The Reflection of Life

Not a Blogspot Anymore

noreply@blogger.com (Irvin Cg) — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 00:18:17 PST

I am now excited that i have bought a domain on my blog. The next 2-3 days the new domain will properly operates. I am also thankful that we have a friend who is willing to help us. Hoping that i will enjoy blogging with my new domain as will as my friends all around the world will enjoy and be
blessed as I share to you our experiences of happy moments in our journey. To all my friends following my blog.. see you in the next 2-3 days on this www.thereflectionoflife.com
God bless you all...!

Moments to Reminisce

noreply@blogger.com (Irvin Cg) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 17:22:20 PST

As I was sorting pictures this morning I saw these pictures taken 2 years ago during our visit to a friend's house. It is indeed a beautiful thing to reminisce happy memories. There was a celebration in their province and our friend invited us to come with her. Our friend took us around their neighborhood. She showed us the places which contribute her childhood days. After the celebration they brought us to this place. They call this waterfalls. I enjoy the moment being in a cool and relaxing place. The nature of God's creation is really fascinating.

Wang Loong Waterfalls

God's Beautiful Creation

noreply@blogger.com (Irvin Cg) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 05:58:08 PST

Krabi's wonderful nature...

It is really a great opportunity to be in the service of the Lord and experienced the God's blessing. This is one of the places I've been to while here in Thailand.

That They May Hear Jesus

noreply@blogger.com (Irvin Cg) — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 23:56:09 PST

In the ministry that we had, we are engaging in slum community. People lived beside the railway tract. Most of them, scavenger are their source of income. It's quite tough when it come to trusting people especially outsiders. While we are trying to get into their community to promote development to a transform neighborhood they feel embarrassed. I believe people in these kind of situation feels the same. We don't really know what's in their mind, their thinking about us.
We open a center to cater their kids everyday by providing food, showers and even free education to those kids that has no opportunity to be in proper school. We encounter different kinds of emotions, kids that full of hatred and pain deep inside of them.

Last December we had set a Christmas party to let them know that there is God who love them that's why we have celebration. The kids prepare some presentation and other groups too. We also give out grocery items to each family. Almost 300 people attended the said party and we are hoping that the seed planted in their hearts through Bible stories and presentation will lead them to seek God.
We are thankful to God that He sent some teams from Malaysia to helped us on the said events.

Here's a video of our presentation took by Janet from Malaysian team. Thank you Janet.

Taking the Job Well Done

noreply@blogger.com (Irvin Cg) — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 23:56:26 PST

It was an awesome opportunity for me to enhance my knowledge about the ministry. I am currently taking the subject which is really useful in urban setting. This are some of the things I learn. Theological affirmation for urban ministry.

1. Christ is the Lord of the city as well as of the countryside.

2. Cities are part of God's design from the beginning.

3. The "dominion" God gave man includes cities as well as natural creation.

4. Cities provide the opportunity for human sinfulness to show its worst, and for God's grace, power and
    glory to be visible as nowhere else.

5. Cities are the breeding ground for culture and technology, which can be used for evil or good.

6. The city is not only a collection of individuals, but it is a corporate entity that is more than a sum of its
    parts.

7. There is a role for God's people in the city: a righteous remnant, agents of Shalom, and active witnesses.

8. The believer is like Abraham, the "Expectant Sojourner" looking for the city whose builder and maker is
    God as he travels the city of the world.

9. The believer has citizenship in the "Celestial City" and is a member of the New City Community.
    Nevertheless, he abides temporarily in the cities of man. He feels the tension between the "City of God"
    and the "City of Man".

10. In City and country, the heart of the mission of God in Christ is to reconcile men and women to Himself
      through Christ's sacrifice on the cross.

11. Christ directed His ministry city folk and rural, and He upbraided the cities corporately for their unbelief.

12. Evangelism in the city involves presence, proclamation, church planting, and the practice and promotion
     of Shalom.

I'm learning a lot and it is really applicable for the expansion of the Kingdom of God.

