The Lucasi Letters

Love, Love, Love

2008-02-21T12:40:00.006+08:00

The Life Touch Christian Baptist Church was turned into a wonderful candlelit place as the New Life Dorm students celebrated their annual Valentines Party with the theme “True Love Waits” last February 16.

All the students (and kids) were excited as they all got dressed up and entered the place with their dates.

They listened to guest speaker Cheryl and her husband Carl as they told how God wrote their love story. The Riches also brought their Korean friend Amy with them.

There were games, merienda, and a presentation by the Life Touch Youth Ensemble. There were also awards given at the end of the night like Mr. and Ma. Valentine, Mr. and Ms. Suave, Lady of the Night, Gentleman of the Night and many more.

The students enjoyed the fellowship and they look forward to the next valentine fellowship with great anticipation.

Celebrating God's Faithfulness. Continuing the Legacy.

2008-02-12T23:32:00.006+08:00

It has been a year since papa died and over the year we have heard people saying they wished they were able to come to the interment but their cicumstances did not allow them to. So the family decided to hold a memorial service in Balangao for the one year death anniversary.

It was a cold, wet and muddy January but nevertheless people came and for almost a week fellowshipped, reminisced, cried, laugh and broke bread with us. The plan was to hold the memorial service on the 26th of January but it turned out to be a week long affair.

We thank God for his provision and protection throughout the celebration. During the service, people were given the chance to say some words of remembrance and encouragement. Videos and pictures of papa were shown during the night. The people also enjoyed presentations by Threads and the Life Touch Youth Ensemble. Here are a few snapshots of what took place in Balangao....

The beautiful terraces of Natonin

Saturday morning, there was an assembly for women...

men...

the youth...and children.

Throughout the week, people were fed both spiritually and physically...

And despite the mud...

and some mishaps...God made everything beautiful.

On behalf of the family, I would like to thank all of you who have been with us in prayers and supporting us financially. It has been a year full of ups and downs but God has certainly been most faithful. We are still adjusting to a lot of things and sometimes it can be hard...sometimes sad. But God is truly the father to the fatherless. His constant love and care for us has kept us throughout the year. As we all start another year, may God's blessing be on all of us as we continue on the legacy of faith.

Leo

Hong Kong Break

2007-08-09T18:49:00.000+08:00

Hong Kong has very hot summers! This is what we experienced when me, my mom, aunt and uncle went to Hong Kong last July for a little break courtesy of some friends and relatives. Nevertheless the wonderful sights and sounds of HK did a great job of distracting us from the heat. It was a time of reunion for friends and relatives whom we haven't seen in a long time. It was also an opportunity to rekindle relationships and meet new people, to fellowship with brothers and sisters (mostly sisters) in the Lord, share stories, laugh, eat and pray for each other. We also got to see the prayer warriors who prayed with us and for us through my father's illness and death. It was a blessing for us to see them and thank them personally. The two weeks we stayed there seemed very short. We thank God for this wonderful opportunity!

The family without papa

2007-06-10T18:01:00.001+08:00

Leo, Lyle with Sam, Cherry with Dominique, Violet with Zion, Loree with Beth and Joy

The Lucasi family
Continuing serving the Lord without papa.

Again, we would like to thank all those who have supported us, financially, materially and emotionally before and after papa's death. Your prayers are the greatest help.

THREADS at Nueva Vizcaya's Panagyaman Festival 2007

2007-06-10T17:45:00.000+08:00

"This is a long-time prayer that we never expected to be fulfilled. The place was crowded. It was fun seeing our expressions reflected on the faces of the audience. Even the people who were just passing by, stopped and watched us.” - Len Dawadao

"I stood in the stage and my heart started to beat faster. I am doing this for the Lord. There are many lives that needed to be touched. I cried because I wanted the people to know how much the Lord has done for them.” - Faith Mae Bangilan

"In every performance I give my best for the Lord. I am thankful for my role as Jesus because I am being used in showing the pain and suffering that He went through because He loved us so much." - Jordan Bahiyan

Click the picture or visit the THREADS website for the whole story:
http://threadsphilippines.multiply.com/

DVBS and me

2007-05-12T18:46:00.000+08:00

It is the first summer without papa.

After a grueling last month of school, the temptation to stay home and enjoy my family was so great. But the national election fever had started and the desire to campaign Christ was far greater.

The first week of the summer was spent with VOICE Philippines as I helped tita Ruth Haynes and tita Laura Bonney with the Values curriculum designs. I went home to Bayombong and was just in time for the 3rd batch of the DVBS waves! A week after, I rode the jeepney with the 4th batch team off to the mountains.

