July 2009

“You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses to the ends of the Earth” – Acts 1:8.

This verse has always been a source of empowerment, since I participated in the World Youth Day last year, July 2008, in Australia. Seeing people of different races, from all over the world, was an affirmation from the Lord that He wanted to spread His love to everyone.

God once again emphasized this call, specifically here in Thailand, when He gave us the blessing of being of service to Assumption University. We were asked sometime June, by Brother Amnuay, if we can give sessions for the Ethics Seminar that will be given once a term for the Catholics students. We couldn’t have been more thrilled with this invitation. It was a challenged preparing for it, considering that it was a new endeavor we would be venturing into.

Indeed, the Lord guides and sends forth His Holy Spirit. We took on the call as we did the first session last July 11-12. A total of 220 students participated, with 4 sessions for each year level. These youth were able to experience His grace through the talk given to them, entitled “God’s Love and His Plan for Us”. Tito Gerwin Tuason gave the sessions for 3rd and 4th year students, and Ate Ana Arcaya and myself gave those for the 2nd and 1st year students. Two videos highlighted each session, the “CAN” (Father and Son team) that encouraged total dependence to God, and the “Bridge” that illustrated John 3:16. The participants were grouped for processing of their understanding of the session, and for sharing of their own personal stories. The facilitators for the 3rd and 4th year students were Tito Gerwin and Tita Rizza Tuason, Tito Tony and Tita Mela Logarta, Tito Kai and Tita Jensen Wongla, Tita Cecille Jimenez and Tita Ayin Gesuden. Those who took over the 2nd and 1st year students were our YFLs – Tania Fanega, Kyle Jimenez, Rige Tuason, Gezz Tuason and Leonard Roll and SFLs – Kat and Karl Fanega. The sessions were livened up with the teaching and singing of praise songs. Brother Amnuay also celebrated the mass for the sessions on July 12, and added a session about the Holy Eucharist.

It is indeed a challenge to allow these students to gain a deeper understanding of our Catholic Faith. It was God’s will that we started off by sharing God’s love to them. I personally was praying hard that the Holy Spirit will teach us how to effectively bring forth His message. The whole two days were indeed inspiring moments, and spirit-filled. But there is one moment that I could clearly remember. One thai student was asked how she feels God’s love and she simply shared this, “I had a water accident some years ago, but I survived. I know that it is because God loves me so much”. It was a quick sharing, but straight to the point, and it was very clear that she was able to grasp the message.

I believe that those two days were just the start. Only God knows what are His further plans, and I have so much hope that He will continue to bless us with this gift of evangelization with these thai youth. After all, He said, “to the ends of the Earth”. May God be praised!

 

By:
Giella Garcia Sanchez
CFC FFL Missionary
For YFL and KFL

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