Think Like A Child

2008 KFC Kids Village Conference
Contributed by Ochie Pasicolan

The theme for this year’s Kids for Christ (KFC) conference is KIDS’ POWER.

Indeed, this year’s theme has proven to be so true that kids have the power to pray, build and share. We had a major challenge in this year’s conference. But we saw God’s grandeur in all things. He planned the conference to be topsy-turvy to test how mission ready we were; how we will respond to the challenge; how we will react to each situation; and how we will adapt and act.

While only about 15 per cent of what was planned materialized during the conference, God himself took control of the other 85 per cent and changed the rest.

The message in this year’s KFC conference is to be mission ready!

We realized that the real message that God wanted us to learn from this conference is, from the kids themselves – How mission ready are you as a KFC Coordinator?

I would like to mention a few of the lessons we learned from my point of view versus what the kids told me:

“Oh no! It’s going to rain. The kids might get sick.”
The kids said, “Oh WOW! It’s raining! Can we go outside and play!!”

“The cabins are too cold. The cushion is not thick enough. The kids might have a hard time sleeping.”
Xavier said, “The cabins are so cool mommy; the best part is when I put my own bed sheet!”
Mikaela said, “Mom, can I sleep on the floor and use my sleeping bag?”

“It’s all chaotic!” (“Bakit ang gulo-gulo!”)
“We love the dance and the song and the fun games in the hall!”

“Why are the YFCs all scattered and not minding the kids?”
“You know mommy, the Ates and the Kuyas are so nice; they played with us and talked to us!”

“How can 105 kids fit in the hall not to mention the YFCs and service team?”
“Mom, I made a lot of friends inside and we talked a lot.”

“Why is the schedule running late? The kids are too sleepy and needs to rest now.”
“Mom, we stayed up late in the cabin; we were pretending to fart!!! They thought I farted but I just made a funny sound under my armpit!”

“Why did the kids have to eat sitting down on the floor?”
A kid told me, “I like the food, the roast beef and the corn. Tita, can I have some more please?”

“There are too many mosquitoes. Kawawa naman yung kids.”
I talked to a kid who’s in line outside the men’s washroom, and he said, “Tita, can you guess how many mosquitoes are there in this place?” I was surprised, and I said, “Maybe about 300.” And he said, “That’s true! You have to swing your arms and shoo them away!”

“Eeek! There’s a frog!”
“Tita, where’s the frog? Can I touch it?”

“The program seemed so disorganized!”
“Mom, this is the best conference we ever had! It’s awesome!”

The kids were mission ready. They were ready to take in all that was in front of them. They listened and obeyed the instructions. They enjoyed each other. They had fun. They made friends. They saw the beauty in all things. They are always ready and on the GO!

Tired, sometimes even bored, but they were always ready! The KFC indeed have the POWER TO PRAY, LOVE AND BUILD!!! What an awesome and blessed KFC conference! Praise and glory to God!

*Dedicated to Brother Manny Aquino & Brother Rolly Carpio, “The Modern Day Missionaries”*

An Outpouring of Success

The GK Mabuhay Walk 2008
Contributed by Rico Tingin

We are truly overwhelmed by the success of the GK Walk and the tremendous outpouring of support from everyone. God has indeed manifested that with unity of heart, mind and action toward a common goal, there is a great reward.

The rain that poured in the morning did not dampen the resolve of the walkers. Approximately more than a thousand walkers from across the Greater Toronto Area showed up and completed the 5 kilometre walk.

Our partners from various Filipino organizations, religious groups, Consul General Andy Mosquera and his staff, the various artists, our friends from the media, the various volunteer groups, visitors and, of course, our brethren from Couples for Christ (CFC) and its family ministries, all shared the same enthusiasm and passion in kindling true heroism by participating and helping to make this year’s GK Walk a HUGE success!

And so, as we reflect on all the sacrifices we made, we realize that God is with us on this journey. He truly loves the poor and by our share of even a small part of the work, we give back honour and glory to Him who loves us. Certainly, this is a privilege for us to love Him back by helping our poor brothers and sisters through GK.