A Reflection

noreply@blogger.com (Irvin Cg) — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 18:31:30 PST

I already posted this on the other blog I have. This is always our desire that people in the area were we work might have a transformation socially, physically and most especially spiritual transformation. God is able to change them. change their lives and change their community. In my last post about the flood, this is the community and the families that were affected. Sometime we think that there is injustice. There are slum areas where people have no choice but to live here. Here is the video i made about what we are doing in this community.

Is This Happy New Year...

noreply@blogger.com (Irvin Cg) — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 18:38:38 PST

Kids are playing

this is a bridge

People take the sand bags off the road

road become a river

Last night December 31 while we are around downtown area of Hatyai it started to rain. We thought it will just be for a while but it was already 9 Pm and we're about to go home yet it's still raining. We can't go home because we only use the motorcycle. I rushed home amidst of heavy rainfall to take the van and go back to where my wife and son. We did not even enjoy the window shopping.. ha ha ha ha... 12 Midnight still raining until morning. Around 8 Am i receive a call from a friend and told me to watched out because it will flood anytime. At 2 PM we rushed to the Rock Center to move things to the second floor. I was surprised when we got there the neighboring area is already flooded. People are on the railway tract watching the strong current of water. The affected people are in the slum area. Tonight they will stay on their temporarily made barracks. It's good that right now the rain stops. Hoping tomorrow the water will subside. For some people this is a Happy New Year but to us it's like not happy at all yet TO GOD BE THE GLORY.. God knows and He has a plan..

Get Stocked

noreply@blogger.com (Irvin Cg) — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 01:17:06 PST

Since last October i am still stocked on books I need to read. This week is our week of rest supposedly for us but here am I still with the books. I have 5 books to be finished and other articles waiting for me. Hoping that i will finish reading by the end of January or else I will be in trouble in my studies. I am still looking for some books that needed on my book reports. Last time I'm looking for books about wood carving glad to have Amazon, Barnes & Nobles. It is easy for us to access what ever we needed.

Ice Dome in Hatyai...

noreply@blogger.com (Irvin Cg) — Sun, 25 Dec 2011 21:34:47 PST

After a year of my stay here in the city of Hatyai Ice dome was opened. As what I heard that it was a nice, cold place that people from other provinces and neighboring countries come and enjoy the coldness. In it's first year, they said it is quite small but since a lot of people attracted to in this place, the administration make it bigger space. Before they just open it for a few months but now it is open through out the year. This is one of the attraction that people coming to Hatyai doesn't want to miss.
Just recently, we had a privilege to see the Ice Dome.. It is really nice. since it was not planned we we're not ready. we have no shoes. Especially our 20 months old son, he has no shoes and long pants. I'm quite hesitant to go inside with my son but I think we have to try. My little son enjoyed it but i am really worried he might not be able to bear the coldness of the place. My wife was not able to got inside because she was scared she can't bear it because she's wearing shorts during that time.

Ice Dome is really nice. If you come to Hatyai try to visit Ice Dome too... Only 300 baht for foreigners. 200 baht for Thai people.

All I Want For Christmas

noreply@blogger.com (Irvin Cg) — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 00:24:14 PST

In the Philippines I remember at the start of September we can hear Christmas carols, establishments and companies or houses start to hang Christmas decors and put up Christmas tree. I start missing Christmas every year when this month starts. It always reminds me the joy of Christmas and it's essence. Christmas here in Thailand is quite different. It's meaning is far beyond what we know and believe. They think that Christmas is all about Santa Clause. Even Christian churches celebrate Christmas with Santa Clause costume. The influence of paganism is quite strong in this area.
I believe, one day people will realize the true meaning of Christmas and we will celebrate Christmas to bring back the glory and Honor to our creator and the giver of life. That the reason for Christmas is our Savior's birth on earth to redeem mankind.

Have a blessed Christmas to everyone.