AURORA, ISABELA
Aurora Elementary School (Central)

Being a leader of one of the four teams, a lot was on my back. Being in Manila, I wasn't able to attend the teachers' training for this year's theme. But having taught DVBS every year since highschool was a good thing for me. I easily caught up with the lessons and my team members, as young as they were, were brilliant teachers.

It was my first time to teach in the lowlands since we had always been teaching in the Balangao areas for the past summers. The first day was both scary and exciting. Less than 20 students came and DVBS was new for most of the kids. After a day of visitation around the barangay, a lot of kids came pouring in even until the last day. The training center was full-packed during the graduation day and our 60+ students did a wonderful presentations of memory verses, songs, dances and speech. A lot of parents came to me with tear-filled eyes and thanked us for teaching their children. Many also requested that DVBS be extended to 2 weeks or one month.

My best experience of all in this batch is seeing my "children" (the intermediate class) understand the story of salvation. After that special moment when they prayed to accept Christ in their hearts a long moment of silence came. We just sat there and amazingly my rowdy class was solemnly quiet. I watched them as they wiped their tears away and sat in deep thought. It touched my heart that these young kids understood how great the decision they had made that day. Half an hour later 22 beautiful faces looked back at me with red eyes, running noses and big wide smiles in their lips. The joy of salvation is nothing compared to days of restless nights praying and preparing lessons.

The Aurora Central Team - Mirasol, Airyl, Joni, Shiandy (Our host's baby), me and Kc. The 3 teachers on the right are my cousins.

Enjoying a breakfast of fried eggplants!

The preschool class with faithful mothers who brought their kids everyday.

The happy primary class who played basketball with us after classes.

The noisy intermediate class who clung to me when we were about to leave for home.

After the special moment were everybody became amazingly quiet.

Our host family helping with checking crafts and activity sheets.

BUTIGUE, PARACELIS, MT. PROVINCE
St. William's Episcopal Church

Working with the Anglican Church for the second time around (the last time was 2 summers ago in the neighboring barangay) was a blessing for me. It showed how the DVBS ministry can break denominational barriers and how the love of Jesus can surpass differences. We had 4 teams covering the Paracelis Area. My team was assigned in Butigue were Father Frenzel Piluden's family hosted us. We were housed in their newly built concrete house and were spoiled with foods donated by various families.

Of the four Barangays (Butigue, Marat, Banilag and Tapaw) we had the least number of students. But we thank God for these 40+ kids whom we taught, bonded, played and laughed together with for one whole week. Even amidst the pouring rain and muddy road, these kids came with broken umbrellas, sloppy slippers and carrying baby sisters on their backs. Their anticipation for DVBS showed in how early they would crowd in our windows in the morning and shout for us to come to the church to start. Even if we dismissed them late in the morning classes they would sill come early in the afternoon and wake us from our naps with their jumps and knocks. I often wonder how they eat lunch that fast.

I praise God for the 6 youths He sent to my class. As years passed, the number of youths attending DVBS had declined because of the misconception that DVBS is only for little kids. Plus, a lot of entertainments were introduced since electricty came in. Having 6 enthusiastic youth for a whole week was refreshing. We were even able to have a night of fellowship in one of the youth's house. At the end of the week, 5 of these 6 accepted Christ as their Lord and personal Savior. I believe, that day, a lot of rejoicing was heard in the presence of the Angels of God.

cramming up for the jeepney ride to the mountains.

Preparing lessons.

My energetic team - Shan, Lucille, me, Russel and Jacky

The preschool class

The primary class

The youth class

Basketball with the youths

DVBS Fiesta

Longest line

tug-of-war

Water is a problem. Taking advantage of the rain for our baths and laundry.

DVBS Butigue 2007

Graduation Day!

"I will be still, know you are God"

with the proud parents

awarding the youth with their parents

The teachers

I praise God for these very fulfilling DVBS experiences. This is my story. All my fellow-teachers' stories still remain unwritten. Serving the Lord will always be a privilege for us. Nothing is better than waving goodbye to the little faces knowing that the seed of Christ had been planted in their hearts. As I reach home, papa's grassy grave came into view. Gone is the man who would be waiting for us to come home. Gone is the man who would silently listen to the pouring stories I have. Gone is the moment where I would see the pride in his eyes. Gone is the time when he would hug me with a smile of approval in his face. I opened the door and mama was there.

It is the first summer without papa but the ministry continues.

Violet

Next step: THREADS evangelistic crusades.

Summer Wave 07

2007-04-29T19:24:00.000+08:00

Amidst the stifling heat and an oh-so-dry summer, the DVBS 2007 team is making waves spreading the Good News. There were several months of preparation beforehand and a Teacher’s Training was held at the New Life Evangelical Bible Church on the 24th and 25th of March headed by trainors Judy, Meyo and Lourdes with this year’s theme---Repentance and the theme verse Luke 15:10.

