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In This Issue Devotional: ……………………………….…………...…”God Is In Control” .…………………..………..…… Lillian C. Javellana

Editor’s Thoughts: ……..…………... …………… Joy Caballero-Gadia

SULADS Stories:

God Leads The Way …………………………………………………………………………….. By Lynzel Gay Fortu Tibio

The Joy Of Serving God ……………………………………………………………………. By Joan Antiquina Mosquera

Can You Call This A Miracle? ………………………………………………………………………… By Rose Ann Cudal

Strangers and Silent Prayers ………………………………………………………………………………. By Dave Soreno

My SULADS Journey ………………………………………………………………………………... By Vincent S. Baragona

CAMPUS News ………………………………………….…………..……………………………………………. Group Effort

SULADS Corner: “The Power of Prayer” …………………………………………………. Balobo Literacy Center

A Sulad’s Weddings: Dave & Jade Soreno ……………………….……………………………….……………. The Editor

Alumni News

Kulambugan Fire Outreach Endeavor ……………………….………………………….……………. MSH Care. Iligan

CLOSING:

From The Mail Bag| Prayer Requests | Acknowledgements |Meet The Editors |Closing Thoughts

SULADS Issue of Cyberflashes – Part II

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DEVOTIONAL: “God Is In Control”

The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork. Day

unto day utters speech, And night unto night reveals knowledge. Psalm 19;1,2

t was late when I stepped out into the chilly December night. It has been a long tedious day. Ibreathed a prayer of thanks and praise to my heavenly Father above for giving me the strength

and guidance that I had needed for the day. It was only through His grace and strength that I got

through the daily challenges of my duties and responsibilities. I also raised a prayer for protection

over my family and my children who are oceans and thousands of miles away from me. I know that

my Heavenly Father above is watching over us all tenderly. “ For He shall give His angels charge over

you (us), To keep you (us) in all your (our) ways.” Psalm 91:11. God has promised, and He is faithful.

As I looked up into the sky, I saw a glorious display of God's promise and faithfulness. The moon

was so bright, and spread out in the sky encircling the moon was a perfect circle with the faint color

of the rainbow. It appeared like a rainbow, only it was a full circle around the moon. To me it was a

double portion of God's promise, a double reassurance of God's faithfulness. "I will never leave younor forsake you..."

It reminded me of God's loving-kindness that even in the loneliness of the night, He cares and

watches over all His children. “ He never sleeps nor slumbers." To those who are still laboring in the

late night, He gives us encouragement. He is still in control. "For the God of the good time, is still

God in the bad time, and the God of the day, is still God in the night"'

As I continued to survey the heavens with my eyes, my gaze travels from star to star. Orion's belt is

still up there. The big and the small dippers and all the other stars twinkling in the night are still in

their own assigned places ever since the day of creation. Trillions, quadrillions, or more, God has

numbered them. They have their own places in the heavens. The God who created the stars and putthem in place and the God who created the world and hang it in space is still in control. I am certain

because I could still see the stars and the moon in the sky. And He is in control of me as I invite Him

into my life. As God has a place for every star in the heavens, He also has a place for every one of us

in this earth. He has given each one of us a purpose in life. He has a plan for each of us. "For I know

the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a

future and a hope." Jeremiah 29:11 So, let us let God take control of our lives. Let us allow Him to

work out His plans in us, so that like the stars and the

moon, we can shine for Him to give Him glory.

As I continued to walk to my car, I cannot help but sing,

"For the beauty of the earth, For the glory of the sky, For

the love which from our birth, Over and around us lies,

Lord of all to thee we raise, This our grateful song of

praise."

As the year 2013 come to a close, and as we enter into a

new year, let us not lose heart for even if we face uncertainties in the future and that we “do not

know what the future holds, we do know Who holds the future." Even though we live in unstable

changing times, in an unstable economy which fluctuates from day to day, yet we have the

assurance that our heavenly Father, He who owns the cattle in the thousand hills does not change.

I

"For I know the thoughts

that I think toward you, says

the Lord, thoughts of peace

and not of evil, to give you a

future and a hope."

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"He is the same yesterday, today, and forever." Our future is still secure in Him. He created and

owns the wealth of this world. We have to remember “our Father is rich in houses and lands, He

holds the wealth of the world in His hands,.. His coffers are full of silver and gold; we're children of

the King." And God has promised that He will supply all our needs according to His riches in glory.

Let us cling on to the promises of our heavenly Father for He is faithful.

Father God, I thank You and I praise You that in the multitude of uncertainties and instability of

everything and everyone around us, You never change. Our security is certain. Help us to put ourfuture in Your hands. And from here on let YOU take control. In Jesus name, Amen.

-- A nursing administrator Lillian C. Javellana SHINES ON! from Palmdale, California, where

autumn night temperatures plummets to 41 Fahrenheit (5 Celsius). Known as the aerospace capital of

the world because the Antelope Valley desert was the sit e of NASA’s first launches, Palmdale houses

many NASA-related galleries, museums, and campuses. To lure tourists, the desert city boasts of 360

days a year of clear blue skies and sunny weather.

EDITOR’S THOUGHTS : “The Calling”

his week has been more than normally hectic for me. I had been working my normal 10-hour

per day shift. Immediately after work, I have 90 minutes to spend with my husband. This

includes dinner, talking with each other, and doing whatever errands we have to run which

includes doctors’ appointments.

