Joy in the Spirit Youth, Barkada for Christ, MD (Anna Manalad)
Pater Noster Youth Ministry (Gardiana Prosper)
BLD Washington Youth (Anika Aquino)
BLD Washington Youth (Jessica Uy)

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Anna Manalad
Joy in the Spirit Youth, Barkada for Christ, Maryland

Many would say that Sunday is the saddest and yet most glorious day of such gatherings. However, for us youth it was not so. A long comical yet spiritually enriching day with our own renditions of Bible stories as well as songs had everyone keyed up, bringing everyone closer together. After the Mass Saturday evening, we convened outside of the youth space in front of a very dark room. Many of us had been there before in the Regional Conference but at that younger age, we weren't so eager to talk; that night was a different story. We reminisced about the day's events as we entered the foggy, dark room. We were told to sit on the floor and wait until the doors were shut. As soon as they were, the music started and so did the slide show in the back. It kept flashing the most common sins we commit every day without us realizing it.. At the peak of the song, a young man in chains could be seen in the strobe light. Around him were the sins labeled as anger, lies, and so on. Like us, the he was struggling. With quick flash of the room lights, "Jesus" appeared in front of the strobe lights. As he walked forward, more flashes of light came on and one by one the chains of sins let the struggling young man free. Soon all the lights came on and the performers were replaced with Tita Grace who was soon cut off by a loud bang on the door. Of course her automatic response was that no one was to be allowed in the door past 8 but let him in anyway. He said someone had sent him to give her "this"--"this" being a closed package. There was a letter for everyone. The lights came down again and this time a booming voice read to us the contents of the letter; it was from the Devil claiming that with each of our sins he grew stronger and his hold on our souls with it...that's when it all started. A trashcan was placed in front of the cross standing in the room. We had to make a choice --God or the Devil? I remember feeling the letter burning in my hands. Was that really what I wanted? Had I been blocking God all this time without knowing it? Everyone got up and destroyed the letter immediately. As I dropped the letter in the trash, I knew that would not be enough. For what felt like the next few hours, I knelt in front of the cross and prayed for God's forgiveness. Soon I felt people around me start to shuffle but I stayed kneeling and started talking to God like any friend I had. I lifted everything up to him -- my stresses, my happiness, my whole being. When I finally opened my eyes, I noticed a change in the room. It was lighter and everyone, despite the tears, was smiling too. We spent the rest of the session in the dim room dancing, jumping, and singing to the top of our lungs knowing that we each felt God's presence in the short time we were together and still remained there. Many of the youth had to leave that evening but no one wanted to go. The bond created there by the day's events couldn't be loosened. With a heavy heart, we hugged and many of us parted ways. The following morning as the Mass was coming to an end and with it the two years worth of preparation we each put into it, I was filled with grief. But the feeling was soon overshadowed by the realization that God would always be there helping me at each hurdle. He would help me in whatever problems I face. Each face I passed mimicked mine of joy and relief. And so with that, as I walked with the altar servers that Sunday afternoon, I could truly say that the Spirit of the Lord was upon everyone gathered there, including me. (Anna is 16 years old).

