How was PYC 2018 Homecoming?
The event was held in the same venues as last year. Plenary sessions were held at a school auditorium while the break out sessions were held in nearby hotels and in the conference building rooms. It was the same in some ways but it was an altogether different PYC experience this year.
This year, I had an insider view of the inner workings of the PYC as an organization since I was the appointed Treasurer. I don't think I fulfilled this to a tee but all the officers and members of the core group were flexible and a delight to work with. The spirit of volunteerism, the spirit of God actually, pervaded the atmosphere of the nightly core group meetings.
But it was fraught with challenges and unforeseen difficulties even before the start of the event. The organizers were tested almost at breaking point. On the first night, the program was delayed for an hour. The school auditorium's air conditioning units were practically non functioning, and it had this loud, monotonous, distracting white noise that did not help in the concentration of the delegates. Minor details that were overlooked became major problems.
The weather was sweltering hot at the start of the event, some supplies were delayed and in excess, while some were lacking. Some of the care group members were confused as to the grouping. The speakers suffered physical aches and pains; two almost lost their voices. There was a medical emergency. On Thursday, the floods were calf deep, leaving some of the delegates stranded in the school.
It did not look like a romantic or placid scene. It did not look like a picture of success. Not by man's standards anyway. But in the cool confines of the rectangular Burgundy Hall, there was peace. It was not the only place where there was peace throughout the Conference, but it was where peace started. During the wee hours of the morning, bleary eyed young and old alike trooped to the Hall and offered thanks, praised in adoration of the Maker and asked for power, for mercy, for peace, for forgiveness, and for freedom from sin.
The disciples of Christ had a deep sense of their own inefficiency, and with deep humiliation and prayer they joined their weakness to His strength, their ignorance to His wisdom, their unworthiness to His righteousness, their poverty to His exhaustless wealth. Thus strengthened and equipped, they hesitated not to press forward in the service of the Master. AA 57.1
Though our eyes were shielded, I do believe angels excelling in strength surrounded the place and fortified it from the attacks of the enemy. One by one, hearts jaded by sin and weary of defeat leaned on the arm of the Almighty. Beautiful, melodious songs wafted from the Hall, almost like an angelic choir. The bleariness was replaced with joy and relief and God's peace.
It was a reminder for us organizers/volunteers that success can only come from God, not from our own efforts.
By God's grace, the volunteers continued to serve with gladness even with just as little as three hours of sleep. The program started on time most of time after that first night. If it did extend, it was because the speakers spoke with fervor, unmindful of the time. Most of the delegates did not mind either.
The weather became cooler as the days passed by, the whirring noise became ambient sound, the speakers miraculously were able to speak when their turn came. Volunteers were spared from sicknesses that usually attack the sleep deprived.
Sister Gayle Haberkam's out of this world mission stories were just amazing and inspiring. During the Sabbath morning program, seeing her kneel made me teary eyed. I was seeing a woman in constant sweet communion with the Maker.
Pastor Pavel Goia's injunction to fix our eyes on Jesus and not on self; his true to life stories of God's faithfulness in his family as they remained steadfast and loyal to him were a rebuke to our "weak" faith. "When you have God, you have no fear. When you have fear, you have no God."
Sister Melody Mason's heartbreaking yet Love centered testimony reminded us all that our repeated trials may just be a sign that God is not through with whittling away a particular cancerous [unsurrendered] area in our life.
Sister Joy Cho's breakout session on true education was a conviction affirming experience.
Pastor Jason Sliger's final charge gave us the longing "for a better country" and lifted our limited vision to the ultimate reward of service, being in His eternal presence. Can you imagine a "PYC" in heaven with Moses as plenary speaker, Martin Luther, John the Revelator, Daniel as breakout session speakers? Whoa! *
More than 800 young people penetrated the city of Iloilo to give tracts, prayers, offer songs, knock on houses, and give healing.
Some even dedicated their lives to fulltime missionary work.
Prayer is heaven's ordained means of success in the conflict with sin and the development of Christian character. The divine influences that come in answer to the prayer of faith will accomplish in the soul of the suppliant all for which he pleads. For the pardon of sin, for the Holy Spirit, for a Christlike temper, for wisdom and strength to do His work, for any gift He has promised, we may ask; and the promise is, "Ye shall receive." {AA 564.1}
I honestly don't know where to end this impromptu vlog/PYC story because God's goodness definitely has no ending. It is a privilege, and I believe I am speaking in behalf of all the volunteers, to be a part of another "successful" PYC. It is also another humbling experience for us as we realize that it is, never was, and never will be about or because of us.
