Baptized and Sent: Missionary Journey in Matab-ang, Toledo Cebu (October 20, 2019)

Baptized and Sent
​​Missionary Journey in Matab-ang, Toledo Cebu

Being one with the whole Catholic church as we celebrated World Mission Sunday, a group of Verbum Dei Missionaries and Disciples of Cebu were also sent out to Matab-ang, Toledo Cebu to live out the call of God though our World Mission Sunday theme: "Baptized and sent: the Church of Christ on Mission in the World." 
  
It's out of God's mercy when one is called to participate in the mission but it's an even more overwhelming mercy of God when you are called to participate in the mission together with your family. 
  
I would have wanted to leave our kids to my husband's parents here in the city for us to focus more on the recollection. 
However, the Holy Spirit blew differently to my husband Richard. He told me: "Since we are in charge of the music, we will bring the kids with us. Let Ate Lex sing and Zaki our 5 year old son to play the beatbox.” My heart was full seeing my 2 boys giving their lives for God through music. It was indeed a family missionary journey for us because my Mom Tessie also gave a testimony about her experience of God the Father! 
  
What truly marked my experience is that the call of God is not for us to do the mission alone but as a family. Who would have thought I will be giving a recollection together with my whole family? God is amazing! 
  
There were also other families there who shared their lives: 
  

1. Thanks to the family of Patrick, Debbie Boone, Debbie Green and Debbie Mae Tesorio who arranged the place of the recollection. They were so generous to welcome us with a bountiful lunch and a supper yummy biko dessert 
2. To the family of Kris & Elena Ty which was also complete. Kris gave the talk of God the Father and Elena spearheaded the Rosary of the Word. 
3. To the Family of Joy and Lilibeth Romero who sponsored the rosaries that we gave out as souvenirs. Though they were not physically present in Toledo but they brought roughly around 40 people as participants who completed our 138 recollection participants. 
4. And lastly thanks to the family Verbum Dei Missionaries and Disciples who gave out their lives, time, spirit and joy that day:  

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• Aida Carpela who gave the Mission Talk 
• Cynthia Tinoko, Bebot Caballero, Beth Sawal and Mars Pacita - who were in charge of the registration 
• Ma Elena Coliao and Gilna Asejo and son - were in charge of the kids 
• Victor who drove us safely back and forth 
• Sr. Mico Radan  

  
When the Father sent us, Mother Mary accompanied us.  
  
I thought we were there to evangelize but we were the ones evangelized seeing those little kids as young as 2 or 3 years old who are already very good at praying the rosary! They told us that they pray the rosary every day at 6 o’clock. I was mesmerized by their love for our Mother Mary.  
  
It was indeed a family missionary journey for all of us! Tired but very joyful! Lord, send us again wherever your Spirit blows … 

Here are some photos of the event:

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With thanks to Shiela Lapinid and the WordNews team