Then I spend 6 hours each day working on Cyberflashes: talking to people, inviting them to write

something, interviewing those who have great stories to write but do not want to write, etc, so that

at the end of the week MVCians around the world will have something that will not only connectthem with other alumni members (news!) but also remind them of God’s goodness and grace.

To function well, I have to have at least 5.5 hours of sleep. Which means at the end of my day, I have

1 hour left for small-group meetings, for self-care, exercise, family, friends, and for my personal

devotions. Not really the best of plans but with careful fore-planning it can be done.

Meanwhile, I am attached to two work-related pagers 24/7. Whenever the doctors and nurses need

computer help and the IT Helpdesk cannot handle it, my office is called. My pager rings. Whenever

IT department has problems with any of the 300 clinical apps at the hospital, the Chief of Staff’sOffice is called. My other pager rings. Regardless of the time or day. Sometimes the solution is as

simple as translating to the IT staff what the doctors need. Sometimes it is to authorize IT staff or

vendors to come to the server room on overtime. Sometimes it is to authorize resident physicians to

work at our hospital. If decisions are not made wisely, patient care is directly compromised.

So as I critically assess how I spend my time, and as I sit down with multiple project folders

planning how each moment will be spent next week and the following weeks, I re-identify what my

priorities are in life, what my different roles are and what my responsibilities are in each role. Then

I make specific plans for each. I have been very cognizant of how my time is spent as each moment

is tightly accounted for and my schedules synchronized.

T

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Coincidentally, this week I encountered three MVCian friends who helped me grow. Pious, sincere,

and very generous with their unsolicited advice and encouragements.

On Sunday Person A urged me to “stop being selfish. Start giving back to MVC and the alumni.

Start serving.” On Monday Person B encouraged me to never say no to service. ““You need a

ministry. You need to give some time to the alumni too, even if only once in a while.” And today,

Friday, Person C chided. The word “hypocrite” came up in the same breath as “How can you

encourage others to dedicate their little time for the Lord if you yourselves are unwilling to do what

you say?”

OUCH! Did I just get verbally slapped by well meaning people who think they know me? Or who

perhaps only know what I choose to show? Not once by thrice?

Three times this week, I had do some self re-assessment.

Lord, is serving MVC alumni a minimum of 40 hours per week considered not serving? I spent 36

hours this week developing program that will help cut down the suicide rates of our soldiers. We

still have to iron out the details on how we can take 10 married couples aside for a weekend retreatso that they can learn about You, speak with Christian mental health workers, repair their

marriages, and rebuild their lives. The non-funded project will be run by volunteers at no cost to the

soldiers. Am I being selfish? I have 1 hour left for family, for You, and me – are these “friends of Job”

type of encouragers correct that I need to give up this one hour that is left? That will mean no more

time for You. Or me. Or family. Will that make the other things idols if they replace You?

As I sit here in my office, three hours past closing time, mulling over the carelessly given

encouragements that have otherwise torpedoed my enthusiasm, I write post it notes to myself. I

have to think this through, sort thru it, and make some decision conclusions. These are what I have:

1.

Note to self: People only see what they choose to see. Focus on what is truth.

2.

Note to self: People measure others by their own standards. Measure your worth by Jesus’blood.

3.

Note to self: Never give unsolicited advice. It rarely is ever taken well. And your ignorance

might show.

4.

Note to self: Love and respect others first and always. It’s what Jesus did.

5. Note to self: Never assume. It makes a donkey out of you and me.

6.

Note to self: Let it go. Don’t let this kind of garbage weigh you down. It’s garbage.

7. Note to self: Forgive.

8.

Note to self: Remember how this felt. Don’t do it to others.

9. Note to self: About serving. All gave some. Some gave all.

10.

Note to self: Jesus gave all for you and me. In the end, that’s all that counts.

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As I look back to this hectic week, I also remember the many beautiful moments: I received a phone

call from the SULADS Canada team. That is how I spent my lunch break at work last Tuesday; it was

a treat speaking with close friends from my working student days. [See August 16, 2013 issue of

Cyberflashes.] Ideas are sprouting …. It’s going to be a wonderful blessing and a beautiful way to

serve…. There’s a large need there. I also remember how much our small workgroup

accomplished last Sunday in behalf of DXCR and how we will work again on Sunday to achieve

more. There is an equally large need there …. DXCR has been such a blessing and the work being

accomplished here will certainly help the ministry more. Snapshots of time spent with loved onesthis week come to mind: the laughter, the joy, the peace. Snapshots in my mind of my husband

laughing as we had some adrenalin rushing adventures last Monday. Snapshots of heart-to-heart

conversations I had had with MVC students and young SULADs this week. Snapshots of beautiful

passages and promises I had read in scripture these past few days. Snapshots of some “aha!”

moments as I studied the sanctuary two days ago.

And I laugh out loud (LOL!). Seasons change; people change. People hurt you sometimes, and

sometimes you do some pretty good dishing out yourself. But through it all, God remains constant.

He is love. And He is in control.

This week the editors of Cyberflashes and the SULADS Family are pleased to offer to you the

SULADS Issue of Cyberflashes – Part II

SULADS’ STORIES : “How My Experiences As A SULAD Changed Me”

The Joy Of Serving God ………………………………………………………. Joan Antiquina Mosquera

ome may not understand how joyful it can be to serve the Lord. There’s a joy that lasts a

lifetime! God has been so good, so very good to us when we served Him in the mission lands.

