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Fellowship time!
We were treated to a table of home-cooked authentic feast!
We had it together with Pst Nilo and Pastora Ella while the rest of the members were just hanging around.
Our greatest “nightmare” aka history-making began.
We were given balut to eat!!!
According to Pst Nilo and Pastora Ella, we can never declare as a missionary who been to Philippines until we eat balut. (Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)
“balut” - a fertilized duck embryo that is boiled alive and eaten in the shell. Popularly believed to be an aphrodisiac and considered a high-protein, hearty snack.
It is commonly sold as street food in Philippines. In the Philippines, balut eaters prefer salt and/or a chili, garlic and vinegar mixture to season their eggs. The eggs are savored for their balance of textures and flavors; the broth surrounding the embryo is sipped from the egg before the shell is peeled, and the yolk and young chick inside can be eaten. All of the contents of the egg can be consumed, although the white may remain uneaten; depending on the age of the fertilized egg, the white may have an unappetizing cartilaginous toughness. 
Actually Teammate ML was told that she must try balut if she go to Philippines so right from the beginning, she been talking about it and was very eagered to try but didn’t get to due to time and venue.
On the last night where we had dinner with Pst Nilo, Teammate ML made known her request so Pst Nilo agreed to get it after dinner. But after dinner, it was already quite late so all of us (purposely?) forgot about it. Haha!
Just when I thought "we escaped", they actually went to get it in the morning so that we can it have it at lunch. *fainted* Think about it, I don’t know whether should I be “touched” a not. Haha!
(1) Pst Nilo actually remembered our… I mean Teammate ML’s request.
(2) In order for us to have it, they actually got to go market early in the morning.
So should I say I’m touched by their effort? Haha!
The moment we were about to eat balut, EVERYONE came over the table. An experience I will never ever forget! Really like fear-factor!
We were scared.. we were "excited".. we prayed.. we laughed.. we cried.. we screamed.. we shouted..
Whew~~~~ Thank God all of us managed to pull through!
When I shared with my friends, they were shocked and they said no matter under what circumstances, they will never eat it. Till today, I still cant believe I actually ate that thingy. Haha! Farewell is usually the toughest. We got to leave Batangas back to Manila. We would love to stay to fellowship but cause we had a time to be back at Manila to join the rest for main service. We bid goodbye to all. Pastora Venie actually walked us to the van. We even saw her watery eyes.
Pst Nilo drove us back to Manila together with another of his youth leader. It was quiet journey back… some were sleeping, some where talking to the youth leader and some were just “reflecting”.
Upon reaching, we passed Pst Nilo our love offering. Just a little token of appreciation.
Shortly after, the five of us went to meet the Bishop Carding, the founder of the Ministries together with Pst Nilo and his youth leader. Apparently the Bishop is Pst Nilo’s leader so he was very happy and honoring when he met Bishop.
We continued to hang around before we met up the rest of the team who we didn’t get to see/contact for couple of days.
Teammate SM and I went aside to run through his offering message that he will be sharing at the main service and I translating.
Actually for this, I actually don’t want to, don’t feel the confidence to do. Felt that since we already joined back the rest, he can actually get professional translator, Teammate JJ to help but he didn’t want to.
If translating at main service @ Batangas was 100% nervous, this would be 200%.
The pre-service prayer meeting started not long after and we joined in.
During then, Pst Nilo and the youth leader were still hanging at the back of the hall cause he told us earlier that he will go off after Teammate SM shared for offering at main service.
We also ministered to the members during ministry time.
ButTeammate JL and I noticed he is nowhere to be seen after the prayer meeting, We went down and realized his car were not there. We were disappointed and one of the regrets we had was that we didn’t get to say a proper goodbye to Pst Nilo. Think at point of time, we could felt watery eyes too.
Sun 17 July
Mixed feelings on our last day @ Batangas.
Our day started early. As usual, I was the first to get up but this time not by the alarm but by this…
We actually overlooked to get our breakfast the night before so when Pst Nilo dropped us a sms to ask about breakfast, we don’t know what to reply also. We were ok not to take breakfast but Pst Nilo don’t.
