In the Midst of the Storms

Devotional: ...... “In The Midst Of The Storm” ...... Shared by Jesse Colegado, BSC’80 Editor’s Thoughts: ...... “Storms Are Blessings” ...... Lily Escara Lare, BSE Bio’85

Featured Items: 1. Smiling Through The Flood and Storm ...... Charity Betonio-Reyno, BSEEd 2. Storm Shelter ...... Rachel Dumapig-Jablan, BSN’85

SULADS Corner: ...... “The Day The Teacher Forgot to ‘Cool Down’” . Sulad Daryl Cagampang, Tawi-Tawi Patch of Weeds: ...... Jesse Colegado, BSC’80 Life of a Missionary: ...... “Adventist Aviation Indonesia” ...... Romy Halasan, BSBA’86

In The Midst Of The Storm By Beth Moore. Found in www.lproof.org Shared by Jess Colegado

"Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it. During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. "It's a ghost," they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid." "Lord, if it's you," Peter replied, "tell me to come to you on the water." "Come," he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!" Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?" And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God." (Matthew 14:23-33)

e can be smack in the center of God's will and still go through terrible storms. Christ loved the disciples with all His heart, yet He "made" them get into the boat when He W knew a storm was coming. They were exactly where they were supposed to be and still experienced frightening turbulence.

Can you relate to the disciples? Have you experienced a time when you knew you were where God wanted you to be, but the storms were overwhelming?

Not all the storms in life result from either sin or warfare. Some occur like clockwork to purposely rock our boats. However, if Christ has appointed our place in the story, you can be sure He purposes a show. But, we must be looking past our own boat to see Him.

One of my family's worst storms occurred when Michael, the child we raised for seven years, left our home to return to his birth mother. We received countless cards and letters which were a great comfort to us. Many of them attributed our loss to Satan and our storm to spiritual

warfare. We understood the assumption because it was clearly the easiest explanation, albeit not necessarily an accurate one.

I am so thankful God was clear in His message to us during those days. We knew without a shadow of a doubt that Michael's return to his birth mother was the expressed will of God. We had no idea why nor do we have many answers now, but we were certain God was directing the events.

Christ calls us to walk by faith through our storms. It seems like a big requirement until we realize Christ does far more than that. He walks on the water during our storms. God has placed all things under Christ's feet, including the waves that break relentlessly against us. He is in charge. He is right there.

Please don't miss an important element in this story: Christ walked on the water before He calmed the storm. If He had simply calmed the storm, the disciples would have missed His majesty. And what a shame. His majesty was the whole point.

We want Christ to hurry and calm the storm. He wants us to find Him in the midst of it first.

Editor’s Thoughts: “Storms Are Blessings” Lily Escara Lare, BSE Bio’85

torms are so common in the western and eastern Visayas that when I was growing up, a month without a storm is quite abnormal, except during the summer months. An S umbrella or a raincoat always has a space in my bag so rain or shine, I am always prepared.

When I went to West Visayan Academy as a student and later as a teacher, floods accompanied the storms. No matter how hard life was during those times, we always find activities and things that will cheer us and occupy our minds and time while waiting for the winds to stop and the waters to subside. Relationships among students and teachers became stronger and our faith in God became deeper.

Among the many whom I have invited to write about their experiences with literal storms, two have gladly responded and to them I say a heartfelt "Thank You!”

Charity Reyno, one of the teachers at West Visayan Academy, narrates her experiences with the storms and floods in my alma mater.

During the early part of September this year, incessant prayers were offered for MVCians and friends who were in the path of Hurricane Irma in Florida. Rachel Jablan writes about their experience below.

I am always thankful that despite the storms and floods in this world, we are also stormed and flooded by blessings from God who cares so much for us, His children.

Lily Escara Lare Nairobi, Kenya. East Africa

Smiling Through The Flood and Storm Charity Betonio-Reyno, BSEEd

est Visayan Academy is the first Adventist academy in the Philippines. It is situated along a big and wide Jalaud River. Each time there is a storm, this river overflows and W the school is flooded.