The opportunity of answering God’s call and actually experiencing an everyday blessing, I can

account 5 P’s during those times.

1.

Provision- abundant blessings of fresh veggies and fruits, fresh air and cold weather- package in

one. God had touched the heart of the brethren that as soon as we arrived in our cottage afterour classes with kids and adults, one after the other came countless blessings. Our box is always

overflowing with veggies. Firewood, rice, water and all were provided.

2.

Protection- thousands of angels surrounded us every moment that even though it was scary at

times to see NPA rebels nearby enveloped us with a shield of protection. God strengthens us.

Often, we were unaware that there were some people watching us from a distance while we

were bathing and doing laundry in the river. God kept us safe. The villagers were also so

protective of us that if we strolled around the forest, they made sure that the children or an

S

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adult from the village was with us at all times. God protected us from deadly snakes and other

wild animals. We had security guards, human and heavenly, at no cost to us.

3.

Peace- there is peace up in the mountains. No loud rock music, no television, no internet. Free of

the hassles, no traffic. No deadlines to rush through, no worries, no mortgage to think about

paying, no bills to pay. There’s peace that passes understanding. You can hear only the crickets

at night, winds blowing. Meaning to say there’s much time to reflect on God’s goodness.

4. Personal growth- never will a meeting at the village be started without the missionaries prayer

and presence. I have experienced personal growth, learned leadership skills, and gained

confidence from meeting with people and understanding them.

5.

Presence of God- it is scary to think you actually live with the villagers who are not your

relatives. A complete trust in God and an understanding that everything belongs to Him gave me

the assurance that no matter what happens, God is always with us. With prayers and daily

surrender, He has guided us all the way. The healing of the people’s sickness, the handful

numbers of babies that were born when we were at the mission school, the villagers response to

His Word, and to see the kids improvement and learning: these all was priceless. It is amazing

how God works in a mysterious ways!

There's a great need of missionaries, for those who support the work, and for laborers for Christ.

God is coming soon but some have not heard about God or His free gift of salvation. Some kids and

families out there have not been reached yet and are waiting for YOU to do something so that they

can hear about Jesus! Fellow MVCians, there is joy in the service of the Lord!

-- A registered nurse working at the Burn Unit at one of our Adventist hospitals, Joan Antiquina

Mosquera SHINES ON! from Bakersfield, California, where she lives with her husband Bong and their

two daughters Yana and Andre. She and Alma Jean Prajes served together as SULADS at Mahayag

Mission School before they were both transferred to pioneer at Sinakurohan Mission School.

God Leads The Way …………………………………………………………….. By Lynzel Gay Fortu Tibio

lived a life of a typical young fellow. I was born in Romblon to an Adventist family with three

kids. Growing up, we moved to Manila and back to Romblon four times. During this time I

drifted very far from God and had no interest in spiritual things. At the age of 12, I became very

sick and had to stop going to school. I begged God to heal me, promising Him that I would serve Himmy whole life in exchange for healing. For health reasons, I returned to Romblon where the living

conditions were much less congested compared to Manila.

At Romblon, I started to sing songs of praise again. My health improved and I returned to school

eventually graduating from high school. During that time, my Uncle Darryl (Famisaran), a SULAD,

and his family came to visit. Before they left, they left a copy of the SULADS Quarter Album video

with my grandmother. Knowing that the members of the quartet are lumads, I was amazed at how

they sang. How did they learn to sing like that? As I watched the music video, a strong desire grew

in me: I too wanted to go to those places shown in the video. That was in 2005.

I

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In the summer of 2009, the Sabbath School Congress was scheduled to be held at MVC. I wanted to

go. I knew this would be a chance for me to visit Mindanao and see the SULADS Quartet in person.

Providentially, the singing group I belonged to was invited to come and represent the Romblon

Adventist Mission during the midweek prayer meeting.

I wanted so badly to go but here was my dilemma: I needed to be in summer school so that I would

not be left behind by my batch. An absence of two weeks would automatically drop me from school.On the other hand, I really did not have the money to travel to MVC. I certainly could not ask my

parents for travel money especially since they expected me at summer school.

I took the problem to God.

My singing group sang at churches to solicit funds for our fare to the Sabbath School Congress at

MVC. I thought of my aunt in Australia who had been helping me financially with my education and

sent her a text. We also met a chaplain from the United States who promised to help.

Later we heard that the chaplain got sick and could only help us with our fare one way. And we had

not raised enough funds for all of us to have even the return fare home. But God is good. On the last

Sabbath before we had to leave for Mindanao, my aunt called. She was supportive of my going to

MVC for the congress and she was sending me my fare. God really answers prayers at the right time.

I went to MVC. I saw the SULADS Quartet but was not able to see the places shown in their video. I

wanted to stay so badly but I could not because of my summer classes. I had made arrangements

with the school to be absent for two weeks and make up for the absences.

The Friday before we were to return home, my Aunt called me to ask how I was doing, what I

thought about MVC, and if I wanted to transfer to MVC. Go to school at MVC? HERE? I was stunned. I

did not need to think about it. I knew exactly that this is where I wanted to study. With the promiseof continued financial support she instructed me to start processing my enrollment at MVC. I had

never been this happy before!

