I Teaching

Devotional: ………………………………. “Bloom Where You’re Planted” …………………… Norma Duncan Editor’s Thoughts: …………………………… “I Love Teaching!” …………………….………….. Lily Esara Lare

Featured Items: 1. Music Musing ………………………………………………….…. Gabriel “Bill” Claveria, BSEd MathEng’90 2. The Reflector ………………………………………….……………….……………… Christy E. Panes, BSE Eng’12 3. Serving at Nebuchadnezzar’s Palace …... Dr. Antonio “Tony” Calibod, BSE Bible Instructor’83 4. God Has A Plan …………………………………….……………………. Neil Tezley S. Balajadia, BSE Math’16

SULADS Corner …………………….…. “Crossing the Sea of Disapproval” ….... Sulads Joyce & Hannamel Canilao Patch of Weeds: ……………………………….……………………………………………………….…..…….……………….…….. Jesse Colegado

LIFE of a Missionary: ……….…….. “ ” ………………...………….. Romy Halasan

CLOSING: Announcements |From The Mail Bag| Prayer Requests | Acknowledgements Meet The Editors |Closing Thoughts | Miscellaneous

Devotional: “Bloom Where You’re Planted” By Norma Duncan, 1978

Bloom where you're planted,

be the flower you are.

With Jesus as your leader,

He will take you far.

We can't be a vegetable

if God made us a fruit,

We cant be a singer

if our talent is the flute.

God doesn't give His children

same jobs to do.

Each one is different,

do well with what He gives to you.

You may be the Greatest Preacher,

or can't speak at all

You have a gift from God

Just respond to your call.

If you're a teacher,

teach your best.

Find the thing you do

better than the rest.

Give all you have

for the betterment of mankind.

If we all bloom where we're planted,

a great garden we will find.

Editor’s Thoughts: “I Teaching” By Lily Escara Lare

hen I went over my fellow editors' themes for this month, I noticed that they were all focused on the four-letter word that makes businessmen earn a lot of money, and lovers spend even more, every February. Yes, you guessed it right! LOVE.

When February stepped in, one of my Facebook friends posted on his wall:

Question: Why is February called the "month of love"? Answer: Because the word FEBRUARY, if scrambled, can form FOREVER! PS...Did you get it right? You cannot! Well, this is because there is no such thing as FOREVER.

This post put a smile on my face. And inasmuch as love covers a very wide spectrum of topics, I opted for the topic "I Love Teaching". Unlike the time when I first met my husband, teaching may not be "love at first sight" for me. But my love for teaching grew deeper and sweeter as the years went by. My dear CF readers, virtually walk hand in hand with me as we go through the special kind of love experiences with our fellow alumni as they SHINE ON in their little corners in non-SDA schools.

Lily Escara Lare

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“Music Musings” By Gabriel “Bill” Claveria, BSEd MathEng’90

am now at the golden years of life and this school year is only my 2nd year of teaching at a public school. After

graduating from Mountain View College in 1990, I was immediately employed at Riverside Adventist Academy for a year. I spent the next four years teaching at East Visayan Academy and East Visayan Adventist Academy in Cebu and Leyte respectively. Going abroad has been a dream of many MVC alumni and I had been privileged enough to spend 17 years of teaching at our Ekamai International School, Bangkok, Thailand. Yet, the spirit to serve our very own people became very strong and that brought me back to our hometown in Tupi, South Cotabato. God guided my path and paved the way for me to get employment as a DepEd teacher. One of my job descriptions is to help with the music program of the school. I direct the school choir. I mentor select students to join music competitions. Last November, I coached a trio to participate at a province-wide singing contest sponsored by the National Cultural Awareness Administration and we brought home the championship trophy. We were then sent to the regional level but we lost the title to a team coached by another SDA music teacher from Matalam, North Cotabato who garnered the top prize. We came in second though. Being an SDA teacher at a public school gives many opportunities to "Shine 'til Jesus Comes" and one of them is to be frequently asked to lead in prayers and devotional programs. Our student populace is composed of a diverse group of Christians and Muslims. Leading morning devotions at the start of the class is a challenge. However, by sharing short devotional thoughts through character building stories is making an impact on the lives of the students. It ignites inquiries concerning our Adventist beliefs. Being the director of Regal Heirs at MVC molded me to be active in the Music Ministry and the community. I recruited SULADS products from the provinces of Bukidnon and Agusan who have come to study here at the Adventist College of Technology (ACT) to form a singing group that I

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also named Regal Heirs. We serve through our music at churches around: in worship services, birthdays, crusades, funerals, etc. We also perform concerts to raise funds for the support of our indigent members. With God's help, we will continue to serve and to "Shine on til Jesus Comes!"

Gabriel "Bill" Claveria writes from Acmonan,Tupi, South Cotabato where he and his wife Dottie (BSC’87) are

raising their daughter. He SHINES ON! as a teacher at Tupi National High School.