On behalf of ANCOP Canada International, a big THANK YOU and congratulations to all!!!

We pray that God will continue to shower you with blessings as you continue to support us in this work.

A salute to the true heroes!

Love Knows No Barriers

2008 CFC North American Conference
Miami, Florida
Contributed by CFC Canada Conference Delegates

Almost a thousand Couples for Christ (CFC) members from Canada and the United States congregated last July 25 to 27 at the beautiful Intercontinental Hotel Miami, overlooking the scenic Florida coastline, to attend the 2008 CFC North American Conference. It was the first time in 10 years that the two countries held a joint CFC conference, so this was indeed a very special occasion for all the delegates.

Friday night opened with a Mass celebrated by Rev. Jeffrey McCormick, Pastor of St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish Church in Pembroke Pines, Florida, who gave his appreciation for the great work done by CFC over the years and offered his encouragement to continue with its evangelization and mission efforts.

A very colourful and vibrant Banner Parade followed, highlighting the spread of CFC’s evangelization efforts across Canada’s five regions, namely the Pacific, Mountain, Sky, Metro, and Atlantic regions, as well as USA’s six major regions. The leaders of the National Councils of both countries then renewed their commitment of service, after which the delegates stood up, raised their hands, and prayed over them. “Love One Another As I Have Loved You” (John 13:34-35) was the theme for the weekend. Five powerful talks expounded on the various faces of love. These were:

• God Is Love by Ricky Cuenca, US Country Coordinator;
• A New Commandment by Roquel Ponte, Canada Country Coordinator;
• As Jesus Loved by Joe Duran, US National Director;
• You Are My Disciples by Nick Borja, Canada National Director; and
• Lift High the Banners of Love by Joe Tale, CFC International Council Head.

The creative presentations for each talk were vibrant, using a mix of song and dance, as well as videos to enhance the numbers. Very touching sharings from members across Canada and the United States served to further bring home the message of the CFC community’s love for God, for family, for life and for the poor.

Among the sharers was Toronto’s own, the late Bro. Manny Aquino who, with his wife Chit at his side, personified love through committed service in spite of his physical challenges. Talk 5’s vibrant and inspiring sharer was Bro.Tony Meloto, Gawad Kalinga (GK) advocate.

The spirit of love spilled over from the talks and was evident all throughout the 3-day conference. It was seen in the common sight of brothers and sisters in community embracing one another and posing for pictures together. For many, the conference was a grand “family” reunion. There was much reminiscing about shared experiences in Canada and the USA, doing CFC evangelization work through the years with its struggles, as well as victories. There were many couples who called themselves “old-timers”, and then there was the refreshing sight of very young couples actively participating in the conference. Many of them had been members of the Family Ministries – the Youth for Christ, and then Singles for Christ – who now had transitioned to the Couples for Christ and have started young families of their own.

Fellowship and fun were other ingredients at this conference. Friday night was “Latin Nite”, where bands from areas in Canada, the United States, and Toronto’s mission area, Bermuda, participated. Bermuda came away with the top prize, with Toronto winning second place in the Band Competition. Saturday night saw delegates in colourful Latin attire, enjoying a delicious dinner and being treated to a vibrant Latin Dance contest.

Toronto had one of the biggest entries that evening as they showed their fancy footwork and smooth moves. Because of Toronto’s lively participation in the entire conference, including presenting a medley of songs for Talk 5’s creative number, the delegation bagged the “Most Vibrant Delegation” award.

By Sunday, the conference came to an end with a Eucharistic Celebration officiated by Most Reverend Felipe J. Estevez, Auxiliary Bishop of Miami.

Finally, to the accompaniment of a loud and vibrant Praisefest, the Couples for Christ looked forward to the sites of the 2009 conferences in Victoria, British Columbia (for Canada) and Chicago, Illinois (for the United States).