I transferred to MVC that year and promptly became involved with SULADS students on campus.

They were wonderful friends and I did not feel homesick at all. They encouraged me and helped me

with my spiritual walk. I started to envy them: how they lived their life and how much they were

enjoying working at the mission schools. They had inner joy. I wanted that for myself. And I

promised myself I would join the SULADS after graduation.

But my parents were displeased with my performance in MVC. I had become so involved in the

ministry that I neglected my grades. I was instructed to go home and resume school at Romblon. Iobediently went home on March.

On May my father and I returned to MVC to get my belongings. My heart was so heavy. I wanted to

stay in MVC. I did not want to stop the eagerness and passion for the ministry burning inside me. I

did not want to go home. We arrived at MVC just as the SULADS training ended. That afternoon two

applicants for the SULADS program came. I prayed silently, “Lord, if there will be two more

applicants who will come and apply, I will also apply as a SULADS volunteer.”

The next day four more applicants came. When I told my father about my prayer and how God

answered it, he was both shocked and worried but the words that he said touched me. He said, “You

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are old enough to know what is right and wrong. You are at the right age to make your own

decisions. Just tell your mother and your aunt about your decision.” I quickly made the phone calls.

My mother did not like my decision and neither did my aunt but I stood firm. . I knew God already

prepared the way for me and planned everything that would be best for me. That night, my mother

was rushed to the hospital because of hypertension.

Morning came and I packed my things and prepared to go to SULADS High School. I left my father at

MVC. I went on with my decision and was able to finish two terms as a SULADS volunteer. Until thismoment, I knew God is working with me. Sometimes, I cannot understand how things are

happening but I always lay it at God’s feet. My plans did not happen the way I planned it but I

always know that when it happens, God’s plan is the one being worked out. God is in control!

-- Currently serving as a SULAD volunteer, Lynzel Gay Fortu Tibio SHINES ON! from a mission school

at Lanao del Sur.

Can You Call This A Miracle? …………………………………………………… By Rose Ann Cudal

We travelled by faith, warmly accepted by fellow Adventist brethren whenever we get down from

our mission fields. But we solely depended on God. He sustains.

We were twenty SULADS volunteers serving as missionary teachers among the unreached

indigenous people in the South Cotabato Mountains. It was December of 2012, the much awaited

time for us to go and gather at Mountain View College for reporting. We were going home to MVC.

We waited at Southern Mindanao Mission Guest House for SULADS supervisor. None of us had any

money. We had no way of getting to MVC. That’s when the message came from the SULADS office:

our supervisor could not come. We had to find a way for us to get to MVC as soon as possible.

How can 20 SULADS get to MVC without fare?

Our only solution was to raise funds. With the help of Eng. and Mrs. Pacalang who arranged for us

to sings carols to their selected friends and friends, who introduced the SULADS, and transported us

in their Montero vehicle, we sang. We serenaded them with lumad songs and offered prayers for

each home we visited while the couple gazed at us with joy. Our schedule that night was very tight

and our transportation was tight as well as 20 of us squeezed into the vehicle with 10 seats. We

sang at 3 homes and 2 businesses. We hoped, smiled, and endured. When we got back to the guest

house at the mission, we counted the money. We got exactly P7,000; exactly what we needed to get

us back to MVC. Nothing less; nothing more.

Overcome with gratitude and awe for a Mighty God of the universe who provides for His children,

we as a group became cognizant of how often we sin and dishonor our God. Together, we decided to

fast in worship, in thankfulness, and in repentance.

And we fasted.

-- After having served as a SULADS teacher, Rose Ann Cudal SHINES ON! from the SULADS Campus in

MVC. Her current assignment as part of the SULADS promotion team is as a desk officer at the SULADS

Headquarters. She confides that she plans to devote her time and life for the ministry.

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Strangers and Silent Prayers ………………………………………………………….. By Dave Sereno

“But seek ye first the kin gdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be

added unto you.” Matthew 6:33

always believed God will come through for me if I desire to serve and glorify Him. This was

about to be tested. In my first year as a SULADS missionary, I saw God changing lives in the

notorious village of Lapangon. This village was known in the region for her datus and warriors

who never hesitate to kill not only at war but when they are offended as well. Though that

reputation remained, their lives have been transformed when we started laboring for them. Seeing

the need for a concrete testimony of that change, my partner and I prayed for a simple wooden,

two-story building that is a church in the second floor and a school below. We prayed for our plan

to bring a few of the Manobo village’s children to neighboring Davao City where we know some

well-off church members who would be happy to hear them sing and contribute for the village

project.

For two weeks I personally sought God in earnest prayer for His will and blessing. Finally, the day

came when we had to go. I assembled 9 children to take with me. Now, this was a complex situation.

These children have never been to a big and busy city like Davao. In the hopes of keeping them

intact, I instructed them to never take their eyes off of me and to form a line behind me assigning

their order. Also, we only had 320 pesos for the trip. That amount is only good for a jeepney ride to

the bus terminal and a meal. So I asked the children to be prepared to offer silent prayers

individually whenever I request them to. We’re going to need plenty of miracles to get to Davao

City.