As soon as the storm is predicted in the area, the administrators send the students home especially the dormitorians because the cafeteria workers had a hard time cooking during the flood.

For those who cannot avoid the dormitory and cafeteria fees, the school have provided a space for parents to build cottages where their children can stay and cook for themselves with no worries about high rentals. During the floods, the Cottage students and guardians who are left behind are usually evacuated to the second floor of the administration building for safety. I have already experienced several floods since I came to WVA. I have observed that when a flood occurs, it starts Friday night or Saturday. The first time I experienced it was when there was a CASDAA association meeting held here at WVA Church.

Nong Juaning, the school's go-to man in the campus, told us to go home and bring our things up to the second floor for safety. Good the flood did not rise up high it is just only outside our door for we were living at the second house from the canal near the house of Nong Juaning.

The house where we are living is always the first house to be soaked in by water and the last one to be dried up because it is located at a lowest area of the campus.

The next flood I experienced was during the typhoon "Frank". There was really a hard downpour and water rose up until the last two rungs of our house.

The first floor looked like a small lake where some of our things floated. It also became the swimming pool for small and big snakes. My family is always afraid that the water might still rise up to the second floor.

We were grateful that the water did not rise anymore. The water subsided in three days, which means that we were confined for three days, too. When the water went down, it took us a week to clean up.

One good thing about floods is that we have a general cleaning on the usually neglected corners and windows on the first floor. It is so good to see everything clean and free of accumulated dust and dirt. For me, the flood is a blessing.

One sad experience during a flood was when the elementary building was damaged. The books which I have just taken from WVC office which was worth one hundred eighty thousand pesos were all soaked in mud.

There are still several floods that took place after this where some of the students just stayed so they can experience "Bongco flood". They made a raft out of banana and bamboo stalks and they had a great ride around the campus where the flood water looked like a lake.

Last month, the river overflowed because of heavy rains. The elementary department teachers tried to prepare the classroom for the flood. We cannot thank God enough for His goodness because the flood just reached the back of our house, for if it did, the rice on the field would have been destroyed. Praise God the harvest was more than three hundred cavans! God is really good.

Sometimes, the Bongco flood is a burden but looking at the sunny side of life, it is also a blessing because of the food supplies that we receive from the West Visayan Conference (WVC) office and of course from the local and provincial government and from the two big TV channels: ABS and GMA.

I still have more stories to tell but for now, I just want to tell you that despite all the worries and the stresses we go through during the storms and the floods, God is always by our side.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Charity “Cha-Cha” Betonio-Reyno (BSEEd) SHINES ON! as the Principal of West Visayan Academy Learning Center, Inc., in Pototan, Iloilo.

Storm Shelter Rachel Dumapig-Jablan, BSN’85

e were in Cancun for the MVC-SN reunion when we heard that Miami is in Hurricane Irma's path and it was predicted to be category 5. We were worried because we have W not prepared our house by putting up our shutters and we emptied our refrigerator before leaving. We tried getting an early flight back to Miami but failed.

My sister Ruth kept on texting and sending us messages. She was worried about our situation. I texted her back "All that we have come from God, we are just sinners saved by His grace. We commit and trust everything to Him". That text calmed down my sister.

We got a Thursday afternoon flight and upon arrival, went straight to the grocery store. Almost all the racks were empty. There were no water, batteries, nor flashlight. All that was left on the frozen section were "adidas" (chicken feet). So we just bought them and Nonoy made adobo.

I then remembered that there were new Filipinos who were staying in apartments without shutters so I invited them to stay with us during the storm. The strong winds started Friday night. On Saturday morning there were some people from Key West who were looking for shelter and ran out of gas. The neighboring shelters did not accept them because of their 2 big dogs: labrador and rotweiler. We also invited them to stay with us. We fed them and they enjoyed singing karaoke songs with us.

Later, they were able to get a hotel room in Holiday Inn near our place who waived their pet policy because of the storm. When the eye of the storm passed Key West, we could hear the rattle of the shutters but God is so good. We did not lose our electricity and none of our trees were broken nor uprooted. We have lots of food because aside from my stock of canned goods our friends also brought food with them.