“The Reflector” By Christy E. Panes, BSE Eng’12

n my three and a half years of teaching experience, I never had any trouble with my employers regarding Sabbath observance. I thank the Lord for this great blessing even though I am teaching in a non-SDA school.

My MVC life and training has taught me so many things which I found very effective in my teaching presently. The choruses--with and without actions, the inspiring stories of faithful men and women in the Bible and their battles against the power of evil; their victories and transformation, the principles of teaching that nourish not only the mind but also the heart, integrating faith in every lesson; these and many more shaped me for who I am today.

Every now and then, I find myself in situations where I have opportunities to SHINE ON for God's glory. One simple but unforgettable incident happened when I was with all of my fellow teachers and we were about to start a program yet nobody was assigned to pray. I volunteered and everyone in the hall smiled. After the program, someone came to me and told me "I knew you would volunteer and we thank you for that. We are truly blessed because of your willingness to help when we needed it the most!" I smiled. I am MVC-trained. God is my light and I only reflect Him. Christy "Langging" Panes writes from Silang Cavite,

Philippines where she SHINES ON! as a teacher at

Brown International School.

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“Serving at Nebuchadnezzar’s Palace” Dr. Antonio “Tony” Calibod, BSE Bible Instructor’83

have been working in the government for 30 years as a Classroom Teacher, Guidance Counselor, Head Teacher, College instructor, Supervisor, TESD Specialist and currently, School Administrator.

Sabbath keeping has never been a problem in my job considering the law requires government workers to work 5 days a week only. If ever there were times in the past when we were requested to attend seminars or training that fell on Saturday I had the option to attend or not. I have embarked on teaching as a career as this has been my academic preparation being an alumnus of Mountain View College. Imbibing MVC’s guiding Philosophy, "Shine on till Jesus comes,” I have strived to maintain a high degree of excellence in the performance of my duties as an educator by inculcating in the learners' minds the primacy of faith in God to enable them to achieve good moral formation. The Lord Jesus has made me an instrument to promote literacy among them and as far as performance is concerned, I have been successful in this calling for I have produced God-fearing and productive citizens of the land. From being a regular classroom teacher in DepEd and instructor in Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) at Simeon Suan Vocational and Technical College, Bansud, Oriental Mindoro, God helped me rise to the rank of vocational Instruction Supervisor and then presently, as a School Administrator of the TESDA-Buyabod School of Arts and Trades, Santa Cruz, Marinduque. As a school manager, I continue to embrace the words of God by making myself an inspiration to the organization, having concern for employees’ welfare; being sensitive to their needs and maintaining an unquestionable integrity in the discharge of my mandates. MVC did a lot to what I am now. I am so proud that I am an MVCian. By God’s grace, I will continue to “Shine on Till Jesus comes” in Nebuchadnezzar’s Palace and live up to King David’s words, "Surely, goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever."

Dr. Antonio "Tony" Calibod writes from Brgy. Buyabod, Sta. Cruz, Marinduque, where he SHINES ON! as the

School Administrator at BSAT-TESDA,

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“God Has A Plan” Neil Trezley S. Balajadia, BSE Math’16

eaching is not my first choice. Since I was a kid, I really dreamed of becoming a Nurse, but God has another plan, a greater plan for me as stated in Jeremiah 29:11, "I know the plans I have for you..."

During college days my concern was on how to pass my subjects, but after I graduated, my problem shifted to how to survive life. Prior to my graduation, when I was still a student teacher at Mindanao Mission Academy, I received a text message telling me to apply at Gingoog as a Math teacher because they needed one badly. I consulted with my mother about this matter. She said, "Tzen, as much as possible, please look for a workplace near our home." I obeyed my mother although I had no idea what lay in my future. Last summer, as I was considering where to apply for work, my mother said, “Why not try to apply at MVA (Matutum View Academy)?” I submitted my application letter and other documents to the principal but sadly, there was no vacancy. Then out of nowhere, an idea came to my mind, “How about if I try SLSPI (St. Lorenzo Academy of Polomolok) formerly known as SLRAP (San Lorenzo Ruiz Academy of Polomolok), my high school Alma Mater. I remember that when I was still a second year college student, I met one of my former SLRAP teachers at the market, who invited me to teach at the school after I graduate. So I tried it. At first, I went to the school to ask if there was vacancy, especially in Math. I talked directly to the principal, Ma'am Meldy. Honestly, I was a bit surprised because she was also the school principal during my time as a student. She told me that there was no vacancy but asked me to pass my Application Letter, CV, and other pertinent documents anyway. I believe God really has a plan. When I came back with all the required documents, she interviewed me immediately. I was caught by surprise. I was not ready for it. But at the back of my mind, I thought, “This is it. No more backing down. No retreat. No surrender. I had been asking for this the whole summer.” So to make the story short, that very moment, I was hired as a math teacher. No words could express how happy and thankful I felt. At last, I am now employed! I was officially hired on June 1, 2016. This is my first year as an actual teacher. Working in a non–SDA institution has a lot of challenges. One is about the Sabbath. Obviously, there will be activities that will be held on a Friday night and on Saturday. But, when it comes to Sabbath observance, I don’t have any problem. Since I was a student here, the SDAs were already given a privilege not to attend activities and/or take examinations on Saturday.