Leaving early in the morning, it took us 6 to 7 hours of walking and running from the mountain

village down to the nearest barrio. Well at least we did not have to spend our money on it. Nowwe’ll have to see how much we’ll have to spend on the jeepney ride. Before catching one, I turned to

the children and asked them to offer silent prayers. Then God showed us His first miracle for our

trip.

When the jeepney came, the driver and his conductor agreed to have all of the 9 children sit in the

aisle while I cling outside with the conductor and we won’t have to pay for our fare!

At the terminal I bought 10 pieces of bread for 10 pesos; this would be our lunch. While waiting for

the bus, a man doubted our travel intentions. He asked a lot of questions in a way that reminds one

of an FBI agent from the movies. I answered him as politely as I could. By the time the bus arrived, I

noticed a second man in our vicinity that was watching and listening intently to the interrogation. Imotioned for the children to board and directed them to sit with me at the farthest end of the bus.

Once seated, I signaled for their silent prayers. Right on cue, each child closed their eyes as I did in

my own seat. The bus fare at that time was 83 pesos each.

With my eyes still closed, begging God to multiply the 310 pesos in my pocket, I heard the bus

conductor punching tickets for the passengers. With each punch, I heard my heart beat just as loud,

it was deafening. I cried out to God just as I heard a man nearby call out to the conductor, “these

children are with me and this man, their teacher-- I’ll pay for them.” I continued my prayers going

I

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for thanksgiving straightaway and opened my eyes. I traced the voice to that second man at the

terminal and gave him many thanks for his generosity.

I saw God’s full providence and love all throughout the trip. This same man, well -dressed and

groomed like a VIP, would be the very same man who would ask to stop at the next terminal and

ask for newspapers to clean up the mess on the floor the children made after the zigzag road made

them carsick. At dinner time he would invite us off the bus to eat and he would pay for the meal.

Finally arriving at the bus terminal in Davao City he would arrange for folding beds to be rented inthe waiting area so the children and I could rest for the night before continuing on in our journey.

All the while I marveled at the God who sent this stranger to take care of me and His Manobo

children. We were jamming heaven’s hotlines with silent prayers by this time. But we would hit a

major bump in the road that would shake my faith once again.

After he ordered for the folding beds, he told us he would leave to make some phone calls. While he

was away, a policeman in full uniform arrived and asked me questions. About a week ago two

children had been kidnapped and sold and he looked suspiciously at us. I noticed a small crowd of

people had gathered around us to observe to interrogation. When I could not find my SULADS ID to

prove my identity, the policeman called for a patrol car to bring me and the children to the nearest

police station for further investigation. What was I going to do? I felt helpless and doomed. Is this

how this trip is going to end?

Just as we were about to be crammed us into the patrol car, that man who had been with us from

the first bus terminal and had been an angel throughout our trip, returned. Calmly, he introduced

himself to the policeman showing him an ID. A “I’m from Malacañang [Palace]”, he said. :”They

(gesturing at us) are with me.” For the second time in one hour, my jaw dropped. The first time was

for fear of going to jail, and this time, in amazement. The officer snapped a salute, stammered his

apologies and promptly left.

Easing us onto our waiting beds, he handed me a few bills for our next meal and fares, and with hiscard he said, “If anyone bothers you again, anytime, anywhere, call me.” I thanked him profusely as

we said goodbye. He turned to go on his way as I watched him albeit sadly. I turned to the children,

and before I could open my mouth, like reflexes they shut their eyes to pray in silence. Meanwhile I

sat there reeling from the events of the day. I never even got to spend my 310 pesos!

Today, I can no longer find his card nor even remember if he gave me his name at all. But I will

never forget the God Who sent him. How blessed I felt to be in a mission for God, and how He

fortified my faith by proving Himself so many times in my life. This, and more---and all we had to do

is offer a silent prayer. Thank you Lord for being in control of everything!

-- Dave Soreno SHINES ON ! from Lanao del Sur where he currently serves as a missionary volunteer.

The They May Know Our Jesus ………………………………………………….. By Vincent Baragona

My Name is Vincent Baragona. From children-hood until I graduated in 2011 with a degree of AB

Theology I lived at MVC where my dad was a professor and my mom a literature evangelist. I have 3

siblings. Joining the SULADS was not part of my plan as I thought to take my Masters Degree then

my PhD. But God had better plans for me. Reminiscing my past, it made me think that It was not that

good choice because I had always been thinking about myself and of my achievements that people

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may praise me. But I thank God that amidst the wrong choices that I’d made, His grace was still

sufficient for me. I learned that I must be enrolled first in the school of affliction and in schools of

the prophets where my textbook is nature and the Holy Scripture, and my teacher, the Almighty

Father in heaven. This is where my missionary story/life begins.

The SULADS were part of my life growing up in MVC: my friends, our villages, my dad, my Uncle

Ephraim, and others. I was a SULADS at heart although I did not have the training then. Sir Darryl

Famisaran, the past CEO for SULADS Asia had always invited me to join but I always declined. Atthat time I was involved in ministries like HCBN (He’s Coming Broadcasting Network ) and PAFCOE

(Philippine Amazing Facts Center of Evangelism), which was also used by God to mold me as a

worker for His vineyard.

On February 2013 God called me to another ministry that would, unbeknownst to me, lead me to

the SULADS. I was like Jonah running from God’s calling for my life. But my long-suffering God was

still there to guide me and teach me more of His will for my life.