We trust that our God is in control and more powerful than the storm. This experience has proven Him to be our "shelter in the time of storm".

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Rachel “Bebing” Dumapig-Jablan (BSN’85) SHINES ON! as the ICU Clinical Coordinator for the Mercy Hospital at Miami, Florida.

“The Day The Teacher Forgot to “Cool Down” By Sulad Daryl Cagampang, Buna-Bunaan, Tawi-Tawi

he value of a smile is priceless. It is the least expensive, yet the easiest, most rewarding and sincere gift to anyone that crosses your path. A smile is like a virus that spreads T quickly. It can make someone's day, even a stranger’s. This is a gift you can give a lonely person, an angry man, and to everyone.

There was a day when the teacher forgot to “cool down.” It was a day when she even forgot to smile. The teacher entered her classroom feeling annoyed. Despite those negative feelings, she managed to start the class with prayer or “Sambahayang” in the Samal language. She also managed to be courteous by greeting, “Good Afternoon!” Yet after all these formalities the teacher wasn't able to hide her angry feelings inside her anymore because her face was radiating with annoyance.

Without delay, she started the lesson by writing on the board words for the pupils to read. When she ordered the class to read they could barely read a word. This aggravated the temper inside her and she tapped the board forcefully. Repeatedly, she pointed to the words on the board for them to read but the children were just dumbfounded by their teacher's sudden outburst. In the teacher's disgust, she ordered her students to get out of the classroom.

When the students left, she reflected on her actions and realized how grievous her behavior was. She had misrepresented Jesus in front of her Muslim students. Having cooled down she then called the students back with a big, bright and beautiful smile. This time she showed patience and diligence in teaching them how to read what she had written on the board. The class ended well after all.

This is more than a story because this is a reality. It is a reality when we put our work, our business and our own personal agenda before what God has asked us to do. God asked the teacher to teach and represent Him in the classroom. The teacher could have been the picture of Jesus for the students to see. But on that day filled with the personal issues she faced, her mission was a failure. But praise the Lord, the story ended with grace. The teacher was able to regain her students' favor.

In our day bombarded with business, oftentimes we even forget to smile. We forget to show a little kindness and most of all we become unaware of the influence we have on those around us. We forget to count the many things we are to be thankful for and the reasons to be happy. We forget that there is a God above who sees you and knows you.

Whatever comes our way let us hold on to God's promise in Jeremiah 31:13, “I will turn your mourning into gladness; I will give you comfort and joy instead of sorrow.” Let us take courage. He is always true and faithful to His people.

© SULADS International, Inc. If you would like to support this mission program dedicated to taking the Gospel to the people of Mindanao, 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 (http://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 Old Columbia Pike Silver Spring, MD 20904 Thank you for your support of this very important project. If you do not want to receive any more newsletters, Unsubscribe To update your preferences and to unsubscribe visit this link Forward a Message to Someone this

Rock of Ages, Cleft for me

Several years ago H. A. Ironside and some friends were returning from a small Western village where he had spoken to a group of native Americans. They had not gone far when they saw a violent storm about to break. Turning to the driver of the wagon in which he was riding, Mr. Ironside said, “We’re certainly going to get soaked.”

“I hope not,” replied the man. “I think we can make that great rock ahead before the storm reaches us. If so, we will be sheltered.”

They hurried rapidly on toward the vast rock, forty or fifty feet high, covering an acre or more of ground in the middle of the prairie. Mr. Ironside wondered what possible help this could be to them. As they drew nearer, he found his answer. In the rock was a great cave. Instead of stopping to unhitch the horses, the driver rode right into the gaping hole just as the storm broke in all its fury. While the storm raged, one native American began singing:

"Rock of Ages, cleft for me, Let me hide myself in Thee."

All inside the shelter of the rock were secure. “I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in Him will I trust.” Psalm 91:2. “From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy.” Psalm 61:2, 3 — By Don Johnson, These Times, June 1959

(via Signs of the Times Newsletter) Rock That Would Not Tremble

A story is told of a little Irish lad who was wrecked in a stormy sea off the coast of England. He was washed up by the waves on to a rocky ledge where he managed to find security from the raging sea.