Floating Market in Hatyai

noreply@blogger.com (Irvin Cg) — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 23:09:37 PST

I always heard of floating market in hatyai. We want to see it but as if we have no time to go and see what floating market looks like. We've been here for more than 4 years and at lasts, just a couple of weeks ago we had a timely opportunity to have a glimpse of what it really looks like. Thank you for our new friends who came and we had a time to take them around hatyai. It is indeed a blessed opportunity to have friends..

Our Identity

noreply@blogger.com (Irvin Cg) — Sat, 30 Oct 2010 07:09:31 PDT

Last week I had an opportunity to go to Kuala Lumpur Malaysia. I am so excited before and during that day but the excitement was turn to disappointment and shame.
When we were in the airport in during boarding time, I have to pass in the immigration section. Then I gave my passport to the immigration officer, upon reviewing it and he knew that I am a Filipino, he smiled sarcastically then he said why you did not exit in Sungai kolok border? Then I answered him, why should i exit there? That border is famous in corruption. I knew some Pinoys going there to get a tourist visa in illegal way. I met some Pinoys telling me that I can get a visa there too.
That encounter with the immigration officer saddened me because those people trying to make thing in legal ways will be affected by those who did illegally. We have a lot of known people that putting Pinoys to be on top but still some put a bad image that put us down to and it has an effect to all Pinoys. I felt shameful and irritating to encounter these kind of situation. Pinoys, we are known to be the best. Make our country to be proud of us. Don't ruin the name of those who fight for our country's pride. Let's help establish a cherishable image. Let's change our identity as a good ambassador of our country. God bless Philippines...!

IN HIS STEPS

noreply@blogger.com (Irvin Cg) — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 06:56:53 PDT

Last month I finished reading a book that we bought from Penang Malaysia. It was a very clear message from God to every Christians. In His Steps.... a story of a church in America that stands to a question: WHAT WOULD JESUS DO? Every situations they encounter they would ask themselves what would Jesus do? It also reminds me what would Jesus do in the ministry that we have here. It seems so hard to win people to Christ but believing that this is not my job but of God.

One thing that challenge me from that book is to stand firm to what we believe that the hand of our Loving God is always there to uphold us. His strength is perfect when our strength is gone and He will carry us when we can't carry on. We must use our lives as an instrument for His Kingdom's sake.

Is Coming Back.......

noreply@blogger.com (Irvin Cg) — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 07:11:23 PDT

It's been a long time that I was not able to open my blog... huhu... But this time I will see to it that i can make a blog every week. i missed writing our experiences here and I think I had a lot of things to share. I would admit that it's not an easy thing to be occupied with lots of responsibility. Being busy in the ministry and at home enjoy the moment being with my cute son. Now I will start again.

Parenthood Chapter of Life....

noreply@blogger.com (Irvin Cg) — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 03:54:28 PDT

Many things happened in our lives. Every experiences we had in every stages helps us to prepare to a next level. It's just so amazing to realized after all those experiences bad or good are worth enough in the present. After our wedding we desired to have a baby right away not knowing what lies ahead. I thought it was just so easy to have a child. But thank God, He has His best plan for us and we never regret. He help us first in our adjustments being a new couple in handling our differences then resolving our weakness and strength.
So after two years of praying what is the perfect will of God in our lives as couple we are now on our parenthood stage. We just smile and praise God that our prayers has been answered as we play, cuddle our little one. it is now a reality. Realization also come to my mind what our parents has done to us. I remember the famous song in the Philippines "ANAK" by Freddie Aguilar. Parents role is so awesome. Our prayer as a couple that we can be a blessing to our son and to nurture him in the principle of the Bible. God will help us to guide our son to be a blessing to others as well. Only by the grace of God we cling as we journey in our parenthood life.

A Father

noreply@blogger.com (Irvin Cg) — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 08:01:12 PST

This is My Daddy....!

......worrying in silence about the future of the family

......sacrificing each morning to wake up for work

......waiting for the right moment to say the right words

......pondering if it is the right time to spank a mischievous child

......but hurting himself most in the process

......helping a child learn to ride his new bike

......fast on his feet when he'd fall

......saying "don't quit, son"

......then smiling on successful attempts.

