Tentatively have planned a 3-day workshop in Principles of Wholistic community development. It will be held April 20-22 in Baguio City. This will be sandwiched between two medical missions. The first is a medical follow-up mission on the 17th in Gaswiling, Kapangan. The second is a church-planting medical mission on the 24th in Bagyonas, Kapangan. It is hoped the training can be of value for follow-on work there. The medical missions have limited space available. However, if you are interested in the COMDEV work, please contact us.
9 Feb
Haggai Institute (in Baguio) Week of Feb 8, 2010
8-12 February 2010. Haggai Institute week-long seminar is being held at Philippine Baptist Theological Seminary. The seminars focus on international evangelism training. A number connected with Bukal Life are there. Ces Garcia, who often joins us on medical missions, and is part of “Discipline Others 2 Love Jesus” heads Haggai Institute locally. Celia and Angie are trainees. Three other members of Bukal Life hoped to be there but had job conflicts.
5 Feb
Minimedical in Camdas, Baguio City
Group Shot from Save our Street Children Project
The group of students from Saint Louis University (Baguio City) joined with “Save our Street Children” for a medical mission. Bukal Life was happy to provide most all of the medicines and vitamins for the project. Drs. Rene and Evita Buada (friends both of the SLU team and Bukal Life) provided medical care. “Save our Street Children” works with around 100 children in Baguio. About half of these came to the medical mission held on January 30, 2010. Vitamins were set aside for those that did not come.
3 Feb
Latest on Website
Just had our new website (www.bukallife.org) handed over to us. We are still adding content (sobreng busy, di ba?). Thanks Mike for the great job! (www.vallar.biz)
28 Jan
February Updates
Still updating our other website (www.bukallife.org). Slow process but looking good. Also adding photos to our Facebook page. Grabe!! Lotsa work.
1. Completed Spiritual Emphasis Days at Union School International. About 90 kids and teachers involved. Went very well, I think. First time we tried something like. That. Thanks to the school, teachers, and student council for their support. And thanks to Ptr. Erwin for leading the training.
Game Time during Spiritual Emphasis Days at USI
2. Medical Mission January 30. Save Our Street Children is having a medical mission for street children (surprise, surprise) in Camdas, Baguio City. We are helping by providing medicines. Doctor friends of ours will also be providing services for them.
3. Blood drive February 15, at Philippine Baptist Theological Seminary. This is with the Philippine Red Cross, partnering with us, PBTS Student Council, and Asia Vision-Short-term Missions.
4. Medical Missions in Aguid, Sagada coming up near the end of February, and Macabebe, Pampanga near the end of March.More details coming.
5. Community Development training scheduled in Bayombang, Pangasinan in March (tentative… more to follow).
That’s enough for now.
24 Jan
New Emails
You can contact Bukal Life Ministries by a new E-mail. That is,
info@bukallife.org
14 Jan
New Website
The New Website is up… but only partly populated. Feel free to take a peek.
www.bukallife.org
14 Jan
Upcoming Stuff
January 25-26 Spiritual Living Days at Union School International (Baguio City)
February 26-28 Medical Follow-up Visit to Aguid, Sagada, Mountain Province.
March 26-28 Mini-Medical and Follow-up in Pulo and Saplad, Macabebe Pampanga.
May 1. Pastoral Care Symposium. Shepherd’s Oikos. At West Baguio Baptist Church (all day).
9 Jan
Red Cross Training Completed
Red Cross Training
We completed Basic Life Saving, First Aid, and CPR training at our headquarters in Guisad, Baguio City on January 8th. We had about 20 people finish the training. Most of them are involved directly or indirectly with Bukal. Several joined us from Asia Vision Short Term Missions as well.
It was a great and demanding time. Thanks to the instructors from Philippine Red Cross. Also the food was great (Thanks Ate Flor!)
31 Dec
Doubters Welcome
Posted by bukallifeministries in Commentary. Tagged: doubt, faith. Leave a Comment
25 During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. 27 But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” 28 “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” 29 “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” 31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” 32 And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. 33 Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.” Matthew 14:25-33 (NIV)
Many people say that faith is the opposite of doubt. Certainly looking at verse 31 here, this appears to be the case. Yet many people who are thought of as pillars of the Christian faith throughout the history of the church were perplexed by nagging doubts. In fact, to doubt our ability to fully comprehend truth without error seems normal and human given the finiteness of our experience, knowledge, and reason.
Maybe the problem lies in our definitions of faith and doubt. Think of Faith as certainty of the will or volition. Lack of doubt is certainty of the mind or cognition. One has to do with decision-making, one with thoughts and ideas.
We are saved by Faith in Christ, not in lack of doubt. No wonder James said that faith without works is dead. It is not that faith is not enough, needing to have works to tip the scales in our favor. No. Lack of actions is inconsistent with a decision to live by faith.
In verse 31, the Greek word translated “doubt” would be more literally translated, “double standing” or “double minded”. If faith means your will is focused to do and be one thing… its opposite is a will that is not… it is divided… double.
Let’s look at the story of Peter and Jesus. When Jesus said to come, Peter got up and climbed out of the boat. What was the state of his mind at that point. His great faith is shown by his decision to climb out of the boat. However, since he had never walked on water before in his life… he must also have had much doubt in his thoughts.
More Faith + More Doubt resulted in walking on water
The passage further states that as Peter was walking he began noticing the rough waves and began to sink. He wavering in his faith. But he certainly had less doubt than before, since it is easier to think you can walk on water if you have done it and are doing it.
Less Faith + Less Doubt resulted in floundering in the sea
As he cried out, Jesus rescued him. Jesus asked Him why he lacked faith… why he was double-minded. Those on the boat cried out, “Truly you are the Son of God!”
Jesus seeks those who live by faith, but doubters are always welcome!