I heard a lot about OJ Catanduanes or other missions, and I had many expectations when they encouraged me to join. At first, it was just like “wala, gusto ko lang ma-experience”, new place and new people. But the Lord has a plan, and that’s why He made me part of it.

Before going to OJ there are a lot of preparations, and honestly, I didn’t feel prepared at all. Weeks before the Holy week, I was struggling with school works, raising funds, soaking with the Lord, meeting with the teams, and I was sick that time. Everything is not aligned with the preparation that we are doing, and it was hassle on my end. But thank God, He never let me struggle alone. Everything I asked Him was fulfilled. Even before the travel to Catanduanes He is already working in favor to each and every one of us. I had a lot of worries that time but I tell God that I entrusted everything to Him and let Him do His will and I will follow His command.

Fast forward to Catanduanes, I prepared myself for the worst because thinking that it was a mission trip and not a vacation trip so I conditioned myself that I will stay in a place where everything is very simple and maybe not too comfortable, but God is really great because we never experience to be in a worst situation in fact everything is very comfortable and accommodating. The people are so kind and place was very relaxing.

I expected a lot, especially those things that I thought will make us struggle in a sense of making connections with the people in Catanduanes but everything that I thought was turned out to be great. The Lord made me realize a lot of things that I should be grateful for. In Catanduanes, there are a lot of things they are needed in their respective churches. They need workers, they need equipments, they need church development and many other things but there is one common attitude of their churches that made an impact on me was their hunger to reach non‑believers around their community and I was amazed on how they involved themselves to spread the gospel in Catanduanes. God really humbled me to witness the small church to be eager and really step out to share Jesus. I experienced and saw it with my own eyes on how the Lord worked for us when we share the gospel to the strangers and it was fulfilling to share the love of God. I am so grateful that the Lord calls me to come out of my comfort zone and to be part of His glory.

I wanna share this verse to you that really made me go and take part as a servant of God;

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20

I value this verse so much and now, it is very clear to me to follow his greatest commandments and great commission. We shouldn’t waste time to really GO OUT and SPREAD JESUS. it’s NOT just something WE SAY, but something WE DO. Hold onto the God’s promise, “…He is with us always, to the very end of the age.”