God’s story in me

I am the Youth Director of Praise Assembly Church, in Kaunlaran Village, Navotas City. And I gave up my life to follow Jesus to lead the youth in their pursuit of God, to train youth leaders and to facilitate a young adults’ small group ministry. But allow me to walk you through my story how I arrived at this position, something not to be proud of, but to be thankful for.

A persuasive argument
I grew up and finished my high school in San Jose, Occidental Mindoro. I was recognized as the Best in Mathematics and honored Salutatorian, the second highest award of the batch 1997 of Occidental Mindoro National College (OMNC). And it gave me the clue to pursue Engineering course in college. I got saved and accepted Jesus Christ during those years. Because my parents could not afford to send me to any university in Manila, they told me to stay in the province and pursue my college education in that same prestigious state college where I graduated high school. However, there was no Engineering course offered at OMNC and even in other colleges in the entire province then. I could not accept that real life situation and I did not want to take any course but engineering. I did not give up and I had to find a way to pursue my dream. I learned that the honor I received as Salutatorian was the passport to a university education. I could get an automatic scholarship in any university. Guided by this hope, I persuaded my parents to send me to Manila. I saw the face of hesitation and frustration. Hesitant because they and I knew that even I could get the free tuition, the next problem was their sustaining financial capacity for my studies. They were also frustrated because they saw that never will I give up for my dreams. Finally, by faith, they gave in to my argument.

Through the valley
Indeed, I enrolled in BSECE (Electronics and Communications Engineering) program in University of the East, in Caloocan City. I lived in a dormitory and it was a life on my own. It was the first time to live away from my family, but it was also the time when I learned to draw near to God. I finished the one-year scholarship grant. On April 1998, while I was spending a summer vacation in Mindoro, we learned that our father lost his job. His employer terminated him without due process. The family decided to migrate to Manila to file a legal action against our father’s employer. It was not only a battle for food; it was also a battle for pride (dignity). We rented a small-dark-dirty room of one bed and put a long woody chair on the side so we could sleep together. I was forced to stop for a while and look for a job to help my family and ended up as salesman- whose income depends on personal sales. It was the lowest point of our lives but because the family decided to hold on to God, He lifted up our spirit. The hearing continued until he got reinstated by his employer in 1999. Indeed God’s faithfulness and love sustained us and his justice and mercy comforted us. Though our room (not house) had no window at all, God opened up the windows of heaven so he could shine his light upon us.

A glimpse of triumph
So then I returned to the university as sophomore- a year behind my batch class, and took a part-time job as fast-food crew. After a year, I became full-time student and I stopped taking part-time job in order to focus on my studies. In 2001, God brought us to Praise Assembly Church. Not long after, I started serving the Lord as backup singer in our worship team. Then I became Youth President, for two years while still part of the worship team and studying. In 2003, I finished my bachelor’s degree and passed the board examination. God has been gracious for giving me the knowledge and wisdom, not that I deserve it but because he wants to accomplish his purpose in my life.

The irony of life
I finished my education as engineer, but I ended in my profession as teacher. I was hired as Mathematics and IT Instructor. Isn’t ironic? Yes it is. I realized it is one of God’s ways to call people. In fact, God uses the humble to shame proud, and the simple to shame the wise. Again, it is not because that I am humble and simple; but because God is sovereign and powerful. God has blessed us with a small property, where could build descent home to live. His promotion seems to be “slowly”, but it is “surely”. Then I was given the chance to facilitate a Sunday School class. On November 2006, our father passed away. Two months after, my eldest brother got married. And I felt the burden to sustain our family. September 2007, I was elected and became the first youngest member of the Board of Deacon. The Board appointed me as Youth Director in the absence of a Youth Pastor, and then I began to struggle between my personal ambition and God’s direction over me. I clearly sensed his preparation, but I deliberately ignored it, thinking of the responsibility to support my family. On April 28, 2008, I resigned from teaching profession, the next day I started a new career as Premastering Engineer. It was my preparation so I could apply for a job abroad. January 2009, I decided to quit from my ministry by the end of the year so I could leave the country by 2010. I already planned out to tell my pastor and the Board of my decision when June 2009 comes. Despite of being certain of what I’m going to do, I struggled deeply.