When he was finally rescued and somewhat recovered from his terrible experience, he was asked, “Lad, didn’t ye tremble out there on the rocks in all that storm?”

He answered brightly in his Irish way, “Trimble? Sure I trimbled. But do you know, the rock never trimbled once all night.”

It is such a refuge for which millions are looking today, a rock that will not tremble. — Unknown, Signs of the Times, January 7, 1948.

(via Signs of the Times Newsletter)

Stranded

A traveling salesman was held up by a bad storm in the Hawaiian Islands. He sent an e-mail to his corporate headquarters advising them that he was stranded for a few days and requested instructions.

The reply came back shortly: "Begin vacation as of yesterday."

(from Doc's Daily Chuckle)

Thunderstorm

When a mother saw a thunderstorm forming in mid-afternoon, she worried about her seven- year-old daughter who would be walking three blocks from school to home. Deciding to meet her, the mother saw her walking nonchalantly along, stopping to smile whenever lightning flashed.

Glimpsing her mother, the little girl ran to her, explaining enthusiastically, "All the way home, God's been taking my picture!"

Raining

It was thundering and a severe storm was coming when Shirley's granddaughter, 3, said, "I hope Jesus doesn't come today."

Shirley asked, "Why not?"

She replied, "Because it's raining and He will get all wet!"

Wildshield Wiper Quits

Which windshield wiper blade always quits first? That's right -- the driver's side. This happened to me one day while driving home in the middle of a blinding storm. Unable to see, I pulled over and tried to figure out a quick fix. I found it in a yellow cotton work glove lying on the floor. I wedged the cloth hand under the wiper arm. It did a great job keeping my windshield clear.

Not only that -- you'd be surprised at how many people waved back.

(from GCFL)

Job Performace Review

"Suppose," says the old salt of a sea captain, testing his new recruit, "that a sudden storm springs up on your starboard side. What would you do?"

"Throw out an anchor, sir," says the new sailor.

"And what would you do if another storm sprang up aft?"

"Throw out another anchor, sir," the raw recruit replies.

"Now," says the captain, "a storm springs up forward of the ship. What would you do this time?"

"Throw out another anchor, Captain."

"Hold on, hold on. Where are you getting all these anchors from?"

"From the same place you're getting your storms, sir," replied the new recruit.

He got to keep his job.

(from GCFL)

Sales

A passenger jet was suffering through a severe thunderstorm. As the passengers were being bounced around by the turbulence a young woman turned to a minister sitting next to her and with a nervous laugh asked, "Reverend, you're a man of God. Can't you do something about this storm?"

To this he replied, "Lady, I'm in sales, not management."

(from Cybersalt Digest)

Master of the Storms

"Ride your motorcycle today," were the words that I was hearing in my spirit. When God speaks, I do my best to heed the words. I looked out of the window. It looked cloudy. It looked like rain and it didn't seem wise to ride my motorcycle. I checked the weather report quickly on my computer. 80% chance of thunderstorms was the result. Not just rain -- THUNDERSTORMS!

"Ride your motorcycle today," I heard again, this time clearer and more insistent. I've learned to listen to the voice even when it doesn't exactly agree with my logical sensibilities. So I put my briefcase in the luggage box on the back, put on my helmet, cranked up and took off. As I left the subdivision It felt that the bike (a BMW RT1100) wasn't riding as smooth as normal. Was it just me or was the bike unbalanced? A truck went by me and the driver blew the horn and yelled out the window, "You've got a flat tire on the back!"

I was halfway to the office. I stopped and looked at the back tire. I couldn't really get a good look at it while sitting on the bike but it wasn't completely flat, just flat enough to cause the bike to wobble slightly. So I slowly continued on to the office. I had not ridden the motorcycle in awhile so I figured the tire just lost air as the motorcycle was sitting. I called my wife and asked her to drop off the portable air pump I keep in her van on her way to pick up the kids.