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As a Seventh-day Adventist working at a Catholic school, I have a big task ahead of me. As Jesus had commanded His disciples to go make disciples, I also have the responsibility to spread the Gospel, not literally delivering the sermon but rather to BE THE SERMON. On one occasion, inside the faculty room, the teachers asked me, “Why are you not allowed to eat pork?” At this point, without any hesitation, I immediately shared with them what is written in the book of Leviticus Chapter 11. I said to them, it is not actually forbidden, but pork is unclean, therefore, we are not eating it. Before I forget, I also want to share this funny experience. On the first day of school, the regular routine begins. Inside the classroom, I formally introduced myself to the class. Then the students also introduced themselves by pairs. After the class, a student asked me, “Are you the new Values Education teacher? I was startled! I responded, “No, I’m not a Values Education teacher. I’m a Math teacher.” Obviously, the student was also surprised. I asked him, “What made you think that I am a Values teacher? He replied, “Before you started the class, you asked us to stand and you offered a prayer. We have never done that when we were still in the lower classes. The way you dress is also very formal, it seems that you really are a Values teacher.”

With that, I always remind my students that we should always seek the Lord first in everything we do before proceeding with our different activities. According to one of my professors in college, "Always inspire your students." So before and after the class, I always remind my students that there really is no dumb student. It’s just there are some who are too lazy to use their potentials. As I will be working in this institution, I expect more challenges ahead, especially, when it comes to my beliefs as an Adventist. But I know that God will always be with me. I always claim His promise that “He will be with me until the end of this world.” (Matthew 28:20)

Neil Trezley "Tzen" Balajadia writes from Polomolok, South Coatabato, where he SHINES ON! as an educator.

His mother Eunice Sunico-Balajadia is also an MVC alumna.

“Crossing The Sea of Disapproval” By Sulads Joyce & Hannamel Canilao, Thailand

any were excited and a bit anxious about us going to Thailand. We were excited in the sense that we will be going there as a family. We were also anxious about our interview at the Thai Embassy.

Instead of taking a passenger ship from Mindanao to Manila which would take 3 nights, God provided an affordable airfare allowing us to arrive at Manila without having to rush to our interview. Prior to our departure, the church prayed for us and our two sisters who would be assigned at Tawi-Tawi as SULADS volunteers. On May 09, along with our 14-month old baby and Sir Ranny de Vera, we flew from Davao to Manila. Sir Ranny’s brother sent someone to take us from the airport to Laguna for two weeks of processing. With us was Ma’am Liz Ang who will be processing her citizenship at Manila. We were able to rest for a day before our interview at the Thai Embassy. On May 11, we left Laguna very early and arrived at Makati after a two-hour bus ride. We rested outside a restaurant while Sir Ranny scouted for a place where we could have breakfast. We were dazzled and amazed at how foreign Makati seemed. At exactly 11 a.m. we entered the Embassy and filled out the application forms for our visa, then finally submitted the required documents which included an invitation letter from the Thailand Adventist Mission and a Certification from SULADS Philippines. We got these completed just before the embassy’s closing time. We were instructed to return on May 13. We had lunch at Manila Adventist Medical Center in Pasay City which is located near the station for buses bound for Laguna. We went ahead of Sir Ranny. At around 4 pm, somebody from the Embassy called informing us that our visas were temporarily denied as they needed to email Thailand Adventist Mission for confirmation regarding the authenticity of our documents. After the confirmation will they process and call us if our visas would be approved. We held on to that assurance that with all the prayers poured out in our behalf, God would work to get us approved. We informed Sir Jhun Cardeinte of SULADS Thailand about the matter who, in turn, called Sir