The first wave hit Malabing in 5 areas--- Papaya*, Tadji, Malabing Central and Binogawan from April 9-18. Two hundred ninety kids and teens attended and were blessed. Alongside this wave is the first ever DVBS held at the New Life Evangelical Bible Church and was attended by 129 kids from the neighorhood, most of which are kids who went to Sunday School.

DVBS at the New Life Evangelical Bible Church:

The second wave hit Cordon, Isabela on April 18-22 with 40 children in attendance.

The third wave hit Aurora Isabela in 5 areas also – Sta. Rita*, Victoria, San Juan*, Bolinao* and Bagong Tanza with 220 children attendance from April 23-28.

Here are some pictures of the DVBS graduation in Aurora Central School:

The feedback from these places have been great and the parents have invited us again for next summer. Like last year, some parents suggested we stay longer than a week and we have been staying 2 weeks in some of the places already as per parent’s and children’s request. The response from the children are overwhelming as well. Many of them have accepted Christ as their Savior and Lord.

Please pray for the next wave of DVBS this May.

*These places are the ones that have DVBS for the first time.

Baptism

2007-03-22T14:14:00.000+08:00

On the 11th of March 2007, 2 in the afternoon at the SIL Bagabag Center swimming pool, 7 of the New Life Dorm students publicly proclaimed their decision to follow Christ and underwent water baptism. It was wonderful seeing these young people dedicate their lives to follow only Christ and to live it in accordance to His purpose.

This baptism was originally scheduled September last year but due to my father's condition it kept on being postponed. Prior to the baptism, these students went through several baptism class. Balangao Elder Fanganan, officiated the baptism. It was witnessed by the students from the dormitory and some SIL friends.

Lunch fellowship before the baptism

(From L-R) Rhoda Dangpos, Leni Grail Dawadao, Jordan Durdal, Jeanette Lumachay, Jacky Mariano, Divina Ogasna, Lenny Torres, Elder Fanganan, Ptr. Gary (NLD Staff)

New Life Dormitory Family showing support

John Young,S IL Bagabag Center Administrator, praying for the seven

Rejoicing!

Commisioning

2007-03-04T09:09:00.000+08:00

Last February 24, 2007, the whole family was together in Malabon for Pastor Lyle's Commissioning Service at Messiah Christian Baptist Church. This is the mother church of Vessels of Glory, the church he is pastoring in Bacoor, Cavite. Together with two other pastors, he was commissioned to preach the Gospel here and around the world. His ordination will be on the last weekend of May. This truly is a big milestone for Pastor Lyle as he starts his ministry here in Bayombong.

Pastor Lyle preaching the Word

Praying for the family

a happy valentine's day

2007-02-26T10:47:00.000+08:00

The day my father was supposed to celebrate his 59th birthday is the day everyone knows as Velentine's. The family decided to go through with celebrating his birthday like we did every year. Throughout the school year, the dorm students had several sports and games and we usually have the awarding of prizes and a small program on the night of Dad's birthday. This year we got to celebrate with family and relatives from Tufuy, Balangao, Paracelis, Baguio and Manila who came down to be with us on this special day. We had a two day celebration beginning February 13 and ended with a special service on the night of the 14th. People who weren't able to say their eulogies during the wake were given a chance to do so. We heard a lot of stories about how God has used my father to touch their lives. It was a bittersweet celebration. During the last night, my brother Lyle, in place of my father, delivered the challenge from God's word taken from I Corinthians 9:24-27.

Here are some of the pictures taken during the birthday celebration.

There were smiles and laughter

and there were tears

Enjoying the food and fellowship

Special Threads presentation

Enjoying the evening with sweets from Canada

Praying for the family (before the evening service)

Judging the singing contest

New Life Dorm Students sharing their decision to wait for true love

THANK YOU!

Pictures of papa's last walk in this world

2007-02-08T22:35:00.000+08:00

Click and be blessed!

http://doming-thelastjourney.blogspot.com/

Violet's Letter to Papa

2007-02-05T06:48:00.000+08:00

At 12:00am of January 22, I was sitting in the St.Luke's Chapel writing a letter.

Hours ago, we surrendered to papa’s heartbreaking plea – “If you love me, release me.” An unexplainable feeling of urgency made me sat down and write. I had always told papa I love him but this time I wanted him to know why and how much he really meant to me. And when I, being myself, have something really important to say, I write. And this was more than important. I wanted every word to be perfect, every memory to be vivid and every feeling I had not to be forgotten. And so I wrote.

1:45am my shoulders were tired from sobbing and my letter remained unfinished. I went back to our hospital room and sat beside papa hoping to get any ounce of energy back. His face distorted in pain even in his sleep made me cry more.

2:00am I went out of the room and tried finishing my letter. I couldn’t. All those memories overwhelmed me and left my mind in mid-air.

