On the afternoon of 11 September 1995, I was busy packing my things. I just came from school and the rain was pouring heavily. The streets were flooded and I had all the reasons not to attend the Youth Camp. Still, on that fateful Friday evening, I walked through the seemingly endless “rivers” of Manila, carrying my baggage on my shoulder and my payment in my pocket.

It was my first time to go on a retreat so I was not sure what to expect. During the first and only talk for that evening, I was already very tired, but still I was able to listen. There were five talks in all, and most of their topics were familiar to me since we’ve been discussing the same topics in school. I enjoyed learning the songs introduced to us, most of which I’ve heard from my classmates.

After Camp, I was looking forward to the upcoming activities and to the new people I’ll be meeting but sad to say, the Covenant Orientation was the last activity I attended. After that, I was only a Youth for Christ (YFC) by name. The faction, which is very common and evident in most organizations, turned me off.

A year after, my parents joined the Couples for Christ chapter in Veterans Village, which meant I automatically had to transfer to Project 7 while they were undergoing the CLP.

After that, we, including my Ninong and Ninang, encouraged my brother and my cousin to join YFC. I was somewhat ‘forced’ to serve at the Youth Camp as requested by my cousin. During those times, I was only physically present in our meetings.

The summer after that, they asked me to play volleyball that was then supervised by Tita Rose and Tito Charlie Magat. I wasn’t really a volleyball player for I can only play well when I’m in front of my PE teacher (who’s holding a record book) but still they asked me to join.

It was then that I became surprisingly active—always present in every activity not only of YFC but of other ministries as well. This opened my doors to new opportunities and new friends from other ministries, especially from Singles for Christ. At this point, I realized that I’ve grown a lot, had lots of fun, and met a lot of friends along the way, but as the saying goes, some good things never last. I needed to move on.

My father and I agreed that it was time for me to enter Singles for Christ. But before I joined the CLP, I served as Camp Servant at the YFC’s record breaking Youth Camp. I also celebrated Christmas differently that year in that we (YFC and SFC) gave gifts (clothes, toys, food, and money) to people on the streets.

I also had the chance to attend the Sixth International Leaders’ Conference held at Lucena City. It was very enjoyable (because Gary V was there) and touching (because we truly experience God there). We stayed at my great grandma’s house in Sanaya, Quezon, and on the fourth day, we went to Enchanted Kingdom. It was like a dream, but I had to come back down and face reality.

Gladly, I finished the CLP for SFC (being the Early Bird awardee and having a complete attendance). I’m now in a group that is still going strong, up till now. My household head, Ate Elaine (Tesoro), is my best friend and my kakambal (or so everybody seems to think of us). Of course, everything didn’t go on smoothly, but with Tita Yi around, who wouldn’t have the courage to face anything?

I realized that whether I was happy or sad, God has a valid reason for making things happen. I may not know why He did so at the moment, but some day, I know that there is a lesson to be learned. Life must go on for it was never meant to be traveled backwards, but forward.

And I definitely look forward to tomorrow.