March 2008 Newsletter

To know Christ and to make Him known

March 2008

… declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9)

It’s complicated! Prayer Concerns: • Student leaders and young professionals who will co-labor with me in Samar & beyond; • Good health of family members; • Wisdom to develop idle family land into a retreat site; • Funding for ministry expenses; • Freedom from debt.

Yes, that’s how I would describe my life at this point in time. Compared to school year 2006-2007, this SY 2007-2008 was full of activities, travels, commitments and responsibilities. I was juggling my time and resources between family, ministry, and work. At the university I was given additional assignment as research coordinator of our college and as an adviser of the agriculture student’s organization. My best friend says I perform well when I am under stress

and I accomplish more when beating a deadline, but this time I find myself often wishing for the more laid back and more comfortable life I had as a student few years ago. I wish there are fewer things to do & lesser people to meet everyday. Maybe it’s a part of my getting older? Maybe my energy level is subsiding now? My mind and spirit wants to do more and is still active but it seems to me that my physical body is not in tune with it - the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak!

In the midst of the hustle and bustle, God’s Word reminds me, “Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” I thank Him for His Word that brings me back to Him whenever the busyness of life crowds over me. I need to be always reminded that my focus should be Him alone and that it is He who should receive all the glory. Sharon

In E. Samar and beyond...

The studemts in Maydolong gathering at B2b Student Center.

Meeting high school students at their apartment in Palo, Leyte.

We are very excited with the recent developments and many opportunities to minister not only to students in E. Samar but also in other parts of the region. In ESSU Borongan, Aden continued facilitating students’ Bible study, evangelism and gatherings. In Maydolong, together with Jenelith we were able to start a Bible study among young professionals and teachers during weekends. We also began book study on the Purpose-Driven Youth ministry for those involved with B2b Student Center. However, we lost group members when Floricel left for Manila last December in search

of a job and Alma went back to Silvino last month because her family needed her there. A Bible study group was also began in Palo, Leyte among high school students of the Philippine Science High School. We met at the apartment of one Nav staff whose daughter studies there together with 3 girls from other provinces in Leyte and Samar. My ministry involvement has expanded beyond the Samar area through my involvement in the Navs Visayas Council. I am part of the team that thinks about ministry in the whole Visayas. It wasn’t easy at first

to think about being involved in the local ministry as well as for the wider Visayas region. But God is making it possible! Last January, I was one of the facilitators in a workshop on Teaming Up during the Small Biblical Community seminar for Nav young profesionals, alumni & students in Cebu.

Delegates from Dumaguete, Leyte & Samar during the SBC Seminar .

At home... I was here 40 yrs. ago!!!

… You knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made… Psalm 139:13-14

Part of my life’s complications is the constant traveling that brings me from one house to another. There are times that in 1 week, I sleep in 4 different houses. Some people are still confused about my real address. Well, it’s a blessing to stay in many homes!

time I was there was in 1986 when my uncle died. The house was unoccupied for more than 5 yrs since my Aunt was in Tacloban. It was damaged by typhoon few years ago & properties inside were stolen.

In one of my trips going home, the Lord brought to my Last year, I was able to view my attention an idle piece of family first home on earth. After my land few minutes away from mother’s hysterectomy, her Tacloban. So, together with my doctor showed to us her uterus - father & Alma we went, cleared my home for 9 months, 40 years it and planned to develop it into ago! a retreat site. Five yrs. ago he constructed 2 cottages but it’s Then I was able to visit Silvino Lubos, a remote town in North all gone now & the only remnant is a broken toilet bowl! Samar where I lived for 1 year with my aunt and uncle. It was a How can these opportunities & very long and tiring trip - 9 hrs resources be used for expanding by car & 7 hrs by boat. The last God’s kingdom?

My Auntie’s empty & leaning house in Silvino (above). With father in idyllic Hollywood (below).

Celebrating with my friends!

Join us in climbing higher grounds!

With my 2nd yr. BS Agriculture students

Serving with the Navigators The Navigators is a non-stock non-profit organization that is sustained by donations from its constituency, friends, and other organizations The Scripture says, " The Lord commanded that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel " (I Cor. 9:14 ). The Philippine Navigators , being autonomous from other Navigator entities, is responsible to raise every peso needed to operate its outreach programs… All Navigators staffs are self-supported missionary that trusts God to provide financial partners for the ministry. (http://www.philnavs.org) My address in Maydolong: B2b Student Center 6802 Maydolong, E. Samar, Philippines

Dear brothers and sisters in the Lord, Thanks for your prayers & financial support to this ministry! If you are not yet involved and would like to join us in discipling students and young professionals in E. Samar and beyond through prayers, financial assistance or by personally joining us here, please feel free to contact me. Pray with us for the Lord of the harvest to send more workers because the harvest is plentiful but the laborers are few… You are blessed to be a blessing!

My office address: College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences Eastern Samar State University 6800 Borongan, E. Samar, Philippines

Sharon B. Singzon Associate Staff, Philippine Navigators Sevilla St., Borongan City, 6800 Eastern Samar, Philippines Phone: (63)-(55)-560-9233 Mobile phone: +639173723286 or +639183108259 E-mail: [email protected] or [email protected]