It's hard to find a way to say thanks

but for all the quality time you've spent with us,

for all the sacrifices you've made,

I Love You

and

You are the Greatest Dad....!

a word for a father.....!

At The Hospital

noreply@blogger.com (Irvin Cg) — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 08:17:11 PST

waiting for the operation

Waiting to go to the operating room

the nurse took a blood test

We never thought that baby Jaden will be born today. We just went to the hospital for a doctor's appointment but when the doctor checked my wife's cervix is not yet ready to deliver a baby but the baby is already 40 weeks. So the doctor was afraid for any possible problem may occur if we will wait for the cervix to be ready so she advised us that my wife will undergo CS Section surgery. So, after awhile of discussion we decided to follow what the Doctor said. We went home and prepared some of our things and before lunch time we go back to the hospital with Donna our Leader's wife. We are so thankful also that they are always behind us through thick and thin. We are blessed to have them.
My wife was scheduled to have surgery at 3:30pm. We went to the operating room around 3 o'clock pm. Around 3:43 I saw our baby and it's a boy...! I can't explain what my feeling is that time. I feel sorry with my wife for the pain she endures but I feel so much joy to see our baby.
I just want to Praise God for what He has done in our life as a family. God is so faithful. God is so good. Thank you Lord. To God Be The Glory....!

Love Endures All Things.....

noreply@blogger.com (Irvin Cg) — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 03:21:38 PST

I enjoy my life being part of others lives especially when it com to LOVE. I have one essay about the principle of love that I really kept it since 1996. Now I want to share it here but maybe some of you will not agree on this.

"DIPLOMATIC APPROACH TOWARDS LOVE"

If you love a woman, give her all the freedom she needs. Man has no rights to impede the freedom of a woman has. He has the reason to give advice if she will not heed, don't hate her, instead, protect her from any harm.Continue doing so, if that love is pure and distilled adore her if necessary. When she asked for a total freedom don't hesitate to give it. Set her free in the way you can show how true is your love.

Love will find it's way home, if its home is in your heart, be fortunate, but if not accept that fact, but don't feel sorry, if you do, there is no fool left in this world but, YOU.

Handle frustrations in its minimum, it's always the counterpart of love, the greatest fear of heart. Some men got confused on how to counter it. Drink is enough but temporary, so disastrous, so why not sort to crying...? To cry is not to degrade oneself. It is not only for women but appropraite for a man who wants to get out from the injuries of sorrow, Tears are better than death. Cry aloud for the good of tomorrow.

Don't think of revenge, for it is not the answer at all. Girls are bound to hurt man's heart and it's natural. If you mean to be hurt,then cry and suffer. The amount of pain you'll receive depends entirely on you. Don't think that men are always above women instead think that women need men. To shelter them anytime they wish even how hard it is. Therefore they deserved of no revenged.

All of these are not the act of martyrdoom and stupidity yet diplomatic approached towards love in its success... Perhaps LOVE is innocent don't awake it. Perhaps LOVE is unconcious don't introduce yourself to it. If you will shed your heart , patience and understanding be friendly on the things that LOVE have. Be flexible and be ready for..."Love Will Make You Cry".

God's Pathway to Brokenness

noreply@blogger.com (Irvin Cg) — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 20:29:23 PST

I just want to share this thoughts that I got from In Touch Ministries this morning. This is a summary of Dr. Charles Stanley' message..... God's Pathway to Brokenness

"Many believers fail to consistently rely upon the Lord. Their independence often manifests itself in various ways—self-reliance, self-righteousness, self-centeredness, or some other sinful attitude. It’s also possible that such people might seem outwardly godly, while remaining inwardly rebellious against the Spirit. Unless we come to the end of ourselves and learn to allow Him to work through us, we will never reach our full potential in Christ. Brokenness is God’s requirement for maximum usefulness (Life Principle #15). Through adversity, failure, and disappointment, the Father molds us into people whom He can use." -In Touch-

A Wonderful Smile

noreply@blogger.com (Irvin Cg) — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 07:18:17 PST

Everytime this child is at the Rock she wants me to cuddle her but she need to take a bath first...