Then the rain came. It poured down. I looked out of my office window at the bike being drenched in the parking lot and thought that it needed a good washing anyway. By closing time the rain had stopped and my wife had left the air pump on the bike seat. I pumped up tire. As I turned the pump off I heard a slight hissing. I looked closely and saw that the tire had a nail or screw in it. It was a slow leak. I figured that I could make it home and patch it later so I cranked up and drove off. The sky looked dark and ominous.

Then the bottom fell out. In 30 seconds I was absolutely drenched. I'm on 42 (Do42.com) so that meant no complaining about anything. It was refreshing I thought and at least since I was thoroughly drenched, I absolutely couldn't get any wetter. I slowly drove along as thunder rattled my helmet. Lightning flashed every few seconds. It was as if I was in the maelstrom of angry winds, electricity and water. The rain was so heavy that I could barely see. I was expecting lightning to strike around me at any moment because the thunder was a constant crack and rumble.

In the midst of all of that seeming mess, I heard Him speak, "You have storms ahead but remember during the storms that I will be with you. I am the master of the storms and I am sending you into them, have no fear for I am with you."

With a tire oozing air, a waterfall of water pouring over me, lightning flashing like police lights and thunder booming like canon fire, I rode on. I was aware of it all but completely at peace and unafraid. Oddly enough, I was quite comfortable.

I walked into the house dripping a steady stream of water. "Look at you!" my wife and kids exclaimed.

"It was a magnificent ride," I said. It was.

You have storms ahead but always remember those words spoken in the midst of the storm.

"I am the master of the storms, have no fear for I am with you."

~A MountainWings Original~

Nerves of Steel

My friend, an ex-Marine Aviator wanted to show off his new twin-engine plane. I was riding along as he put it through its paces. Suddenly, we were caught in a violent thunderstorm, with lightning crashing all around us. Next, we lost the radio and most of the instruments.

As we were being tossed around in the sky, George said, "Uh-oh!" Fearing the worst, I asked, "What's wrong now?"

George replied, "I got the hiccups. Do something to scare me."

(from Cybersalt Digest)

The Bagel Storm

It was a terrible night, blowing cold and rain in a most frightful manner. The streets were deserted and the local baker was just about to close up shop when a little man slipped through the door. He carried an umbrella, blown inside out, and was bundled in two sweaters and a thick coat. But even so he still looked wet and bedraggled.

As he unwound his scarf he said to the baker, "May I have two bagels to go, please?"

The baker said in astonishment, "Two bagels? Nothing more?"

"That's right," answered the little man. "One for me and one for Bernice."

"Bernice is your wife?" asked the baker.

"What do you think," snapped the little man, "my mother would send me out on a night like this?"

(from Pastor Tim)

Quotes About The Storm

Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass. It's about learning how to dance in the rain. - Vivian Greene

Clouds come floating into my life, no longer to carry rain or usher storm, but to add color to my sunset sky. - Rabindranath Tagore

We cannot prevent the storms in our lives, but we can dance in the puddles. - Mikey

Stop telling God how big your storm is. Instead, tell your storm how big your God is. - Mikey

The speed in which a woman says “Nothing” when asked, “What’s wrong?” is adversely proportional to the severity of the storm that’s coming. - Mikey

Remember that the woodpeckers INSIDE are often a bigger threat than the storm outside. - Lesson from Noah's Ark

Adventist Aviation of Indonesia (AAI)

his week, let me take you to the largest and easternmost province of Indonesia – Papua Province. Papua is bordered by the country of Papua New Guinea to the east and by West T Papua province to the west. Its capital is Jayapura, formerly called Irian Jaya.

An area of cultural and biological diversity, its rainforests and mountains are inhabited by indigenous Melanesian tribes and diverse wildlife including tree kangaroos and birds of paradise. Papua and the surrounding areas is one of the most beautiful places on earth to me. With breathtaking views of the seas, lakes and mountains, this is the place for nature lovers.

The Indonesian state of Papua is home to 2 million people and 20 language groups. It is also home to the East Indonesia Union Conference, which has 763 churches and more than 101,000 church members, most of them are Melanesians. They have the same dark skin as the people of Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Fiji and the country of Vanuatu.