Thank you to my fellow volunteers! It was amazing working alongside you.
Thank you to my fellow attendees! I met new friends and was reunited with many. May we see each other again next year on May 28-June 2, 2019 here in Iloilo City or till Jesus returns, whichever comes first!
* I was not able to attend some speakers' plenary sessions. :)
This year, I had an insider view of the inner workings of the PYC as an organization since I was the appointed Treasurer. I don't think I fulfilled this to a tee but all the officers and members of the core group were flexible and a delight to work with. The spirit of volunteerism, the spirit of God actually, pervaded the atmosphere of the nightly core group meetings.
But it was fraught with challenges and unforeseen difficulties even before the start of the event. The organizers were tested almost at breaking point. On the first night, the program was delayed for an hour. The school auditorium's air conditioning units were practically non functioning, and it had this loud, monotonous, distracting white noise that did not help in the concentration of the delegates. Minor details that were overlooked became major problems.
The weather was sweltering hot at the start of the event, some supplies were delayed and in excess, while some were lacking. Some of the care group members were confused as to the grouping. The speakers suffered physical aches and pains; two almost lost their voices. There was a medical emergency. On Thursday, the floods were calf deep, leaving some of the delegates stranded in the school.
It did not look like a romantic or placid scene. It did not look like a picture of success. Not by man's standards anyway. But in the cool confines of the rectangular Burgundy Hall, there was peace. It was not the only place where there was peace throughout the Conference, but it was where peace started. During the wee hours of the morning, bleary eyed young and old alike trooped to the Hall and offered thanks, praised in adoration of the Maker and asked for power, for mercy, for peace, for forgiveness, and for freedom from sin.
The disciples of Christ had a deep sense of their own inefficiency, and with deep humiliation and prayer they joined their weakness to His strength, their ignorance to His wisdom, their unworthiness to His righteousness, their poverty to His exhaustless wealth. Thus strengthened and equipped, they hesitated not to press forward in the service of the Master. AA 57.1
It was a reminder for us organizers/volunteers that success can only come from God, not from our own efforts.
By God's grace, the volunteers continued to serve with gladness even with just as little as three hours of sleep. The program started on time most of time after that first night. If it did extend, it was because the speakers spoke with fervor, unmindful of the time. Most of the delegates did not mind either.
The weather became cooler as the days passed by, the whirring noise became ambient sound, the speakers miraculously were able to speak when their turn came. Volunteers were spared from sicknesses that usually attack the sleep deprived.
Sister Gayle Haberkam's out of this world mission stories were just amazing and inspiring. During the Sabbath morning program, seeing her kneel made me teary eyed. I was seeing a woman in constant sweet communion with the Maker.
Pastor Pavel Goia's injunction to fix our eyes on Jesus and not on self; his true to life stories of God's faithfulness in his family as they remained steadfast and loyal to him were a rebuke to our "weak" faith. "When you have God, you have no fear. When you have fear, you have no God."
Sister Melody Mason's heartbreaking yet Love centered testimony reminded us all that our repeated trials may just be a sign that God is not through with whittling away a particular cancerous [unsurrendered] area in our life.
Sister Joy Cho's breakout session on true education was a conviction affirming experience.
Pastor Jason Sliger's final charge gave us the longing "for a better country" and lifted our limited vision to the ultimate reward of service, being in His eternal presence. Can you imagine a "PYC" in heaven with Moses as plenary speaker, Martin Luther, John the Revelator, Daniel as breakout session speakers? Whoa! *
More than 800 young people penetrated the city of Iloilo to give tracts, prayers, offer songs, knock on houses, and give healing.
Some even dedicated their lives to fulltime missionary work.
Prayer is heaven's ordained means of success in the conflict with sin and the development of Christian character. The divine influences that come in answer to the prayer of faith will accomplish in the soul of the suppliant all for which he pleads. For the pardon of sin, for the Holy Spirit, for a Christlike temper, for wisdom and strength to do His work, for any gift He has promised, we may ask; and the promise is, "Ye shall receive." {AA 564.1}
I honestly don't know where to end this impromptu vlog/PYC story because God's goodness definitely has no ending. It is a privilege, and I believe I am speaking in behalf of all the volunteers, to be a part of another "successful" PYC. It is also another humbling experience for us as we realize that it is, never was, and never will be about or because of us.
Thank you to my fellow volunteers! It was amazing working alongside you.
Thank you to my fellow attendees! I met new friends and was reunited with many. May we see each other again next year on May 28-June 2, 2019 here in Iloilo City or till Jesus returns, whichever comes first!
* I was not able to attend some speakers' plenary sessions. :)
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