3:00am I decided to have a short sleep before I write again. I wanted to finish it and read it to papa first thing in the morning.

6:15am I woke up to mama’s wailing. Papa was having difficulty breathing and he was propped up by my uncles and auntie. I instantly stood up and took my turn in holding him. He was strangely heavy.

7:00am I started finalizing my letter. Every minute I look at him and every minute he breathes heavily and heavily. In my mind I was shouting for him to wait.

8:00am I finished my letter. And since it was 3 pages long, I wanted him to be comfortable enough to hear every single word. I waited for the nursing aid to change the sheets, I waited for kuya Lyle to finish his call, I waited for kuya Leo to be at my side, I waited for mama to sit down, I waited for papa to get back to the bed and lie down. I waited for the right time but it never came. I guess I waited too long. I didn’t know in a few minutes he would die. Even as I folded the paper in my hand, I was in high hopes that he would live.

8:30am he was gently laid back in bed. Then the oxygen alarm went out. Chaos. Nurses. Doctors. Machines. Everybody started to say their goodbyes and I sat there paralyzed and pleading to God for just another 5 minutes or less for me to read my letter. When the numbers started to go down and down and down, I knew we were losing him. I clutched the paper and hugged papa tight and whispered in his ears the words I long to tell him more about. With tears streaming down my face, I told him over and over that I love him, hoping that those words were enough to let him know the content of my unread letter to him.

At 8:40am God took papa home.

MY UNREAD LETTER TO MY FATHER

(Read during my papa’s burial)

Dear papa,

As I watch you lying in that hospital bed gasping for air, I had so many things I wanted to tell you.

Remember one time when you called me at your side? You were silent for a while as you stared at the poster I made for you. Then you spoke and asked me, “Violet, how can I be strong and courageous at times like this when the pain is too much?” I didn’t know what to say. At that time I didn’t have any answer. We both kept silent for we both didn’t know. Then we bowed our heads in fervent prayer.

What do I do when the lips that told me 17 years ago that I needed Jesus in my heart is now dry and parched and hard to speak… When the arms that once cradled me with love when I was a not-so-pleasant-looking baby are now bruised, weak and shaky…

When the eyes that closed with me as I learned how to pray are now struggling to open and focus on my face… When the ears that once listened to my DVBS stories are now straining to hear every word I say…

When the hands that tightly held my little hands as we crossed the streets at night to buy our favorite balot are now being poked and prodded by countless needles… When the fingers that once taught me how to type without looking at the typewriter are now trembling uncontrollably…

When the shoulders I once sat on as we trekked down the trail to lola’s house is now unable to stand straight…When the legs that hiked down to tufuy with me, mama, kuya Lyle, kuya Leo, Joy and Beth is now lying helpless and swollen… When the feet that once tried to teach me how to sadsad and dance the halep is now unable to carry you around.

What do you do when the man of strength you looked up to is now crying and writhing in pain? What I do is I love him more. Pa, I learned to love you more for fighting to live for us this long. For almost a year you endured the pain thinking of us. And now I know the answer to your question. In that, you had proven to be strong and courageous. And now that you fought long enough and you want to go home – home where there is no pain – I am letting go.

I will always remember you, papa. You had always been my number one fan in school. Remember in my elementary days, how you would promise me gifts at the end of each year if I top the honor list? I got my green BMX bike which I loved so much. I also got my brand new camera. You were always true to your promises.

I will always cherish our FTM and Tasterite moments after my Recognition Days. As we sat together and smiled at the camera – me with my medals and you with your big smile – those were once my happiest days, knowing that in my own little way, I made my papa proud of me.

I know I am bad at household chores and you never failed to remind me about that. And because of that I learned to take my studies seriously. In high school, every accomplishment I made, I dedicated it to you and mama – every medal, every trophy, every plaque and every award I got, I would think of you knowing that even if you weren’t there to receive It with me, you silently cheered for me.

That’s why when I got my GMA leadership award on graduation day, I waited for you. They called my name twice but I couldn’t see you. The principal wanted to hang it herself around my neck but I gazed around looking for you. And when I saw you running up to me with that huge smile on your face, I was glad I waited. I knew I wouldn’t have gotten that award without you. You will always be my example of a great leader.

In getting out of FEBIAS I knew I broke your heart. It was the hardest decision for me that time - to pursue what I want or to break my father’s heart. It was the first time you cried in front of me and pleaded for me to obey. But I remained headstrong. Pa, I am so sorry for hurting you so much that time. I will always feel miserable remembering those days when you cried as I shut you out of my world. Pa, from the deepest part of my heart, I am so sorry.