Adventist Aviation-Indonesia The Adventist Aviation Indonesia (AAI) is a supporting ministry organized to provide aviation transportation, communications, and logistical support of front-line missions. It is responsible for building many churches in the remote areas of Papua Indonesia. AAI also functions as a means of carrying supplies and materials, transporting missionaries and bringing sick people from the forest.

Papua is one of the most dangerous airport for a pilot. AAI serves more than 440 small airports and air strips built by villagers in the remote mountains of Papua. I could not believe that out there in the mountains, several airstrips are just large enough for the plane to land and take off .

In 2014, I was to visit our Adventist Aviation in Papua to meet an Adventist veteran missionary and pilot, Captain Bob Roberts. Bob used to invite us to ride in his Kodiak Airplane. That week

Adventist Aviation Indonesia (AAI) view overlooking Jayapura

AAI Hanger AAI Service Area

AAI Runway

Overlooking Jayapura beach there was an important change in my schedule. On April 9, 2014, approximately 9:15 am local time, an Adventist Aviation Indonesia mission plane piloted by veteran pilot Bob Roberts crashed upon take-off at the AAI headquarters in Papua, claiming his life as well as several passengers on board.

Witnesses indicate that the Quest Kodiak appeared to have trouble lifting off just before it slammed into a bridge at the end of the runway.

Bob Roberts flew with Adventist Aviation Services in Indonesia for more than 20 years. His work included delivering food, medicine and urgently needed supplies as well as transporting sick and needy passengers to and from the many isolated mountain villages of Papua to medical facilities. He was well known throughout the islands and had flown more than a thousand relief flights. Since Bob’s death, his son Gary has picked up the torch to continue his father’s work as a mission pilot in Indonesia.

Just about 3 months ago, the new airplane (Pilatus Transported) bought by Adventist Aviation had an accident. Its wheels got stuck in the mud destroying the aircraft and its wings. The damage is repairable.

I was invited to go for a mission trip to two villages up in the mountains on Sunday. I have not decided yet to accept the invitation. With the aviation accidents, I am hesitant to go.

Check the video below of Gary Roberts asking for additional missionaries like teachers and nurses and others to work as missionaries in this part of the world.

Please continue to pray for our Aviation work in Jayapura, Indonesia.

Romy Halasan Adventist Aviation Idonesia Sentani, Jayapura, Indonesia

In Closing … Announcements | From The Mail Bag | Prayer Requests | Acknowledgment Meet The Editors |Closing Thoughts

MVC Alumni Asso. Western USA When What 2017 Dec 15-17 NEW! MVC +MMA Joint Alumni Association Reunion 2017 Nov 10 (today) Deadline to submit photos for Souvenir Book Ads 2017 Nov 15 Group Rate Discount Expires for Hotel Accommodations

• MVC ALUMNI REUNION @2017. December 15-17 will be held jointly with Mindanao Mission Academy Alumni Association at the OMNi Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Spa at 41000 Bob Hope Drive, Rancho Mirage, California 92270. YOU and the friends of MVC and MMA are invited to come and join in the fellowship and festivities!

• For More info – see the flier in the next page o Ben Rosas (951) 350-3527. Email: [email protected] o Jerelyn Bocala (310) 866-1671. Email: [email protected] o Elbert Moralde (951) 452-2631. Email: [email protected]

Alumni Calendar

When What Where For More Info 2017 Nov 19 Marawi Benefit Concert/Dinner Valencia City See Ad on next page for details 2017 Dec30 NEW! Deadline: submit JrDevotional Online See Ad on next page for details 2017 Dec 28-31 GYC Phoenix, AZ www.gycweb.org 2018 Jun24-Jul 1 SULADS 50th Anniv. Reunion MVC Campus Joy Caballero-Gadia (in Facebook) 2018 July 3-8 NEW! MVC 65th Anniv. Reunion MVC Campus Gladden Flores 2018 Aug30-Sept 2 MVC School of Nursing North Orlando, FL (in Facebook) Ed Eresmas, Nonoy NEW! American Chapter. Reunion Hablan, Judith Teves, Darlene Ruado, Connie Calica 2019 Jul15-20 NEW! MVC School of Nursing 50th MVC Campus Devaney Bayeta (in Facebook) (final, nolonger tentative) Anniversary Reunion 2019 Aug 12-17 Int’l Pathfinder Camporee Oshkosh, WI www.camporee.org