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Chlowe Mantalaba at the Thailand Adventist Mission. Soon the Executive Secretary of the Mission was informed. And as the email of from the Thai Embassy reached the Mission, the Executive Secretary promptly replied that our documents were authentic and that they were indeed inviting us for a religious purpose and will shoulder all the responsibility for our whole stay in Thailand. Everything happened so quickly! So we expected that in a day or two the Thai embassy would call us back as promised. May 13 and 14 came and went with no word from the embassy. We provided our families, friends and fellow missionaries of an update on our situation. We believe that since this is God’s work, not ours, then He would take care of it. Anyway, we still had another week. More prayers were offered, with more friends joining in prayer. May 16-May 19. Sir Chlowe advised us to call the Embassy instead of waiting for the call. But we held on to the embassy’s assurance of calling us instead of us initiating the call. We can relate to the awe-inspiring experience of Moses together with the Israelites in crossing the Jordan River that the Lord will fight for them and all they have to do is simply keep still. Sad to say, days passed without any word from the Embassy and in those days we were hopeful that they would call. On Friday May 20, three days before our scheduled flight to Bangkok, we decided to go to the Embassy. We were prepared and excited that day, confident that we could finally take hold of the passports and visas. We arrived just in time for lunch, which was convenient because the Embassy hours resumes at 1:30 pm. After having lunch, we waited just across the street. Our feet were already sweating from the sweltering heat of Makati and from our excitement, so we proceeded at 1:00 pm instead. But to our dismay, it was the official holiday of Thailand. We took pictures outside kidding that if ever we couldn’t make it at least we had some remembrance with us. I was holding back my tears believing our battle was not yet over. Monday must be the day then. We pleaded with God that we had waited for this for so long and we wanted to be back in His field. SULADS Thailand had already spent a lot of money, so please let Him grant our petition. Some of our friends said that maybe it was not meant for us to go, BUT for us this meant NO TURNING BACK. He will finish what He started in us. So Lord perform your miracles in us and through us, we prayed. May 23. We packed our luggage so we could proceed to the airport approved or if not, we would just proceed as tourists. Monday was the day of our victorious journey! Or so we thought. We arrived at 11am, same time, when we arrived for our application that very same building more than weeks ago. We waited for about ten minutes and chatted with Adventists applicants who were also visiting Thailand. When our queue number was called out, the employee asked if we were the applicant family. She instructed us to claim our passports with stamped visas at the next window. Simple as that! Our bodies were suddenly shaking and we shed some tears. It was quite unbelievable but God made it clear. The date of approval was May 16, 2016, that was a week from today. We lingered for couple of minutes and texted our families and friends with the praise-worthy news! Now, we had the Immigration to pass. We rushed for lunch making sure that we would be at the airport at 4pm to avoid traffic hours and be waiting for Sir Ranny to pick up our old passports sent from Davao at a separate terminal.

Check-in in time came. We couldn’t concentrate on having our dinner yet though our stomachs were clamoring for hearty meals. We had time to meet some OFWs and shared some snacks with them. Almost there, but the Immigration was still to be won. Sir Ranny de Vera with Ma’am Liz Ang made sure that we went through immigration before they left. Filling in the needed information for Immigration, our hearts were pounding. Oh, Immigration officers were all younger-looking to which we thought this was favorable. We chose a male officer who bombarded us with suspicions as to our real intentions of going to Thailand for religious purposes and for that long. In short, he temporarily denied our visas and we needed to again fill out another information sheet for further clarifications and interview. We had our SULADS IDs, old passports, the Mission’s invitation letter, SULADS Certification and return tickets. It was a good thing that the assigned Immigration Officer was very friendly and even wondered why the previous officer questioned our entry since we came as a family, which was less prone for disapproval. It was finally approved! We rushed to the pre-departure area for our 9:25 pm flight. It was already past 8 pm. We had dinner within the pre-departure area. We had a long day but it was all worth it facing all the walls, giants, and mountains in our lives. Looking out of the plane’s little window as we approached Bangkok International Airport, we couldn’t believe that we would be landing soon. Lights were brighter, cheering us up, waiting for our arrival. Though we waited for hours at the airport since I lost contact with both Sir Jhun and Sir Chlowe and needed to look for the internet shop on the fourth floor to communicate through Facebook. Amidst all of those hardships God never forsook us. When everything seemed unbearable, let’s just remember the experience of the Israelites crossing the Red Sea “The Lord will fight for you, and all you have to do is keep still.” Genesis 14:14.

© 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

A Rebuttal

Hey Mikey! As usual, enjoyed the Funnies today but, gee whiz, why all the negativity about this wonder called love?! The responses are all such downers? By the end, you get dumped, taken for a ride, two-timed, deserted, and on and on it goes! So I sat here a moment, looked these over and hereby respectfully submit MY responses to the same questions -- from a little more optimistic perspective on love. Below are the original questions, followed by the original answers, and then my (if I may) "new and improved" responses. I present to you, "A Love Funny - A Rebuttal": Few-time emailer, long-time giggler, David Manzi

What happens when you fall in love with: A chef? (You get buttered up.) Or, how about, "He spices up your life"? A chauffeur? (You get taken for a ride.) Or, how about, "In his eyes, you take a back seat to no one"?

A gambler? (He cheats on you.) Or, how about, "He bets his Heart on you"? A telephone operator? (He gives you a phone-y line.) Or, how about, "He reaches out, touches your heart, and you always have a special connection"? A trashman? (He dumps you.) Or, how about, "He refuses to let you go"? A clockmaker? (He two-times you.) Or, how about, "He always makes time for you"?