Yet you didn’t turn your back on me. It’s been 5 years of college and you’re still hopeful I will finish what we started – what God started in me. Pa, I will graduate for you. One day I will walk up the stage, get my diploma and wait for you to come up with me. And like what we do since I was a child, we will pose for the camera and smile our bright smiles. But if that day comes and you will not be there, then I will smile wider and brighter, one for you and one for me. I will smile big for the both of us.

Pa, I had always dreamed of a perfect wedding. Ever since I was a child you taught me the value of waiting. Even right now, I can hear you telling me, “the best gift you can give to your husband, is your virginity.” Before, Joy and I would always squirm whenever you called us together and start with those words. But now I know that without your constant reminder, I wouldn’t have hold on to my purity.

I always prayed that the man I marry would be a man of great patience and humility – a man who fears God and who would remain faithful to Him and to his family, a man who is willing to work hard in the mission field, who will hike every mountain with joy and without complaints, a man who wouldn’t value money, degree or fame but who will value a single soul that comes to know the Lord. I always prayed that God would give me a man just like you, pa.

It would be the happiest day of my life as I see you walk me down the aisle to the man who would next take the responsibility of taking care of me after you did since I was born. But if that day comes and you aren’t there beside me to hold my hand, I will still walk that aisle with joy and grace knowing that papa had helped to prepare me to be worthy of this man God has given me.

I had also dreamed of you around my children, you teaching them how to pray, you giving them shampoo bottles filled with coins for Christmas day, you riding them in your old rusty motorbike, you teaching them how to drive and overtake successfully, you telling them to always be a defensive driver, you spanking them with your painful brown belt and praying with them afterwards, you telling them the proper way of holding a camera, you reminding them to wash their own clothes, you teaching them how to chew chicken bones until nothing is left for the dogs, you teaching them how to eat balot, you walking up and down Balangao and telling them about your own Achurawen River and you answering all their questions about the Bible. But if that day comes and you aren’t there, then I will tell them the story of the good man there lolo was. And like me, as I hear stories of lolo Canao, I know they would sit in awe and plead to tell your story over and over again.

Pa, I thank you for sharing Christ in my life but most especially I thank you for living Christ in your life. You had inspired me to be a faithful missionary someday – someone who will love Jesus until the end. And now, as this may be my last letter to you, I cry with all the tears I can.

If I could just have one more hike with you or one more talk with you or one more laugh at your jokes or one more tight hug from you… If I could only have one more lifetime with you, babawi ako (I’ll make up to you), papa. But you are flying today and I will be left behind. And now, I thank you – thank you for being my papa. In my heart I will always be my papa’s girl.

Did you know that my first ever writing contest was in 6^th grade and I won 1^st place in that? I wrote a feature article about the most influential person in my life and it was all about you. I had always asked God to write you and me a beautiful story. I always thought you would be there until I graduate, get married and go to missions. But if God wants to end our chapter here, then pa, I would like you to know with all my heart that you are the most beautiful story of my life. I love you so much, papa.

Laylayche’ hea.

Rejoice!

2007-01-30T22:04:00.000+08:00

"When you are in constant pain, it is hard to see the beauty of living so what you can only do is hang on the Lord and struggle to trust in Him on the basis of His Word. "

Pastor Doming Lucasi's SMS to Joanne Lucasi on December 2, 2006

God has answered our prayers and has delivered my Dad from that excruciating pain, which he has been constantly suffering from for so long. Truly our God works in ways we cannot as mortals comprehend. And yet we can always be assured that His ways are perfect.

It was Monday morning, January 22 at 8:40 am when God decided to take my Dad home to be with him. Prior to that my Dad had asked us to release him because he couldn't take the pain anymore. He said "If you love me, release me." And so with heavy hearts we did. His passing on to glory was very peaceful. We thank God for the time He gave us to be able to thank our Dad and tell him how much we love him before He took him.

Because of the hospital policy that says they cannot release my Dad's body unless a funeral parlor takes it, we contacted a funeral parlor in Quezon City. They agreed to just embalm the body and keep it until we were able to transport it to Bayombong the following day via SIL plane. We spent the night at their funeral chapel while my Dad's body stayed in the morgue. That night, a lot of people came. FEBIAS alumni, TAP, SIL, past co-workers, relatives, friends...everyone who cared for the family. The place was fully packed. I'm sure it was God who sent all these people to be our source of comfort and encouragement that day.

We arrived at Bagabag airport Tuesday afternoon and went straight to the funeral parlor in Bagabag where we chose Dad's casket. He was later brought home at the New Life Dormitory compound around 7 pm and so began a week long celebration of God's love and faithfulness.

During the week long wake, we held one service every afternoon and two services at night. Hymns were sang and people were given the chance to talk about how my dad had been a part of their lives. We saw pictures, video tributes and more singing. Part of the services had been sharing of the Gospel. Pray with us that the Word that was planted in the hearts of those who have not yet believed would grow and that God would touch their hearts and minds and let them recognize their need of a Savior.