MVC School of Nursing Announcements

• REUNION @2018. On September 17,2017, the officers of MVC Alumni Association North American Chapter met via Conference Call to discuss next year’s MVCSN alumni reunion which they voted on will be held at Orlando, Florida, on August 30-Sept 02, 2018 during Labor Day Weekend. The theme is yet to be decided as will the prospective projects. The group’s officers are Ed Eresmas, President; Nonoy Hablan, VP Religious; Judy Teves, VP Social; Darlene Ruado, Secretary; Evangeline Santos, Treasurer; and Connie Calica, PIO.

• GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY REUNION @2019. MVC School of Nursing was established in 1969 producing her first graduates in 1972. On 2019 (date to be determined) the 50th Anniversary Reunion celebrations of the school will be held at MVC. Many classes are already planning on traveling together to The Hilltop for this festive and joyous occasion – not just as happy alumni members but en-masse as classmates! (or in batches like cookies). The classes plan to make the occasion a both a class reunion in itself and a reunion with fellow MVCSN graduates! Keep an ear open for upcoming announcements from The Hilltop! You will not want to miss this grand event!

Needed: MVC Junior Devotional Authors STORIES FOR JUNIOR DEVOTIONAL – still needed by MVC. They need 360 but they received less than 80. Deadline has been moved (once again) to Dec 30, 2017. Send your stories to [email protected]

Guidelines from PPH: 1. Write in conversational manner. 7. Must be 350 words or less, including 2. Write to describe not to prescribe. the memory verse which is indicated 3. Be specific. below the title of the article. 4. Dwell on a single lesson, trait or 8. Include your biodata. action. 9. Observe proper citation. 5. Have a creative title of not more than Contributors whose articles are chosen six words. to be included in the devotional will 6. Include the Bible text/passage your receive Php 350/article upon the release story tries to point out. Suggested of the devotional. Bible versions: NIV, ESV, NKJV, NLT and NASB.

Reasons for rejection: 1. Contradicts SDA beliefs and practices. 2. Misses to emphasize the devotional theme. 3. Too preachy 4. Invades other's right to privacy. 5. Fails to comply with the requirement for the number of words.

Suggested topics to write about: Spiritual matters, family, friends, studies, values, health, dating, social concerns, technology, hobbies, answered prayers, and nature.

Benefit Dinner & Concert for Marawi

The MVC School of Arts & Sciences in partnership with MVC Academy and the Rotary Club of Valencia City Chapter, are holding a Dinner & Concert Benefit Concert on 6PM-7:30PM on November 19, 2017 at the Hotel de Susana Resort and Restaurant, Valencia, Bukidnon. Governor Zubiri and the local government officials have been invited to the event.

The group is working to raise money to buy and provide the following basic needs to the folks of Marawi who were displaced during the recent war: simple kitchenware like pails, basins, plates, cups, simple cooking stove. They are also looking to buy and provide blankets and some food stuff, blankets, simple food stuff. The group plan to go to Marawi and minister to the people in person.

Tickets: P1,000 per person.

Unable to attend but would like to donate? Please contact the School of Arts & Sciences Pinky Bayeta in Facebook or at 09173291165.

If you would rather send a care package or balikbayan boxes containing light blankets, used clothing and/or basic kitchenware – that is fine too. The group plans to return to Marawi for this ministry. You can plan it so your box arrived at MVC on or before Valentines’ Day of 2018. Address it to the School of Arts & Sciences c/o Pinky Bayeta Mountain View College Mt. Nebo, Valencia City, Bukidnon 8709 Cellphone #: 09173291165

Help from individuals and/or from alumni chapters are welcome

SULAD News/Announcements

SULAD HEAD COUNT NEEDED – In preparation for the upcoming Sulads’ 50th Anniversary Reunion (June 24 - July 01, 2018) which will be held at MVC Campus, we need a general idea of how many sulads and their families to prepare for. Housing, meals, etc. If you are planning on coming, please drop us a line? Thanks. • Facebook – Melchie Sison Tonog; Joy Caballero-Gadia • Email – [email protected]

SAVE THE DATE! PLAN to be there! June 24-July01, 2018. Next year. 9 months to prepare.