A pastry cook? (He desserts you.) Or, how about, "He spends all his dough on you"? A shoe salesman? (He walks all over you.) Or, how about, "Your sole is lifted up"? An elevator operator? (He lets you down.) Or, how about, "You get a rise out of the relationship"? An artist? (He gives you the brush.) Or, how about, "He gives you a peaceful, easel feeling"? A jogger? (He gives you the run-around.)

Or, how about, "He's there for you when you're run down"? (from Mikey's Funnies)

Use ME?!?!

The next time you feel like God can't use you, just remember...

~ Noah was a drunk

~ Abraham was too old

~ Isaac was a daydreamer

~ Jacob was a liar

~ Leah was ugly

~ Joseph was abused

~ Moses had a stuttering problem

~ Gideon was afraid

~ Samson had long hair and was a womanizer

~ Rahab was a prostitute

~ Jeremiah and Timothy were too young

~ David was an adulterer and a murderer

~ Elijah was suicidal

~ Jonah ran from God

~ Naomi was a widow

~ Job went bankrupt

~ John the Baptist ate bugs

~ Peter denied Christ

~ The disciples fell asleep while praying

~ Martha worried about everything

~ The Samaritan woman was divorced (more than once)

~ Zaccheus was too small

~ Paul was too religious

~ Timothy had an ulcer

~ Lazarus was dead!

This quote from Mike Yaconelli seemed apropos after that list: "The power of the Church is not a

parade of flawless people, but of a flawless Christ who embraces our flaws. The Church is not made up of the whole people, rather of the broken people who find wholeness in a Christ who was broken for

us."

(from Mikey's Funnies)

Cinderella

While working at the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World, I was responsible for emptying the trash cans

in front of the castle. One afternoon as I was changing out the trash bag in

one of the refuse bins, I saw a small girl point at me and overheard her ask her mother, "Who's that lady?"

"Why, honey," her mother replied, "that must be Cinderella, before she met her fairy godmother!"

(from Da Mouse Tracks)

Prize

"What am I supposed to do with this?" grumbled the motorist, as the police officer handed him a receipt for his speeding traffic fine.

"Keep it," the officer advised. "When you get three of them, you get a bicycle." (from Mikey's Funnies)

Hog Caller

A local Pastor joined a community service club, and the members thought they would have some fun with him. Under his name badge they printed "Hog Caller" as his occupation. Everyone made a big fanfare as the badge was presented.

The Pastor responded by saying, "I usually am called the 'shepherd of the sheep'... but

you know your people better than I do."

(from Pastor Tim)

Earthly Treasures

Showing his friend around his home, Fred started to point out all of the collectibles he

and his wife had acquired over their long years of marriage. "The day before I die, I'd like to sell every piece we've got just to see how much it's all

worth."

"But you couldn't possibly know the day before you were going to die, so how could you sell it."

"Simple: If I sell it, my wife would kill me!" (From cybersalt.org)

Report Card

Father to son after exam: "Let me see your report card."

Son: "My friend just borrowed it. He wants to scare his parents." (from GCFL)

Diamond with a Curse

A businessman boarded a plane to find, sitting next to him, an elegant woman wearing the largest, most stunning diamond ring he had ever seen.

He asked her about it.

"This is the Masterson diamond," she said. "It's beautiful, but there's a terrible curse that goes with it."

"What's the curse?" the man asked. "Mr. Masterson." (from Mikey's Funnies)

Too Much, is Too Much

A fellow was very much in love with a beautiful girl. One day she told him that the next

day was her birthday. He told her he would send her a bouquet of roses, one for each year of her life.

That evening he called the local florist and ordered twenty-one roses with instructions that they be delivered first thing the next morning. As the florist was preparing the order,

he decided that since the young man was such a good customer, he would put an extra six roses in the bouquet.

The poor fellow never knew what hit him! (from Doc's Daily Chuckle)

Big Tip

A man rushed into a bar and ordered a double martini. The man downed it with one

swallow, put a five-dollar bill on the bar, and turned and rushed out of the bar. The bartender picked up the five-dollar bill, folded it carefully, and tucked it in his vest

pocket. Just at that moment he looked up at the boss standing in the doorway staring at him.

Doing a bit of fast thinking, he said, "Hi boss, did you see that fellow just now? Came in here, bought a double martini, gave me a five-dollar tip, and rushed out without paying."

Thirsty

While eating dinner at the dinner table, Jay, 5, stopped and said, "Mommy, sometimes

when I drink water, it goes in to my heart. But, that's OK because sometimes God gets thirsty, too!"

Perspective

There was an older more experienced truck driver who had been all over the country in his career. One day, he had to train a new, much younger, inexperienced driver. The old

one allowed the younger one to drive for a while. The young one drove the big 18-wheeler for about five hours and became very tired and asked the trainer to take over for a while.