More than a thousand people came, people whose lives were touched by God's ministry through my Dad. It was heartwarming to hear all their stories and memories of my dad. The evening services would go on until dawn (around 5 or 6 am).

We buried him last Sunday (January 28) late afternoon here in the compound. God has made a way that we would be able to do that. The burial service started around 3 in the afternoon and it gave the family a chance to say their last words before my Dad's body was committed to the ground. Like I said in my eulogy, it feels like a large part of me was ripped out and it hurts so much. But we focus our eyes on God our source of strength and comfort and ask Him to fill that part that has been taken away.

If there is one thing I have learned during this whole thing, it's that we have a good God. Like the song Trust His Heart goes "God is too wise to be mistaken, God is too good to be unkind, So when you don't understand, when you don't see His plan, When you can't trace His hand trust His heart."

We as a family are constantly learning to trust God's heart. He has been faithful yesterday, today and we believe even tomorrow and so we just put our hopes in Him. He has been our Jehovah Jireh and we shall never be in want.

Please continue to pray for us as we live a new chapter in our lives. One without our Dad's earthly presence. We have committed ourselves to continue on the ministry that our Dad has started until the day we see each other again.

We thank you all for your prayers, support and words of encouragement. We can never repay you but we pray that God would just pour His blessings upon you.

Let us be encouraged to continue to serve God in the areas of ministry He has put us in. May we be inspired by the life that my Dad has lived and just be totally surrendered to our Father's will. May we all be ready like He was until the day that God would welcome us and say "Well done my good and faithful servant."

Leo

New Year, New Challenges

2007-01-18T13:25:00.000+08:00

The year 2007 hasn’t been quite gentle on the Lucasi family. Even before 2006 ended, we were headed towards tremendous challenges.

December 17, 2006, Sunday evening, my father Doming was rushed to the local hospital in Nueva Vizcaya because he was suffering from severe abdominal pain. It has been days since he was able to have bowel movement. The doctors said there might be an obstruction but they couldn’t identify what was causing the obstruction or where it was located. Nevertheless, he needed to undergo surgery to relieve him of that obstruction. Five days prior to that though, he had problems with bladder retention and could not urinate so a catheter was inserted in him.

It was later decided on that the procedure be done in Manila. So amidst bad weather on December 19, the plane from SIL Bagabag flew him over to Bulacan. Hours later, he was confined at St. Luke’s Medical Center in Quezon City. The following day, he had a colostomy.

His colostomy helped him with his bowel problem but he still suffered from great pain. A whole abdomen CT scan showed that a big myeloma mass had grown on his tailbone and was pushing against the rectum causing the obstruction. It was painful for him to sit or lay down. The doctors from pain management put him on morphine and it gave him relief but the side effects were plenty. He was barely awake and he couldn’t speak out loud. His memory became foggy and he had some hallucinations. We prayed that God would deliver him from pain and God heard our prayers. For one week he was off morphine and he was pain free. He was able to move around and talk and tell stories. The doctors say it was impossible for the pain to just suddenly stop. But God is a God of the impossible. Everything was going okay until the pain began again. This time it wasn’t on his backside. It was on his lower abdomen, groin area and on the mass on his upper left rib.

Aside from the mass on his tailbone, he had other masses growing in other parts of his body. But the main concern right now is the mass causing the bowel obstruction. He is undergoing radiation therapy and needs to finish 28 sessions. If everything goes well, his last session will be on the 6th of February. Until then, he will be confined in the hospital. His left leg is swollen and so is his right eyelid. His protein level is low. The doctors say that even if the mass on his tailbone is shrunk, it would always grow in different parts of his body.

The process has been a roller coaster of emotions and trying physical condition. But my father’s prayer is that God would have mercy on him and extend his life. He longs to serve God longer. He feels there is yet to be done. And so as a family we stand by him in prayers asking God to allow us to experience His healing power. It is a daily fight as my father struggles with cancer. He tries to walk around, do things on his own, talks about Jesus with his visitors and fight the pain.

It has been exhausting and difficult. But God, being true to His word, never left us nor has He forsaken us. He has been our source of strength, of joy, of comfort. We do not know what His plans are or what the future holds for our family. But we are at peace knowing that all things work together for the good of those who love Him. His ways are not our own. His thoughts are higher than ours.

We have been praying for a miracle…one of healing. And we see God’s hand moving. There has been healing of broken relationships. There has been forgiveness, mending of rifts and most importantly healing of broken relationships with God. We have learned a lot through this process of healing. We are experiencing the sweet joy of waiting on the Lord. Of being still and knowing He is God. Our faith is being stretched and tested.

