Summer in MEANS does not mean a lull in the volunteers’ lives and activities. This has been a busy summer for all of us with visits from friends and family from out of state, taking care of personal and family needs and attending seminars and conferences. Some of us have taken short trips to refresh ourselves, but we have all been coming faithfully to our regular 3rd Saturday MEANS workday. We want to share with you some news about us and our ministry partners!
MEANS Ministry – This has been a busy summer for Lina Padilla and Carmena Cruz connecting with ministry partner, Melba Maggay, founder of ISACC (Institute for Studies of Asian Church and Culture) who was a visiting scholar at Calvin College, in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The college was also the venue for the 26th annual conference of Balikatan (IVCF Philippine alumni in Canada and North America). The conference offered a great opportunity for fellowship, meeting new friends and networking for the MEANS ministry. Both were involved in coordinating the mission session at the conference and helping as facilitators in Keeping Faith and Identity in a Multicultural World. Rob and Hannah Mooi, MEANS volunteers, helped provide technology support to Balikatan 2009 conference.
Lina also attended Willow Creek Association’s Global Leadership Summit on August 6-7, 2009 where she talked with prospective missionary partners in the Philippines. She was able to promote MEANS to some leaders of NGO organizations in the Philippines.
IVCF Resources Center – the 4 Balikbayan boxes filled with books from Kiyoko Foster has reached IVCF Philippines. The center will be officially opened to IVCF staff and students this month during their corporation meeting. We are in the process of applying for a grant from a foundation in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The mission of this foundation is: “To provide quality academic books and journals to the libraries of seminaries, colleges and universities in Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, Latin America and the Middle East that provide theological training toward the development of leaders, teachers and clergy in the Christian Church.” Pray that our grant application on behalf of IVCF and other ministry partners who will benefit from this project will be approved.
MEANS retreat – September 5-7, 2009 – will be the annual MEANS retreat. Speaker is Dr. Lilia Salazar Nigro, Christian psychologist from San Francisco, California. Pray that this will be a refreshing time for all of us, spiritually, emotionally and physically. Pray for wisdom, insight and discernment for Lilia as she shares from the life of Joseph.
I thank my God every time I remember you. 4In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:3
MEANS 
Leave a Reply