Smiles that longed for love from the parents.

Kids always ask food everytime they come to the Rock. Have a great smile.

I Missed the Kids in School

noreply@blogger.com (Irvin Cg) — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 06:27:21 PST

Because we moved to a new center and there were changes in our concentration I need to stop teaching in the school. We were getting busy right now with the kids here in the city area so I need to focus and think for strategies to meet the needs of this kids. I love the kids in school and I will definitely missed them. I already build friendship with them and I believe they will missed me also as I've already imparted love in their lives.

Craving for Filipino Foods

noreply@blogger.com (Irvin Cg) — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 07:16:49 PST

Since my wife is pregnant she always desires to eat Filipino foods. She's really craving for our foods. Thai foods are good too and we like it much but there's always a time that we missed our foods, maybe our tongue automatically wants to taste our native foods. To fulfill her longing she just surf at the internet and look at the pictures of different kinds of Filipino foods. How I wish there will be filipino restuarant here in Thailand. My wife always mentioned she wants to eat adobo, palabok, pansit. Sometimes she cooked adobo here but the taste is really different because the spicies are not the same. But it's good that if someone goes back home we asked them to bring some sinigang mixed so that we can cook sinigang here. But speaking of sinigang... not only us love it but some of our Thai friends loved it too. I think not only my wife missed our food but I as well.

Pray for Det

noreply@blogger.com (Irvin Cg) — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 07:54:51 PST

I've been bothered with det and his siblings when I know their family situation. Everyday it was their routine to be at the Rock early in the morning. This afternoon I got a news from our team member that Det was hit by the car. 5 kids went to the Rock around 7AM but because we were not open that time they went back home. While they are walking, the other kids cross over to the other side and he was left alone so he ran to be wih his companion on the other side and unfortunately the car came and hit him. It's good that the driver brought him to the hospital. The villagers said that the kids early in the morning go to the Rock because they are hungry, so their remedy is to be at the Rock and eat their breakfast. Pleae pray for Det, I don't really know his condition right now but hopefully on monday we can visit him in his relative's house.

Driving Lesson... Day 2

noreply@blogger.com (Irvin Cg) — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 15:31:31 PST

Just this afternoon at 5 PM was my second day of driving lessons. Yesterday was quite smooth since we were just at one area but this afternoon was different. I practice my driving on the road now.. One thing became a problem that time was our language... Maybe it will be easy for me if the instructor can speak english but oh no... poor me.... I will really adjust and tried my best to understand what he's saying.. I can't understand right away what he is saying.. he has to repeat it three times in order for me to understand and he's already shouting at me. lol.. I felt it hard but still it turns out good... for me.. hehehe.. I'm not sure with my instructor. Also, become pressure to me was that, the instructor has no brake with him. Unlike in the Phillipines every driving school the instructor has his own break on the other side. Then one instance I almost hit the car ahead of us.. and the instructor is already shouting at me but still I try to figure out what he's saying.. I can't respond right away.. Would you like to try take a driving lessons here..? lol.. it's really fun.

Driving Lesson... Day 1

noreply@blogger.com (Irvin Cg) — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 07:12:13 PST

Whew... I am supposed to post this last Wednesday since it was my first day in my driving lesson but wowowow.... we were busy for couple of days and everytime we go back home, we just go straight to our room... take a bath and go to sleep. So tired everyday...

Anyway, it was fun during my first day with my driving lesson. We went to a vacant lot wide open and probably some of the driving school bring their students in that place because I can see the marks of the tires around that area. As soon as we arrived there, the instructor stops first and give me:
Lesson # 1... He showed me all the roads signs or the do's and don't on the road.
Lesson # 2... He showed to me where's the clutch, brakes, gear, signal lights lef and right... etc.
Lesson # 3... I started driving around to practice to use clutch and brake.
Lesson # 4... Driving around and practice changing the gears.
Lesson # 5... Driving around and practice using signal light during left turn or right turn.
Hope I can drive right away when my 20 hour lessons will be finished.