Prayers are pouring from all parts of the world. Friends have been coming to encourage. Blessings are abounding and we cannot thank God enough for how he has been and will be sustaining us.

We look forward to what God has in store for our family this New Year. Please join us as we pray for God’s mighty healing power for my father. Rejoice with us as we celebrate life, friendship, laughter, tears and God’s enduring faithfulness and love.

Leo

updates

2006-08-25T13:47:00.000+08:00

It's halfway through the first semester of school and we have been very busy at the New Life dorm.

Last July, we held the first workshop for this school year. Leo invited two of his friends from Bible school and they facilitated a workshop on Worship and Song Leading. The dorm students were very excited and we even had a few students from outside join us. Although it was a really short time (about three hours), the students learned a lot. One of the ideas that stuck was "I am not the best but I always aim to give my best because God deserves only the best."
The challenge left to them was to offer their lives and their talents to be used in the music ministry. In response, 4 students signed up to be trained as songleaders and 9 signed up us back up singers. We are currently praying for students to be trained to play the keyboard and guitar as well.
Another thing that we praise God for is the growing number of children who attend Sunday School. From 15 kids to 55! And so the need for more teachers. We didn't wait too long because students from the dorm volunteered right away. We now have 3 classes in sunday school each with 2 teachers. Last Sunday, 7 of the intermediate kids accepted Jesus to be their Savior and Lord!

Also last week we started the annual sports fest for the dorm students. This year was special because the students who weren't from the dorm but were attending worship service were included and made one team. The games being played are basketball, volleyball, badminton, table tennis and board games like scrabble and chess. We enjoy this time of fellowship a lot.

Truly God is blessing the ministry we have here, last Sunday we had 22 students attend our worship service from outside the dorm. Last Friday we were able to start a Bible study at a nearby dormitory. This was headed by our staff members Gary, Newell and Judy.

balangao terraces

2006-06-19T10:04:00.000+08:00

I just want to share with you a few pictures I took of the rice terraces in Balangao. They look really really beautiful this time of the year. Enjoy! Leo

All in the Family

2006-06-08T16:34:00.000+08:00

Back: Leo and Doming

Front (L-R): Joy, Loree holding Bethany, Violet

Just a quick take on how everyone in the family's doing.

After 6 years of school and work in Manila, LEO decided to come home to help us in the dorm ministry. He would be a great help to lighten the load as we try to recover from our illnesses. Pray for him as he pursues his second degree. He's going to take up Psychology and Guidance and Counseling at a university nearby.

VIOLET had been busy helping with SEND Missionaries as they create a values curriculum for public schools. She also continues to lead and direct the THREADS team in their performances. We praise God for her spiritual growth and her heart for the youth. This week has really been an exciting one for her. All summer we have been praying for God to provide for her financial needs in school. She applied for a 50% scholarship mid-May and ever since, we kept on praying and praying. Just this monday, she got the results from the scholarship committee and she wasn't given the 50% scholarship. Instead she was granted a full scholarship for this school year. She enrolled yesterday June 7 without spending a single cent on school fees. We just can't stop praising the Lord for how He continually surprises us with things that are beyond what we ever hope or ask for!

JOY spent the whole summer teaching DVBS and performing for Threads. She really is a joy as she proves to be a good singer, a brilliant actress and lately tried her hand at songwriting. She already has a couple of really good Christian songs and we can't wait to listen to more of her songs! She also had been our helpful little “nurse” around the house. She desires to be a doctor someday. Pray for God’s direction in her life as she still is in 3rd year high school.

BETHANY was a very eager DVBS student gaining a well-deserved “Best in Art Award”. Pray for her as she face the whole new world of first grade.

Cherry, Lyle, Zion and Sam

With the help of New Life graduates, LYLE and CHERRY had their 2nd year of DVBS in Cavite, where Lyle is pastoring a newly planted church. Cherry had been busy this year organizing children for Sunday School. Pray for continues support and guidance. Samantha and Zion continues to be charming little kids although they easily get sick.

Loree is slowly healing from her hysterectomy. However, she is still a medicine-dependent diabetic. Pray for complete healing for both Doming and Loree as we claim the Lord’s promise in Matt. 8:17, “He took up our infirmities and carried our diseases.”

Finances for our monthly medicines especially for Doming’s oral chemo continues to be a burden. But God has been sustaining us until now. We thank you all for loving our family. Pray for all of us as we journey this new phase in life. May God bless you!

Summer Ministry 2006

2006-06-05T20:37:00.000+08:00

It was a summer of firsts for the New Life Dorm Ministry. We praise God for how He has been working through this ministry. We all watch in excitement as we see God’s blessing as we “expand our territory”.

In preparation for the DVBS, a 2-day teacher’ trainings was held in 4 different provinces. Trainees were composed of mothers, fathers, church workers of different sects, public officials and students. It was also the first time that most of the volunteer teachers were products of previous DVBS or of the New Life Dorm.