SULADS Connection – Are you a sulad? Want to be part of the ongoing discussions, planning and reminiscing throughout the week? If you are a sulad and not yet part of the Facebook group “SULADS Connection,” message either of the following FB accounts and ask to be added to the group: Joubert Falcunitin, Dams McFall Mari Ray, Joy Caballero-Gadia, Editha Daguman.

Prayer Requests

FOR THE CONTINUED HEALING OF: Marie Bingcang, Ching Rivera, Jerusalem Era, Ruth Fabella & Ellen Fabella (wife and daughter of Dr. Armand T. Fabella), Felix Sareno, Elmer Aguro, Rayelch Modillas, Rebecca Antemano, Roxie Pido, Virgie Osita, Pastor Oseas Zamora, Pastor Remelito Tabingo and members of the MVC Alumni & Friends who are sick.

COMFORT FOR THE BEREAVED FAMILIES OF: Lemuel Mantua, Pheobe Caballero Cagulada, Alan Magie, RJ Buada, Naty Caballero-Sanz, Anabel Quilog, and other families who recently lost their loved ones.

Meet The Editors This week’s issue of Cyberflashes was by Lily Escara Lare. Next week’s issue will be by Raylene Rodrigo Baumgart. Please direct all entries to her or to any of the editors.

NAME: EMAIL ADDRESS: 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 Lily EscaraLare LyLare at Hotmail dot com Melodie Mae Karaan-Inapan melodieinapan at yahoo dot com Raylene Rodrigo-Baumgart raylene.baumgart at gmail dot com Romulo ‘Romy’ Halasan romsnake at gmail dot com

If you wish to subscribe to Cyberflashes, to unsubscribe, or if you changed your email address and want Cyberflashes to be sent to your new address, please send your request via email to any of the editors. We 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

Acknowledgment

A special thank you to my good friends Charity Betonio-Reyno & Rachel Dumapig-Jablan who helped make this week’s issue of CyberFlashes. And to

• Romy Halasan for “LIFE of a Missionary” • Jessie Colegado for chuckles in “Jessie’s Patch of Weeds”, • The Sulads and Gospel Outreach for “SULADS’ Corner” • Eddie Zamora for help in the editing; Joy Caballero-Gadia for the layout

Closing Thoughts The Editor

Storms, whether literal or symbolical, are not pleasant. Brokenness, heartaches, pain and death often accompany them.

Being so used to storms, I thought I had sent down sturdy roots that could help me bend with the winds but when the hardest storm came into my life, I realized that only God is my sure Refuge.

He has proven time and time again that there is no storm nor flood that can break nor drown us when He is with us. I get strength and inspiration from the song, "Til the Storm Passes By". May the lyrics be your inspiration, too.

In the dark of the midnight have I oft hid my face While the storm howls above me, and there's no hiding place 'Mid the crash of the thunder, Precious Lord, hear my cry Keep me safe till the storm passes by Till the storm passes over, till the thunder sounds no more Till the clouds roll forever from the sky Hold me fast, let me stand in the hollow of Thy hand Keep me safe till the storm passes by Many times Satan whispered, "There is no need to try For there's no end of sorrow, there's no hope by and by" But I know Thou art with me, and tomorrow I'll rise Where the storms never darken the skies Till the storm passes over, till the thunder sounds no more Till the clouds roll forever from the sky Hold me fast, let me stand in the hollow of Thy hand Keep me safe till the storm passes by.

CLICK HERE to watch this beautiful song sang together LIVE by Ben Speer, The Dove Brothers, the Gaithers and others

Happy Sabbath!