The trainer drove for 10 hours and was not even tired as he had done this for years. The young man was flabbergasted and asked the old man how he could drive for hours and not get tired.

The old man asked him, "What do you do in the morning just before you leave your

house?" The young man replied, "I kiss my wife good-bye and tell her I am going to work."

The old one said, "That is your problem." The young man asked, "What do you mean, problem?"

The old man said, "When I leave in the morning, I kiss my wife good-bye, but I don't tell

her I am going to work, I tell her I am going for a drive in the country." Everything is a matter of attitude. (from MountainWings)

Sweet Child

Stella, 6, and Mommy were talking.

Stella: I'll bet you can't wait 'til I'm a teenager.

Mommy: Actually, I can. Stella: Why?

Mommy: Because I like you being sweet.

Stella: I'll still be sweet when I'm a teenager. I'll just have an awkward way of showing it. (from Da Mouse Tracks)

Scales Don’t Lie

A lady noticed her husband standing on the bathroom scale, sucking in his stomach. Thinking he was trying to weigh less with this maneuver, she commented, "I don't think

that's going to help." "Sure it does," he said. "It's the only way I can see the numbers."

(from GCFL)

Possible

The teacher asked her students what they wanted to become

when they grew up. A chorus of responses came from all over the room:

"A football player."

"A doctor."

"An astronaut." "The president."

"A fireman."

"A teacher."

"A race car driver." Everyone that is, except Tommy.

The teacher noticed he was sitting there quiet and still. So she asked

him, "Tommy, what do you want to be when you grow up?"

"Possible," Tommy replied.

"Possible?" asked the teacher. "Yes," Tommy said. "My mom is always telling me I'm impossible. So when I get to be big,

I want to be possible."

Pearl of Lake Toba

reetings from North Sumatra! This week let me take you to the beautiful Indonesian Province of North Sumatra where one can enjoy welcome, traditions that are still intact because of the low amount of tourism, and the stunning views. We recommend a drive

from Lake Toba to Berastagi, an area famous for its passion fruit, oranges and vegetables. Two active volcanoes, Mount Sibayak with its hot springs and Mount Sinabung, are the main attractions while Piso Piso Waterfall (the highest in Indonesia) and roadside markets add their charm. This is a place to relax and enjoy pristine scenery whilst exploring the traditional Batak villages on Samosir Island. But what really captivated my attention are the many durian shops selling one of the best durians in the world. We enjoyed these North Sumatran fruits. North Sumatra areas have been experiencing intense jolts of varied magnitude in the past month. The government recorded 185 earthquakes since Jan. 16 up to Tuesday last week with the second highest earthquake occurring early Tuesday morning at a magnitude of 5.2 on the Richter scale.

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Durian tasting with friends

At the Durian Shop

Lake Toba is a large natural lake occupying the caldera of a super volcano, more like a sea than a lake considering its size. It is about 100 kilometers long, 30 kilometers wide, and up to 505 meters (1,666 ft.) deep. The largest lake in Southeast Asia and the second largest lake in the world next to Lake Victoria in Africa, it is big enough that it has an island the size of Singapore at its center. Lake Toba also includes the deepest lake in the world, which is approximately 450 meters. The area around Toba has pine forests arranged beautifully in greenish nuance. On the outskirts of Lake Toba, there are several waterfalls that are extremely fascinating. There you will find a sulfur spring and a resort high up in the mountain called Pearl of Lake Toba. It is here that you can see the amazing view of the beautiful blue Lake Toba and Samosir Island. This is one of the islands in Indonesia that is inhabited by Christians. Lake Toba or Danau Toba in Indonesian has been part of traveler’s folklore for decades. It is believed that Lake Toba is the site of a massive super volcanic eruption that scientist said occurred

between 69,000 to 77,000 years ago representing a climate-changing event. It is the largest known explosive eruption on Earth in the last 25 million years. By the eruption of a super volcano (Mount Toba) was estimated to have caused mass death and extinction of several species of living creatures. The eruption of Mount Toba has led to changes in the earth's weather and the start into the ice age that affects the world civilization. Most of the people who live around Lake Toba are ethnically Bataks. This grand ocean-blue lake, found high up among Sumatra’s volcanic peaks, is where the amiable Christian Batak people reside. The friendliness of Batak society will captivate you. This makes it easy to immediately find new friends wherever you go. Many of our MVC alumni’s have also visited Lake Toba. Traditional Batak houses are noted for their colorful decors and distinctive roofs, which curve upwards at each end, as a boat's hull does. Samosir Island is unique as it is settled in the middle of Lake Toba with an altitude that is 1,000 meters above sea level. There are two more beautiful lakes named Lake Aek Sidihoni and Lake Natonang in the middle of Samosir Island. Misty mountains, crystal clear waterfalls, and farming communities are also found at Samosir Island.