Gardiana Prosper
Pater Noster Youth Ministry

Hello and good afternoon. My name is Gardiana Prosper and I am 15 years old. I’ve been in the Pater Noster Youth Ministry for more than 5 years. I started with PNYM at about 9 years old. I remember when Tita Grace invited my brothers and me to PNYM. At the time I wasn’t sure if I wanted to join but I went to see how it was. The first day I got here they were so welcoming. I listened to the gospel and prayers that were being said and I knew that these people had dedicated their lives to God. Later, I knew that God had put me here . I came to have a close connection with God in prayer through meetings and events. I was 11 when I attended my first Life in the Spirit Seminar retreat and it was the first time that I had spoken to God in my heart . The feeling was amazing and I felt loved so much more by God. After that, I consulted God about every decision I made, asking if they are apart of His plan for me. This group has also helped me learn that Sunday is not the only day to praise God but everyday and every moment we have is for God. Before, I knew that God was always there but I had trouble feeling and seeing His presence. During one meeting at PNYM, we were praising and worshiping, and then it seemed that God took me to a different place and showed all of His beautiful creation. I felt the wind as if God was using it to talk to me and the heat of the sun was how warm his love is and I saw the trees and plants as if they were us continuing to grow. Being in this group, I see the image of God in each and every one of us. What I mean by seeing the image of God is that we are able to forgive, love, and care for each other. We hear each others experiences and are amazed at what God can do. Now when I pray to God, I would begin to say words of love, wisdom , and tell how awesome he is. Then I realized later in the prayer that I was saying words I never said before. I thought that I would never be able to pray like this but God helps me pray. God’s love never fails and this helps my faith grow stronger. We at times either feel like giving up but God will continue to work in us. Here we talk about the true vocation that we must live. It’s not just going to church every Sunday. We also have to spread the gospel and live it. PNYM has helped me see this. We sing songs of praise, worship, and more. When I actually listen to a song, the lyrics help me realize what I want to say to God. I feel the words of the songs are in my head like the words were always in my heart. If I hadn’t been invited to PNYM I would not be here standing today or wouldn’t be interested in what God has in store for me. I want everybody to have the chance to experience what I experienced. Today I can see that we are one big family not only growing in number but in love. I have no regrets being in this group. I’m happy and thankful for being chosen by God to break free from the world and break in to His kingdom

Anika Aquino
BLD Washington Youth

“I have the strength for everything through Him who empowers me.” Philippians 4:13

The weekend of the AFCCPC Baltimore Convention opened my eyes and strengthened my faith to a whole new level. The countless lessons learned there had the common theme of relating to that one unforgettable Bible verse. This verse, Philippians 4:13, was one direct teaching that somehow spoke to me. God called me by name to that convention for that to be imprinted in my heart, and through that one verse, all my doubts, fears, and questions were answered.

Saturday morning, BLD Washington Youth was in charge of leading morning praise. With all of the chaos and scrambling of songs, I somehow managed to listen to Father Leo Patalinghug as he reached out to not only me but all who were there. He mentioned the fact that not many can recognize the image of Holy. Naturally, numerous ideas of what could possibly define holiness ran through my mind. I realized that the more mysterious God seemed to be, the more I strived to know Him. That day made me rethink my understanding of my Lord and Savior. As each lesson became instilled in us, so too was the Holy Spirit in our hearts.

After mass a few of the BLD Youth kids decided to stay and attend a special activity led by the Pater Noster youth group. Never in my wildest dreams did I expect that one night to be so overwhelming and profound. Their group did an amazing and inspiring performance that left my peers and I in awe. We saw Christ through them. We witnessed kids our age interpreting and displaying God’s love to inexplicable proportions. I saw exactly what He wanted and probably needed me to see. That night was empowering, wonderful, eye-opening—baffling. That night was a glimpse of His love, and all I want is to see more of it.

After that night I felt that nothing could top such an experience; that there was probably no point in going back on Sunday because all that was left was the closing. Fortunately BLD Youth returned that day, for I learned that there is nothing more important than closure to such an amazing experience. Brother Bob Canton led us into a healing session, having us say “Abba Alleluia.” Eventually this slurred, as I slowly began to speak what he called the “language of the Holy Spirit.” I cannot even begin to describe what receiving the gift of tongues feels like. Although there were others louder than I, it felt as if I were alone with God. All of my feelings that even I myself struggled to put to words were poured out that day, and for the first time, I was sure God was listening. Without this closure I believe that all the teachings and inspiring experiences would have been left incomplete. I felt like I finally understood God; even if it was for just a brief moment.

Heavenly Father, thank You for calling me to this convention. I ask that you instill in me all the lessons that I have learned over this weekend and help me to apply them to my daily life. Continue to be my saving grace, and grant unto me the wisdom of Your ways so that I may serve You to my fullest potential. All this I pray in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
Amen.

By making the sign of the cross, I learned that we make ourselves targets of Christ. Yes, I realize that after this moment with God it will be hard to resist temptations. They say the closer one comes to the light, the bigger their shadow becomes. I, however, am ready to make myself an open target to God, regardless of the trials. Why? Philippians 4:13. That’s why.