God enters lives of Palawan youths

God enters lives
of Palawan youths

By Gilda Ustares

PUERTO PRINCESA, Philippines—Praise belongs to God! It was sometime in June 2001 when we the servant leaders of the Palawan congregation were moved by the Holy Spirit to organize small groups under the leadership of Pastor Crispin Mercado, our senior pastor at the time. With God’s help, one group survived out of six. That is the youth group, which meets every Sunday morning at the City Sports Complex.

The youth small group had 13 members, who are all blood relatives and children of WCG church members in Puerto Princesa. They desired to fellowship with other youths. They started to express this need and made me think deeply and shared this with other servant leaders. I requested the intercessory group led by Naomi Mercado to pray. I sat discussed the matter with Angging, a youth leader, to pray and fast about this.

God answered us! Volleyball games were conducted as a project of this youth cell group right after their cell meeting and worship. A month later, a group led by a certain Ruel (not his real name) responded when invited by Angging.

Together with him were nine young men wearing long hair, earrings, necklaces, bracelets and some with tattoos. They looked different compared with our youths. Although hesitant at the start, our church youths began to befriend these youths. Gradually they also attended our worship and cell group meetings.

In July 2001, we decided to conduct our cell group worship meetings at the residence of a church member. This gave way to the opening of a youth Sunday worship Service.

Ruel and two other youths with him, attended Summer Youth Camp 2001, where his conviction started. Though his parents belong to another religion, he wants to be with the WCG, where he saw something good.

We conducted a dance clinic, and the youths enjoyed it. During this time, my neighbor committed her son, Gary (not his real name) under our guidance and supervision. She could not keep him from going with bad company. She entrusted him to us because she hoped that in the WCG he would change and be taught good values.

Gary did not respond immediately. We prayed for him and asked God to favor the request of his mother. After two weeks, Gary’s sister went with us for worship. She attended the Bible study conducted weekly in our home. One Saturday, Gary attended with four friends. They looked the same as the first group. They were aloof at the start until they attended the dance clinic, where they became oriented and adjusted with the group. We were surprised to learn from Gary that the first group, Ruel’s, is their gang war opponent.

Amazingly, with God’s grace, these young men are now shaking hands with each other and, shoulder to shoulder, worship God together. Since then, there have been no more gang wars in our place. At a Feb. 16 party, 79 youths danced joyfully and peacefully until the party ended. Since then, youth attendance at the Sunday worship service has increased.

When they heard of the Summer Educational Program (SEP) they volunteered themselves to help in clearing the camp site, and attended SEP.

The most inspiring change they had was during the night after SEP ended. They were already wearing short hair and mostly no more earrings. Added to this is that all of those who dropped out of school last year, enrolled again for school this year. Every Saturday and Sunday worship they are found neat and well dressed.

The most remarkable comment I heard is from a mother who is my officemate who sent her son to SEP. She said that she did not regret sending her son to SEP because her son came home a different person. Her son also asked permission from her to transfer to the WCG as his chosen religion. She agreed with her son because of the changes she saw in him.

The amazing grace of God is poured upon us bountifully.

Gilda Ustares is a member of the Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Philippines, church.

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