scrambling towards our location. They were cordially welcomed by our registration team and given their “kits”. These kits contain valuable items that were intended to be used by the youth in their study with us like notebook and pens. We are looking forward to adding more items as the need arise and as God provides.

The kids singing and dancing to the song "Mahal na Mahal Kita, Panginoon"

The event was started through a prayer and a welcome message by Mommy She. As soon as it was finished, the energy of the kids was tapped by the large group volunteers by initiating a sing and dance praise and worship with the kids. Dancing to the tune of “Mahal na Mahal Kita, Panginoon”, a inexpressible joy roused the enthusiasm not only among the youth but also from the volunteers as well.

Such a joy to see these faces!

A game was also played by grouping the children into teams of 3 to 4 each. Rightly after that, the large group message on Salvation was imparted.

A game was enthusiastically participated

Explaining the gospel of Jesus Christ using colors was indeed a fun and remarkable way for the kids.

Yellow means heaven. It is where most of us wants to head to after our life here on earth.

But we have a sin problem signified by color black. All men fell short of God’s holiness. We all sin.

But Jesus came to die in our stake and washed us in His blood, as represented by the color red.

Because of what Jesus has done for us, our hearts were washed anew, making it pure, as seen in the color white.

Living this new life, we ought to grow in our relationship with Jesus as signified by the color green.

Prayer to accept Jesus Christ

Welcome to the family of believers!

As the large group session ended, a call to pray to accept Jesus as Lord and Savior was made. It was the most beautiful moment of the event! 😁

The group I handled

Eventually, the kids were broken down into small groups of 3 to 4. Each group was handled by a single small group facilitator. A response card was used to monitor the spiritual temperature of each child, whether they knew Jesus and accepted Him already or they still want to know more about Him.

A kid filling out the response card

An activity was held per group wherein each child was instructed to make a bracelet of his own according to the colors explained in the large group. The activity proved to be a fun way of helping the children retain the idea of salvation. Some were even able to explain again the meaning of each color. A snack was also provided during the small group sessions which lasted for 15 minutes.

Doing the salvation bracelets

We left the children with an assignment to be reviewed by the facilitators on the succeeding month. The assignment was based on the verses per color, as given to them through a CCF Chronicle, and the children were to do their devotionals based on those verses for the next 4 weeks. Prayer requests of each kid was also asked so we can pray for each of them.

As the event ended, we asked the children who among them will return next month. It was such a joy seeing their hands raised up high and we prayerfully hope that more kids will come next month.

The children of Pao-o

Matthew 28:19-20 Go then, and make disciples of all the nations, giving them baptism in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit: Teaching them to keep all the rules which I have given you: and see, I am ever with you, even to the end of the world.

Shine Pao-o!

As Christ-committed followers, we are commissioned by Jesus Christ Himself to go and make disciples of all nations. Knowing this mission in our hearts, we believe that this first step is just one of the many thousand steps we will make to go and advance God’s Kingdom here on earth. Cheers to more souls offered back to God! 👆

Love,
Kathy ❤

May God grant the godly desires of your heart ❤