Early Adventist of North Sumatra

With principal of our SDA school

The first Adventist missionary who came to Sumatra was Ralph Waldo Munson his wife and their five children. The Monson’s first started their work in Indonesia in Padang of West Sumatra. In 1904, Munson and G.F. Jones – an Australian missionary opened the work in Medan, North Sumatra. Basically, the Adventist work started in Sumatra and then spread to other parts of Indonesia. There are several SDA churches in Samosir. Most of the Adventist leaders in West Indonesia come from this island. Currently in North Sumatra, we have several churches, primary schools, secondary schools, a college, a mission and a hospital. I saw many beautiful Adventist churches in North Sumatra. Thanks to our faithful members who willingly donated their land and financial resources for the work of God in this part of the world. Please include our Adventist members in North Sumatra in your prayers.

Romy Halasan

Medan North Sumatra

Needed Alumni Tribute to (brief write up about) outstanding female leaders who happen to be MVCian ie: worked at or was educated at MVC for at least 1 semester or 1 summer. Include her name, why you believe she is an outstanding leader, and some specifics as you remember. For the Women’s’ History Month Issue of CyberFlashes. DEADLINE: March 1, 2017. Send your write up to any of the CyberFlashes editors. Thanks!

Attn: Peri Operative Nurses

ATTN PERI OPERATIVE RNs. (Pre-Op, Outpatient Surg, Sterile Processing, OR nurses, PACU, etc.) The International Convention sponsored by AORN will be held on April 1-5, 2017 at Boston, Massachusetts. The Association of Peri-Operative Nurses or AORN is offering financial aid to attend the event. MVCSN grads are going. If interested, housing and meals with MVCians can be coordinated. Learn the latest and greatest in perioperative nursing. Upgrade. Get CEUs. Network with colleagues around the world. Sample new products. Talk with surgery supply vendors and distributors. Experience simulations. See. Touch. Hear. Interact. LEARN LEARN LEARN. For more info . https://www.aorn.org/surgicalexpo To coordinate with MVCians (housing, meals, etc): Lily Bell Durias.

Announcement from SULADS Philippines

INTERESTED in training to become a sulad volunteer? “Lead and change for the BETTER!” Join the SULADS Training this summer at Mountain View College. April 23, 2017. Email: suladsasia@gmail.com. Globe: +63 905 426 7637. TNT: +63 907 330 9388 Be prepared to submit the following requirements: 1. Application Form (completed/filled) – pick up at SULAD Main Office 2. Transcript of Records 3. Baptismal Certificate 4. Certificate of Good Moral 5. Health or Medical Certificate 6. Pastor’s Letter of Recommendation 7. Police Clearance

MVCSN Reunion Sept 2017. Cancun, Mexico

MVC School of Nursing USA Chapter Advisory Committee and officers met this week and are organizing a MVCSN Reunion with Nursing Symposium (CEU opportunity!) included.

WHAT: MVCSN USA Chapter Reunion & Symposium

WHEN: September 1-5, 2017 (5 days, 4 nights)

WHERE: Cancun, Mexico

ACTIVITIES: Nursing CEU classes, socials, sports, swimming, etc.

COST: $399/person (shared room) or $798/coups with 2 kids under age 12. This cost does not include your airfare to get to Cancun. This all-inclusive cost for the resort covers the following:

o hotel accommodation, o concierge service, o unlimited buffet meals or a-La Carte at any of the three restaurants, o unlimited domestic drinks, snacks, room service, o sauna and steam room, o two pools with wide beach, o use of tennis courts, all hotel taxes and gratuities included. o all non-mechanical sporting equipment o banquet night and food, o shuttle to/from airport.

COST, EXTRA STAY. If you wish to stay a few days before and/or the reunion, additional cost of $75/night for the same coverage.

RESORT ACTIVITIES FREE to our group, if you are interested. Windsurfing, Hobie Cats, Kite Surfing, Kayaks, Yoga, Pilates, Latin Rhythms, Aqua aerobics, horseshoes, etc.

CAN non-members of MVCSN USA Chapter come? Yes! However, all must register with the MVCSN Association of America.

What a cool once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to combine work and play in a paradise setting where you can bring your loved ones at a very inexpensive cost.

For More info or to reserve your spot at Cancun: contact our president Ted Ray Llasos in Facebook or Cellphone (956) 607-2299.

NOW OPEN! REGISTRATION to the International Pathfinder Camporee which will be held at Oshkosh, Wisconsin on August 12-17, 2019! For more details or to register, go to http://www.camporee.org/ MVCians from all over the world will be there. Will you? [Remember: registration is 1st come, 1st serve catering to Pathfinders worldwide! Act fast!]