Armed with the theme “Jesus Rules” from the ABCCOP curriculum and the Visualized Bibles of BVI, these teachers marched on to a very fulfilling mission of reaching children for God.

For years, the involvement of the New Life Dorm in the DVBS program had been focused on the Balangao area only. But this summer was different! DVBS classes were now held in different lowland places as well. We were able to minister to 28 places, 10 of which are in the Cagayan Valley provinces (Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino and Isabela) and one in Cavite.

All in all, there were almost a hundred volunteer teachers for the more than 2,000 children who attended. For most places, it was their first time to hold a DVBS and it was received with much enthusiasm. Again, children were asking for the classes to be extended for days. We praise God for opening doors for us to reach our neighbors.

The summer ministry activities ended with special presentations by the Threads team in 2 churches (Mustard Seed Evangelical Church in Longhad and the Natnat Bible Church) and a wedding invitation in Balangao. It was the first time that the team, who has been performing many times in Ifugao, performs in Balangao. The team is composed of talented Balangao young people from the New Life Dorm. They do presentations like dances, song interpretation and drama. We praise God for the big turnout in all the venues despite the bad weather. Many were blessed with what they saw. Especially the older people who were happy to see how these young people happily offered their lives and talents to be used for God’s ministry.

As another school year comes, we are faced with a batch of new (and old) students. At last count we have 11 freshmen, 9 sophomores, 4 juniors, 3 seniors and 4 high school students. All of them being answer to our prayers. We praise God for bringing these young people to the dorm. We look forward to a year of learning, ministering and fellowship.

Doming's Testimony

2006-06-05T17:42:00.000+08:00

I thank the Lord that I did not die suddenly.

It was the last week of January 2006 when I started feeling light headed. I tried ignoring it hoping it would soon go away. But then I started getting paler. My back muscles started to ache and it bothered me when I lay down on my back. I kept on praying for recovery but the draining of my strength alarmed me.

First week of February, while Loree was having her check-up for hysterectomy, I went to see the doctor. The CBC test showed that my blood count was down to 7. The doctor had me admitted in the provincial hospital for blood transfusion. Then I was transferred to St. Luke’s Hospital in Manila. I was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma, a cancer of the blood. This information took time to sink into my mind. After realizing the implications of such disease, the fear of death started to cloud my dear life. Despair started to creep in and occupy my mind.

I cried to the Lord for help and the bible passage that came into mind was “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will to you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thes. 5:16-18). This passage restored my whole being and gave me the right perspective on how to deal with this malignant condition.

I desire to continue serving the Lord for more years. In my heart, I know this is not impossible with God. This is certain in Matthew 19:26, Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” I claim this truth to apply to my situation. Another promise I am holding on to is John 15:7, “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you.”

As the physical pain becomes unbearable and the emotional turmoil becomes agonizing, I am holding on. Through this, God creates in me a higher dimension of spirituality in which I can now see how sweet and precious our God is. He now puts me in a higher level of love. Through all these I had developed a purer love for my God. Before, I had loved God for my sake but now I love Him for His own sake, for who He is. And I want to stay in this level of love forever.

I praise the Lord that I did not die suddenly, giving me time to still enjoy my family, to put my home in order and to organize the things needed for our ministry on earth before going home to my final resting place.

Doming

Christian Leadership Training 05

2006-04-26T17:59:00.000+08:00

In May of 2005 the Association of Ifagao Bible Chruches hosted a conference that focused on training church learders from Balangao. Almost 300 men and women from all around the surrounding area came to attend this three day conference which included good teaching, food, singing, and entertainment from Balangao youth.

A small team from Grace Bible Church in Arroyo Grande California came was present to help in the teaching and to serve and encourage where they could. A member from this California team named Nita, who was recently widowed ministered to other widows from Ifagao. They shared a nice time of food and fellowship together as Nita encourage her Balangao sisteres.

Pastor Doming Lucasi taught and translated for the guest teachers from Manila and the States. The topics covered at this conference included, "The Marks of a True Believer" taught by American Missionary Sean Ransom, "How to Study the Bible" by American Missionary Chuck Guill, and other topics including prayer, and the role of elders in the church.

The women also enjoyed a good time in some seperate seminars which featured "The Marks of a Godly Wife and Mother" by American Missionary Jessica Ransom. Their seminars were followed by a stimulating question and answer times and great fellowship. The ladies were really encourage and asked for more teaching on the topic of marriage and child raising.

The men were also encourage and in response to the seminar, "The Marks of a True Believer" one man said that he found out that he was not a believer, (he thought he was). As a result he decided to invite the elders to start a home bible study in his house so that he, his wife, and children could hear the word of God.