Her Burning Passion

 
What does it take to start a wildfire?  Just one tiny spark, says my Wikipedia research.  If I may just quote it exactly, “Usually forest fires are started by lightening striking barks of a trees or tree, OR bits of rubbish on the ground, like glass, catches the sun’s light and makes a spark, and the trees in the forest fuel the fire”, (http://wiki.answers.com/, emphasis mine).  Well, I admit this may not be an intensive research, but I’m sure you get the point, even as that familiar hymn hums along, “it only takes a spark to get a fire burning….”

This image played in my mind again and again as I heard ate Rachel Grace Jentapa mentioned “burning passion” as one of her prayer concerns for InterVarsity Christian Fellowship (IVCF) in Central and Eastern Visayas Regional Unit (CEVRU) as the new Regional Director (RD) for this schoolyear.  Along with some other IV grads in Cebu, we officially welcomed her to the region on that solemn evening of July 27, 2012.  The cozy ambiance of Patio Isabel somewhere in Banilad, Cebu City proved to be a fitting place to celebrate the presence of our new RD.

The night was cool with drizzles on the background as we arrived in the place, laughing our way to the room where we were to share a time of boisterous laughter, refreshing conversations, great fellowship and of course, uplifting intercessions for our new RD.  Rachel (or Rache as she’s fondly called, or Ate Rache for the younger ones *wink here*) gamely shared her trip-around-the-Philippines assignment as the Lord’s servant in the student ministry for these seven years.   Starting from Northern Luzon, Western Visayas, Southern Mindanao and now to the Central Philippines, she relayed with us how she had been on a roller-coaster ride with the Lord’s directions for her.  At times she wrestles, at times she’s willing, but in the end, her heart of pure service shines as she humbly submits to the Lord’s Sovereign leading that prevailed in the end.

And there we were, listening to her timid and musical voice as she asks our prayers and support for the student work in the region.  Presently, CEVRU’s numerical data is worth a concern, since most campuses, particularly in Cebu City as the center of the region, are back in the pioneering stage.  Ate Rache shares her burden of not knowing where and how to begin in the great task ahead of her come August 1, 2012, as she officially takes over the RD role.  But she concludes with her assurance that the Lord is always faithful in sustaining the works that He Himself started.

When she was asked what she wanted to be prayed for, “BURNING PASSION” was what remained in my mind among the other items Ate Rache shared: that there may be a continuous burning passion in her heart as she takes part of the Lord’s work in InterVarsity in CEVRU.  I believe it exactly summarizes the object of our gathering that night – only the Holy Spirit-caused passion could move us to a humble service and sacrificial act of visiting campuses, meeting and ministering with students, and discipling them to be like Christ through Bible studies, prayer meetings and genuine friendships.  In my heart, I found myself echoing a humbled Amen.

After the sumptuous meal, and a small birthday greeting on the sideline (one of the graduates present also celebrated his birthday), we rose to extend our support to our new RD by praying for her.  Yes, it is such a great task ahead for her, which is not surprising when we’re serving the Great God.  But I can see that Ate Rache brought with her that one small spark we all needed to continue making a blazing impact for Jesus in the campuses in CEVRU.

Ate Rache (in white and black) is being prayed for by Cebu graduates.
May we joyfully partner with her in this humble labor as the Lord’s servants, as we continually back our new RD through our friendships, prayers and passionate support.  

You are dearly welcomed to CEV ate Rache! Keep your passion for Jesus burning! ^_^

/ July 28, 2012

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