Alumni Calendar When What Where For More Info

Feb 25 SULADS USA Sabbath Waterman Church Asher Himbing

Apr 01-05, 2017 AORN Int’l Convention Boston, MA Lily Bell Durias (Facebook) Apr 23 + Sulads Basic Training MVC Campus suladsasia@gmail.com May 31-Jun 4 Philippine GYC (PYC) Iloilo City TBD Aug 02-05, 2017 ASI Int’l Convention Houston, TX www.asiministries.org Sept 1-5, 2017 MVCSN Alumni Reunion Cancun Ted Ray Llasos (Facebook) Dec 28-31, 2017 GYC Phoenix, AZ www.gycweb.org 2019 Summer (TBD)

MVCSN Golden Anniver- sary Reunion

MVC Campus Devaney Bayeta, Pres MVCSN Homebase Chapter

2019 Aug 12-17 Int’l Pathfinder Camporee Oshkosh, WI www.camporee.org

Ackowledgement

I wish to thank the following for their contribution in this week’s issue of CyberFlashes:

KUDOS & God Bless to the many unsung heroes, MVC alumni educators who serve to SHINE ON! in their little corners of this world – bringing light to non-SDA schools!

THANK YOU to the MVCian educators who shared their testimony this week: Gabriel “Bill” Claveria, Christy E. Panes, Dr. Antonio “Tony” Calibod and Neil Tezley S. Balajadia Jessie Colegado for the chuckles in “Jessie’s Patch of Weeds”;

Romy Halasan for the Philippine History story in “Life of A Missionary”

The SULADS and Gospel Outreach for “SULADS’ Corner”;

Evelyn Porteza Tabingo & Ed Zamora for their help in editing;

Joy Caballero-Gadia with the layout

Meet The Editors

This week’s issue of Cyberflashes was by Lily Escara Lare. Next week’s issue will be by

Raylene Ann Rodrigo Baumgart. Please direct all entries to her or 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.

Prayer Request

PRAYER REQUEST: Starting Jan. 1, the Adventist Church’s Middle East and North Africa Union (MENA) will start a special 80 Days of Prayer relay. We will be featuring the Union’s prayer requests, and we invite you to join us in praying for this region. PRAYER REQUEST: COMFORT FOR THE BEREAVED FAMILIES OF: Araceli Arit, Jovita P. Solis, Wayne Chavit, Nanette Chio, Kerry Tortal, Elmore Jornada, Rolly Boniales, Pastor Rudy Bermudez, Celia Mendez, Venus Pasco, Necito Ruado, Malachi Zamora, Pura Alsaybar, PRAYER REQUEST: FOR HEALING Rebecca Antemano, Roxie Pido, Virgie Osita, Neneng Sanes, Pastor Oseas Zamora, Pastor Remelito Tabingo PRAYER REQUEST: The leadership and spirituality of all the MVC Faculty and Staff; the students, the family of the students. The college itself. Continued Prayer Request for Gary’s safe return. A person who was so active in church activities in California then in Virginia, he went to the Philippines to study medicine. Sadly, last month he went missing and his truck was found abandoned. Nothing makes sense. No further clues have been found. Philippine authorities are actively working on the search.

Closing Thoughts: “Teaching At Public School” By The Editor

eaching in a public school was not part of my bucket list. I decided to be a stay-at-home mom and wife when the enrollment at the private college where I taught, declined; giving way for the teachers who live in the community to take their job. I was happy and

contented with my less stressful life, where see-foods were always available in our garden and in the vicinity of our home. One afternoon, while I was busy planting beans and camote, my sister who was, and still is, teaching at the national high school in our town, paid me a visit. I was surprised because we usually see each other only on Sabbaths, and that was only Monday. She told, or rather, commanded me to change and go with her to the school. As a younger sister, I felt I had to obey her. I had no choice. When we reached the school, I was ushered into the Principal's Office. Only then was I informed that the Biology teacher was leaving and they needed a substitute for three months. Thinking how the pay can help us build a house of our own, I readily accepted. That started my public school connection. In retrospect, I always feel that those 6 years in Tupi National High School were among the most wonderful teaching years I have ever had. SDAs are considered experts in Music; maybe it was because the Music Director in the school is an SDA. Whatever the real reason may be, I was glad I was also considered good in music even though I felt I still have so much to learn. We trained choirs, small groups, and soloists for contests and convocations.

T

In provincial and regional contests, we had opportunities to compete with other schools whose leaders were also MVC products. Jessie Abragan, Edgar Eleguen were among them. Mrs. Lynnie Palmes-Belnas, an MVC alumna and her daughter, Amy Rose were also part of our competition. Mrs. Belnas was the director of the South Cotabato DepEd choir, where many of the members were also Adventists. We competed at the regional contest in Davao where we met Ralph Flores, another MVC alumnus. Mrs. Rosie Dadula-Ginson and Mrs. Joy Belnas-Tigley were our “imported” choir director and pianist, respectively, in one regional contest. All of the above-named persons are outstanding MVC alumni in the field of music. We praise God for the chances to bloom and SHINE ON in places where He has planted us. This is one reason why I LOVE Teaching!