The liberating decision
On May 12-15, 2009, during the National Convergence for Youth Mobilization in Cebu, I was caught up in the presence of God. He reminded me of his plan, how he prepared me for this. He showed the face of young people. He instilled his passion in my heart. Then I find myself crying over and over again. So I decided to pursue his direction over my personal ambition. After Cebu, He brought me to Asia-Pacific Theological Seminary (APTS), in Baguio to be trained under Asian Institute of Youth Studies- a crash course for youth ministers on May 19-29, 2009. When I went back to Manila, something had changed. Instead of telling our church leaders of my decision to leave my ministry, what I told them was God’s leading me to a seminary degree to be better equipped as youth minister- as Youth Pastor.
When I looked back to where I have been, I am compelled to tell you that this story is not my story, but the story of God in me. He chose to tell it through a person whose name is Jilmer Cariaga.

The story continues…
I am currently enrolled at Asian Theological Seminary (ATS) in Quezon City under the program Master Arts in Theology. However, seminary education is very expensive (P1850/per unit), and I was just blessed to be accepted on the basis of my promissory note. But I’ve seen how God sustained me and provided everything I need. So I enrolled with complete dependence to him and trusting that he will pay for my bill. Yet on this ground, he uses people who share the same passion with me. He could even use you, to accomplish his plan for me. I am praying for sponsors- who could be my financial and spiritual partners.

These are options how you can be my partner:
A. Prayer for sponsors; or
B. Be the sponsor.
Should you choose option (B), then you can decide from the following categories how you can be my sponsor:
1. One-time sponsor
As one-time sponsor, you can pledge any amount to pay my most immediate need:

• 1st Installment P 7,757.50 Due on August 15, 2009
• 2nd Installment P 3,967.50 Due on September 15, 2009
• Plus books and other materials

2. Semester-sponsor
As semester-sponsor, you can pledge to sponsor my tuition fee for a particular semester. For example, you pledged to sponsor for the 2nd Semester 2009-2010, then I will only be looking for sponsors for the remaining semesters and for my thesis writing expenses.

3. Program-sponsor
As program sponsor, you can pledge to sponsor the entire non-thesis academic program. If so, then I will only be looking for my thesis writing sponsors.
4. Thesis-sponsor
As thesis sponsor, you can pledge to sponsor my thesis writing expenses during the allotted writing period. If so, I will only be looking for sponsors for my non-thesis academic program expenses.

Should you commit to sponsor my seminary education, my commitment is to pray the prayer of blessings and protection for you, your family, your job or business every day. Below are my contact information. Thank you very much. God’s blessing and peace be with you.

Your brother,

JILMER A. CARIAGA
Servant of Christ

CONTACT DETAILS:
Mobile: +63928.2474991 / +63923.8189500
Home No. (+632) 9802260
Home Address: Lot 19, Blk 27, Hernandez St., Catmon, Malabon City
Email Address: jilmerc@yahoo.com / jilmerc@gmail.com
Website: http://revealedview.blogspot.com

PRAISE ASSEMBLY CHURCH
Dalagang Bukit St. cor. Lapu-lapu Ave.
Kaunlaran Village, Navotas City
Telephone: (+632) 3824339
Website: http://pac-k.blogspot.com

Psalm 23 (The Jilmer Cariaga version)

The Lord is my Shepherd, he pours out his sufficient provision.
He puts me in a better position; he gives me peace,
he reminds me of his complete pardon. He directs me better than excellent pilot.
In a difficult situation, it seems to be panic-free.
He protects me when I am in danger; he gives me power to overcome evil.
I am secure in his presence and I will remain in his palm forever.

Unintentional Hurts, Unexpected Grace

I was at EDSA-Kamuning this afternoon waiting for a bus on my way back home. Trying to catch for a ride, a man in front of me accidently hit my left chest by his elbow. It definitely was upsetting. I would have the option to scold the man, but I didn’t say a word. On board, due to rush hour the bus is fully occupied, and I was one of the standing passengers. Unfortunately, I unintentionally hit the woman’s head by my elbow. I apologize right away. This woman like me would have the right to scold me but she just kept quiet. I was hoping she’s also a Christian. I realized how this unintentional hurt can be turned into unexpected grace. Thinking through what happened; it came to my mind Jesus’ command “Love your neighbor as yourself”. If I may re-phrase it, it may be stated this way: If somebody could hurt me, I could also hurt anybody. Seeing “myself” first changes the I way see others. If God’s been gracious to me, why can’t I be to others?