It was always my joy and my desire to work and to serve my Muslim brothers and sisters. When I

found out that my family name “Baragona” is deeply rooted to Maranao Muslim blood and knowing

that my great-grandfather was a pure blooded Maranao Muslim in Marawi City, Lanao Del Norte, it

compelled me to join the AMR (Adventist Muslim Relations) ministry and be trained on how to

reach our Muslim brothers and sisters.

I was asking God, “Lord, I have the message already, now, how will I work with the Muslims and

share to them Your love?” The answer of God was, join SULADS! At this time, the SULADS had just

started their pioneering work in the mountains of Lanao Del Norte and had been working with the

Maranao Muslims for three years with two Literacy Centers (mission schools). The work was

growing and expanding. This was the work that I’ve been looking for! Right then and there, I

realized that it was really God’s calling for me to work with the SULADS and to deny this would

mean I was not willing to surrender my will to God. So I surrendered everything to God and joinedSULADS just last June 2013. I was promptly assigned to the farthest literacy center in the mountains

of Lanao Del Norte.

So far, my work with the Muslims in Lanao Del Norte is a challenge. But praise God we are going

forward and still learning and encountering loads of experiences from our mission field. Our

mission school is located at the borders of Lanao Del Norte and Lanao Del Sur where the MILF

(Moro Islamic Liberation Front), one of the rebel groups here in the Philippines, is known to be

residing. This rebel group had been savaging the lands, plains, and the coastal areas of Mindanao for

years in the quest of making the Island of Mindanao an Islamic state or another country apart from

the Philippines.

The people in our village are 100% Muslims under the "Maranao" tribe. There are about 200

villagers including children; they are either active or inactive members of the MILF. We have heard

of Christians who tried to live with them before but were killed because of hatred and prejudices

between Muslims and Christians. We are happy and blessed that they accepted us because of our

beliefs and the fact that we do not eat pork, drink alcohol, and other things that is also being

prohibited by their Qur'an. They treat us, SDA’s, as their Brothers. But despite of all these, we are

still careful in how we deal with them through our actions and words as we still have a lot of things

to discover about them. This is the second year of work in this village and there is still much to learn

about this people and their culture.

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Our mission school has 105 students and we are expecting more students to come. We have only

one classroom. We teach kindergarten to Grade 3. The students are very eager to learn; there is an

urgent need to teach them to read and write and let them grab and pen before they learn how to

grab guns. Growing in the mentality that what their parents do, that they will also do and the rebel

environment, they too may become rebels and kill Christians and government soldiers if not

properly guided and educated.

We are still praying for funds so that we can build another class room and make some chairs for thestudents. As of now, our classroom needs a lot of repairs. Every week, new students arrive. Some of

our students hike from their village down to ours at four in the morning just to reach school on time

and to get an education. If it rains, these students risk being washed out by the rivers they cross

every day. They told us, "We go to school because we want to be educated and our parents heard

the quality of education that you, SDA/SULADS/AMR are offering them". We are still in the process

of getting to know them and winning their confidence. By God’s grace, soon, we can open to them a

complete view of the love of Allah or God in their lives. Indeed, God is great and He is still moving us

to reach out these groups of people.

Besides our overflowing mission school that is in need of repairs and additional room, four other

villages are requesting for SULADS teachers to be sent to teach their children. New school buildings

will have to be built. SULADS missionaries will have to be sent. We are asking God to supply our

needs for He is in control.

A SULAD’S WEDDING

Dave & Jade Soreno had a nice solemn wedding at the MVC Pioneer Church. Her home dean

and wedding coordinator Mrs. Bebing Panes assisted her from the bridal car, the bride’s billowing

white gown boldly standing out against the dense MVC fog. Jade pauses a moment with her flowergirls and bridesmaids as the groom walked down the aisle with his friends and SULADS leaders

Pastor Edwin Gulfan, Ranny de Vera, and Pastor Jun Rivera. Inside the sanctuary, users dressed in

tribal blues and reds seated the guests and escorted the participants in.

In the other side of MVC campus, guests and dignitaries waited for another wedding to start. As

soon as Dave and Jade’s wedding ceremony was done, the newlyweds rushed to the spot on campus

fondly called “Under The Pines”. They arrived just in time for their Manabo wedding to start. Dave

is a SULAD and quite well loved by the Manobo people. People from the mission school he served at

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came to MVC to be part of the ceremony. Real life Manobo datus officiated in the truly traditional

Manobo wedding as Dave and Jade’s family, friends, and fellow SULADS looked on.

I could not help but observe the facial expressions of the Manobo people: the joy and love in their

faces as they watched Dave and Jade getting wed. Then I looked at the faces of our fellow

MVCians and realize that they too have that same look of joy and love.

And suddenly I hear myself humming to t une to the song “I’m so glad I’m a part of the family of God”

Mopya Salamat Dave and Jade for allowing me to share your wedding pictures with our alumni. I

love the cohesiveness! It is also plain to see how much our SULADS love the people whom they

serve. They went to the mission schools to educate and yet the basic things that make this people

unique you have respected and even adapted. You had a very nice wedding. Thank you also for

continuing to serve today as missionary volunteers. May God continue to bless you both.

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SULADS CORNER

The Power of Prayer ………………………………………………. Balobo Literacy Center

alobo Literacy Center is a SULADS literacy center not very far from E-SALT in Agusan del Sur.