Pst Nilo is so thoughtful, he drove us to a fastfood place. His intention was actually for us to sit and take a proper meal. We were shocked by his move cause then the time was already approaching 9am, service time. But thank God we managed to convince him that we be fine with just a quick bite from 7-11. We did and we had yummy BIG bao - a quick one cause it was a short drive to the worship place. 
The worship place is not a church building actually the house of Pst Nilo. It was not a big place but it definitely can squeezed in many people. There were even people standing at the back of “living room”.
It was a pity we didn’t managed to join them right from the beginning of the service. It was already approaching end of worship when we reached. We quickly settled down and get our heart and everything.
First up, they played a video which showed much of Batangas ministry and their works etc. It was amazing to see how though they are a small congregation which are not even in the city impacted, are and will be impacting lives and doing so much for God‘s Kingdom.
Pst Nilo greeted his people and welcomed us, the missionaries. He shared about our days’ schedule - the places we went, the people we ministered to etc. He shared he was blessed and thankful by our visit. His welcome speech caused the five of us to have jaw-dropped expressions.
The most SHOCKING happened - “Certificate Presentation”.
We were presented certificate (the one on the right) for our first mission work.
There was also gift for each of us which they wanted us to open on the spot. We were almost in tears by their love, thoughtfulness and generosity. It was a personalized printed t-shirt, designed by the Pastor from Youth Ministry.
After which, Pst Nilo passed the time to us. My team and I really felt very honored cause despite us being “beginners” in mission, Pst Nilo entrusted us the ENTIRE service.
I kicked off by saying “hello” on behalf of the entire team. Think I was so nervous that I forgot to start with a prayer before I passed the time to the first segment. 
Teammate YG shared her testimony while Teammate ML translated for her. Two thumbs up for Teammate ML cause actually she seldom speaks Mandarin so it was a challenge for her to translate. But she did it! So proud of her!
Teammate JL did offering, her second time sharing fully in English. She prepared well the night before, she was serious in the words-to-use and the pronunciation etc. I did helped her with some and also the phrasing of sentences. Though she went up nervous but she kicked off and ended strong - words that she was afraid that she would pronoun wrongly, she did it correctly and confidently. 
The moment - the Word of God by Teammate SM and translated by me. Actually though it was not my first time translating but this round I was more afraid as I know the importance cause it was for the main service.
I also learnt that translator’s job is crucial cause if the preacher preach well but the translator didn’t do a good job, it would be you know you know. Teammate SM showed and went through his sermon with me the night before so thank God I had time to prepare.
He preached with fire and feelings, I did so to the best of my ability. Thank God we had good team work and everything went well.
The next challenging moment came - ministry time!!!
As this cant prepare beforehand and don’t know what to expect so this really got to depend fully on the Holy Spirit. The people were hungry and opened for His touch and His anointing.
Words cant describe how the entire ministry time went. Just want to thank God that He showed up. We prayed for the people, the youth leaders, the youth pastor, the elders and even Pst Nilo himself. 
Pst Nilo ended the service with a prayer in Tagalog… though we don’t understand but we felt his passion and fire.
Pst Nilo challenged his people.
Last but not least, on behalf of the team, I gave a “thank you” speech to Pst Nilo, Pastora Ella and everyone @ Batangas. The lousy me got “choked” by my tears once. Haha!
The whole service ended with a happy song.
After that was photos time!!!
With everyone @ Batangas!
With PUP youth!
With youth pastor, Pastor Christian!
With Pst Nilo & family!
With our translators!
to be continued...
Why like that?! It shouldn’t be like that?!
This “problem” had been with me on and off for couple of years already. Just when I thought I get over it already, “it” didn’t actually.
Recently this “it” seems to hit me back and seems stronger this round, till the extent that I can cxx just by thinking about it.
This “it” is only between God and me. I never and I guess I never will want to share with anyone. But recently “it” been affecting me so badly that I need to air it out by blogging… in “parables”.
Been thinking about it – was filled by negative and positive. Few things I had in mind but not too sure whether I have the courage to do it and whether right moves a not.
Seriously speaking… I’m tired and almost losing hope already.
Lost the ability to encourage myself in this “problem” too. =(
