Re-post of a summary during a retreat as courtesy to Cir Ron- New York Disciple and Noraleen, as well as the Mindanao Singles in their respective churches.

1. 1ST MINDANAO SINGLES RETREAT, DAVAO CITY, PHILIPPINES – APRIL 21-23, 2011
‘BREAKING DOWN THE WALL’
In my seven-year journey as a disciple, I never imagined that the time would come for me to
dance. I felt the awkwardness of (like) a teenager during
rehearsals for I knew it was not one of my strengths. Gensan
delegates for the 1st Mindanao Singles Retreat in Davao City,
Philippines, opted to present a dance number for the
opening night on April 21, 2011. Gensan delegates garnered
thumbs up rule from the audience. I danced my first dance
as a disciple in front of a crowd- the Mindanao disciples! I
was able to break a wall as well, the wall of pride and I was
humbled through such dance. It was a very nice
experience…something confined came out… freed and healed.
The second day (April 22, 2011) of the retreat came as a surprise. I was informed about zip line
but the obstacle courses to hurdle were another thing. So
many thoughts rushed on my head, the “what ifs”. The Team
Building Workshop started with games as preliminaries then
participants broke out into groups/teams. I belonged to
“duku” team, a name of variety of lanzones fruit- group
names were derived from fruit names. Each team had to
hurdle 5 elements or 5 series of obstacle courses re: whaler
watch, trust fall, pumper pole, high ropes circuit and zip line.
I was amazed with our group as we started to balance a platform like a see-saw or the whaler
watch element. All team members had to be on top of the platform. We tried several times to step up
and changed positions just to balance the platform until we got
it on the eighth time. While on the second element- trust fall, a
team member had to fall from a 4-feet riser and other
members had to do the catch, then each member had to take
his turn for the fall. On these two elements, harmony and
balance played importantly in our dealings with others. As we
hurdle each of this element, we had our individual strategy to
address the challenge but ultimately, a strategy prevailed that
would work well for the group. Individual differences were set
aside; mutual trust, cooperation and deep fellowship sufficed.
On the third element, each member had to climb a 40-feet pumper pole. Once on top, a
member had to stand, shout his goal and jump. During the
climb, I tried to balance my body with the way I pushed myself
upward and made sure of every step and grip so as not to fall.
Life was like such a climb. Sometimes easy, other times hard
pressed, steps and grips might be uncertain and any moment
you might lose your balance. But with focus to reach the top, a
goal was just a shout away! When on top, I learned to let go
and jumped wholeheartedly for I know that there are still
other ‘poles’ to climb in life.

2. The fourth element- high ropes circuit was like a
never ending struggle. Human language could not
adequately describe how I felt and what was going on
inside me. Luckily, on this element, I was paired to a very
patient disciple. He took heed in assisting me all the way
traversing the circuit until finished. God was indeed
fighting for me- he sent persons to lend a hand along the
journey though I hadn’t asked… Cir Ron of “Encouraging
the World” was
touched by God High Ropes Circuit
for my sponsorship of this retreat and through Noraleen’s
initiative. Also, I was astonished when Sherwin and Che- a
couple from Davao took care of Noraleen and me on the entire
retreat. We were like princesses housed in their royal-home
Che, Lovey & Sherwin with daughter Shayne and warmly accommodated more than physical sisters. Life,
indeed, is filled with circuits of high ropes. Series of obstacles
await us but with a Life centered in God; He would eventually make everything fall into its place no
matter how these struggles seemed like never ending.
Zip line-the fifth element. I really appreciated how God prepared and arranged events for me. I
adored most the greatness of his wisdom at that moment. Our team started from the basic element
unto the complicated last two elements. I embraced the final obstacle without hesitation despite being
physically exhausted from the previous element. These words flashed into my mind at that time: “God
promises a safe landing, not a calm passage. If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it”. So, I
claimed God’s precious prize when I had the zip line ride…I enjoyed the breath-taking view of His
creation. Nature has its own story to tell of God’s greatness. Magnificent!
Five elements conquered and survived. What a wall to break!
The third day-April 23, 2011 was a touching and heart warming lecture day and fellowship night.
On lecture, Ryan Rasines of Metro Cebu Christian Church, Cebu
City, Philippines, threw heart-provoking questions to the
participants before giving his main message. The message was
like a packed meal for our return home. Ryan made sure we will
not starve along the way. He sent us off with a powerful
message of transformation and made emphasis on Jesus as the
agent of transformation. He was used as an instrument to make
me realized that only through Jesus I would experienced
transformation, not on my own will and only if I obey Him- a humbling point of decision. As I desired to
be like water turned into the best wine!
The last retreat day ended successful and a colorful night
during KOLOR MYX acoustic night with disciples from all over
Mindanao. I travelled back home on the same night. Amazingly, the
retreat effected Godly confidence as I face a new day. Walls are
broken like spells in enchantments. To God be the glory! ….Lovey
Ruiz