Four SULADS volunteers were assigned to this literacy center because of the large number of

enrollees here. Last August 8, 2013, Balobo Literacy Center became officially recognized by

the Department of Education under the ALS (Alternative Learning System) program. This also

meant that we are now required to participate in the Department of Education led programs for all

public schools including the ALS.

One such program was the annual reading festival. This would be held on September 3, 2013 at

Bonaguit Elementary School a few hours hike from Balobo. Six other schools, including E-SALT,

would be participating in the festival.

Joining this program seemed impossible for us. Balobo Literacy Center was very new; none of our

students were prepared to represent our school. If we failed to join the reading festival it would be

insubordination to the Department of Education. However, joining the festival would set our

students for failure, shame them, and also shame the SULADS program. Stuck in this dilemma and

with only a month to train and equip the children, we took the situation to God. “Lord, Thy will be

done. We will do what we can and we are leaving the rest to You,” we prayed.

The first day of preparation came. We choose pupils from different levels who would represent our

school at specific categories at the festival. Level 1 will do the spelling. Level 2 will recite a poem.

Level 3 will read a story. Level 4 will read and tell a story. Level 5 will make a chamber theatre and

a speech choir. Everybody was busy preparing. Representatives from each level were selected. Weteachers were worried. We knew that these children were not yet ready and without God’s help,

these children would never be ready by the designated time. We prayed more than we practiced.

Days and weeks passed. We left Balobo village a day before the festival so that the children will not

be tired during the festival itself. The four of us SULADS decides to do a marathon of prayer the

night before the festival. We started at 12 o’clock midnight until 5 o’clock in the morning.

The day of the festival arrived. Rules for the competition were explained. One of my partners,

Genevive Ayad who was handling the level-1 students, was worried and disappointed. According to

the rules for spelling, there would only be one representative for the spelling category. Sulad Gen

B

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had prepared three pupils for this category, one for each level; easy, medium, and hard. She called

one of her pupils who she thought was more equipped to represent the school for this category. She

prepared him for the remaining few minutes before the contest started.

Providentially, the time for the first contest (spelling) was postponed for a few more hours; this

gave Sulad Gen and her student more time to pray together and to practice. While waiting, the

festival organizers played disco music and the children from other schools started to dance. The

students from the SULADS schools, Balobo Literacy Center and E-SALT, remained seated. Theydidn’t even stomp their feet. My partners and I were so happy to see our students behave the way

they did. We were not expecting them to behave that way. We did not even tell them not to dance!

Then I knew that they were really learning what we told and taught them to do.

When the contest began, it became painfully obvious that our students form Balobo Literacy Center

were among the youngest. But as the spelling contest move on, it was also clear that our student

was leading.

Our students shone bright during the reading festival. They made their God known to the people

around them. They showed that their God is omnipotent. They proved that their prayer is powerful.

© SULADS International, Inc.

If you would like to support this mission program dedicated to taking the Gospel to the people ofMindanao, please write a check to Gospel Outreach. Mark it for the SULADS and send it to: Gospel

Outreach P.O. Box 8 College Place, WA 99324 You may also donate to the SULADS using your credit

card by logging on to Gospel Outreach's donation site (www.goaim.org) and follow the directions. Again,

mark it for SULADS. If you would prefer, you may write your check to the General Conference of SDA

and mark the donation for SULADS and send it to: General Conference of SDA Donations 12501 OldColumbia Pike Silver Spring, MD 20904 Thank you for your support of this very important project.

ALUMNI NEWS

Sunday November 3 at 1:30AM, Daylight

Savings Time (DST) ends. Don’t Forgetto:

Turn your clocks 1 hour back

Change the batteries on your

smoke detectors

https://www.ssl.goaim.org/giving?utm_source=emailcampaign464&utm_medium=phpList&utm_content=HTMLemail&utm_campaign=It+Was+Dry%21




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MVC Alumni Help Fire Victims

n October 4, 2013 a group of volunteers from among the staff and friends of Mindanao

Sanitarium and Hospital (MSH) in Iligan City responded to an urgent need at Kulambugan,

Lanao del Norte, where more than 300 people lost their homes to a fire. Calling themselves

MSH Care Mindanao, the multidisciplinary team arrived at the site were temporary shelters were

set for the displaced fire victims. They found the refugees in urgent need of medical attention. Manyof the children and elderly were sick. The team provided what medical attention they could give,

free of charge. They also gave away medications, food, and clothing. MVC alumni Isral Ezra and

Todd Generato were among those who went.

Funding for the MSH Care Mindanao’s outreach endeavors are completely from donations, mostly

from their own members and some from their friends. All members of the group are volunteers.

Interestingly, all members of the Board of Trustees and Officers are MVC alumni! They are Pastor

Eliezer Bacus, Dr. Jose Dial, Dr. Matilde Benito, Dr. Edsel Cabaluna, Pator Roger Lopez, Pastor James

Genargue, Ms. Rolly Apawan, Pastor Bernardito Demol, Dr. Josue Benito, and Dr. Requel Legaspino.

The team is scheduled for mission trips each month. If you have the desire to help or to join us onany of our mission trips, simply let us know! Our next trip is on November 3, 2013. Here are ways

to reach us:

Facebook: MSH Care Mindanao

Pastor Roger Lopez: CP No. 09269220331

Executive Director: Dr. Requel Legaspino. CP No. No. 09173067694.

Email: [email protected]; [email protected]

Website: www.mshcaremindanao.com

O

mailto:[email protected]





http://www.mshcaremindanao.com/






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t’s official! Southeastern California Conference (SECC) is making headlines! Amid much prayer

and discussion at the constituency meeting held Sunday October 27 at La Sierra University,

Sandra Roberts was voted into presidency by a 73% vote. The nominating committee consisted

of 14 females & 15 males. Roberts is the first female conference president in the Seventh-day

Adventist Church.

Equally of note, MVC alumnus Pastor Eliezer P. Sacay (AB Theology ’77) was elected SoutheasternCalifornia Conference (SECC) Vice President for Asian/Pacific Affairs during the same constituency

meeting at La Sierra. He worked in varying capacities in East Visayan Mission (1972-1988), in

Central Philippine Union Conference (1988-2001), at the British Columbia Conference (2002-2007)

and the Southeastern California Conference (2007-present). He was ordained into the ministry in

1992 and passed the Philippine Bar Exam in 1995.

For more info on the election results see the enclosed report: SECC Nominating Committee Report

A N N O U N C E M E N T S

GYC 2014. (Save the date!). http://gycweb.org/ When: Jan 1-5, 2014. Where: Orlando, FL.

Who: youth from all over America & other countries . MVCians from different parts of the US will be

going. Is this something that you would be interested in?

GYC is a youth-initiated and-led movement of Seventh-day Adventists from diverse backgrounds, united

in a common commitment to serious Bible study, intense prayer, uncompromising lifestyle, and

boldness in sharing Christ with others. Our theme for this year’s GYC conference is “ Before Men and

Angels,” taken from Paul’s words to the Corinthians: “ . . . for we are made a spectacle unto the world,and to angels, and to men” (1 Cor. 4:9). The struggle we face here is one of cosmic consequences, a battle

being waged not just before men but before angels as well.

To listen to DXCR from anywhere in the world, a) use your computer + internet connect,

the b) go to this site and enjoy!

http://dxcrhoperadio.listen2myradio.com/

PRAYER REQUESTS

The bereaved families of Ana Teorima-Faigao, Archie Villagracia Calape Damayo, Darlinda

Mullaneda Corneta, Eunice Ferrer-Layon, Villanueva Cabardo-Daiz, Landon Alamo Merginio,

Priscilla Arafiles, Ruby Dimayacyac-Capalad, Sarah Zaulda-Samillano, Zelle Hilado-Zamora, and

others who have lost loved ones recently.

I

http://seccsession.org/nominating-committee-report/




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Alumni and friends who are ill: Allan Magie, Alorence Rivera-Alconcel, Ave Catalon- Lorieza, Benny

Banaag, Betsy Costanos-Wooljer, Doug Holstein, Esther Ba-al, Evelyn Lipay-Florendo, Florence

Rivera-Alconcel, ,Ivy Catolico-Robles, Jil Fadre, Jo Tortal, Nefre Dichoso, and Violeto Bocala.

For the health and safety of all our missionaries and their families all over the globe.

For the work of the Sulads and the ministry of the Gospel Outreach.

For our leaders of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church

The leaders, faculty, staff, and alumni of MVC as they “Shine On Till Jesus Comes”.

For all the different alumni groups that are in the Philippines and other countries rendering medical

services and evangelistic efforts and all other projects they do for The Master. For our alumni and

friends who are in dangerous places or war-zone areas of the Philippines and the Middle East.

For the exams for the Family Medicine Residents in the Philippines. The exams continued to be

scheduled on Sabbaths and our Adventists doctors have faithfully refrained from taking the exams

on Sabbath. They have also formally requested the Board to schedule the exam on a different day

other than Sabbath. The board has not made any final decision but says the exam will be tentatively

scheduled for Saturday Nov 16, 2013.

Let us also pray for each other. We need it.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

For six weeks now, the SULADS Family worldwide have worked together to create this issue of

Cyberflashes. A heartfelt THANK YOU to the following: The SULADS and Gospel Outreach, Alger and

Alma JeanPrajes, Lillian Javellana, Lynzel Gay Fortu Tibio, Joan Antiquina Mosquera, Rose Ann Cudal,

Dave & Jade Soreno, Vincent S. Baragona, and Rowena Delostrico Sandot,

MEET THE EDITORS

Today’s issue of Cyberflashes is coordinated and edit by Ardys Joy Caballero-Gadia in collaboration with

the SULADS Family. Next week’s issue will be coordinated by Raylene Rodrigo-Baumgart. Please direct

all entries and contributions to her or to any of the editors.

Eddie Zamora ezamora594 at aol dot com

Evelyn Porteza-Tabingo etabingo at gmail dot com

Jessie Colegado Cyberflashes at gmail dot com

Joy Caballero-Gadia watermankids at yahoo dot com

Raylene Rodrigo-Baumgart raylene.baumgart at gmail dot com

SUBSCRIPTION

If you wish to subscribe to Cyberflashes, to unsubscribe, or if you changed your email address and want

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spell out the @ and dot signs in the email addresses to prevent worms, viruses, and robots from harvesting

them. If you would like to correspond, simply substitute the correct symbols.

CF 20131101

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